OT ADHD Meds (another, I know, sorry guys)

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Thanks! I knew Daytrana was a patch, but I didn't know it was the same active ingredient as Focalin. I think the active ingredient in Vyvanse is different. Hopefully the 20 mg. Focalin dose will be effective in getting us through the end of the school year.

 

[GreyGooseCosmo]

My SD has ADD (primarily inattentive type). We've tried Concerta and Vyvanse. Concerta made her especially weepy (seriously she cried at Easter when she couldn't find an egg), and Vyvanse made her aggressive to the point of physical violence.

She's currently unmedicated, because the side effects were too much stress on the family. We're working on behavior modification (strict limits and defined consequences), and it helps a lot.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

We tried 2 different meds with both having side effects that we decided were not worth her continuing the meds for. We tried Strattera and she basically quit eating, she was under 60 lbs to start and wound up at almost 43 lbs. when I said enough, so then we decided to try Daytrana patches, and that was absolutely horrible. Our reasoning for trying this was because we could control how long the patch was on for, so hopefully she'd eat again. We'll she did begin to eat but every afternoon the drug would wear off and she was having temper tantrums that were unbearable. Dr. said it was almost like withdrawal once we removed her patch every day. But once we took her off all the meds, we realized that she was having petit mal seizures, and it only looked as if she was not paying attention all the time. She does have ADD but we treat her seizure disorder first then we use other methods to work with her ADD. She isn't medicated for it, but we have a great teacher who is willing to work with us. Good luck, I hope you are able to find one that works for you.

 

[tweedlemom]

DS7 uses the Daytrana patch, 15mg. It is wonderful, just represses his appetite slightly.

 

[bookwormde]

Be sure that your child’s school has an effective Executive Function (EF) support program for your child as part of the IEP. This typically includes visual support measures to maintain linear process and focus. Often if the medication is not primarily for hyperactivity the dose for attention issues can be lowered to the minimum (or sometimes eliminated all together once the program is effective) thereby reducing both the short term and potential long-term side effects of any of the medicines.

bookwormde

 

[barkley]

another daytrana fan here

ds has been on it for 2 years and it's great. i put it on him when he's asleep (about an hour and a half before he needs to get up for school) so it's working when he wakes.

so much easier in the morning-and NO crash and burn in the afternoon (homework was a nightmare because the dextrostat he was previously on wore off right around 3 each day). he takes it off a couple of hours before he goes to bed (so we're getting a little over 12 hours of effect).

it does supress his appetite a bit but nowhere near the way the oral meds did (the kid is 12 years old, of normal height and up until he went on daytrana it was a constant battle to keep weight on him-at age 10 he was still only 40 pounds in the two years he's been on daytrana he not only has'nt lost weight but he's gained-he's increased his body weight by over 60%).

he gets the red mark where the patch is applied as well but i found some wipes that are specialy made for transdermal patch users-they have a componant that makes the adhesive goo slide right off and a couple of skin relieving/softening agents that take care of it right away.

the thing that sold me on trying it was our pediatric neurologist saying that at least if he had an adverse reaction it was something we could immediatly remove and have no more than 2 hours before it was entirely out of his system (and we did'nt have to endure a "kick in" period like we had to with oral meds, with the orals it seemed like it took a few days to a week to realy start workng-with the patch it was immediate).

 

[stacy6552]

Does anyone know why we don't hear about kids on actual ritalin anymore?

 

[SGMCO]

I have been giving my DS a natural substitute and it been
working great. Clarocet Junior. Plus he takes Fish Oil with DHA.
No side effects and he has been on this for 2 years. I am very
happy about this product. I have to order it online--I get a 6 month
supply and Free shipping.

 

[D&DDisney]

Does anyone know why we don't hear about kids on actual ritalin anymore?

Maybe because of convenience?? Our son was on ritalin for a while and it worked well. Just had to be given every 4 hrs and there were constant ups and downs for him. When we switched to a longer lasting pill,(Concerta) he was on a more even level throughout the day.

Don't get discouraged. Finding the right meds for your son or daughter takes LOTS of trials and errors. The right meds and dosage is so different for every child. What works with one will not work with the other. Find a good Ped. or Pediatric Behavioralist (what we have and is much better than a psychiatrist or basic pediatrician) who understands this and really listens to you the parent. A good doc will not have you continue to try something you KNOW is not working right off the bat. It might take many different meds, dosages, behavior techniques, diet changes, etc. until you find the right combo for you. This is not out of the ordinary.

 

[Order66]

Does anyone know why we don't hear about kids on actual ritalin anymore?

Ritalin is one of the oldest treatments for ADHD and I'm sure it's used to some degree but basically it's been "upgraded".

The chemical name for Ritalin is methlyphenidate, which can be broken down into 2 compounds, one of which is dexmethlyphenidate which is the actual medicinal value of Ritalin. Dexmethylphenidate alone is sold as Focalin. So basically, Ritalin has been refined down to the actual ingredient that gives the treatment and is sold under a different name.

One month we were unable to fill a script for the Focalin due to supply issues with the pharmacy, so my doctor subsititued Ritalin instead. I didn't see any difference. But why take an ingredient you don't need?

regards

 

[ilovecoasters]

Is he having problems in school? talk to his teacher and if he is you can ask the school sytem to do a full core evaluation. They will test him and you can find out that way. I know you said you hate to label him so early but sometime it is nice to a least know why he is acting like that. My daughter climbs the furniture so much some day i thinks she is going to be climbing the walls like spiderman LOL. But if i was you i would get him evaulated and find out what's going on Good luck!

Most school systems do psychological testing, psycho-educationals, not psychiatric evals. They can do an academic range and IQ. If there is a split between performance and ability, they can staff your child into exceptional student services. Some states also permit doctor diagnosis of ADD/ADHD into their "Other health impaired" label. This might allow your child to receive some behavioral management therapies during the school day and accommodations to her learning environments.

 

[poohguys]

another daytrana fan here

he gets the red mark where the patch is applied as well but i found some wipes that are specialy made for transdermal patch users-they have a componant that makes the adhesive goo slide right off and a couple of skin relieving/softening agents that take care of it right away.

Hi Barkley-

Can you please tell me the name and were you found the wipes. We have been looking for something to help with the goo and iritation.

Thanks!

 

[TALB]

My 11 year old son who has no behavioral or social issues has continued to struggle academically the last two years. After spending the summer attending Sylvan he started off this school year doing a little better but has since declined again. After another conference with his teacher she suggested having him tested for ADD. My husband and I, and the teachers filled out a questionnaire and turned it into his Doctor. He called me tonight and said it looks like he has a mild case of ADD and wants to try him on Concerta. I'm not thrilled with the idea of medication but I am willing to give it a try. Now that he has a diagnosis of ADD what services can I expect from the school? My son is a B/C student so I don't really want him in the Special Ed classes. What typically happens after the diagnosis is made?

 

[Order66]

If you want..... nothing. The school will not get the diagnosis. It's your choice to disclose it, or not. We chose to so that the teachers understand him better, but it's up to you.

My son is a A/B student and he gets no special classes and no tutoring as he doesn't need them. Understand that most ADHD kids have above average intellegence. With his diagnosis the school would HAVE to provide for him if I requested it. You request an IEP and between you, the teacher(s) and the school psychologist you come up with a plan tailored to his needs. In my son's case the IEP only needed to be a reduction in his homework load. For example if the class had 24 math problems, he did 14 of them. It's made school so much less stressful for him. Other kids might need tutoring, or a quiet place away from the class to study. It's set up to help the child suceed in how he/she needs to.

regards

 

[stacy6552]

I wouldn't bring the school in officialy, unless medications doesn't work out or you choose not to use it. Accomodations you can ask for might be preferential seating in class (up front, back to the windows) or a fidget tool (koosh ball or gum) or his ipod for independant work..all things that help him tune out distractions and manage excess energy.

If you do try medication, be sure to talk to his teachers and get their feedback.