ADHD Meds and side effects

[Ruby2000]

Hello, my 10 year old daughter has been taking methylin er 20 mg for about 4 months. Her behavior has improved greatly. She definitely was not off the charts but she just needed a little help to reel in her energy. She is and always has been very petite. She is 49 lbs and 48 inches tall. She is increadibly healthy. Before we started the medication, I was giving her melatonin at night to help her wind down and hindsight this makes perfect sense since she is the energizer bunny. Anywho, my question is that she complains of terrible stomach pain and it always when she is going to bed. She claims that it is not a pukey stomach just painful-she doesn't really understand the word 'cramp'. Her doctor is all of sudden concerned on her size and lack of weight gain.

Anybody advice on these side effects? Anyone heard of them vocalized from an older child who can describe the stomach pain better? Any reason for it being at night? Do you think it could be the melatonin rather than the methylin?

I am interested in all and any feedback. Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Ruby2000]

I apologize for bumping my own thread but I am so hoping someone here could help me. I am very much a lurker and finally came out of my shell so tell me if I am doing something wrong.

Have a great day!!

 

[LIDisneyFan]

I apologize for bumping my own thread but I am so hoping someone here could help me. I am very much a lurker and finally came out of my shell so tell me if I am doing something wrong.

Have a great day!!

Never heard the stomach complaint at night-I would stop the Melatonin for a while and see if it subsides.

 

[HeatherH]

I have a teen that has been on ADHD meds for about seven years, and she has definitely had issues with keeping her weight at a level that the doctors are happy with. She just isn't hungry. But she has had NO issues regarding her stomach at all.

I would try stopping the melatonin too to see if that works. I googled the ADHD drug she is on and it does list stomach pain as a possible side effect, but I would honestly be surprised if that is the cause.

The bigger issue is the weight, I can tell you that from experience, you really need to be sure she is getting healthy, high calorie foods and good overall nutrition. My daughter can lose five pounds in a week if we don't really make an effort to keep her well-nourished.

Good luck to you. I hope they can figure out the cause. ADHD meds have been a godsend for us. And keep in mind there are many other meds out there, you may need to try a different one if the weight becomes and issue or the stomach pain is deemed related to the current med.

 

[ms.yt]

I'm going to jump in on this thread and ask for opinions. We are adopting a seven year old girl who is diagnosed with ADHD and ODD (although I'm not sure I agree with the ODD). She has just started living with us, and I'm trying to educate myself about the world of ADHD meds.

She takes Focalin and Trileptal in the morning, then Trileptal and Ritalin in the afternoon. Then she has to take a Clonidine in the evening to help her sleep. To me that seems like an awful lot of medication, but we have to keep her on all of this until we finalize on the adoption.

I've already noticed that when she's on Focalin, she is essentially zoned out until it wears off. Her afternoon meds, however, don't seem to do much.

I'd love to hear from anybody who's had a child taking this combination. Thanks! This is all new to me.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

I know every child is different, but this seems like a lot of meds. Maybe necessary, but agree with your gut reaction.

Once you get the adoption finalized, find a good pediatric neurologist in your area. It can be a bit of a 'chemistry set', but keep trying until you and your doctor find the right meds.

Oh-and I have 2 adopted children-congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[palavra]

I'm going to jump in on this thread and ask for opinions. We are adopting a seven year old girl who is diagnosed with ADHD and ODD (although I'm not sure I agree with the ODD). She has just started living with us, and I'm trying to educate myself about the world of ADHD meds.

She takes Focalin and Trileptal in the morning, then Trileptal and Ritalin in the afternoon. Then she has to take a Clonidine in the evening to help her sleep. To me that seems like an awful lot of medication, but we have to keep her on all of this until we finalize on the adoption.

I've already noticed that when she's on Focalin, she is essentially zoned out until it wears off. Her afternoon meds, however, don't seem to do much.

I'd love to hear from anybody who's had a child taking this combination. Thanks! This is all new to me.

My daughter is on Focalin 1X a day and on Clonidine at night for sleep. So far, Focalin has done wonders for her. It begins wearing off in the early afternoon.

The Clonidine has been a godsend for us. DD has had major sleep issues since she was born. The first time we were able to go several days in a row with her sleeping through the night was when she began taking Clonidine at age 6.

 

[happygirl]

My daughter lost a lot of weight, when she was on one meds, Sorry, I can't remember the name of the meds it was. She went through a lot of meds until we found the right one for her.

I would change her meds and see if that makes her stomach aches and weight issues go away.