My son was on the patch for 2.5 years and we LOVED it! It worked so well for him for awhile. It took about 2.5hrs to kick in, so we put it on him in the AM about 6:00 while he was sleeping, and then it would kick in by school. Because it did decrease his appetite in the beginning, we had the nurse remove the patch at school at about 2:30 so that he would be hungry when he got home. Loss of appetite was the main side effect, he did not gain much weight during that time.
Last year it started not working as well, 20 was not enough, 25(cut 30) was too much. He was 11, so I think his growth and hormones had something to do with it. He is now on a different med.
Good luck!
Yes we are finding it takes that long to kick in as well, and wil likely do theMy 8 year old son started the patch in February (lowest dose). It worked well almost right away. We put it on him mon-fri. and not at all during the Summer although that may change next summer (it was a rough one).
My son complained that it made him skin itch and burn when it kicks in. I put thick lotion on the area at night. Also sometimes the corners of it would peel back and stick to his clothes so I put medical tape over it every morning.
Also he does not want to eat anything while wearing it.....says his stomach hurts. He has lost weight although is growing so I now buy him whole milk, give him chicken nuggets a couple times a week, Pediasure everyday and a vitamin as well as other tricks to try to get some calories and good things in him. When the patch wears off (he takes it off himself in the bathroom at the end of the school day while still in school) he eats all night and all weekend.
I am starting to think we may need to up the dose within the next couple months though. He has an appointment next month.