Adderall extender for ADHD

[HappyLawyer]

I want to know what you all think, my dtr is on adderall xl for ADHD the doctor is looking into an extender to get her through from 4-8, is there anyone who has their child on this extender, does it work well

 

[3kidsmommy]

Hi--my son tried to go on something, but then he didn't sleep at all. He is currently on Adderall XR (is that the same as your dd's?) 20 mg and it wears off about 4 pm. We tried a low dosage of plain adderrall, not the extended release version at 4pm, but then he never slept. Sure hope they figure out something for your dd. Good luck!

 

[MidgeD79]

DS 7 is on Adderall xr and was recently put on Ritalin from 4-8. It is working great!!!!!

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

My DS(11) has been on Adderall XR, 25 mg, for 2 years now and is doing great. Occassionally he has needed and extender around 4 p.m. The doctor gave us a prescription for 5 mg and that was enough to get him through that homework time. We were very lucky that he didn't have any of the sleep problems that many kids have when taking it in the afternoon like that.

Good luck with this. Just keep trying and I'm sure you'll find the right solution. My DS is doing so well with his ADHD and he has so much self- confidence since starting on the Adderall XR!

 

[HappyLawyer]

i am so concerned abut her being overmedicated, i can deal with her from 4-8 but often i am not the one with her during these hours, as you guys may know when you child has behavior issues it can be difficult to have people deal with them even family members, i think it is all wearing on my health which is not so good right now, i don't want her to be in a zombie state, just something to take her edge off from 4-8

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

i am so concerned abut her being overmedicated, i can deal with her from 4-8 but often i am not the one with her during these hours, as you guys may know when you child has behavior issues it can be difficult to have people deal with them even family members, i think it is all wearing on my health which is not so good right now, i don't want her to be in a zombie state, just something to take her edge off from 4-8

You don't mention how old your DD is.

When we needed the extender our DS was 10 and we let him be the judge of what he needed. If your DD is younger or if this won't work for you then you could always try the extender on a day when you will be with her to see how it does for her. I believe the 5 mg is the lowest dose you can try and that's all it took for DS and that amount didn't put him in a "zombie state" at all. DS has the best sense of humor and we've always been worried about medication changing his personality and his regular dose or the extender don't effect his personality at all.

 

[Tissa]

DS 7 is on Adderall xr and was recently put on Ritalin from 4-8. It is working great!!!!!

Same here.

 

[HappyLawyer]

my dtr is 9 she will be 10 in june, she was on concerta until november when she was put on adderall

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

my dtr is 9 she will be 10 in june, she was on concerta until november when she was put on adderall

How does your DD feel about it?

A little off topic here - but when our DS first started taking medication he was very embarrassed. When he first started on the medication we started off with him saying, "Don't tell anyone." He didn't even want his sister or his brothers to know. After a few days on the medication we forgot his medicine in the a.m. and I had to take it to school. He came out of class and walked to the water fountain with me, looked around to make sure no one was watching and then took it. About two weeks later we forgot his medicine in the a.m. again and I had to take it to school. He was in the lunchroom and I went in and asked him to step out in the hall with me. He said, "No, that's okay mom, they all know you're bringing me my medicine!" And he put his hand out for me to give it to him. He has such a positive attitude because he feels it working. He's the first to let us know if he needs an extender to help him get through homework time. Those times used to be more frequent but are getting less and less frequent. And when we were trying different doses for the extender he was the first to say he "didn't feel quite right" if he had too much and then we backed off the dosage the next day.

By going very gradually and letting him tell us how he feels he's never been to that zombie stage.

Sorry to have rambled on but I tend to do that where my kids are concerned. We've been very lucky to have had such a positive experience as far as DSs medication is concerned that I always like to share that. I know so many people struggle with medications and it isn't as easy for them. We've been very lucky. Two years ago DSs first report card of the school year was one A (P.E.), one C, two D's and the rest F's! That same school year he finished out the year on the A-B honor roll having earned only A's and B's in the second semester!!!

Have you talked to your DD about giving her the extender? Does she have a positive attitude about it and does she know what it is doing for her? Maybe she will be able to tell you if the extender makes her feel weird or different or like a zombie?

I hope some of this will help you in some way. Good luck!

 

[HappyLawyer]

No i have not talked to her about it, because her feelings on the matter do not really matter, does that sound confusing? It is not going to be up to her if she takes it or not, she does not make the decisions, it will be based on me and the doctor and if it is needed or necessary for her. she does not really get the concept of being medicated and why, my main concern is that she does not nor is she ever made to feel she is bad so she needs this pill to behave right, does that make sense

 

[JanetK]

Hi,
I just had to jump in here. My son now 18, has been on medication since he was 10. He didn't want to take it, but now he realizes that he does need it. I have not had him take it when we were at Disney (unless he was going to operate the boats). He takes 30mg of Adderall XR for school everday. If he is not going to drive (yes,he drives) or study he doesn't take anything on the weekend. It really helped him and me, he was actually shunned by some of his classmates in the 4th grade. I have noticed he gets slight eye ticks. How bad are your daughters problems? Do you think she would be ok in the parks with a lower dose or none at all? My son is ok and he had plenty of detentions at that age when he wasn't on his medication.

Hope all goes well,
Janet

 

[BionicEar]

My 10yo ds is on Adderall XR, but this is the first that I've heard of an extender. That sounds interesting.

He does and will ask for the medication if I forget. (I'm ADD too. ) He will tell you that he can and does feel a difference in having/not having the medication in his system. In the same breath, he'll tell you he needs it. He knows he cannot function at school without it.

As for the evening, he takes a 1/2 mg of Clonidine to help calm him down so he can sleep. Or he'll get frustrated trying to sleep. There have been instances where he's fallen asleep before I get a chance to give him the Clonidine, so I just leave him be. He also takes a 1/2 mg of Clonidine in the morning with his Adderall. I believe the doctor said this is to help "level him out?" Whatever. I trust my doc, so I don't have a problem with it. LOL

On a funny note, my 6yo ds told me on Saturday: "Mom, Matthew needs his medicine -- he's going haywire!!!"

 

[HappyLawyer]

Hi,
I just had to jump in here. My son now 18, has been on medication since he was 10. He didn't want to take it, but now he realizes that he does need it. I have not had him take it when we were at Disney (unless he was going to operate the boats). He takes 30mg of Adderall XR for school everday. If he is not going to drive (yes,he drives) or study he doesn't take anything on the weekend. It really helped him and me, he was actually shunned by some of his classmates in the 4th grade. I have noticed he gets slight eye ticks. How bad are your daughters problems? Do you think she would be ok in the parks with a lower dose or none at all? My son is ok and he had plenty of detentions at that age when he wasn't on his medication.

Hope all goes well,
Janet

Well, i give it to her on the weekends and while we are on vacation, i thought you are supposed to be consistent-call me dumb i need to ask about this, and as for the extender i think that is a name for a smaller dosage amount a seperate pill she will take at 4pm. She is quite impulsive so i am not sure it would be best for her to be off while at the parks, i like to let her have some freedoms, just not to lose complete control

 

[JanetK]

My doctor actually encourgaged not giving his medicine all the time. It is called a holiday. You have to check with your individual doctor for what suits your daughter's needs. It is difficult for him to be focused and I could tear my hair out, but we deal with it. For studying and that he has to have it. But he is not impulsive anymore (maybe puberty helped), and he does fine at the parks without it. He has talked about trying to go without it. We will see, he is an adult now. I still have major input with him and will give him my honest view.

Good luck,
Janet