Just starting on Intuniv - HELP!! | ADHD Information

Thanks so much for your reply!  I have called the doctor and am waiting on him to call back.  She has been on Focalin for several years and we haven't had any for three days - just the Intuniv.  The anxiety is GONE,  which is wonderful.  She doesn't seem so scared and anxious.  But she is just all over the place.  I guess I am just not used to it because she has been on meds for so long (since she was 3).  We tried Strattera along with the Focalin, but it really sped up her heart rate, so we had to stop it.  Would love to get her off of the stimulants altogether.  Don't know if Intuniv is for us.  I guess we will have to wait and see.  At least we are out of school.  Thanks for the encouragement.Also, we have tried Concerta and Ritalin.  They did not seem to work as well as the Focalin, but we did not have all the anxiety that she has now. My dd 10 is diagnosed severe ADHD.  She has been on Focalin XR on a pretty high dose for several years now, but anxiety has really increased lately.  She does not even want to walk from one room to the other in our house by herself when she is on the meds.  She also takes Clonidine at night or she would be awake all night.  Her doctor wants to get her off of the stimulants and we started 1 mg of Intuniv today, but he said to give her the intuniv and take her off the focalin.   However, I have seen a lot of posts that people are combining intuniv with their regular medication.   I would like to know what to expect.  Does it take time to build up in your system?  I am willing to try anything to get rid of all that anxiety, but right now she is SUPER HYPER.  It seems like she has had no medicine at all.  It is shaping up to be a pretty rough day.  Just wondering if it will get better and how long it will take.  Has anyone had a similar experience?

I'm sorry she isn't tolerating the Focalin XR well and you had to remove it.  Unfortunately, you are going to have to wait as the Intuniv builds in her system (I think it takes about 3 weeks to see it fully).  Also, 1 mg might not be the right dose for her, and you might have to wait while the doctor slowly increases it.

If you find Intuniv alone isn't enough, maybe Strattera would help?  That's a nonstimulant.  Also, has she tried any stimulants besides Focalin?  It's possible she wouldn't get so anxious on a different one.

I hope that you quickly find something that works. 

 

If the Intuniv isn't enough, another option to consider might be something from the amphetamine family (Adderrall or Vyvanse) if you think the methylphenidate stimulants are no longer an option.

Hopefully Intuniv will be enough, and you won't have to go looking for any more answers!