Adderal XR

[tootallmom]

Hi all,

Haven't posted much as my ds graduated a few years ago. However the past two years he has had some major life struggles. He is now 20, has "undiagnosed" ADD, however I think now we have an official diagnosis from his pedatrician (which he still sees ).

The doctor has placed him on 20mg Adderal XR to see if they will help him focus and start to learn some adult life skills. Has anyone had their child start meds as a young adult? Any suggestions or feedback on how we can help him with the meds?

I sooooo hope they help him....my husband and I have just said if we can keep him out of jail and alive that is the best we can hope for right now .

Debbie

[healthy11]

When you say you want to help him with the meds, can you clarify what exactly you mean? Are you thinking that he's just going to refuse to take it, or forget to take it, or something else? Whenever someone is starting a new medication, or changing a dosage, I think it's very helpful to do it around other people, who can help to determine if it's working. Does he still live at home? When you say he has ADD, is it the inattentive type, or is it ADHD, where impulse control is a problem for him? I'm guessing it's the latter, which would explain your concerns about his legal and physical well-being. No matter what, medication alone is not going to "teach" him adult life skills. It may help him to stop, think, and then act, but it sounds like he may need some counseling or mentoring in order to be able to learn some better ways to conduct his affairs. Has he ever had vocational training, or considered attending a community college?

[tootallmom]

Thanks Healthy for asking good questions!

When I say, help him with the meds, I meant what to look for...any negative side effects, eating, etc. This is the first time he has tried meds as he (and I) have always had concerns about possible addictions. And yes, he may forget to take them, but first we want to see if he has any improvement on his focus with meds.

Yes, he still lives at home, and he has the Inattentive subtype. And you are spot on with the reason he is trying the meds, he needs to "stop, think and then act". Right now, he doesn't stop and think before acting. He has no comprehension of future rewards or negative results based on poor decision making.
I have had no success in teaching him money skills, etc. He lives in the moment.....way to the extreme of most young adults.

He had tried the local community college when he graduated High School and that did not work well, as he also has dyslexia along with the ADD. He is currently working in a factory, 2nd shift, which is ideal for him really. Even though, like most young adults, he wants to do something more exciting . His doctor also recommended counseling once he has tried the meds so he can learn some coping skills and strategies. I am hoping that he will pursue that, as he is still covered under my insurance for now.

Debbie

[healthy11]

My son has ADHD-combined type, along with dyslexia and dysgraphia, and he uses Adderall (both XR extended release and regular, depending on whether he's got a full day of college classes/studying/upcoming tests, etc.) He doesn't take his medications on weekends, or over the summer, although some people (and it sounds like your son might be one of them) really can benefit from doing that, especially if they have impulse control issues.

If you haven't already done so, I suggest reading some past discussions in the "Medication" section of Millermom, where other parents discuss starting ADHD stimulant meds, like millermom.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=12147 Most parents will probably tell you that appetite suppression is one of the more noticeable side effects, but it tends to subside over the course of a few weeks. I would recommend having your son eat a nutritious meal before taking the meds, and eat partway through the day, even if he doesn't feel particularly hungry. Staying well-hydrated is important, too. My son seemed "cranky" after the medication was wearing off, but we figured out it wasn't so much "rebound" as hypoglycemia ( his blood sugar levels drop if he doesn't eat regularly.)

Since your son works 2nd shift, I'm not sure what his sleeping habits are already like. I also don't know when he's more likely to get into trouble with his poor decision-making (ie, going out with guys after work?) My son has learned NOT to mix Adderall and alcohol, but Adderall doesn't last all day, so my son adjusts when he takes it accordingly.

I would recommend that you help your son keep a simple notebook of when he takes any medication, and how he feels, and any observations you/other people have. Then, when you follow-up with the doctor, you can talk specifics, and decide if any adjustments in dosage or type of medication should be made. And definitely look into counseling, because medication alone can't teach a person how to make good decisions...