Anna
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Posts: 124
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Post by Anna on Jun 23, 2004 12:49:18 GMT -5
Hiya everyone,
I think we're going to have to switch Conner's medication. I was noticing the last few days that I was having a REALLY hard time finding shorts that fit him. He WAS in a 4T, but now even his 3T shorts are way too baggy!! BUT he's eating like normal... (Right now he's downing three orders of Chicken Nuggets from Wendy's)...In March he weighed 39.5 lbs... today he weighs 30.5 lbs...
The entire time Conner's been on meds (over two years now) he's been on some type of Adderall.. Right now he's on the XR (the regular wasn't staying in his system long enough)...
Conner's type of ADHD is VERY impulsive and hyper... so we need a medication that can deal with those aspects of ADHD. Do any of you have any good testimonies about other medications you think we should research? Conner will be 5 in October...
We have an appointment scheduled for June 30th to find out what the doctor recommends, but I'd love to have an idea about other medications before we see him...
Thanks,
Anna
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Post by catseye on Jun 23, 2004 13:06:50 GMT -5
Personally if the adderall xr is working for the ADHD behaviors, maybe ask about combatting the weight loss? Instead of changing medications?
The adderall xr is working for my sd, so we do one of 2 things when we notice weight loss... 1. Dont medicate on the weekend, or when not in school... 2. At one time my sd was on "remeron" to help with her appetite, this is in addition to the adderall not in place of...
Although the eating like normal has me quite puzzled on why he would lose weight... Is he more active?
cat
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Post by Linda on Jun 23, 2004 13:51:27 GMT -5
Anna ,Always something isn't it? We switched from ritalin to concerta and we don't have any issues you describe.Just remember every child is different and sometimes you have to keep going until you find what works for you.
The concerta usually works for 10 to 12 hours depending on your child...Good Luck
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Post by jdmom on Jun 23, 2004 17:40:53 GMT -5
We had to switch from Adderall XR because of the weight loss, also. Though Jarrett wouldn't eat. Could your son just be going through that stage where he is losing the baby fat and slimming up? Has he grown tremendously in height lately, and maybe his weight just hasn't kept up?
I switched Jarrett from the Adderall to Strattera. It didn't work for us. The strat just didn't help his hyperactivity. Then we changed to Concerta. I like it okay. It doesn't seem to help him focus as well as the Adderall did, but he eats on it. He doesn't eat great during the middle of the day, but eats a good breakfast and a good dinner if it is late in the day. I've been toying with the idea of trying another med, but haven't done it yet.
However it sounds like your son is eating great! Have you checked to make sure that there is not another problem that is causing him to lose weight? Don't let the doctors just assume it's the medication. I would have a complete physical workup done, just in case.
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Anna
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Posts: 124
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Post by Anna on Jun 23, 2004 19:46:23 GMT -5
I was talking with my husband earlier today and telling him about Conner. (He's in California on a business trip this week)... Anyways, he kept making comments about how Conner HASN'T been eating as good as he used too... Reminding me how Conner just picks through his food unless it's Cheeseburgers or Pizza...and how he usually leaves the dinner table with half the food still sitting on his plate... He won't eat breakfast foods at all, and very very rarely can I get him to eat lunch foods at breakfast time... But at lunch he really seems to eat for me....
*sigh* And the weight loss - looking back - started when we upped Conner's medicine to twice a day... BUT he NEEDS that second dose!! *ugh*
Anna
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Post by StrugglingAgain on Jun 23, 2004 21:10:40 GMT -5
Anna, my son had a terrible appetite on Adderal. Now he's on Ritilin LA combined with Clonidine. He's eating like a woodchopper! It's sooooo nice to have my little boy eating again, finally. Another thing, when he prefers a hotdog to toast for breakfast, I let him have it. I've found to quit being so strict with what WE think is proper food for certain meals. He takes Ritilin LA twice a day and takes Clonidine with it. It certainly helps with his aggression AND hyperness.
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Post by Linda on Jun 24, 2004 8:49:20 GMT -5
Very good point...I remember when Paul was on ritalin and the appetite was terrible...He could have pizza for breakfast and I didn't care! :)Thanks for the reminder StrugglingAgain...I think it is important.
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Post by AnneM on Jun 25, 2004 11:24:39 GMT -5
Yes ... This is a very good reminder. Sam lost 2 stone when he first started Ritalin and became very thin for a while. Later this medication was replaced by Concerta which was an improvement although he still was thin for a bit...but then (was it because he got used to the concerta I wonder?) his appetite improved and his weight rose up again and is now static at what is a normal and good weight for his height....
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Post by catseye on Jun 25, 2004 12:13:15 GMT -5
I hope that means something along the lines of "pounds" and not kidney stones or something!! LMAO
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Post by Linda on Jun 25, 2004 13:02:17 GMT -5
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Anna
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Posts: 124
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Post by Anna on Jun 28, 2004 22:58:22 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for your replies!! I usually let Conner eat whatever he wants too! And I NEVER tell him no he can't eat anything (except a lot of candy! *lol*)... We go on Wednesday to find out what the doctor is going to do...
Anna
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Post by catseye on Jun 29, 2004 10:01:54 GMT -5
Good luck on wednesday then!!
cat
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Post by Linda on Jun 29, 2004 21:00:29 GMT -5
keep us updated  |
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Post by finnmom on Jun 30, 2004 1:33:53 GMT -5
Hi I´am little late in here, but thought to through in my 2 cent´s. My ds has only been on conserta, but that has workes allright for us, no significant weightloss and helping at school quite well. He is only on 18 mg so it´s really small dose, but that´s the policy in here. It´s already wednesday in my corner; I hope your doc will find a working solution for you |
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Anna
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Posts: 124
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Post by Anna on Jun 30, 2004 15:06:00 GMT -5
Great news!! The doctor's nurse messed up. The doctor didn't specify WHAT Conner's height and weights were...he just wrote 33.5 and 39 on the chart... SO the nurse thought that he was 33.5 inches tall and 39 pounds... and it was actually the opposite...
So he's honestly only lost 1.5 lbs!!! The doctor said that the reason it seems like he's lost more is because he's going through a growth spurt and is getting taller, but not really gaining weight yet...
He put Conner back on his meds again and added a breakfast of Pediasure or some other supplement to our morning routine...
I'm supposed to keep my eye on Conner and how he adjusts to being BACK on his full dose of meds...so I'll let you know if I notice any major issues..
Anna
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