ADHD Medications

[poohguys]

Hi-

DS is 11 yrs old and has been on Daytrana Patch for ADHD since 1st grade. He is now on the highest dose. I am afraid that it is time to switch his medicine as it just does not seem to be helping him with his fidgeting and focus at school any longer. He cannot swallow pills so the patch has worked great for us. He has had no side effects other than a slightly decrease appitite.

Has anyone else switch from the patch? If your child cannot swallow pills how did you handle this? Did they experiance a lot of side effects with the switch.

Thank you

 

[DoBug]

DS has never been on the patch but Focalin XR can be given in applesauce (I suppose other things would work too such as yogurt, pudding etc). It is a capsule and you just mix the contents into the applesauce. They aren't supposed to chew it. Very easy - I suppose DS will get so sick of applesauce that one day he will just start taking the capsules - they are not that big.

The other consideration is that even the extended release (XR) Focalin lasts 8 hours or so. Some people need an additional dose late afternoon to help with evening activities, homework, etc.

Good luck!

 

[poohguys]

Thank you Do Bug. That is good to know that there are other medications that are an option. I can now see if the dr thinks that would work for DS. How long after the medication is taken does it start to work? TIA

 

[WantToGoNow]

My ds10 just started ADHD meds in November of this year. Last year was terrible at school and the doctor actually thought maybe he had ODD because he was so defiant to his teachers and refused to do his work. He was put on Vyvanse. It is a capsule but we were told if he couldn't swallow them, they could be opened and mixed in food. He's had no trouble swallowing them though and he's never been able to swallow a pill before. And the results were almost instant - he went from barely passing to all A's and B's and his teachers say it's like having a new kid in class.

 

[poohguys]

Thank you Want to Go Now. The dr had wanted to switch DS to Vyvanse several yrs ago when it first came out, but the Daytrana was working and not really a need to. Good to know that the Vyvanse can also be put in food if needed too. The Daytrana takes almost two hours after the patch is put on for it to take effect. I am glad that you have had success. It makes such a differance for all involved.

 

[DoBug]

Thank you Do Bug. That is good to know that there are other medications that are an option. I can now see if the dr thinks that would work for DS. How long after the medication is taken does it start to work? TIA

I would say it starts working in 30 - 45 min. I end up relying on his teachers for a lot of info - about how long it lasts and do we need to change doses etc. We don't usually give it to him at home so don't really see its effects. Maybe a 12 yo would be able to give you better feedback about it also.

I was thinking we might end up having to switch to the patch or add an afternoon dose as homework becomes more of an issue. Do you have to wake up early to put the patch on so its working when school starts?

 

[poohguys]

I would say it starts working in 30 - 45 min. I end up relying on his teachers for a lot of info - about how long it lasts and do we need to change doses etc. We don't usually give it to him at home so don't really see its effects. Maybe a 12 yo would be able to give you better feedback about it also.

I was thinking we might end up having to switch to the patch or add an afternoon dose as homework becomes more of an issue. Do you have to wake up early to put the patch on so its working when school starts?

That is a lot quicker than the patch. It takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hrs to fully "kick in". I put it on DS at about 5:45 am we leave the house by 6:45 and have about an hour ride to school/work. School starts at 8 am. ( He goes to a charter school by where DH and I work. The smaller class size and more hands on approach to learning works better for him.) The patch is supposed to last approx. 9 hrs, but I think it last about 12 or so.

 

[LMC]

My 11yo is on Focalin XR and I open it into a spoon and add a little Dr Pepper and he swallows it right down with a chaser of Dr Pepper. It doesn't take much soda and you can use your childs favorite. It takes about 1 hr for it to take affect. I think he tried vyvanse and it made him extremely angry so just watch for side effects. The focalin could have that effect too on some kids I guess but it works for us.

 

[herdtoDisney]

I'm reading this thread with interest. My 15yo Ds was diagnosed with ADHD just last year and we had a very UNsuccessful trial of meds He has an appt this week coming up to try again.

Vyvanse made him very preservative and obsessive and grouchy. And he lost weight. Adderall was nearly as bad. I'm actually interested in the patch since it's not swallowed-I wonder if that might be better for a med-sensitive person.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I remember teaching my boys to swallow pills. Both gag something awful on liquids so we learned early!! We started with something tiny like a nerd, and worked up to something like a tic-tak. It really did not take them too long and it made things so much easier. Even at 4 they could take small pills and it eliminated having to get shots to get antibiotics into them

 

[LMC]

I'm reading this thread with interest. My 15yo Ds was diagnosed with ADHD just last year and we had a very UNsuccessful trial of meds He has an appt this week coming up to try again.

Vyvanse made him very preservative and obsessive and grouchy. And he lost weight. Adderall was nearly as bad. I'm actually interested in the patch since it's not swallowed-I wonder if that might be better for a med-sensitive person.

My DS16 has been on the daytrana patch for many years. The doctor chose to leave him on it because he did not tolerate the oral medications very well. He can swallow pills now and since our 3 mo scripts just went from $180 to $250, I think we will try the orals over Christmas school break. I sure hope he can take them now because the price of the patch is killing me!!! If your son has an intolerance to the orals, I bet the patch would work fine.

 

[poohguys]

Went to dr yesterday and gave us a new script for the vyvance. We will start this weekend. I hope all goes well. Daytrana and the Vyvance are only $25 with insurance all others are $50 a month. LCM it is crazy how much they charge you! I hope your DS is able to switch over

 

[KristenFNJ]

As far as pills go, my DS (7) can't "swallow" a pill either, but I put it in a spoonful of vanilla ice cream and it goes down without a problem! He is on Concerta 18mg/morning (methylphenidate stimulant) with a 1mg Intuniv/afternoon (guanfacine non-stimulant).

herdtodisney, my son experienced "outbursts" the day he started Vyvance-they were several times a week and were very angry and sometimes violent (this is NOT my kid!). We switched to Concerta with hope that they would go away, but while they have lessened a bit they still occur. I've read of a few cases (addforums.com) that seem similar where they added the non-stimulant to the stimulant to combat the outbursts, and also get the benefit of not having a drop-off and return of symptoms at the end of the extended-release dose, as well as increased appetite and less insomnia. We're still in the second week of Intuniv and it takes a couple weeks to kick in (unlike stimulants), but if you're concerned about the stimulant family perhaps a non-stimulant could help.

(FWIW, I am ADD/Inattentive and am on Vyvance, and have no outbursts It's not everyone!)

 

[bookwormde]

Do you take him off the medication in the summer?

 

[DoBug]

Bookwormde,

Not sure who you are asking about the summer but I will tell you for our DS9 we take him off the focalin for summer and most weekends. I think this may be an advantage to those who can tolerate the stimulants and where they are effective. DS is pretty skinny and skipping the summer may help him gain a little weight. I think since the non-stimulants take time (days - weeks?) to work it is harder to do at least over short breaks and weekends.

Personally I feel that the stimulants are safe, but the idea of giving them long-term everyday makes me uneasy. Of course we also save significant money by skipping summer but DS' behavior is not disruptive. He talks non-stop but the hyperactivity doesn't seem much worse than his 3rd grade classmates - LOL. It is mostly lack of focus with him.

I am beginning to understand how lucky we were that the first drug and first dose we tried worked for him and have only had to increase once. So good luck to everyone struggling with these issues.

I have to go pack now - leaving for WDW tomorrow!

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm going to move this to the disABILITIES Community Board since it will be mo re on topic there.

 

[poohguys]

I'm going to move this to the disABILITIES Community Board since it will be mo re on topic there.

Thanks Sue, that is where I ment to post it.

DS does not come off medications in the summer. He goes to rec and camp and it is not that his behavior is bad, but he just lacks self control and ends up getting in to trouble. Silly stuff like trowing balls to hard or not looking where he is throwing. We do take him off on weekends and over school breaks when he is home with us.

DS started new medicine this past weekend. Dr started him on the lowest dose and I could tell it was not stong enough from the first day-talking non stop and eating all day. He was eating non stop all week. By Thursday it was like he was not even on anything when I picked him up from aftercare at school. Called the dr on Friday am, but he is off until Monday. (luckily I had some of his old medication left) Have to get an increased dose. I hope it does not take too long to get this new medicine straightened out!

Thanks to all about who replied about Still have to work on the pill swallowing.