hitting my head against wall = headache | ADHD Information

Really? Really??!  Awe come on!  My son is one of those kids that hasn't found a med that works for him longer that 6-9 months.  He was doing so well on Vyvanse...and now he's not.  I've read the Medications forum, and put a call into the Dev Psych but I'm just feeling so tapped right now.  The Vyvanse takes 2 hours to work and is wearing off earlier and earlier.  We have a Tenex booster which helps some but not enough.  His impulse/sensory issues are through the roof when the V wears off and its really effecting my relationship with him.  (I was a little slow to realize that its probably the drug and not all him).  I look forward to seeing him everyday after school and always have high hopes for the weekend.  Then the noise start (his biggest sensory issue).  Its hard to explain, but its not like Torrets.....but still annoying as anything.  Soon to follow are the impulse problems....running through the house (beyond normal 8 yo boy stuff) being aggressive with his 6yo sister etc.  These are all things that had started to diminish before.
     I feel frustrated, angry, sad and hopeless; like a bad parent.  Normally I'm positive, cup half-full but I just can't get there.  When will things get better for him?  Is this what he has to look forward to as an adult...meds-meds-meds?  I just want to scream.

First of all, you are  a good parent who is in a difficult situation.  You are here seeking answers for your son - good for you!  Having a child who burns through his meds would frustrate all of us.  We understand your frustration! 

I am very successful adult who takes psychiatric medication.  I went to college, travelled, got a good  job, lived independently - all while dealing with a formerly debilitating panic disorder.  I met a wonderful man, got married, and now  I'm a stay at home mom in the suburbs in the Northeast.  The stuff American Dreams are made of! 

I know lots of other people like me.  People who would not be able to function without psychiatric medication.  Some of them have children with special needs, some don't.  It is a roll of the dice.  My point is, it's okay if your child's future is med-med-med.  My life is, and my life is good.

twodoodles,

Boy do I hear you. There are days when I really don't like my son's behaviors. It's like he just turns off and nothing I do or say can get through. We don't have the 'wearing off' problems that you apparently have, but we also haven't found the right med yet. I keep having to tell myself that it has only been a few months. I can live in hell for a few months, if only I know there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. Please let there be a light at the end of the tunnel!

I know it's not really fair to say I'm glad you are dealing with this, because I wouldn't wish that on anyone. But I sort of am, because then I don't feel like I'm so alone. It isn't so overwhelming when I know that others out there are going/have gone through what I am. My thoughts are with you. I hope you can find your way to a place where that light is at least visible in the distance. Hang in there. Oneortheother:  Thanks for the understanding words....I does mean so much to be reminded I'm not alone

Mamatothestars: Maybe I didn't communicate my thoughts well:  It upsets me to think, that as an adult, he may bounce from medication to medication without satisfaction as he does now.  Just like his mother....ME.  I am people "like you".  I graduated from college, have always been successful in my work and have travelled too.  Having depression, seasonal affect disorder and ADHD (only diagnosed a few years ago) didnt prevent me from marrying or becoming a SAHM in Massachusetts.  However it did make these things more difficult.

I am on psychiatric medications. One for depression and the other for ADHD. Although I am grateful these medications exist, and feel no shame in my reliance of them,  it doesn't change the sadness I feel for my child's need for them.  Watching his regression socially, academically and emotionally, every time a meds stops working is heartbreaking. 
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