started Adderall Friday

[EllenR]

Well, it's been 3 days since DS started the 10mg adderall. So far, we haven't noticed much difference. The first day, though, I felt like he was not my son -- his eyes looked glazed, lethargic. My DH took him to the museum, though, and said he was his usual self. Saturday there didn't seem to be much difference in his behavior and I never felt like he behaved much different. DH said he had noticed that DS was better able to control it when he started getting mad or frustrated.

So it came down to church on Sunday to be the real test. He fell asleep during the sermon. His sleep pattern is the only thing that really seems different but even then, it's hard to tell. He's always been a bit of a night owl but usually is asleep by 9:30. With the adderall, it's been 10:00 or later. Of course, Friday, he slept til 8:00 and that's when he got the medicine so was it the meds or the late am. The same thing with Sunday.

Oh well, thanks for all the advice about what to look for and how to get the pill down!

I haven't told his teacher yet that he's started meds. We're meeting with her Thurs. and see what she has to say about his behavior We are going to let her know. As a matter of fact, DS may tell her before we do!

[EllenR]

Well, we've been back in our routine now for a few days and it seems that the main side effect for DS is problems going to sleep. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to help him get to sleep? He gets up about 7:00am, takes the pill about 7:30, and it's 10:00pm before he's asleep. It may be a little later but that's the time when I stop hearing him making noises.

Also, on the drug info sheet, it says to store adderall at 77 degrees but you can store it briefly at cooler temps. Our house is not 77 degrees. Has anyone else noticed this? What do you do?

[lovemyson]

We have the same problem with DS6 and his sleeping, he goes up to bed at 8 and it's usually well past 10 by the time he falls asleep. He is up at 6:30 am....I would be interested in any thoughts and ideas on this subject also.

[AustinsMom]

We had that same problem on Adderall. Austin was only 6, so we started having tons of behavioral issues at bedtime too. We didn't find any solutions at the time, switched meds, and now are actually off all meds. But we recently started using melatonin and have been having great results with it. Austin's sleep cycle was way messed up from Strattera, and we needed help cause bedtimes were a huge hassle, he was waking up in the middle of the night, getting up really early, etc. We are using 3 mg. melatonin and it is very helpful with getting to sleep at night. I haven't used it with meds, and don't know all the ins and outs of that, but you might check the thread on melatonin. Cat listed a great link that might answer some of your questions. Good luck!

[Dad2Brooke]

AustinsMom said:

Austin's sleep cycle was way messed up from Strattera, and we needed help cause bedtimes were a huge hassle, he was waking up in the middle of the night, getting up really early, etc. We are using 3 mg. melatonin and it is very helpful with getting to sleep at night. I haven't used it with meds, and don't know all the ins and outs of that, but you might check the thread on melatonin. Cat listed a great link that might answer some of your questions. Good luck!

AustinsMom, you described the problem we are having with Brooke and Strattera to a "T". I will definately check out that thread and melatonin.

Thank you very much.

[singnmommy]

Blake is having issues with sleep also. He wakes up in the middle of the night and doesn't sleep well. On weekends he is very moody and he's "Bored" all the time. We haven't found any solutions to the sleep problem. He has always had a regular bedtime of 8 pm. Maybe something calming, like music or a bath before bed. Also, their room environment, light, noise, are they playing or is something scaring them. Blake is on Adderrall XR also.