7 yr on Aderall XR not sure if it works? | ADHD Information

Hi All,

I am new to the forum, and am looking for direction with my 7 year old daughter.  She is an only child, and is always cheerful and sweet.  At the beginning of this year, she was finishing 1st grade and we had battled focusing issues and impulsive behavior such as not staying in seat, constantly moving, going to the bathroom, etc since Pre-K.  So we went to our pediatrician about the issues she was experiencing in school, and we went through the process of getting teacher's feedback and going over issues at home with the doctor.  He decided that she had ADHD, and put her on Aderall XR.  It helped out a lot in the beginning and we stayed on the same dosage throughout the remainder of the school year and summer. 

She started 2nd grade in August, and this is the first year that she makes an actual grade.  I had noticed that she wasn't finishing her work in class, and immediately got with her teachers to see what issues they were having with my daughter and they were surprised that she was on medication at all.  I of course was blown away, because she did fine on the medication in class in 1st grade and her behavior at home had improved and I hadn't seen any difference.  I contacted her doctor and he increased her medication, and at home I have noticed that the medication doesn't ware off as fast, but the only difference is that she has trouble falling asleep now and she is more sensitive to things than she ever has been before.  For example, she will cry at the drop of a hat over things that normally wouldn't bother her?  With that being said, the teachers do not notice a difference in the increase of mg, and even said that they think she is worse than before?  How can that be?  So I told the teachers to give her a few weeks on the new dosage, and offer feedback every week, which they did.  The first week - no difference, The second week - definite difference, and now this week they say she is worse than ever before?  Nothing has changed in her diet, nothing has changed at home (my husband and I are very loving and give positive reinforcement, and she receives a lot (maybe too much?) attention), and for the life of me I cannot figure out what is going wrong with her medication and school?  I get comments from the teachers such as "she is very active, up and down a lot, getting up during lesson, going to the restroom too much, being impulsive, concerned about her feelings as she doesn't seem the same as she normally does, not finishing work, etc.? 

It is just so frustrating that I see what a great girl my daughter is, but her teachers don't and I feel so helpless sometimes in that I don't know what to do to help her.  We have tried taking everything away, no tv, reward system for good behavior, sticker charts, taking extra curricular activities away, but she still cannot focus.  I am also worried that she is experiencing social ridicule or is socially unaccepted as she makes comments about how some of the girls say mean things and don't want to be her friend.  She has never had a socializing problem, but I know that kids can be cruel and we talk about not letting it affect her negatively.  She has a late birthday and is the youngest in the class so I know that has something to do with it, but it just seems to be getting worse than better.  I just wanted to see if anyone had experienced the same thing and if maybe I should change medications or add supplements to what she is taking?  Like I said, I have an appt tomorrow with the doctor, but after reading alot of past posts it seems that most people seek medical attention through psychiatrists / psychopharmacologists, and that's the first I have heard about either?  I have never posted anything before online, but I just feel like I need to do something more than what we are currently doing, and I don't know where to start. 

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Do you think adderall is helping her be successful? My son couldn't handle it. We had to switch him over to concerta. He has not had any trouble with concerta, except when the dosage needs an increase. He is 12.

I would call the prescribing doctor and discuss this. I would also try another med. Any meds that aren't helping make things better aren't working. From reading your post, it doesn't seem to be helping her.

Also, my son is impulsive. We also give him guanfacine to help with that and anxiety. both work like a charm for him.

Kids are cruel. I am sorry your daughter is having these struggles. I have been there with my son.

Thank you so much for the kind words.  I think you are right on the medicine not working for her, and will talk it over with him tomorrow at our appt.  I have read a lot of good things about Concerta so I will also ask him about that one as well.  Thanks again!

I agree, it sounds like you need a medication change/adjustment.  My son couldn't take Adderall.  It made him too moody, aggravated, and anxious-especially if the dose was too high.  That may be what's going on with your daughter.  The increased dosage is probably what is making her so moody and emotional.  It's either the wrong med or the dose is too high...

My son switched to Ritalin and he is much less moody and aggravated.  He also takes Tenex/guanfacine along with his Ritalin and it helps his anxiety and aggitation. 

Definitely talk to the doctor! Also, I highly recommend a specialist (psychiatrist etc)  They are the most experienced with the meds and can get you results quicker.  Hang in there!  I know how hard it is!  Keep at it,  it WILL get better!

I agree with the other posters.... we tried everything (adderall, concerta, ritalin, etc) before finding that focalin was the only thing that our son could take with minimum of symptoms and maximum of effect....

Audrey
I sympathize with what you are going through.  My son is 7 as well, we knew he had adhd from very early on, but i refused to medicate him.  I ended up pulling him out of school the last month of kindergarden because it was traumatic for him.  We finally ended up putting him on meds before first grade.  Started with Adderall, dose in morn, and afternoon.  It was a immediate night and day difference for him!  So I finally felt confident that I had made the right choice for him with medication.  After a few months we noticed the same thing....extreme moodiness, crying, frustration...etc.  I was lost I felt so bad for him and didn't know what to do.  Finally a psychiatrist recommended Risperdone to add to the adderall in the evening.  I was nervous to try it....But I did.  OMG he is a new child!!!  I am so happy with the choice we have made with our son.  He is not medicated to the point of being a zombie, he laughs, plays well.  I feel like we have our little happy boy back.  What I have come to realize is when they are on stim. like adderall etc. they actually come down from it...and when they do it really is like withdrawl symptoms they are going through.  It is hard to accept as a parent I know!!  The resperidone kind of counteracts the effects of the adderall.  We give it to him when he gets home from school.  He actually starts to have a normal appetite come dinner time.  It helps with his sleep. And it takes the "coming down" effect away.  The meltdowns are almost non existent.  School is going fabulous for him.  He has made friends very nicely.  He enjoys reading, sports and all the normal things 7 year olds do.  I feel we have finally found the perfect balance everybody often talks about.  I did forget to mention that we did switch him to aderall xr as well about 6 months ago.  I know how frustrating all of this is for you.  It may take awhile, but once we accept as parents and truly understand what adhd is and what it means for our children.  It helps us to better understand and give them the help and support that they need.  It helps to get more than one opinion.  Trust the experts.  Nothing wrong with taking there advice and giving it a try.  The longer we wait, the more harm that comes to our children.  The more it effects our family life.  Our kids are normal, wonderful special unique children.  They just need a little help.  I ended up realizing that my decision to hold off on medicating him, thinking he would out grow it etc, turns out to be my only regret.  I now realize that when he went to school...He than knew he was different.  He wanted to do well and please other's and couldn't.  Flipping cards, getting verbally talked to, sent to the office, bus reports etc... he still 2 1/2 years later remember's those awful feelings.  No body likes to stand out like a sore thumb and be made an example of.  I still at times struggle and wish my son did not have this disorder.  However I am thankful that I did not give up, I fought for his happiness.  We talk about it openly with him.  Ask his input.  We give him a day off of the meds every now and than even during a day at school.  We ask him how he felt the day went.  His answer always validates what I have come to believe ....we are doing the right thing.  He feels he has better days at school when he takes his medicine.  No one at school has to know.  He feels happy going to school, and staying in his seat.  He is soooooo proud of himself, and so am I :-)
I hope this helps you, and gives you some strength and comfort.  Hopefully, it helps to know that you are not alone.  I do apologize this is so long...it's my first post.  I guess I needed to vent too!!  Good luck to you and your little girl!

P.s.  I would like to add that I know how heartbreaking it is,we know how sweet our children are and what big hearts they have.  Sometime's I just wish other's would see past some of the behaviors to the person they really are.  That was the hardest thing I had to deal with.  He has the biggest heart ever!  That's why I now know how hard it was for him to feel like a failure everywhere he went.  Store, school, library, church....everything except a playground almost became non existant for us as a family.  It hurt me so much to see the "looks" people can give.  The look of WHY AREN"T YOU CONTROLLING YOUR CHILD.  I am probably just babbling, but I completley understand what you are going through!!  My oldest son is fine, but my youngest daughter is 4 and is classic adhd as well.  That's a tough one to swallow.  But again I always look at the pro's and con's.  Her impulses become a safety issue.  Her inattention is a huge roadblock in the learning dept.  So we held off meds until school.  Now that school is here and the problems are extreme their as well, I again will be traveling this road.  You are a very caring parent.  Trust your instincts and be CONFIDENT in the choices whatever you choose them to be for your daughter.  It may take some time, but keep trying and don't ever lose hope:-)
momof-440121.8222453704

Hi,

I just want to thank you all for the last few posts as they have been very comforting!  We did increase her meds as the doctor didn't want to change meds at this time.  It has only been a week, but I haven't seen a dramatic difference so I am still very frustrated and worried.  I have struggled from the very beginning on putting her on meds to begin with, but did it to help her be more successful and give her more confidence in the beginning.  There has been a difference in her since she started the meds earlier this year for sure, but I don't think we have hit the correct dosage or correct med yet, but I have confidence that we will.  It sounds like it takes a little while to get it right, and hopefully we will find the right one soon.  I think that I will try and get with a psychiatrist as it seems that they deal with this moreso than doctors, and I will start researching that for a good doctor in my area. 

I cannot express how thankful I am to the last post from momof-4 as it came at a time that I really needed it.  You said a lot of nice things and I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.  I will hang in there, and hope that you do too!  Thanks again!