Help! Adderall XR to Concerta | ADHD Information

My almost 7 year old son was diagnosed with ADHD about a year and a half ago and has been taking Adderall XR in various doses , most recently 20mg, ever since. I am increasingly concerned about his weight loss and in the past few weeks I have noticed that he unusually grumpy and sometimes downright mean to everyone. School is ok, he just started at a new school approx. one month ago(was living with dad  now with me , mom) and his teacher said she has noticed  that he has been frusterated more recently. I know he is much happier here so I don't think this is just acting out - he was uncontrollable with his dad.  I feel like we ran our course with the Adderall and his Dr has prescribed 18mg of Concerta which he will start tomorrow. I plan to keep him home from school the next two days (thurs and Fri) and to keep an eye on him all wekkend for any side effects like dizziness and vomiting (which we saw with Strattera) but I was wondering if anyone has seen an INCREASE in appetite when switching meds and how long it can really take for the other side effects to really show through, and do they ever go away or is it, if you have the side effect at first it will always be there? I greatly appreciate any input as I am finding so few answers with out Doctors and I am not sure what to do anymore. Sorry this is so long < ="">

Hi doubleblessed,

I just joined a little over a week ago and have found others stories very helpful.  My son is 7 and was just diagnosed with ADHD last week.  I have earlier posts (7 yr old on Concerta - DAY 3) that share some of my experiences thus far on Concerta 18 mg.  We started him last Saturday and school work and behavior has greatly improved.  However, he is very moody in the evenings.  His moods/temper tantrums were very bad and long the first two days on Concerta.  They have subsided some, but he gets very angry at the drop of a hat and can't seem to control it.  He realizes later what he has done and says "that was not me mom, I couldn't help it".  It's so sad.  It's as if he becomes possessed.  He was not like that before the meds.  Our main reason for the meds relates to school not home life.

He has lost his appetite some, but I make sure he eats a big breakfast in the morning before I give him his med.  The school tells me he is eating his lunch everyday.  He is not really eating much of anything for dinner though.

I suggest you keep a daily log and make notes of his appetite and behavior/moods.  I started doing this so I can see if there is a pattern and better communicate it to the Dr.