sportsmom
Member Emeritus
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
Posts: 1,171
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Post by sportsmom on Jan 9, 2005 22:24:53 GMT -5
I am not sure but I think I want to add a small dose of ritalin to ds meds. Now that we are going to be hitting the second semester at school some of the work is getting harder and it is much harder for Levi to get his work done. He has LD in reading and writing expression and in math. So far the math is ok but it is the reading and writing that are killing us----when he first started on meds he would zoom right thru his homework and now it takes hours and sometimes days to get an assignment done. I was just wondering if there is anyone else that uses a small dose of ritalin (along with another meds--in our case strattera)? I don't want to use it all the time but when I know we need to kick it in and get an assignment done. Levi has an IEP in place but sometimes I get busy and forget to keep after him to do all his homework then next thing you know out comes a progress report and then I remember and then it is a rough few nights trying to get all the work done. Only for the whole process to start again after a week or so.
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Post by camismom on Jan 10, 2005 11:36:19 GMT -5
Before we took Cam off her Straterra we had added a small does of Ritalin LA back in. It is not uncommon at all to add a small dosage of a stim med to Strat. In fact in has been found quite helpful for some kids. It seems to me that most kids I've known/heard about/or read about that currently takes or has taken Strat needs the extra boost for attention. It seems to help more with the hyperness than anything else. I know when Ralph, aka "BrookesDad" was posting he said he was giving Brooke a stim with her Strattera. If you decide to do so, I'm sure Levi will be fine.
How long has Levi been on Strat? If it has been awhile, he may have gained a little weight and just need an increase. Wouldn't hurt to check.
Good luck.
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sportsmom
Member Emeritus
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
Posts: 1,171
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Post by sportsmom on Jan 10, 2005 15:09:09 GMT -5
Hi Christy,
Levi has been on strattera for 2 yrs this month. We increased to 50 mgs (25 in am and 25 pm) this past august and seen a big difference in the attidude problems he was having. Levi hasn't grown much these last few months---I think he just needs a boost to help with the homework. What made you decide to take Cami off strattera? I have asked Levi if he would like to go back to just ritalin and he said no---he had such bad headaches and nausea (also while he was on Concerta). I do like the strattera but I can't take the homework battle anymore. Thanks for your input!!
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Post by camismom on Jan 10, 2005 15:27:36 GMT -5
I took Cami off Strattera because she was keeping a stomach ache with it. She's not a big eater, and hardly ever eats breakfast so at first I switched to giving it to her with dinner, but she still had the constant stomach ache. Then when we had to add back in a smaller dose of Ritalin LA to help with her attention, I thought if I had to give her a stim anyway, might as well take her off the Strat.
As far as the homework problem, Cami has a bottle of Focalin on hand for that and always has. It is only effective for maybe three hours so it suits its purpose well. She only takes it on days that she has a large load of homework or we have plans for the evening and she needs to get it done in a hurry.
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Post by milesofsmiles on Jan 10, 2005 15:45:09 GMT -5
Our little guy is on Focalin 2x day, 1/2 after supper if needed. The problem we had was that he was an outright grump when we pick him up at the end of the day. Give him the half dose to get through the evening and he would be up half the night. Then we all wake up tired and grumpy. Seemed like a no win situation. Our Dr. then perscribed Strattera, and it seems to feather out the transitions between doses of Focalin. Evenings have been much better also. We don't feel that medication is the only answer, it was a decision we all reached as a family to try. Miles  |
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sportsmom
Member Emeritus
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
Posts: 1,171
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Post by sportsmom on Jan 10, 2005 15:47:24 GMT -5
What is the Focalin for and what does it do?
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Post by camismom on Jan 10, 2005 16:01:05 GMT -5
Focalin is another of the stim type meds in the methlynphenidate family. It works as good as good as regular Ritalin but doesn't last as long and doesn't have as many rebound effects. It's perfect for an afternoon booster.
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sportsmom
Member Emeritus
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
Posts: 1,171
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Post by sportsmom on Jan 10, 2005 20:36:25 GMT -5
WOW that sounds more like I am looking for---something just short term. Thanks for the input  |
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Post by camismom on Jan 11, 2005 9:51:09 GMT -5
Not a problem.
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