My 12 year old son has just come off 36mg concerta tablets, and is hungry 24/7 is this a side effect?

[tictop]

My son has autistic tendencies, and was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 5, now having recently been resently re-assessed it has been decided that he no longer has high enough levels to be diagnosed with ADHD - which we as parents are happy about as we always disputed he has ADHD, but agreed that he does have autistic tendencies. Before he was diagnosed at 5 one of his symtoms was being hungry all the tijme, to the point we had to put locks on the cupboard doors, Then when he was on medication, as it can be a hunger suppressent this issue disappeared, but now it has been decided by my sons doctor to try him off his medication in light of his recent results, the hunger issue has come back - but now my son is 12 years old, he just eat and eats from the moment he gets up he says he is hungry, and is constantly asking for food and getting biscuits, fruit, anything, not just un healthy food, but healthy food, just any food!! and this issue has never been addressed and even now when we tell the doctor about it, they just say he is a growing boy etc, but this is much more - not as severe as praedawillie syndrome (sorry abou the spelling), he does not go through bins etc, but is just talking about food or eating - which is causing alot of tension and arguements in the house.  Has anyone heard of this before with autistic children or children with ADHD, and has anyone got any ideas of how to stop this rampant appetite all the time?

[Sandman2]

   Very good post by DB927.  It makes sense and certainly is worth trying!  :)

[DB927]

Is he taking other meds? Some psych meds can cause increased appetite. Also, I have worked with kids all over the autistic spectrum and one thing they seem to have in common are behaviors that are self-stimulating or alternately self-soothing. It is possible that he's eating to comfort himself or to help him feel some sense of control. I'm not sure what "autistic tendancies" he has exibited, but classically kids with autistic disorders have trouble grasping social norms and dynamics which makes them feel powerless and vulnerable. I imagine that to be inside an autistic mind would be like waking up one morning on an alien planet without the capability of ever fully understanding the language or culture. It would be terrifying; which is why autistic kids seek out that which is familiar, ie demanding strict routine. Maybe your son sees food as something he does understand or maybe while he's eating he can forget about the pressure of trying to "fit in" or "be normal" or at least control his behavior to others expectations. I'm not an expert but it is at least worth considering, since it sounds like it is not truly hunger that is driving his eating. If his eating is related to his autistic tendancies I would suggest creating an "eating schedule" where you might have a certain number of meals and snacks for the day and you mark on a clock (ie with pictures of food) when each meal/snacktime is. Then he could even help you pick out and prepack the snacks for the day and in this way he feels he has some control and he also knows exactly what to expect. Warning though: the change is bound to cause tantrums at first but shouldn't last too long as he adjusts to the routine. You might also try replacing food with a different comfort object, I would suggest something interactive and distracting like, idk, a musical instrument or anything that stimulates any sense other than taste. I don't know if this will help but it's at least worth a try. Good luck.    

[Sandman2]

  Has your son had a complete blood work up to look at things like thyroid, diabetics, etc.