Emotional and Taking Tenex

[aconcernedparent33]

My 4 year old son has been taking Tenex for a total of 30 days. He has done pretty good on it for the most part; however, he is just defiant and very emotional. when i ask about why he is emotional he says he doesn't know why. I want to know if this is normal. he was taking focalin and adderall but that made him aggressive

[Sandman2]

   I agree with the above posters.  The reaction to tenex is unusual.  What kind of a doctor prescribed this?  And if you have the time, what symptoms did he have that led to this prescription?

[specialmom]

I'm curious about his diagnosis.  In my state, physicians rarely prescribe add/adhd medication or even make the diagnosis of add/adhd before the age of 6 at the earliest.  There is so much variability before that age that acurately diagnosing a child is quite difficult.  

And if you have the time, please google sensory integration disorder.  It can look very similar to add/adhd.  Kids with sensory issues are often miscategorized as add/adhd.  For example, my son is a sensory seeker and bounces off the walls, does extreme things, lacks impulse control.  But it is due to the his sensory system.  A good website is "sensory processing disorder".  Medication would not work on sensory and instead you do occupational therapy and something called "heavy work".  My son was diagnosed at 4 and is now 7 and doing fantastic.  My point in telling you this is that he could have been easily misdiagnosed early on and if he had been given medication------- he'd have had side effects without any drug benefit.  

Could this be the case with your child?  Just curious but when I read stories like yours, it is what I think of.  It could have been us.  Again, diagnosing of add/adhd in my state is rare before age 6.

well, google it and see what you think.  good luck

[margypops]

Take a look at the expert /Doctor forum Dr Kennedy answers this question , Tenex is a med to be careful with , he explains it .

[margypops]

I( would suggest you ask the doctor about the meds he is on and the dosage ...

[betsey77]

My son is very emotional on Tenex (crying over tiny things, huge mood swings, etc.) when his dosage is too high.  Even after the recommended week or two so we finally reduced his dosage to 2.5mg.  He just turned five.

[benjimom]

It' shard to see your kid struggling. If you feel like something isn't right, keep up with teh doctor.

[jdtm]

Yes, your son's reactions of being defiant and emotional are normal for a child with a learning or mood or anxiety disorder.  Do keep in mind these disorders are the results of physical issues in the brain and are not caused from life experiences.  By the way, I assume your son has been diagnosed with ADHD - the usual reason for the meds prescribed.  I'm wondering if there might be more help for you on the ADD/ADHD forum.  All the best ...