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Post by AnneM on Mar 4, 2004 14:19:33 GMT -5
Oh Help!! Sam (15 years old) had his 9 monthly appointment with the psychiatrist today who suggested that with MAJOR exams ocming up in June (the most major Sam has ever had to take and which will - in the UK - carry him out of school and into college) that we should INCREASE his Concerta dosage "to give him the best possible chance in both building up to and taking these exams" ....
This would mean an increase from 54 mg to 72 mg of Concerta....
Sam is add ... not adhd ... but concerta certainly DOES help him with his concentration ... but I am still hestiating at increasing this dosage!! ... (despite what the psych says!!) ...
On speaking to Sam about it privately after the appointment Sam said "The trouble is Mum that I sometimes find Concerta helps me concentrate TOOOO much" (Which I think roughly translated means that concerta turns him into the 'model student' that he never intended to be and his friends are wondering what has happened to the class clown!!) ...
I so much want to give him the very best chance he can get at these exams (they shape his whole future!) ... but the other side of me says "hang on ... his school report says he is in fact working very well ..." but then again would an increase in Concerta just bring those final grades up a notch??
Any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated!!
Oh!! I am very confused!! ...
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Post by jdmom on Mar 4, 2004 15:54:25 GMT -5
Oh, I don't know. I would be afraid that the increase would put him into the "zombie fog". Has he ever taken the meds at the higher doseage? Could you do a day or two trial period during just regular classes? I would probably do the trial days and then let HIM decide whether he wants the increased meds during the tests. He is at the age where he can tell you how it makes him feel and whether it is a help or a hindrance. Maybe you could get a 2 or three day supply so that he could try it out at school, maybe during a big exam or something, and that would help him to decide.
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Post by Honeysmom on Mar 4, 2004 15:54:54 GMT -5
Anne,
This just my opinion, but I would be leary too. Are his tests like the ones here in the US (SAT's and ACT's)? These test such a broad range of knowledge. I understand that you can prepare for them, but IMHO the pills are not "smart" pills. If his concentration is where it should be, I would really question upping them. Also, I have no idea if that is a big dose of concerta or not since I have never taken it, but would upping it cause him anxiousness or anything like that? You don't want him to freak out before the test!!
If the tests are not until June, you could always ask to try it first. If he seems to imporve then you know they help. If he seems to get anxious or they don't make a difference then you know that way also.
Good Luck on this one, and tell Sam good luck on the tests!!!!
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Post by finnmom on Mar 4, 2004 16:07:43 GMT -5
Anne  I know how you feel, I would hesetate too. I think this demand´s at least a try-out first before the test´s, so you can see what happend´s. Although, I agree with the other´s, if this is already helping, would encreasing the dose really mean so much  You have a hard one to think about, I know that you´ll do the best descion! Marja |
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Post by Linda on Mar 4, 2004 16:10:57 GMT -5
Anne..I am speaking as a friend...Don't do it!!!!! I can't believe it was even suggested that his meds be upped.If he has been doing fine on the 54...let it be. I am afraid Sam would be totally zombied out!!!
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Post by AnneM on Mar 4, 2004 16:48:52 GMT -5
Thankyou each and every one of you!! ... you have really helped me here ... all of you are wary of this dosage increase ... and you have confirmed my own thoughts !! ...
Its a strange thing because in his school report EIGHT teachers said that Sam was doing extremely well... really working well etc.etc. but ... TWO of them said he was 'sometimes' too easily distracted and distracting ... these TWO teachers being Sam's LEAST favourite teachers.... the psychiatrist seemed to "home in" on these TWO comments -vs- ALL the other good comments and decided an increase might just change these two teacher's comments into better ones !! ... but somehow I don't think so!! ... As you all said the only thing that might happen is that Sam could become "zombified" !!
You have made my mind up ... and since Sam himself isn't that keen on increasing the dosage I actually think he will be MORE than happy with this too ... We will just stay where we are!! ... IT WORKS!! ...
Oh you guys are amazing !! I knew I would find the answer here!
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Post by camismom on Mar 5, 2004 8:55:09 GMT -5
I always go by the old philosophy, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
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Post by finnmom on Mar 5, 2004 10:32:31 GMT -5
Anne Good decision, like Camismom already said, Why should you change perfectly working thing Marja |
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Post by Honeysmom on Mar 5, 2004 12:55:28 GMT -5
I agree, good chioce. And why is it that they always find those one or two comments that go against the grain???
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