Felt so much BETTER without the Concerta

[AnneM]

Uh Oh .... !! Sam came home from college today and said : "Hey Mum! ... You know that Concerta tablet I take?" ... A cautious "Yesssss.... " from me ... "Well I didn't actually take it this morning and I have had SUCH a good day - I was chatting and laughing with my friends and wasn't all quiet like I usually am when I take that tablet!!"

Hmmmmm ..... How to handle THIS one? Chatty and Laughing is ALL VERY WELL ... But ... But ... !

I asked him how he felt he was in classes ... "Fine!" he said ... I asked him how he felt his behavoiur was ... "Really Mum it was FINE" he said ... He did add "Obviously if I get out of order or silly then I will have to start re-taking it"....

What do I do? I think I have to take him seriously on this ... he is 16 ... When he isn't on Concerta at the weekend the only difference I personally can tell is that he is QUIET when on concerta and CHATTY when not on it ... I know that now he is 16 and has made this observation I HAVE to give him a chance without it ...

(Hey Linda .. I know it has been similar with Paul ... How is that going without the concerta? )

[Linda]

Sam is old enough to know his body....let him try doing without the concerta....he will know if he has to take it.

Paul is doing fine without it...he loves his classes...has not come home YET in a bad mood!!!!I wish him all the luck in the world.

A bonus for me and I know it will sound silly....but Paul comes home from school HUNGRY!!!!

[AnneM]

Thanks Linda!! ... I feel much more confident NOW for him to try without the meds than I would have done a year ago and more especially 2-3 years ago !! At that point I just KNOW he could not have got by without his Concerta ... but they really DO improve with age eh? ... and I think this is a good age to give it a go !! Fingers crossed! ....

[finnmom]

Anne

I agree with Linda; Sam is old enough to try. He´ll know if he need´s it back. My ped. neuro told us that when a child hit´s 12+ he/she can control more of his/her´s behaviour and focusing, so med´s are not needed so much anymore. Sam has just reach the point

Let him try Good luck!!!!

[AnneM]

Thanks Marja ... that is interesting that your ped/neuro confirms what I think Linda and I are both finding ... that they really DO start to control their own behaviours better as they get older ... In my case with Sam I would say that 12 was definitely an optimistic outlook though!! ;D At 12, 13 AND 14 he definitely benefitted hugely from the Concerta ...

Oh and Linda I know what you mean about the HUNGER! .. When Sam got back from college today he wanted dinner ASAP and plenty of it !! Normally he isn't interested until the evening!! ... But that worries me a little as he was a very chubby younger child and I wouldn't like to see him go back to being chubby ... I will have to keep an eye on that!! .. and come to that so will he!!

[camismom]

I agree with the others... he's old enough to know hisself now.

Cami tried this last year at age 12 and saw right away that she needed it still.

Give him the chance to see if that's what he wants.

[Linda]

keep Sam moving Anne....then you won't have to worry about the (chubby child)!!!! ;D ;D...He will more than likely watch his weight anyway....he is 16 and the girls are after him!!!!lol ;D