ADHD 13 YEAR OLD SON

[lanenabella28]

it seem every medication they give my son makes him sleep all day after school. i dont want to stop the meds if they are going to help him. he tired adderall and strattera with the same side affect. can anyone recommend something that will work without him getting sleepy. please help

[Apeman114]

I have always taken methyl phenidate which actually keeps me awake

[Sandman2]

   I wonder why the Pedi switched from Adderall to Straterra?   Straterra is not as effective, and a switch is normally done if the child is having a problem with the stim med like twitches, etc.

[lanenabella28]

Yes of the straterra. Is 40 mg & I dont recall on the adderall. His pediatrician prescribed the meds

[Sandman2]

     40 mgs of what?  If its straterra, because it takes several weeks to hit full effectiveness - the sleeping may have not been noticed right away.  Did he have the same problem on the adderall and if so what was the dose?
     At any rate.  Definitely call the doc.  That is a side effect that should not be happening!   Is this a pediatrician you are dealing with?
   Here is the link on meds.
              http://www.leeheymd.com/charts/adhd_1.html

[lanenabella28]

Hes on 40 mg. He sleeps so much he doesnt want to get up to eat dinner. If you can please give me the list. I would highly appreciate it... thank you. Please I hate seeing my son not being able to sit stil but dont like it more that he sleeps all day

[Sandman2]

   It is interesting that the same medication that will "wire" most kids can do the opposite to a child with ADHD when it is over dosed.  He has the symptoms of a typical overdosed child.  
   How much and how long was he on each med?
    His doctor should have started him out on the lowest dose and slowly worked up.    Straterra has sedation as a listed  side effect.   I don't like Straterra too much because you have to take it 7 days a week, plus it takes several weeks to become effective.  While the other stim meds are rapidly out of your system, so different doses can be taken or they can be used "as needed".
   Is he on any other meds that might have helped cause the tiredness?  Does he have any other complaints besides being tired?    If you are interested I can supply you a full list of meds and the side effects.
    At any rate - his doctor needs to know about this and the sooner the better.