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Post by finnmom on Dec 9, 2003 10:51:00 GMT -5
Hi Ds8 was dx last august, a year ago, havent been on anything yet. Today we had an appointment with neurologist and we got the prescription for Conserta, pharmasist didn´t got it yet, but we´ll most propably give him his first med on friday-morning. The idea in this is to give it to him only on school-days(that´s how it´s ordered in here) to help him to really consentrate in school. I´am conserned!!  This desision make´s me mad, on the other hand; he need´s all the help he can get, he is bright, I want everyone else to see it also ;D On the other hand; MED`S to my kid  You know! I just read someone´s thread in the behavior forum about Conserta, it didn´t help at all It´s like diving into dark water.... Marja |
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Post by AnneM on Dec 9, 2003 12:34:35 GMT -5
Hi Marja - firstly your worries are totally 100% natural and normal!! .... I think we all have a really tough time to begin with especially when you are given that "first prescription" ... ! So many concerns and "am I doing the right thing here?" questions .... it really is a tough call for us parents! .... Now... two things to remember... (no sorry three - I just thought of another!) ... 1. The meds should NOT change our kid's personalities ... you should STILL have your kid ... just a calmer more focussed version .... however if you notice he is toooo calm (i.e. quiet) then the dosage is too high. 2. Concerta (like all meds) doesn't work for EVERYBODY! ... For some unfortunately it just isn't the right medication. My doctor reckons it has about an 85% success rate .... meaning there are 15% who will find it no help at all or even detrimental. 3. If it doesn't help your child then it is INSTANTLY reversible!! ... you simply stop!! My own son has been on Concerta for 2 years now and it HAS worked for him ... we are in the fortunate 85% ! ... but 85% is the majority ....  I was petrified the very first day I gave Sam his concerta. I watched him "like a hawk" and was convinced my son was going to somehow "change" before my very eyes!! ... but of course this just didn't happen .... BUT he did become calmer, more rational and more able to keep his concentration ... in turn this helped him at school .... LOTS of good luck ... Let us know how it goes! |
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Post by crillmom on Dec 9, 2003 13:57:16 GMT -5
Concerta works great for my son, and I totally agree that it should not change his personality. Aderral did that for my son but not concerta he is a calmer version of his amazing self. The other day I did not give him his meds because he was sick. he did great and it showed me how much I like concerta because his personality was exactly the same. What concerta does for him is slow him down so he can focuse and work to his potential which we are finding is really high. Without it he is much more hyper and impulsive but his personality is the same. Good-luck to you.
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Post by finnmom on Dec 9, 2003 15:07:46 GMT -5
:)Thank You Crillmom and Anne  It´s so much better to disccuss this with someone who does have experience about it, than just read it from a broshure ;D You´ve made me feel better, allthough I do know that everyone respons to med´s individually. Now I feel better to try it. We´ll start on friday, I´ll let you know how it goes. Thank´s Marja |
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Post by jachkldavis on Dec 9, 2003 15:14:49 GMT -5
My ds5 is on concerta. He is on 27mg now. We have noticed a big difference. Meds are a scary thing. I was and still am nervous about giving him meds. We didnt give it to him one Saturday and boy could we tell. It is an issue of self esteem with mine. He is hyper and impulsive so on days without meds he is in trouble more. I have seen how much of a difference the meds have made and it was a good decision for my ds.
We first tried Focalin and it didnt work. Then the Dr recommended Concerta. Luckily it is making a diff but we need to get the rite dosage. My ds still talks non-stop and is still a little hyper. We are going to up his dose to 36.
Good Luck ;D....I hope that it works for your ds.
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Post by AustinsMom on Dec 9, 2003 21:17:08 GMT -5
I love the diving into dark water analogy. It's an appropriate description for the uncertainty you feel if you start meds. What helped us when we first started was that we decided that it had to make a dramatic impact on school performance (our primary concern) and if not, we would stop. So if you decide on what the most important thing is that your child needs and focus on that and try the meds and ask yourself...is that specific thing better? It was clear to us that it did improve dramatically our primary objective, so it made it easier for us to use the meds. And if it ever does not make a clear difference (like if side effects outweigh the benefits) you can always stop. So don't think of it as a forever decision...just think that it is the solution you are going to evaluate for right now, and will use it as long as it works. We have used meds, and now do not, but I feel both things were the best choices at the current time. Good luck!
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Post by Jorgy on Dec 10, 2003 0:56:10 GMT -5
Concerta also helped our Jake. He is currently on 72mg and is doing great! good luck and remember the first med tried probably will have to be "tweeked" or changed. Sue
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Post by finnmom on Dec 10, 2003 11:20:16 GMT -5
Thank you all! Austinsmom, that´s my thought exactly; I will wait it to help at school and if that´s not going to happend then it´s useless. I dont need med´s on homelive, we can handle it very well without them, but if it would help at school(keeping my finger´s crossed ;D)... Sue and the other´s: it´s so comforting to hear some good experience´s. A BIG THANK`S Marja |
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Post by on_edge on Dec 10, 2003 19:33:10 GMT -5
Dear Finnmom,
We started Concerta yesterday. I was surprised how much calmer dd was. She was not zoning or anything like that. She played just as much, but not as loud and all over the place. She was actually pleasant, polite, and affectionate. She actually cleaned up her mess around the computer without being asked, just did it. Normally, it is a fight to get her to pick up anything. She has had moments were she got upset still but no tantrums. Today was the first day at school using meds and I spent the day observing. I can't say yet if there was a difference in concentration, but difinitely in mood. Appetite has been same.
The only problem I had was last night about 7:30 when she had a huge meltdown screaming over and over "I don't want to go to school." This lasted for an hour, complete with crying, throwing herself around, screaming and kicking us. I don't know if the meds wore off or what happened. She also had a difficult time sleeping. She didn't fall asleep until after 11:00 and was up at 2:00, then slept from 4:00 till 8:00 a.m. When she woke up, she asked to go to school. DD is 6 years, 53 lbs, and is taking 18 mg. I gave meds at breakfast about 7:00.
I don't know if it had anything to do with the meds or just over-tired.
Stephanie
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Post by LitlBaa on Dec 11, 2003 1:38:35 GMT -5
My dd was on Concerta for nearly two years. She did really well on it, was much calmer and her grades were better. The only concerns I had was that she wasn't eating or sleeping well (she was on 72 mg) and there were meltdowns in the evenings when she was overtired. We switched her to Strattera mainly to help with the appetite, she's really picky on a good day and is very thin. Since starting Strattera about 8 months ago, she's gained 12 pounds. If there was a way to get her to eat enough, I'd have kept her on Concerta.
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Post by crillmom on Dec 11, 2003 9:09:22 GMT -5
on edge, when we first started concerta it was hard for my son to fall asleep . It leveled after a few days. Now he sleeps ans eats fine.
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Post by milesofsmiles on Dec 11, 2003 9:53:28 GMT -5
Our son (6) 45#, has been on Concerta for 3 months. We saw improvement right away. But as of late, he seems to be more distracted in school. He is not really hyper, just impulsive and easily distracted, unable to concentrate. He says the medicine helps, but according to the teachers he has had better months. So I am wondering about an increase in dosage. I am concerned because he doesn't really eat during the day, and he may lose more weight. We do supplement his diet with protein drinks, and high calorie foods and he just maintains. He has grown 2 inches but maintained the same weight. His cousin (same age, size, and weight) went from 18mg to 27, and experienced tremors. Any info on dosage for this medicine?
Miles:)
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Post by finnmom on Dec 11, 2003 10:31:39 GMT -5
Thank you! So far I see only quite good result´s from your post´s. Stephanie, I´am quite conserned of that possible lack of sleeping, allthough our neurologist told it shouldn´t be a big possibility, hopely your son will not stay that way. Litlblaa: 72 mg/day, wow that sound´s pretty high dosage, what I read from our brochure, here in Finland they consider 56mg as the highest dosage, I dont know how that is measured/child, does anyone know is this dosage compared to weight or what Miles, that´s quite good new´s from you too, your son is only 6, mine is 8½, so I figure some behaviour could/should improve by age, too. Hopefull thinking ;D My son wheight´s 36 kg,so that´s something like 72 pound´s, or what. Sorry, we use only metric system so I´am not familiar with feet´s, pound´s. lb´s(what is that by the way? ) I just got the med´s from pharmasy, I´am going to give the first one tomorrow, so then I´ll see what happend´s, if anything. I HOPE THIS WILL HELP!!!! There is a constant depate going on in my mind about this, I only hope it´ll help, so that would justify my decision in some level. Marja |
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Post by on_edge on Dec 11, 2003 12:56:39 GMT -5
Second night on concerta was better. DD still had trouble falling asleep, about 11:30, but stayed asleep until 6:00. No meltdowns, but refused to eat dinner and very little lunch. Today is day three and I know most side effects only last a few days, but if sleeping and eating problems continue when should I be concerned?
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Post by AnneM on Dec 11, 2003 13:44:24 GMT -5
Hi Finnmom ... GOOD LUCK with Concerta !! I hope so much it really helps your son have a better quality of life as it has done for so many others ... (not everyone admittedly but definitely for the "majority" who have adhd and have been given this prescription.
My advice though (for what its worth !! ;D) is to be very wary about "what you read" .... especially on the internet ... there are some real "scaremonger" stories out there ... I think I read every one when my son was just starting medication!! ... but for every scary story you can also find so very many positive ones .... BOTH positive and negative however should be treated with the same respect and 'questions' .... but at the end of the day I think you have to look at how the meds help (or don't help) YOUR child ...
I am wishing you lots and lots of luck ... I think you said you were starting tomorrow? Please keep us posted. Anne
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