Update and Questions about Side Effects | ADHD Information

Hi Pinkberry, and welcome to the boards. I don't have any specific information on Concerta, but our son started on Focalin XR last December, right before his 6th birthday. Their behavior sounds identical...zero impluse control, but sweet, lovable, and full of joy. With the Focalin, it seemed to work exactly like the Concerta does with your son. His kindergarten teacher gave us wonderful reports about how well the medicine was helping him to focus, and his behavior reports were excellent. His handwriting also improved significantly. We did notice that he would become more anxious on the medication. He started overfocusing, and would pick the skin on his fingers incessantly. His appetite improved, but he ended up two pounds less than he started after 5 mths on the meds. We didn't change the medicine because there were no drastic side effects, and the teacher kept raving about how well he was doing. But we became increasingly concerned because even though we had a well behaved boy, that "joy" was missing from  his personality.

We stopped the meds 10 days before school ended, and the behavior reports immediately became bad again, even worse than before the meds. Right now, he is at summer day camp and, although he requires redirection, the counselors report that he is doing fine. We are going to stay medicine free for the summer. Then we'll see what next year brings.

I think what you are experiencing is not that uncommon, from what I've read.  I'm sure your doc will adjust the dosage, and you may see less of a rebound. If you read alot of the posts here, you will see amazing success stories. It's all about trial and error, and a good doctor. I would also do alot of research on your own on all the different options out there, so you will be more comfortable when you meet with the doctor. I know when we started, I spent hours on these boards. I used the search option and looked up posts for every medicine I could think of and read all the stories, good and bad. There's also rxlist.com, which will give you info and user reviews for all the different medicines.

Good luck!

 

Hi everyone--

I posted a number of weeks ago as my family began this ADHD journey.  I had my son (almost 6) evaluated by a behavioral pediatrician.  Based on the teacher feedback, my feedback, and then my son's presentation at the visit (literally bouncing off the walls), he recommended starting my son on Concerta 18mg.  I struggled with starting him, filled the prescription, but didn't start it.  Then, we went to a birthday party where my friend had hired a man who brings all kinds of small pets to share with the kids.  Almost immediately, he singled my son out and harped on him the whole presentation--I can handle correction, but every time anyone made a peep, he would call out my son (even when he wasn't the one doing stuff).  It was so disheartening.  I just kept picturing this scenario playing out in elementary school.  This was the kick-start I needed. 

So, we started the medicine.  He has been on it a week.  His hyperactivity and impulsivity have definitely been knocked down several notches.  His appetite was nil at first but he is getting it back now and is eating pretty well.  My problem is that he seems much more irritable.  He is usually very sweet but now he seems to get frustrated/angry more quickly and just doesn't seem as joyful.  When the medicine wears off at the end of the day--look out--he is moody.  But once he gets past about 4-5pm, he is his happy, bouncing off the walls self with zero impulse control who doesn't want to fall asleep at his 8pm bedtime.

Has anyone else experienced this?  Is the irritability transient?  Will his body adjust?  And how long does it take?  I am supposed to call the doctor tomorrow after having tried Concerta for a week to give him an update.  I am just curious about your experiences.  The doc also said he likes to start with Concerta, maybe adjust the dose, and then change to Vyvanse if the Concerta isn't cutting it.  So, I know there are other options--I just didn't know how long you stuck with one medicine before making adjustments. 

Thoughts?
Hi EllieBellie--

No, we don't have anything figured out!  We discontinued the Concerta, tried the Vyvanse, but he had a horrible time on it.  Our next med is going to be Metadate, but we aren't on anything right now...

I'm experiencing the same things with my 9 year old - in terms of the moodiness when the medicine is wearing off.  I'm confused and not sure what this means.  How did things turn out for you and do you have any advice for me re: rebound?  Thanks!