Comments on: A Full List of ADHD Medications http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/the-ten-most-important-adhd-meds/ We explain complex medical stuff Mon, 21 May 2012 21:37:55 +0000 hourly 1 By: Ruth http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/the-ten-most-important-adhd-meds/comment-page-3/#comment-157105 Ruth Mon, 21 May 2012 14:39:26 +0000 http://healthlifeandstuff.com/?p=1408#comment-157105 Lorena - Hang in there! It sounds like you are working closely with each of them individually and not trying to fit all four into the same meds or behavior mold. Sounds like you could work with behavioral issues on the older guys who may help model it well for the younger ones once they have mastered it. It is hard to keep up the reading and learning when you have 4 kiddos and are ADD yourself but even if you read some short articles and try to learn about new medications, then you'll get new ideas and come up with new ways to solve everyday issues. All our best for you. Yours is definitely not an easy situation but if you can ensure you stay mentally healthy then you can help the kids. I acknowledge to our high-schooler that ADD has meant he connects to his world and to us differently but I also like to remind him of his giftedness in other areas. Lorena – Hang in there! It sounds like you are working closely with each of them individually and not trying to fit all four into the same meds or behavior mold. Sounds like you could work with behavioral issues on the older guys who may help model it well for the younger ones once they have mastered it. It is hard to keep up the reading and learning when you have 4 kiddos and are ADD yourself but even if you read some short articles and try to learn about new medications, then you’ll get new ideas and come up with new ways to solve everyday issues. All our best for you. Yours is definitely not an easy situation but if you can ensure you stay mentally healthy then you can help the kids. I acknowledge to our high-schooler that ADD has meant he connects to his world and to us differently but I also like to remind him of his giftedness in other areas.

]]> By: Lorena http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/the-ten-most-important-adhd-meds/comment-page-3/#comment-155804 Lorena Tue, 15 May 2012 17:43:44 +0000 http://healthlifeandstuff.com/?p=1408#comment-155804 My name is Lorena, I have 4 boys ages are 9, 8, 5, and 3! They are all Adhd, with ADD and ODD! It is really rough, The oldest 2 it took me little over a year to get them on the right dose, the 9 year is on concerta 18 mg with 10 mg straterra! It really works good for himm he is not zombied out but he is calm, the 8 year old is on concerta 18mg with 2mg intunvi at night to help with his ODD and his sleepless nights!! Also for he behavior and anger problems. The 5 year is a work in progress we just started with him a little over a month ago, we tried just the 18 mg concerta NO WAY, done nothing so the dr bumped him up to 27 mg and another medicine like intunivi at night to help, well it is not working either! So I have requested the move up 36 mg, if this doesnt work I am going to request something else, He anger has starting coming out with this medicine!! I want to try the addreall but not sure if he is quite old enough yet!! For the ones that are having problems stick with once you do find their correct dosage it is wonderful, everyone will be able to tell!! I was As well Adhd when I was younger, I was not put on anything till I was in middle school, which hurt my grades in school bad!! So dont give up!! My name is Lorena, I have 4 boys ages are 9, 8, 5, and 3! They are all Adhd, with ADD and ODD! It is really rough, The oldest 2 it took me little over a year to get them on the right dose, the 9 year is on concerta 18 mg with 10 mg straterra! It really works good for himm he is not zombied out but he is calm, the 8 year old is on concerta 18mg with 2mg intunvi at night to help with his ODD and his sleepless nights!! Also for he behavior and anger problems. The 5 year is a work in progress we just started with him a little over a month ago, we tried just the 18 mg concerta NO WAY, done nothing so the dr bumped him up to 27 mg and another medicine like intunivi at night to help, well it is not working either! So I have requested the move up 36 mg, if this doesnt work I am going to request something else, He anger has starting coming out with this medicine!! I want to try the addreall but not sure if he is quite old enough yet!! For the ones that are having problems stick with once you do find their correct dosage it is wonderful, everyone will be able to tell!! I was As well Adhd when I was younger, I was not put on anything till I was in middle school, which hurt my grades in school bad!! So dont give up!!

]]> By: Pam http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/the-ten-most-important-adhd-meds/comment-page-3/#comment-154402 Pam Mon, 07 May 2012 02:27:12 +0000 http://healthlifeandstuff.com/?p=1408#comment-154402 My daughter is age 8 and has been on 6 adhd meds, and none has worked for her. She is allergic to most. a troubled and frustrated mom My daughter is age 8 and has been on 6 adhd meds, and none has worked for her. She is allergic to most. a troubled and frustrated mom

]]> By: Ruth http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/the-ten-most-important-adhd-meds/comment-page-3/#comment-154273 Ruth Sat, 05 May 2012 21:11:30 +0000 http://healthlifeandstuff.com/?p=1408#comment-154273 When a new medication was appropriate or even a new level of an already-familiar medication, we learned it was best to work through this over a holiday break, summer vacation so we could closely monitor our kiddo and keep brief notes about how he acted, ate or slept differently - just wrote them in my daytimer-type book.  I also asked him how HE felt asking him to describe his own feelings in words he could use, not necessarily medical terms.  Making changes this way meant my son didn't usually have to go through a medication changeover during school when he was working on academics and didn't want to tell other kids or teachers why he wasn't his "usual self".  Helping the kids identify how they feel is a big help - like asking them whether they have headaches, feel jittery/shaky, not hungry or feel 'wrapped up in a big blanket' as my son once described.  Though he's nearly 15, I still ask him whether HE feels more alert in the AM or after lunch or what his favorite time of day is and why.  I ask if HE feels like the medicine helps him listen to the teacher better.  I asked his teachers a lot of questions when he was elementary age (even now sometimes) and their willingness to bravely comment was very helpful in finding what my boy needed and I learned to respectfully listen to their perspective.  I still email teachers.  I also check with my son near the end of his first 9 weeks of school, again at the end of the first semester, etc.   Our doctor insists upon at LEAST every 4-6 mos. for medicine checkups which I appreciate.  My son now believes that his ADD has given him special talents and gifts.  Seven years of meds, counseling, tutoring and careful monitoring has resulted in his earning his first academic scholarship as a 9th grader so he can attend a summer camp for engineering.  Please stay patient - you may have a super-talented kid waiting just under the surface! When a new medication was appropriate or even a new level of an already-familiar medication, we learned it was best to work through this over a holiday break, summer vacation so we could closely monitor our kiddo and keep brief notes about how he acted, ate or slept differently – just wrote them in my daytimer-type book.  I also asked him how HE felt asking him to describe his own feelings in words he could use, not necessarily medical terms.  Making changes this way meant my son didn’t usually have to go through a medication changeover during school when he was working on academics and didn’t want to tell other kids or teachers why he wasn’t his “usual self”.  Helping the kids identify how they feel is a big help – like asking them whether they have headaches, feel jittery/shaky, not hungry or feel ‘wrapped up in a big blanket’ as my son once described.  Though he’s nearly 15, I still ask him whether HE feels more alert in the AM or after lunch or what his favorite time of day is and why.  I ask if HE feels like the medicine helps him listen to the teacher better.  I asked his teachers a lot of questions when he was elementary age (even now sometimes) and their willingness to bravely comment was very helpful in finding what my boy needed and I learned to respectfully listen to their perspective.  I still email teachers.  I also check with my son near the end of his first 9 weeks of school, again at the end of the first semester, etc.   Our doctor insists upon at LEAST every 4-6 mos. for medicine checkups which I appreciate.  My son now believes that his ADD has given him special talents and gifts.  Seven years of meds, counseling, tutoring and careful monitoring has resulted in his earning his first academic scholarship as a 9th grader so he can attend a summer camp for engineering.  Please stay patient – you may have a super-talented kid waiting just under the surface!

]]> By: Ruth Rohrbach http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/the-ten-most-important-adhd-meds/comment-page-3/#comment-153897 Ruth Rohrbach Thu, 03 May 2012 03:14:45 +0000 http://healthlifeandstuff.com/?p=1408#comment-153897 For Allison: You are right that the medications only work for a period of time before changes in medication or medicaation levels seem to be needed. My kid grows fast and this has changed his needs over time. While Focalin worked for my son for about two years, he never suffered from headaches. One helpful advance is that some medications like Daytrana are in the patch form and this seems to be good for him - I think it allows the medication to be absorbed differently from oral meds. For Allison: You are right that the medications only work for a period of time before changes in medication or medicaation levels seem to be needed. My kid grows fast and this has changed his needs over time. While Focalin worked for my son for about two years, he never suffered from headaches. One helpful advance is that some medications like Daytrana are in the patch form and this seems to be good for him – I think it allows the medication to be absorbed differently from oral meds.

]]> By: Anna http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/the-ten-most-important-adhd-meds/comment-page-3/#comment-153892 Anna Thu, 03 May 2012 02:53:16 +0000 http://healthlifeandstuff.com/?p=1408#comment-153892 My son is 10 and diagnosed since he was 7. Just until last year tried meds. First we tried Intuniv and did not work at all with him. After waiting almost 4 weeks to give some time to his body to clear from Intuniv, we started  Concerta and he has been there for almost a year. He is in the minimal dose (18 mg) there are nasty side effects like lack of appetite and some trouble to fall asleep at night and frequent headaches as well. Concerta helps him a bit to improve attention, but helps him more to control his impulses. At the beginning his doctor recommended to double the dose if we did not see any improvement, which for me was not a good advice. This doctor wanted to skip the 27 mg option and go straight to 36mg.  I refused because I guess the right thing is to increase it slowly.  Also she advised that this med could be stopped "cold turkey" and that was another advise that I did not agree with.( No need to say that we are in the process to change doctor). I'm not a doctor, but I'm a Mom that keeps reading a lot about ADHD and meds to educate myself in order to take educated decisions regarding my son's treatments. I understand that every kid is different and every doctor has different approach but something that I have learned and doctors usually don't tell patients is that it is much better if the brain clear itself from one med before put a new one on it. Otherwise  while the brain try to adjust the wires to function properly,  the symptoms can be much more accentuated. If the meds keep changing frequently without any break for the brain, kids tends to act extremely wild. Timing and patient is important, to find the right  med. We as  parents need to be self educated about every med and their side effects. Doctors many times are not very accurate on their prescriptions. We need to trust but at the same time be educated to verify. That will help us to take the right decision regarding our kiddos.  Good luck!   My son is 10 and diagnosed since he was 7. Just until last year tried meds. First we tried Intuniv and did not work at all with him. After waiting almost 4 weeks to give some time to his body to clear from Intuniv, we started  Concerta and he has been there for almost a year. He is in the minimal dose (18 mg) there are nasty side effects like lack of appetite and some trouble to fall asleep at night and frequent headaches as well. Concerta helps him a bit to improve attention, but helps him more to control his impulses.

At the beginning his doctor recommended to double the dose if we did not see any improvement, which for me was not a good advice. This doctor wanted to skip the 27 mg option and go straight to 36mg.  I refused because I guess the right thing is to increase it slowly.  Also she advised that this med could be stopped “cold turkey” and that was another advise that I did not agree with.( No need to say that we are in the process to change doctor).

I’m not a doctor, but I’m a Mom that keeps reading a lot about ADHD and meds to educate myself in order to take educated decisions regarding my son’s treatments. I understand that every kid is different and every doctor has different approach but something that I have learned and doctors usually don’t tell patients is that it is much better if the brain clear itself from one med before put a new one on it. Otherwise  while the brain try to adjust the wires to function properly,  the symptoms can be much more accentuated. If the meds keep changing frequently without any break for the brain, kids tends to act extremely wild.

Timing and patient is important, to find the right  med. We as  parents need to be self educated about every med and their side effects. Doctors many times are not very accurate on their prescriptions. We need to trust but at the same time be educated to verify. That will help us to take the right decision regarding our kiddos.  Good luck!

 

]]> By: Allison http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/the-ten-most-important-adhd-meds/comment-page-3/#comment-153713 Allison Wed, 02 May 2012 02:46:04 +0000 http://healthlifeandstuff.com/?p=1408#comment-153713 My daughter is seven and was diagnosed last year with ADHD, She was first put on Aderall 10mg xr and it did nothing, they quickly switched her to 20mg of Metadate (Ritalin) and it helped a little but only for 3 hours or so. She was then bumped up tp 40mg xr and that worked wonders! She was on it for 3 months before the daily headaches kicked in. The next was Focalin XR 40mg.. She acted out and was so violent that we discontinued after 3 weeks. Now she is on Straterra a non- stimulant. It works for an hour and then fades away. she is on a split dose 1 am and 1 pm toaling 50mg. She also takes 1 mg of Guanfazine at night,, Straterra is a Joke. She has a follow up next week and Im going to request this new VyVanse. If that doesnt work we will have to deal with the headaches with Metadate. For all of you above that have not seen a doctor for behavioral health or taken our child asking anyone with ADD or ADHD wont give you the answer your looking for. It'll will definately educate you alot more but you wont know until you find the right dose and med for you or your child. Dont take no for an answer.. We are still hoping to find one with minimal side effects and the best help. Good luck! My daughter is seven and was diagnosed last year with ADHD, She was first put on Aderall 10mg xr and it did nothing, they quickly switched her to 20mg of Metadate (Ritalin) and it helped a little but only for 3 hours or so. She was then bumped up tp 40mg xr and that worked wonders! She was on it for 3 months before the daily headaches kicked in. The next was Focalin XR 40mg.. She acted out and was so violent that we discontinued after 3 weeks. Now she is on Straterra a non- stimulant. It works for an hour and then fades away. she is on a split dose 1 am and 1 pm toaling 50mg. She also takes 1 mg of Guanfazine at night,, Straterra is a Joke. She has a follow up next week and Im going to request this new VyVanse. If that doesnt work we will have to deal with the headaches with Metadate. For all of you above that have not seen a doctor for behavioral health or taken our child asking anyone with ADD or ADHD wont give you the answer your looking for. It’ll will definately educate you alot more but you wont know until you find the right dose and med for you or your child. Dont take no for an answer.. We are still hoping to find one with minimal side effects and the best help. Good luck!

]]> By: Turner http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/the-ten-most-important-adhd-meds/comment-page-3/#comment-150845 Turner Thu, 12 Apr 2012 22:03:00 +0000 http://healthlifeandstuff.com/?p=1408#comment-150845 Abigail: I am a 20 year old guy and when i started aderall when i was 18 I had the same exact thing happen to me. I was first prescribed 10mg ir, then 15mg ir, both had minimal to no effects, finally my doctor put me on 15mg ex, which worked well for a few weeks, after that i needed to up the dose because I could not feel them any more. when i got bumped to 20mg xr aderall i started to get these terrible headaches, so i got switched to 15mg xr focalin, which i didnt think did much, but it got rid of the headaches. i wanted to switch back to aderall, because the focalin wasn't doing it anymore. i switched to 30mg xr, and since going from focalin to aderall i have not had any of the headachs. its been about 5 months since i have been on 30mg xr aderall. Abigail:

I am a 20 year old guy and when i started aderall when i was 18 I had the same exact thing happen to me. I was first prescribed 10mg ir, then 15mg ir, both had minimal to no effects, finally my doctor put me on 15mg ex, which worked well for a few weeks, after that i needed to up the dose because I could not feel them any more. when i got bumped to 20mg xr aderall i started to get these terrible headaches, so i got switched to 15mg xr focalin, which i didnt think did much, but it got rid of the headaches. i wanted to switch back to aderall, because the focalin wasn’t doing it anymore. i switched to 30mg xr, and since going from focalin to aderall i have not had any of the headachs. its been about 5 months since i have been on 30mg xr aderall.

]]> By: Ruth Rohrbach http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/the-ten-most-important-adhd-meds/comment-page-3/#comment-150250 Ruth Rohrbach Mon, 09 Apr 2012 01:28:48 +0000 http://healthlifeandstuff.com/?p=1408#comment-150250 For the 17 year old young lady with the bad headaches: Please, please try to find a way to have a neurologist do some tests - at least start with your MD or even your former pediatrician. I realize an answer today is what you need but sometimes getting to the root of the problem takes a little time and patience. I too have a teenager who is on an ADD medicine but if he suffered from the headaches you are describing, I would get him in to a doctor. Your liver can suffer from too much ibuprofen. A physician knows the right questions to ask to see if it's the medicine causing the headaches or something else like hormone changes that is coincidentally going on. If you are on a low budget, google Health & Human Services for the county where you live and start calling tomorrow to find out where you can get in and how quickly. If you are still on your mom & dad's insurance, ask them to please take you in. I'm sure they want you to have relief and may not even realize how much in pain you are. All the best. For the 17 year old young lady with the bad headaches: Please, please try to find a way to have a neurologist do some tests – at least start with your MD or even your former pediatrician. I realize an answer today is what you need but sometimes getting to the root of the problem takes a little time and patience. I too have a teenager who is on an ADD medicine but if he suffered from the headaches you are describing, I would get him in to a doctor. Your liver can suffer from too much ibuprofen. A physician knows the right questions to ask to see if it’s the medicine causing the headaches or something else like hormone changes that is coincidentally going on. If you are on a low budget, google Health & Human Services for the county where you live and start calling tomorrow to find out where you can get in and how quickly. If you are still on your mom & dad’s insurance, ask them to please take you in. I’m sure they want you to have relief and may not even realize how much in pain you are. All the best.

]]> By: Abigail http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/the-ten-most-important-adhd-meds/comment-page-3/#comment-150139 Abigail Sat, 07 Apr 2012 23:45:29 +0000 http://healthlifeandstuff.com/?p=1408#comment-150139 ive been diagnosed with adhd for about 2 years now. at first i took aderall but it was making me stay up all night and become very irritated at the world. so then i got switched to vyvance 30 mg which wasn't strong enough and now i am on 40 mg and have the most INSANE head aches. idk what to do. i drink so much water and take ibuprofen like candy but nothing is subsiding the pain. anyone have any suggestions based off of their own experiences or friends?? im a 17 year old female if that tells you anything... ive been diagnosed with adhd for about 2 years now. at first i took aderall but it was making me stay up all night and become very irritated at the world. so then i got switched to vyvance 30 mg which wasn’t strong enough and now i am on 40 mg and have the most INSANE head aches. idk what to do. i drink so much water and take ibuprofen like candy but nothing is subsiding the pain. anyone have any suggestions based off of their own experiences or friends?? im a 17 year old female if that tells you anything…

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