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Concerta-Adderral-10 year old???

My 10 year son has been on Adderall for a little over 2 months now.  He was moody, distant, and very emotional.  The doctor is now switching him to Concerta. Any thought son this medication?  I am new at trying to deal with ADHA, my son is diagnosed with the concentration protion of ADHA. He can not focus for the life of him!  It is so confusing to try and help him when I know
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Avatar universal
I've been on concerta for 15 years and it works great for me. I hope it works for your son too!
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Avatar universal
My child uses Concerta with intuniv(sp)56mg (c) 2MG (i) bother generic brands....these two TOGETHER work great for my child...It seems if she only take the conerta and not the intuntiv she still have trouble with focusing...My child is now in 6th grade and has been on these since second grade. My child was diagnosed with ADD AND ODD. I've also noticed that maturity has played a role in her behavior being better. I hope this helps.
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1 Comments
Thank you for sharing.  I have seen more then one post where the intuniv really seemed to help.  It is an interesting medication.
Avatar universal
I totally agree with you, Jennifer.
It is absolutely horrible giving children such strong chemicals...It's an easy way out. And it's dangerous..
Basically, it's suppressing their feelings...They need be able to express and show their feelings. It is part of growing up..It is important to take them seriously of their feelings.
All they need is empathy, understanding, support, love, patience...Who knows what they're going thru daily in school, home, friends...Who knows what happens...

I'm really not trying to judge anyone. I've been there...my 7 year old daughter had some major problems...They're talking about possible ADHD in school...I had problems at home...I didn't want to give her medicine. I wouldn't allow it. I wanted to know and understand why...When I took her to a psychiatrist in Switzerland, she told me, that parents need to get help and change in order for their children to change. I did. I went to therapy, read a lot about parenting, psychology...Narcissistic mothers...Because there's no way my daughter was just born that way..
After I had made some changes in my self, both of my children where happier. They started to change. A child needs a lot of support and love and patience. They're children...
We, as parents, are responsible for those little beautiful people that are our future. I know I'm not a perfect mother, but thinking about drugging them is horrible to me. Drugs aren't solving the problems. They're temporary suppressing the underlying...
Peace
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1 Comments
To Birsenu,   I am not sure where you are getting your information.  A correctly applied stimulant medication will not suppress a child's feelings.  An anti-depressant certainly could.   The correct medication will not cover up the problem, but will enable the child to reach a higher potential.  And, yes, the wrong med will not deal with the problem.  
   If your child has ADHD, how you deal with that child is very different then how you would deal with a child without ADHD.  It makes a huge difference in a child's life to understand how ADHD effects them and then to parent them effectively.  Parents who use traditional discipline methods on an ADHD child, are creating a much worse situation.
   And, studies show that a child is born with ADHD.  It is not due to bad parenting.  It is a  definite medical condition that can be treated both with medication or behavioral therapy.  And ALL studies show that it is best treated with a combination of both.
Avatar universal
Does concerta x contain amphetamine. My 14 yr old grandson has adhd and currently takes 45 mg of the above medication daily. He never eats before the medication and doesnt get an appetite for around 10 hours after taking it. He doesnt sleep until 16 hours after taking his dose and then when he does eventually sleep he talks a lot and has started having nightmares and jumping up from bed terrified shaking and crying. Without the medication hes very angry and irratated please help
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1 Comments
Concerta contains  methylphenidate.  It does not come in 45mg doses see this link   http://www.leeheymd.com/charts/adhd_1.html
   Thus I am guessing he is taking two 27mg doses.  That does suggest that he is being overdosed.  This is something that  should be talked about with his doctor.
   These meds will mess with your appetite.  Eating a big breakfast that is high in protein is very important.   Do not drink orange juice for an hour before your meds.
   The duration of the meds is about 8 to 10 hours.  Anything much longer is a pretty good sign of an overdose.
    Is he on any other type of medication like Prozac or Paxil that would interfere with his ADHD meds and also cause problems?  
Avatar universal
I see & understand your concern over our children becoming dependent on these chemicals. However, I don't see you giving advice as to how to help the child w/ ADHD. I have a 10 year old son who is not medicated & can not, for the life of him concentrate. I've been to multiple teacher conferences and for 3 straight years have been told he doesn't focus or pay attention. For fear of him failing 5th grade, I've scheduled a doctors appointment. I have been reading & trying different strategies for years now. Since you seem to know all about what not to do, can you help w/ what is right to do??
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189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
      Hi Dolly,  I agree with you completely.  I have seen too many times where a doctor (or parent takes the easy way out and) just puts the child on medication, without doing any of the necessary prep work.   And since seizures can be almost invisible, I certainly agree they need to be checked out.  
     I just wanted you to know that you did what any parent might have done.  The doctor messed up, not you.  Best wishes!
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Avatar universal
Thank you for saying this is not my fault.But my point is that there are more things in live that look like ADD and ADHD but are not. May people who have children with Seizures are told that there children have ADD or ADHD or at least one of them. Before they even find out that they are really having Seizures and some Doctors even want to keep our children on these other drugs even though they know the child has Seizures and what these drugs can do and that the side effects to these drugs can be Seizures. If you know anything about Seizures you would know that our children can have a very hard time learning and also do things that other children wouldn't do. These things are caused because of the Seizures not ADD or ADHD.

I have talked to other parents with Different kinds of Seizures who have gone threw the same thing as me with there children .They have had to pull there child out of the school becuase the schools just don't get it or want to deal with it .Or think that Seizures can make a child act out or have a hard time learning .They want children who can sit still and not have to try and teach them different ways because when you have Seizures you have to be schooled differently then other children do. And phone calls home every day about how there child dose this or that and that they think there child needs othe drugs .The side effetcs to the Medicines can also make children act out to.

I have a friend of my who had her son on ADD and ADHD and she took him off because the drug made him worse ,and the Doctor who put him on it wouldn't even talk to her when she tried tell her what was going on she even went to see her and she wouldn't she her about her Son. Now he is no nothing and he is doing better than what he did on those drugs .yes he still is behind in school but she is ok with that..

here is some links I would like for you all to look at and see if you would have know that these children were having seizures.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9V2sNmIoJk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcdxpjvsXNY&feature=related  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyn93c1Bd_g&feature=related
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189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
   Hi Dolly, thank you for posting the type of Epilepsy that your son has.  It enabled me to research it.  I found a very good site here - http://www.epilepsy.com/EPILEPSY/epilepsy_lennoxgastaut  -  which I am sure that you have seen.  If not its worth checking out.
    In looking at many of the sites on line, the one thing that struck me was that none of them said you could get it from taking Adderall.  If you want to believe that, thats your choice.  But I have seen you beat yourself up for years over letting him take the medicine.  Dolly, it was not your fault!  This form of Epilepsy typically hits a child between 2 and 6 and is caused by (quoting from the site I referenced), "encephalitis, meningitis, tuberous sclerosis complex, brain malformations, perinatal injury including hypoxic-ischemic (deprivation of blood flow and oxygen to the brain) encephalopathy, trauma and frontal lobe injuries."
   From what I have read, even if he had not taken the Adderall, it would have happened.  It was not your fault.  I just want you to stop blaming yourself.  You have been a wonderful mother dealing with an extremely difficult situation.  I admire you for what you have done.  I think that the Service Dog is a great idea!  I was going to say, "hang in there", but I know that you will.  Best wishes!!!!!
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Avatar universal
I learned the hard way. my son was on adderall and then concerta because his school teacher couldn't handle him and he was having a hard time learning, Had I knew back then what I know now he would have had an EEG done and blood work before going on those drugs and even then I wouldn't have put him on them. you see we ended up finding out that my son has Seizures and that is why he was having a hard time learning and even acting out at times and he couldn't help it. those drugs also have the side effect that they can cause seizures.

Before going on these drugs Doctors need to do there job and test for everything. ADD AND ADHD and even some children who have seizures look like they have bipolar and it is not ADD AND ADHD . Also I give my son Omega 3-6-9 Vitmains and Vitamin B6 these are very good for the brain and won't do what these other drugs do.

we now know that my son has LGS it is a form of Epilpsy and there is know Medicine that stops the Seizures . We even got my son a Service Dog .

As parents we need to stand up for our children because if we don't know onw else will. The Doctors don't always know what is best. Belive me I have hear a lof of  things from other parnets and the first thing I say is Run don't Walk to another Doctor who will leisne to you and do what is best for your Child.

My child could die because of what he has. And I have to live with the fact that the Medicine I gave him sure didn't help him it changed him .I would hate for others to have to go threw what my family and others are going threw.

And yes there are side effects to the Medicines that I have to gove my son for his Seizures but that is to keep him alive. The drugs they use to treat add and adhd and even bipolar won't kill you if you don't take them.

So please fight for your children just as I have had to over the last 4 years and I tell the Doctors what I want do to make sure he is ok. Also most Doctors don't keep trck of blood levels once you are even on these drugs .

this make me so mad that so many are putting there little children threw this. A lady told me the other day that a child had died after the school went to court and made the parenst give the kid these kind of drugs this young man died a year later.

sorry so long hope you were able to read it all.
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Avatar universal
You, my friend, are a complete idiot! That is being said because until you live a DAY in my shoes, you cannot even have a CLUE what goes on in a home running rampant with ADHD. I am a 36 yr old with severe ADHD, diagnosed when I was 8. My father has ADHD, and as you may or may not know, it is genetic. I was insanely hyper till I got put on Ritalin. That is when my life began..and I finally could sleep through the night, sit through a movie, read a book and interact socially like a normal person. Without the "DRUGS" you are condemnin,g I would NEVER have gotten where I am today. I am a college grad, happily married and the mother of 2 very hyper little kids!!! I was in severe denial that my kids could be hyper and after their teachers literally begged me to do something I reluctantly put both of my kiddos on those "BAD DRUGS". I am not going to lie..life is hard. My daughter has responded well to her meds and finally in 2nd grade seems to be doing well..my son who is a brilliant 4th grader is having a few more problems..but I am a good mom. I love my kids and I will never give up on them..ever. I really resent you popping on this site and condemning the medication that has saved so many people. The children that are put on these drugs incorrectly by their doctors without correct diagnosis and medical evaluation..I feel sorry for..and that is what all your little articles are about. Plus, ADHD looks like so many other mental problems that if someone is not properly diagnosed you will see the problems to which you were referring.  That however, is something you should be condemning doctors for..not parents.
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757137 tn?1347196453
Like you I am against using any sort of medication for supposed ADHD. My daughter works with children who have been so diagnosed, and has for years. Children are sent to her when they have trouble coping with their schoolwork They are generally in a state of anxiety, are in the doghouse both at school and at home, and their attention us scattered.  Basically what she does is help them to organize their work in such a way that they only focus on one aspect at a time. They learn that with simple planning they can complete their tasks relatively quickly. (This is a great simplification. She has to quell their anxiety and bolster their self-esteem.) This is not accomplished overnight. Her success is remarkable. In all these years she has found only one child who could be classified as having ADHD. She feels that ADD/ADHD is largely a fad diagnosis, and that the medications are dangerous.

Interestingly enough, when she encounters problems it is with one of the parents the and not the child. Some parents demand that their children get straight A's, whether they have that capability or not. (My daughter's aim is to have them reach their potential.) There is also the parent who overburdens the child with extracurricular activities (which needless to say he has to excel in). Oddly enough this overbearing parent is usually the mother.

One case stands out in my mind. One of her students, a girl, while taking Adderall was admitted to the ER twice, so my daughter questioned the dosage, and the possibility that the girl should not be taking the medication at all. She learned from the daughter that she liked the Adderall because it kept her slim. Then she spoke to the mother who approved of the medication for that purpose as well. So my daughter explained the situation to the girl's psychologist who was not prepared to take any action. That is, until my daughter gave her a dressing down.  
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1515390 tn?1290524151
my son is 10 and as well adhd and is taking 54mg of concerta and it works really well
hes behaving better in school and now able to focus better
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Avatar universal
My son is  13 years old and i still have not had puberty and I think it is because of the  ADHD meds that I have to take.
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Avatar universal
I am 13 years old and i still have not had puberty and I think it is because of the  ADHD meds that I have to take.
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Avatar universal
Thanks everyone.  My son seems to be doing well on the Concerta right now,and it has been about a week and a half so far.  I have been monitoring him closely and so is his teacher. His moods seem much better than they were on the Adderall. I called his docotr and told her everything that I have noticed about him and she said that is good so far.  At the end of March we go back to the physchologist for a follow up.  
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Avatar universal
Everyone is different, my son was on Conerta and with him I noticed his concentration did not improve very much. Then he started having slightly mood changes, like cried very easlily and snappy. So being that it was not helping him with his concentration I stopped giving it to him. His doctor said I did the right thing because his personality had changed. They put him on Adderall and about the second day my son told me even he noticed the difference. Everyday I still ask how is he feeling, if he feels sad, if he is upset with anyone, then we talk about that. But I ask him the good things, like what made you happy today and what were some nice things that were said in his class. Like every med. I do not trust them 100%, but I think its up to us as parents to know our children. And us as parents we love our children and we try to make their lives not easier but easier, if you know what I mean. My biggest fear (of course beside affecting him physicaly) is his self-esteem. Question like, why can't I get it or why I'm I so stupid? If you can't concentrate you can't learn.
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Avatar universal
I Had Those Side Effects Before With Ritelin. But Not Concerta. My Dr. Siad That Differents Drugs Work Differently Depening On The Person, Their Age, And The Dose They Are Taking. Its Best To Listen To The Dr. Mine "Tested" A Few Drugs On Me To See Which One Worked The Best. And By "Tested" I Mean I Took Concerta For A Few Months To See How It Effected Me And How Well It Worked. As For The Depresson, That Lots Of Times Not A Side Effect Of The Drug But Is From The ADD Or ADHD. My Dr. Said That Concerta Is A Mild Form Of Anti-Depressent. Hope This Helps.
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Avatar universal
I am sixteen years old, and I was diagnosed with ADHD a few years back.  I was on Ritalin as well as the medication you say your son was on.  For the last few years I was taking medication, I was on Concerta.  What I noticed about it was the following:
1.  When I did not eat in the morning, I was at a loss for energy.  As if I were apathetic.
2.  I did not enjoy much of what I would normally.
3.  I had a minor form of depression.
4.  Improved concentration.

Of course, these were the effects that I got from it, and may not be what everyone else who has taken it felt.  I just know that when I did eat in the morning and took the med., I was able to keep some energy I would usually have and participate in the activities.  I also had a slight feeling of sickness whenever I did not eat in the morning when taking it.
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Avatar universal
not a problem ,,, Ill avoid both of your posts in the future because this is just too suspiciouse and I preffer real conversations with people really looking for help and information...

Have a great thread...
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Avatar universal
Thank You For Speaking Up. I Don't Understand That Ether. If You Don't Have Kids With ADD Or ADHD And Nether Do You Than Why Are You Looking At These Posts. Again Thank You For Speaking Up.
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Avatar universal
Just to be clear- I do not take any kind of advise from anyone besides the doctor.  I do welcome people to answer my questions and give me their stories.  But as far as actually taking advise, who are you kidding.  If you would have read my question, the docotr had already been switching my son to Concerta before the post even happened.  And you know what I don't understand, why on earth you are even looking at these ADHD posts when you or your children do not have it.  Please stop harassing all my postings.
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Avatar universal
For Your Info I'm Not A Troll. I Have Delt With ADD/ADHD Since I Was 5. I Know What Ritalin Can Mess Up A Person. I Was On It From The Ages Of 5 To 14. It Messed Up My Body. Just Cuz I'm Under The Age Of 20 Don't Think I Don't Know What I'm Talking About. I Take Serious Afence To That.
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Avatar universal
just so your aware,, and Im not sure if this is a 'trolling' issue or not,, but consider your sources carefully please...  here is a post on anouther board created by Wonder26 on anouther of the boards here... take a moment to check it out because it doesnt even flow with the rest of the conversation and there does appear to be some people trolling on these boards giving people bad advice.. incidently your taking the advice of two boys under the age of 20 who have been on these medications. Im sure its fairly normal behavior for their ages, but something to consider if you care to brows through each of their history of posts from their profile.


*bows in apprication and respect to all*
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Avatar universal
thank you very much!
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