Medications seem "on/off" | ADHD Information

My son is on Aderall at the moment but that's about to change.   He was on Concerta and we had rather good results, but he did have some aggressive outbursts in school (second grade).  He did not hurt anyone or do anything that bad, mainly just mad with himself.  This caused just a couple of outbursts so we tried Strattera during the Christmas break.   That was a failure.  Strattera did little if anything.   Still looking for a change, we put him on Aderall.   The doc started with a 30 mg since he was on 36 mg of Concerta.   It seems to work, but has an on/off effect.   He can go for three days and all is wonderful.   Then out of the blue, his next day is like the meds never took effect at all.  He has a terrible day at school.   He is in a regular classroom with no other problems.  He's very smart and makes good grades - when he does the work.  Lately (this past month) he's made a few zeroes on papers because he refuses to do his work.   The problem is that he has become very emotional on the Aderall.  He's fine until some little thing sets him off and he over-reacts.  Then he seems to go into some kind of shutdown mode and his day just gets worse.  His teacher is semi-understanding, but she tires of it quickly.    Has anyone else traveled this road and what good or bad methods did you try?  Thank you. tperegoy38396.3110185185I am 22 years old, and I am on Aderall.  I have a perscription for Aderall 10MG and I have been feeling the same effects.  Some days when I need to concentrate and I know I have a big test to study for or I have a lot of homework, I take 2 or 3 pills; which equals out to 30MG.  Some days I find myself very motivated and somedays the drug tends to have an opposite affect.  I haven't tried eating different breakfast foods, but I do know that this feeling is not fun.  I took the medication for my first semester of college, and everything went great; I received a 4.0.  But I am taking the same dosage this semester and I am seeing an on and off effect.  I have no advice but I can say that caffeine helps me when I am on my aderall.  I also believe that a person needs to be happy all the time, when they are taking the drug.  A person who is taking the drug tends to be harder on themselves then when they weren't taking the drug.  So possitive feedback is needed all the time.  Tell the person they are doing good and give encouragement when they are on the drug.  Hopefully one day they can learn to concentrate and be less dependent on the drug.  I hope what I have said is helpful and if there are any questions or comments please feel free to email me, I, along with everyone else, need some feedback

Jmom....

My son, 5 , is also on Ritalin LA, 20mg, and we have been having the same experience with it working somedays and not others.  I can't seem to figure it out and the Dr. seems reluctant to change his dose.  I was wondering what would happen if on the off days he had a small dose of regular ritalin on top of the LA...I guess that's a question for the Dr.  I just get so tired of calling the Dr. all the time.  I'd just love 3-6 months where everything was going well and we could just coast along. 

I agree w/ RHSN, Strattera takes 1-2 mos., if not longer, to work most effectively. 

As for diet, I think it is essential that everyone (child or adult) have something in there stomach before they take their meds, so breakfast is very important.  Also, you need to stay away from sugars/simple carbs.  I've read, and agree b/c its works for me, that a high protein diet works best for most people w/ ADD.  You still need carbs, but complex ones - brown breads, veges, etc.,  Also, citric juices reduce the effects of Adderall (absorption of it).  So don't take meds w/ any citric juices. 

Well, a dose of reality here.   We have a house full of kids and the idea of telling just one that he can't have the "good" ceral isn't going to fly.   I would not single him out like that.  We don't buy the pure sugar kinds, but we do buy cereal that kids will eat.  In spite of the sugar content, cereal does contain a full dosage of daily vitamins. Btw, I once switched him to cheese toast for a week.  He loves that also.   No difference!  It didn't seem to make any difference if he had cereal or toast.

I emailed by doctor and told him what I wanted to do.   We reviewed my sons med history and what did/did not work.   He agreed to get him off of Adderall.  He is no longer prescribing it until conclusive results are published about the Canada ban.  We are going back to Strattera with a low dosage Concerta for school hours.  My new insurance covers it all to the tune of about each per month out of pocket.  I mention that becasue Blue Cross would not pay for both. Personally, I am very comfortable with this

I need a collective "finger crossing" for good luck!

 

I had my 7-yr old on Ritalin LA, and experienced this on/off effect.  It would work wonderfully some days, then be ineffective others.  We're now going to try Adderall.  I'm wondering if the kind of breakfast he has affect it.  Citrus juice, for example??

Hmmmmmmm, interesting that you would say that.   We have also thought breakfast made an impact.  We notice, for example, that we cannot give him chocolate flavored cereal.    Many cereals may have just as much sugar.   One breakfast he loves is cheese-toast.   We'll fix that and he does seem to have better days most of the time.   And after saying that, he did have one bad day after eating cheese-toast.  Why is this such a mystery?! 

Strattera takes 4-6 weeks before seeing results on proper amount.If your changing before your not on correct dosage or simply not giving enough time.Took 3 dosage changes for our son who is 8.The amount should be based on weight.See dosage chart.

10mg week 1,20mg week 2, week3 25. working good.

 

We all have bad days!They just have more. rshn

RSHN38398.3590972222

I believe with our son isn't at the level educationally as they see it.He is still struggeling with the basics.4th grade in fall.Passing is all that matters today not mastery.He has always been less developmentally than peers.I am haveing him reassessed.He acts like a child who is a toddler in some ways.I believe mis diagnosed or has more than 1 needed.Eci started at 15 months and has always been in therapies since then.Has worked in helping him progress faster.He is a hands on learner mostly also.Homeschooling is only other option for us.Private education can't afford it.He doesn't care anything about education.Always had to be made to do stuff. Discipline: doesn't care if spanked,taken things away.Our kids are only grandkids so grandparents give them what they want.That's why we now live 1hr. from one set.1 1/2 from others.Best thing ever and recomended it.Strong wild alsokids. Just don't care.

rshn

Dryed cereals mostly sugar. Get out of your home! Doesn't benefit anyone.Most store vitamins same thing.Buy from wellness companies or healthfood store.Juice plus are whole food supplements great for someone whom won't eat fruits and vegetables.Vitamin world has ones like these. Cheaper also.White flour items get rid of these. Bad! Learn eating healthy and exercise. That's why america is over weight also.See dietician if don't know how.Get rid of store cleaners very toxic also. These things have helped us all here. rshn PS: Dr.'s visits less also.