puberty and med levels

[mothercat]

Here's one for those with boys that have gone thru or oar going thru the big "P" (puberty). Does adhd change or the affects of the meds change with puberty?
I mean with girls it is pretty obvious..all kinds of chemical hormonal changes happen and we discover the bratty side of the girls at that time..BUT does it affect the boys? Jared has only been getting the checkups with Dr every three months the last year as he has stayed fairly stable but now we are setting up every month checks again . I am kinda worried about the puberty thing and want him watched more closely so we can stay on top. I have noticed the boys in his class are talking more fights and girls and less bikes and games..so from experience can anyone tell me should I be concerned and will their meds work differently during this change?

[Linda]

Ugh...memories!!!!Puberty ...the meds didn't need changing...the attitude did . Probably every kid is different but 11-12-and 13 wasn't any picnic for us.

there was more backtalking...more thinking "he was all that" and problems with teachers...ugh

Just keep on top of things and trust your instincts...you are already on top of it cause you are asking about it.

In case I am scaring you the attitude wasn't every day...it just seemed like it cause these kids can wipe you out.Middle School....yuck

[mothercat]

BUd hasnt had to rough of a time with puberty ( some outbursts here and there and he has gotten couragous with the back talk but nothing we cant handle ) I was worried about Jared though being he is the adhd one.
Thanks for the input. (I know my sisters daughter is adhd and going thru it and there are days even I would like to hang the little darling up by her ears. Sure am glad I got boys) ;D
Here middle school and grade school are all the same school .

[StrugglingAgain]

This is exactly what I was talking about on another post! My ds is 9 1/2 and I SWEAR this might be something he's going through. ALL of a sudden it doesn't seem like his meds are working....for instance, his Ritalin LA (8-12 hr. med) is effective barely over TWO! He's backtalking more than he ever has, though that's always been an issue. On the other hand, could this be the age where bipolar issues raise their heads and it's no longer just an ADHD issue? Our child psychiatrist has always been concerned at the high mg. doses it takes to control the ADHD/ODD and has wondered all along if he may be bipolar, just too young to have a definite diagnosis.

[AnneM]

I'm chiming in very late here because I had somehow missed this!! .. but wanted to add my two cents worth anyhow!! ...

Like Linda 11, 12 & (particularly) 13 were not great ages for my son either ... but it was at 13 he was in fact diagnosed ... with add and adolescent-onset depression ... I remain convinced to this day that the depression at age 13 caused more problems than the add ever did !! Once the depression was taken care of things improved dramatically !! ...

My general opinon though is that boys DO suffer through changes as they go through puberty and especially the EARLY teens ... UGH !! ... I would say that there is a good chance that the meds might on many occasions need to be "tweaked" at this point ... their needs and problems can DEFINITELY take a "shift" from those they have had during their younger years and meds may need to be "re-evaluated" ...

GOOD LUCK!!

[mothercat]

Thanks Anne..I have discussed this with Bobo till blue and I think I am still gonna set up the monthly check ups again and keep them going so the Dr can get a handle and help with whatever changes ocvcur. I'd rather be ahead of the train than run down by it. I am already seeing changes in Jared and he turns 12 next week.. ;D ;D no more baby ) ;D ;D

[Linda]

;D ;D ;DTurning 12? Let the fun begin ;D ;D

[mothercat]

Gee when he gets to the really fun part ..I will need your address...he will be visiting ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[vickilyn32]

Same thing with Dan and at the same age. 6th grade was terrible He was so angry all the time, did not care about much of anything, spent a lot of time in his room, talked back, thought he was all grown up now & did not need to listen, was in trouble with the teachers all the time, etc. I was ready to lock him in a closet untill he outgrew it. Now at almost 15 he is a totaly diffrent kid. His teachers love him, he is doing very well in school and sports, getting ready to take his permit test, and is great to be around. (still fights with little sis) So there is light at the end of all this, you just have to hold on for the ride.