PLEASE help!!

[mommy007]

My DS as some of you know is ADHD, has been medicated for 4 years. During the summer last we took him off and all his tic's and stuttering stopped.

We started the school year well, off meds. slowly we added Adderall XR 15mgs. All was well. In December around the 22nd he was ill with flu, he had night terrors, the worst experience of my life!! It too passed, but he began picking at his face (bad). We went to see a neurologist on Monday and his advice was to take him off the Adderall XR and to give him a low dose antibiotic every night. The doctor ordered blood work and is looking into Pandas.

The issue: Since last thursday he has been having night terrors, at least 2 a night, last night it was 5! He is completely unaware of them in the morning. During the terrors he is clearly disoriented, confused, scared and makes no sence, he is up out of bed walking with eyes opened. It is sooooo frighting to us. I feel like I'm going to lose it!!

Can this be a side effect of the Adderall XR?? He is off it now but can it have lasting effects??? Has anyone had to deal with this???

I know other meds can help the terrors to decrease, but I don't want any more meds - School is the least of my concerns and so is the face picking now. These terrors are not something we can continue to deal with.
My DS and his Dad have a camping/sking trip this weekend with a new boyscout troup, it's going to be canceled for my DS because we are afraid if he has an attack the other boys may not understand.

I am really worried that it may be something else?? Any suggestions?? I am going to call the Pediatrician and Neurologist today, but I don't know what they can do.

I'm really ready to lose it

[Honeysmom]

I don't know if Adderall XR can cause night terrors, Honey didn't have them while on it, but he had them a while back.

You have probably tried it, but our doc told us to turn on the lights, hold him really tight so he feels secure, and then talk really gently (reassure) to him. It worked for us.

I can't imagine how scarry that is, up to 5 times a night. I relly hope the doctors can do something for him. It would really be too bad if he has to miss his trip this weekend. Poor guy. I hope you get it worked out. Good luck.

[Dad2Brooke]

mommy007, I am sorry that your boy is going through this, and that you and hubby have to see and deal with it.

I have searched for about 15 minutes through Google using the terms "Adderall XR" Side affects" and "Night terrors" and I haven't come up with anything. (that doesn't mean there is no connection, just that I couldn't find one.)

I think you are right to call his doctors and hopefully they can provide and explanation/solution to this.

Sometimes, night terrors are caused by anxiety or stress. Has anything major changed for you son lately? Just a thought.

Please know that our thoughts and prayer are with your family, and keep us posted on any progress on this.

[crillmom]

the only time my son had night terrors is when he has a high fever. Never any other time. I never heard of night terrors as a side effect of stimulants.

[Madison]

Hi,
I know a little about what your going through but my child too ONLY had terrible dreams when he had a HIGH fever and that was terrible on all of us! He was looking right at me and couldn't see me and it's like he was going through some kind of bad dream. I would FINALLY get enough attention from him to get the tylenol down and then it would STOP.

All the meds your child is on is powerful! I think he might be going through all of that with the medication draining out of his system. We too tried the meds and I just can't ever have her on them again! She was bouncing off the walls for about 2 weeks until they were completely OUT of her system! I thought...I'll NEVER do meds again! I don't care if she has to do every grade over twice it's not worth it!!

I say "Give your child a good MONTH to detox from the meds." See how they do and go from there. Some of the meds have to withdrawn SLOWLY like cut in half and slowly where they aren't taking any!

Talk to your doctor about it. They usually have gone through stuff like this with other patients and can give some good advice.

hope this helps a little...take care...madison

[Linda]

Just another thought here..Paul used to have night terrors when he was very young 2 or 3 I think...it has been awhile...and he wasn't on any meds,and like you they were very scary,but he outgrew them.My understanding is that this is a very common thing for our ADHD kids.

Hang in there and keep us posted.

[Jorgy]

My oldest went through night terrors when he was younger and he has never been on meds. It was horrible and I did notice that the more tired and stressed he was the worse the terrors were. He eventually grew out of them. How old is your son? Night terrors are common in boys 5-6 and younger. I sue hope he doesn't have to miss his trip. Sue

[mommy007]

He slept all night - no terrors!!!! I don't know if it will last, but its a good sign.

My son is 11 years old - a bit old to be experiencing night terrors. I have not heard from the Neurologist yet, mabe today. His pediatrician called me right back yesterday. He said he never had to medicate a child for night terrors, of course medication is the last thing we want to do at this point. He is 110 lbs and strong, My husband is handling the night time incidences, I am too emotional and just want to cry.

perhaps one good night will lead to another. the good news is since we took him off the meds he has stopped picking at his face! Now we just need to heal what damage he has done. It looks like he has chicken pox.

I am very thankful for all your responses, it just helps to know I have someone to talk to.