Hello all...... I new to the world of ADHD and I am still in a learing process.
My Fiancee's son was Dx with ADHD about 3 years ago and he is currently taking 30mg of Adderall (15mg twice a day). We recently learned that he needed to reduce his caffine (coke, monsters, Mtn dew, tea, etc...) and this has helped him greatly.
Now, he is sleeping all the time. He wakes to go to school at 7A but as soon as he gets home, he is off to bed. We are talking 4 or 5 in the afternoon.
Has anyone else experienced this? I have reasearch so much about Adderall and honestly, I'm not impressed with all the side effects and contraindications of this drug. I was suprised that even simple sinus meds are not advise to combine with Adderall.
Thanks to all and I hope for even more info!
The information you read when it comes to research is only as good and/or accurate as the person writing it so its critical to recognize credible research. All medications have side effects, including anitbiotics but if you underdstand that sinus meds have stimulant properties then you would understand that taking them in combination with ADHD meds would elevate the dose and then might cause unacceptable side effects because then the dose might then be too high for the indivudal. ADHD meds are to be taken as prescribed so adding another med with stimulant properties can cause problems. Before mixing any type of meds (even over the counter meds) its wise to consult your local phamacist first.Is adderall helping his adhd symptoms? My son couldn't handle adderall XR because it made him aggitated, angry, confrontational, sad, etc. We stopped after several days and reports from his teacher who knew our son.
He is on concerta which is from the ritalin family. He does NOT sleep after school and is awake until it is bedtime.
From my reading and understanding, folks usually work well with EITHER the adderall family or the ritalin family, not both. So I want to make sure that your fiances son is on the right "family" of meds.
I would contact the prescribing doctor and tell them of all this sleeping.
Is he up very early in the am? Has the school complained of anything, even being tired in class?
As far as what I have seen, yes.... his ADHD symptoms are helped. There are no complaints at school as far as behavior. He hardly ever has homework (he's 16 BTW), and what homework he does have he finishes it as soon as he comes in from school.
He awakes at 7A during the week and there are no problems with him "getting around" or eating breakfast. Of course eating is not a problem. Whether it's the fact that he is a 16 y/o, or one of the side-effects of the Adderall, he has gained a signifant amout of weight since he moved in. I would guess at least 40lbs. and he has been living here since June of 2010.
This morning , he threw us a curveball.... he didn't want his Adderall and he wants to stop taking it. So now, we are trying to get in touch with his doctor for what to do.
Thanks for your insight..... But in all reality, I do guess the best thing we can do is see what his doctor thinks. In my personal opinion, I feel that Adderal appears to me one of the most mis-prescribed drugs or maybe it's one of the hardest to prescribe.
Ok is he depressed? Anything going on at school, how is his social life, does he have one?
40lbs is a lot to gain in a short period of time, UNLESS he is in a growth spurt.
I wonder why he all of a sudden said NO to adderall. I wonder if it is because of how it is making him feel?!
MOST adhd'ers have a co-morbid (something in addition to adhd) my has anxiety. A lot of anxiety but others have depression, or even bipolar, etc.
Any thoughts?
How is his social life???
He seems to be "lack-lustered" regarding his grades.... He is failing but he has gone from A's & B's to mainly C's and one D this last semester. He seems to have a harder time comprehending some things (geometry & US History mainly). Those seem to be his his hardest but, once he is home, we go over it together he comprehends and manages the problems/questions well.
Socially, he does go with friends to the movies or some little local event (monster trucks, basketball games, etc) either on Friday or Saturdays. He helps us around the house on Sunday's.
He does not seem anxious or agitated. But he does say he is bored alot. Depression might be a possiblilty but he seems to cure the "boredom" quickly.