Increasing his ADHD Meds/ changing the meds???!!

[sailorspride]

So the Developmental Peds and I have reached the verdict that my DS prescription of Concerta at the current dosage is not working. The doctor suggested that we either: A) up the dosage to 36MG or B) change him to Adderall. At this point I do not have enough information on Adderall to go there so I opted to up his dosage of Concerta to 36mg. I guess what I am looking for are parents of children currently on Adderall or previously on adderall that can give me a heads up about the pros and cons of this medicine from personal experience....PLEASE!!

Any information is good information. I know that I can look this stuff up online but the first hand knowledge from parents of children on these meds are key to understanding how they CAN affect my child. Thanks in Advance ladies I know I can always look to you all for some motherly insight!!

[BJo]

I was on adderall for 5 years and I really benefited from it. I had taken other drugs but adderall was the one I saw the most benefit from. I took it through college and slowly weaned myself off.

[bugsgirl]

I know with my son the Adderall didn't help him at all it changed his moods (which was not a good thing). In the beginning it worked good, the mood change didn't happen until about a month after taking it. That also can happen with any sort of meds though.

The Concerta is the only one that really helps him through the day. He has been taking that for about 4 years.

[Mary]

I have no info on Adderall, but my son was on Concerta and it worked pretty well. We finally maxed out at the 54mg, but then he was starting to not eat and lost about 20lb in 3 months. So, now he is on Focalin, and it's great.

[sailorspride]

Thanks for the insight! I truly appreciate all the info that I can get

[Traci]

DD was on adderall for a few years and last year we switched to Dytrana(patch). I Love it!!! Works great for her.

[Cat]

my DS is on Adderall XR and so far he hasnt had any problems with it and if he does they are minor. Our problem is just getting him to take it. LOL

[Traci]

Originally Posted by Cat my DS is on Adderall XR and so far he hasnt had any problems with it and if he does they are minor. Our problem is just getting him to take it. LOL

That was our big issue as well. DD hates pills so this worked out well.

[Cat]

Originally Posted by Traci That was our big issue as well. DD hates pills so this worked out well.

Well I have a feeling that Robbie would try to peel off the patch unless we put it somewhere where he couldnt get to it. Does it last the whole time she is in school? Because thats something we could possibly switch him too. What dosages does it come in?

[Traci]

Originally Posted by Cat Well I have a feeling that Robbie would try to peel off the patch unless we put it somewhere where he couldnt get to it. Does it last the whole time she is in school? Because thats something we could possibly switch him too. What dosages does it come in?

That was my concern when we tried it with Jessica. The Dr said she didn't think it would be a problem for Jessica. In our case she hated taking a pill so much that the Dr was pretty sure she wouldn't mess with it and she didn't. She puts it on her hip in between the top and bottom of her panties. It is water proff and lastes the entire school day. Once she takes it off it stays in her system for an 3 additional hours. So she puts it on after her shower in the AM and takes it off once she comes home, it stays in her system and gets her through homework and is out of her system by bed. I am really happoy with it. It comes in 10mg doses. Right now she is at 30mg. You could do a half dose if you wanted but that may require you to cut one in half.