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Post by laura23 on Dec 19, 2012 15:50:37 GMT -5
Hi, I'm new to this board, although I've been reading for over a year. Lots of helpful information here.
DS is 10. He was diagnosed with ADHD-inattentive and receptive/expressive language disorder in April 2010, although we knew earlier he had a learning disability, it just took us a while to get the appropriate testing to put a name on it. He had a full evaluation through our school system when he was 4, but they would only say he was developmentally delayed.
DS began taking Concerta in August 2010 and stayed on it until October 2012. No bad side effects. In the beginning we found it very helpful, although by October 2012 we could tell it wasn't helping anymore, he was on 36 mg at that time.
His dr. suggested trying Adderall XR 10 mg eventually working our way up to 30 mg with only limited success, DS began having headaches so we stopped the Adderall XR. After 4 days off meds, my DS was asking to take his pill again, he said he doesn't like feeling this way, very forgetful and can't sit still. I guess we didn't realize it was still helping him, just not in the focus area.
Even on meds, he still struggles with focus and remembering, I don't believe there's any magic pill that will fix it all.
Now the dr. is suggesting Vyvanse. DS will start taking that tomorrow. I'm hoping this one works better. I will share my observations.
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Post by healthy11 on Dec 19, 2012 17:11:52 GMT -5
Laura23, to Millermoms! Since you've been reading posts for awhile, I imagine you've seen several on the subject of Vyvanse, like millermom.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=13044 I wish there was an easier way than just "trial and error" to know who will respond well to which medications, but every individual seems to have different responses. It's probably also difficult to gauge effectiveness over the holidays, since there's a break from the usual school routine. Nevertheless, we hope it works well for your son!
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Post by laura23 on Dec 19, 2012 17:25:36 GMT -5
DS's special ed teacher is keeping a log for me each day and letting me know how his behavior is throughout the day. It's been very helpful, by the time I get home from work, I'm sure the effectiveness of his medication has worn off.
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Post by Mayleng on Dec 20, 2012 14:23:55 GMT -5
If he did well on Concerta, I would have stuck with the same family ie. Metadate Cd or Ritalin LA. My son did not do well onthe Amphetamines (Adderall and I think Vyvanse is in the same family), he did better on the Methylphenidates (ritalin, concerta, Metadate cd). He has been on Metadate CD for many years. If you find that Vyvanse does not work, give Metadate CD a try. If he did well on Concerta at 36 mgs initially, why didn't the doctor raise the dosage when it was not effective at 36mg anymore?
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Post by laura23 on Dec 20, 2012 15:58:47 GMT -5
Dr. said he didn't want to go much higher on Concerta, not sure why. I know way more now than I did when we started all of this. If Vyvanse doesn't work, I'll suggest we try the Metadate CD. Thank you!
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Post by Mayleng on Dec 20, 2012 16:49:40 GMT -5
What the doctor says does not make sense about not wanting to increase the Concerta especially when it worked before especially when the highest dosage is 72mgs. Keep an eye on your son while on Vyvanse, some kids get angry and moody on Adderall and vyvanse.
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Post by healthy11 on Dec 20, 2012 17:41:54 GMT -5
Is your doctor a general pediatrician, or an actual child psychiatrist? It may be better to see someone who specializes in child/adolescent mental health issues, if you can.
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Post by laura23 on Dec 21, 2012 12:07:43 GMT -5
DS's dr is general pediatriction, we are seeing a child psychiatrist Jan. 9th.
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Post by laura23 on Feb 8, 2013 15:04:03 GMT -5
Well, the first dose of 20 mg. didn't really do anything for DS so it was changed to 30 mg. and there has been a big difference, DS's teachers noticed and DS says he feels calmer, more in control.
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Post by healthy11 on Feb 8, 2013 15:17:28 GMT -5
That sounds wonderful, especially since it's not just teachers who have noted a change for the better, but the fact that your son recognizes feelings of being more in control! As you noted before, medications can't "cure" learning disabilities (pills don't teach skills) however if attentional issues are interfering, then being able to focus should help your son to get more benefit from the remediation techniques that are being used, and retain more of what he's being taught. Keep us posted!
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Post by michellea on Feb 8, 2013 19:41:58 GMT -5
Great news!! And I agree, it is wonderful that your DS is tuned in enough to realize the difference.
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