ADHD Preschooler advice needed | ADHD Information

adderall did NOT like my son. He became angry, frustrated, got in kids faces at school which is NOT him, etc. He became almost psychotic. His pediatrician witnessed it and we stopped immediately. My son can't the medicines from that family, but can take the ones from the concerta family. I am not sure of the terminology, but others here are. I have read them. So I understand what was happening when she took that med.

I wish you the best with focalin. We have had much success with concerta.

Keep us posted!!

We went to the doc today and she agreed with me that most of her negative behaviors are likely being caused by side effects of adderall (and I'm referring to extreme negatives NOT normal 3-year old stuff).  We are taking her off adderall !  She wants to try focalin.  We are going to start with 5mg in the am and see how she does.  I am waiting until Saturday to start so i can see first hand what the reaction is instead of sending her to school on it for the first time.  Any thoughts on this are welcome!

Thanks!

Sounds good. I have to say that a 2.5 mg short-acting should be enough though. It certainly lasts for 3 hrs on my 7 yo. You could give another 2.5 in the afternoon if you need to. Unless this is 5 mg XR? Then 2.5 mg releases right away, and then another 2.5 mg releases 4 hrs later. Jessica N40094.8590972222

It sounds like your doctor is well equipped to handle this-or at least can refer you to one of the others.  My son also started on meds at 3 also.  Adderall helped the hyperactivity/impulsiveness a lot but, like your daughter, it made him aggitated and angry.  He also had horrible rebound.  Rebound IS NOT something that you have to live with. The meds need to be adjusted or changed if she's having rebound. We switched to Ritalin and he doesn't have rebound anymore. 

My son is also on Tenex (actually the generic-guanfacine) it helps smooth out the edges and calm him so he doesn't get as aggitated or anxious. 

Keep trying!  There are so many different types of meds out there!  You just have to find the right one/dose/timing etc!

My 3 yr old was diagnosed in June.  Because her behaviors were so impulsive, it became a safety issue to seek appropriate medication.  We struggled all summer trying Ritalin, ritalin XR, adderall, and adderall xr.  Each time we thought something worked, she developed side effects such as motor tics or extreme agitation and aggression.  She seems angry all the time and has become quite defiant.  She is much more manageable on the meds but I can't stand the rebound when they come out of her system.  The "rebound" seems to last until she gets the next pill in her system.  She also takes clonidine at night which has been wonderful for her.  What is interesting to me is that she will take the clonidine no problem, but fights me tooth and nail on taking the adderall she's on now.  She told me two days ago that it makes ber tummy hurt and she doesn't eat much at all while on it.  We are going back to her doc in two days and I would love any advice anyone can offer.

My Neice was acting the same, Very impussive, Angry and freak out over everthing. My sister had her tested for autism,OCD, Adhd and several other. She was told she has OCD and she has form of Autism. She was give prozac to help her with the OCD anxiety and Temper. It has helped her. She was dignost when she was 3 years old, last year.

 

My son has ADHD he cannot focus and is very impusive. He is five almost 6, I just put in him on foclin xr for during the day and Foclin at night for homework.  I have not gotten one call about him fighting students or hitting the teachers. I hope this helps.She is young I would have her tested for everything to make sure it is ADHD. Becuase it is very hard to tell when they are under 5 years old

Thanks!  We are actually going to her doc on Thursday.  She is a developmental pediatrician but she works in a group with psychiatrists, psychologists, behavioral therapist, etc..  What other "tests" can be done?  I did take her to an allergist who found nothing but the diagnosis is based strictly on her regular pediatrician's records, a lengthy discussion with me, and about an hour she spent with my daughter.

You can have her tested for Oppostitional  Defiant disorder, Pervasive development disorder,Obessive compulisive disorder.  There has be something the Dr can give you to help. I understand your fustration. I could not take my son anywhere with out him having a meltdown or hitting his sisters or someone else. I was emotionally and physically worn out.  I felt my other to girls was being pushed aside so I  could deal with my son's and his behavor issues.  Alex was a six week premie so it seems that he has always been the child that has had the most problems

 

 

I agree with you completely, that's why I'm taking her back to the Dr.  I don't really think it's ODD based on what I've read on it but adderall is definitely not for her.  I don't know anything about focalin.  We did try clonidine during the day.  Even at a 1/4 dose of a 0.1 tablet, she was too zonked to be herself.  Thank everyone so much!  You can't talk to moms of "regular" preschoolers about this.  I get looks like I'm crazy for medicating her at all.  It makes me feel horrible to have to medicate her but it is for her safety and happiness!  I want her to have positive life experiences, not constantly get fussed at for behaviors she can't control.  We go to the doctor tomorrow and I am planning on asking about Tenex for sure.  Also, does anyone know much about vyvanese, stratterra, or concerta?  I think these are non-stimulant meds?  We tried ritalin and adderall so maybe a non-stim is the way to go.  She actually told her dad yesterday, "Don't ever give that to me again!" and said again that it makes her tummy hurt.  She always eats breakfast 20-30 minutes before she takes it so I don't think it's a food issue but what do I know?  I just know it's not right for her!  I'lll let everyone know what happens tomorrow!Not sure why she needs the benefits of stimulants at age 3. Safety is the issue? Why isn't she just taking clonidine during the day? That's what mine took until age 6. That helps slow them down big time. Also not sure why they picked the strongest stimulant--Adderall. They did not want to try Focalin? My doc says it has the least side-effects. The only non-stimulant is Strattera, and she does not meet the minimum age criteria, which is 6.

There really are no tests for a 3 yo. You just chat with the doctor. There are some tests that can be taken at 6 yo, then a lot more as they get older. We are talking about written tests requiring reading and math.

Is there a benefit to getting an ODD diagnosis for a 3 year old? Can an ODD dx even be valid at the age? I wonder. Normal 3 yo children are irrational, have limited self-control, do not understand social clues, and they often do not yet have empathy. This is normal stuff, not ADHD stuff. Just because they can talk doesn't mean you can layer on an expectation of understanding of the complexities of daily life. She's been alive for 3 years.Jessica N40093.8795486111

I wish I had my son evaluated and medicated in preschool. He was so hyper. We had the evaluation and received the results just shy of him turning 5, June. I also regret not medicating him then. Unfortunately the evaluator didn't offer us anything other than going to a website, CHAD. That was all!

Your daughter is so lucky that you are on top of this for her. Good job mom!!

My son is on concerta and guanfacine (tenex). He has been for over 5 yrs now. He only takes 1 mg of the guanfacine each day when he takes the concerta. The combo is great for him. It helps relax him, smoothes things, if you know what I mean. He doesn't have sleep issues and eats pretty well also.

Call the doctor and ask about it, maybe it could help your daughter too.

 

Many stimulants, like Adderall, supress appetite. I'm on Ritalin and it makes me a little nauseus if I haven't eaten before I take it. Of course, that makes it harder to eat...which makes the nausea worse. It helps to eat right before I take it - not only am I hungriest when the medication is wearing off, but it keeps me from feeling sick. Just a thought...definitely talk to her doc about it. With the rebound effect...it might be worth trying a different med to see if something else has less of a rebound effect on her.

My daughter is a twin born at 34 weeks and I've always wondered if that has been a part of this.  Her sister has no issues as of yet.  I don't think it's a form of autism.  She definitely understands social cues, demonstrates empathy, makes eye contact, etc...  She is also very smart.  She knows some letters already and has read 1-2 words, though not consistently.  She can also figure out any child safety tool you give her !  I have wondered about ODD though.  I'm thinking about trying a non-stimulant med for her.  ANy thoughts?

Thanks!