We Need A Change

[sportsmom]

I have decided to change Levi's meds. He does well on the strattera but I don't see him on track or focused very well. He also can get very argumentative. The main reason I want a change thou is because I want to be able to give him a med break on weekends and during school breaks. I would love to see him gain weight and to just get an appetite and not munch. I also would like to see how he is without meds---he has been on strattera for 2 1/2 yrs straight with no breaks. I was thinking of going back to concerta but Levi is not sure because before he had bad headaches. I don't think Adderall will be an option for him because of the mood swings. But anyways I am going to call the dr office tomorrow for an appointment--I just hope she agrees with me and will let us change.

[Linda]

Good Luck and keep us updated!!

[camismom]

I hope this works out for you... making a med change when they are doing "ok" is such a hard decision! On the one hand you think "if it ain't broke..." but on the other you want more than "ok". Good thing is you know that the Strat is always there to return to if all else fails. The weekend breaks will be nice though if all works out. Like Linda said, keep us posted.

[sportsmom]

This is a hard decision because he does do "ok" but I know that he can do better. There are some days I just can't talk to him because he thinks he is right about everything. And I am so tired of asking him to do something.....over and over.....seems like it was before the meds. I know this might mean he needs to be bumped up in mgs but he is 14 now and I want to see the difference between meds and no meds. 8th grade here is one of the harder grades and I want him to do well. I have an excellent IEP in place but I don't want to be a witch to have it enforced all year either. We start school in 2 weeks so I need to get started now. Of course leave it to me to wait until the last minute to decide but like Christy said "If it ain't broke..." well now I want a change (just the woman in me I guess ;D)

[Linda]

We all want what we think is best for our kids Maybe with Levi being older the headaches will be a thing of the past!!

[cheermom]

sportsmom i am in the same place as you are. I have just taken my 11 year old off concerta, it has been 5 days and i have to say he is doing well, we have not changed our routine at all ,he still hangs out with his friends, went to tae kwon do, even had a dentist appointment, all med free!! BUT i am so afraid to start school without any meds. he starts middle school and i know the adjustment is tough, once school start he will be off meds for 5 weeks, it will be really hard to decide what to do!!!

[milesofsmiles]

I agree with Linda, with age and growth, things change in the body. There are a lot of medications that can be tried, but there is always fear of the unknown. A medicaiton that works in a social situation may not work in a school environment. Just keep an eye on him and keep the lines of communication open. We tried a med change in January, and it seemed our son never recovered from it for the rest of the school year. The teachers said the new med was ineffective, then he became socially withdrawn because of his low self esteem. So, sometimes it can be a good thing, sometimes bad. Just wanted to give a personal experience.

Miles

[sportsmom]

Miles~~~I know I am afraid of the worst happening but the most important thing I see missing is his focus. I am hoping for the best... I have a great relationship with the dr and I am sure she will put me in the right direction whether he stays on strattera or goes on something else.

Cheermom~~~I see that was your 1st post and welcome.....good luck with your ds starting school with no meds. How long has your son been diagnosed and been on meds? Keep us posted

[sportsmom]

Well today is Levi's dr appt to see about the med change. I am so nervous and I don't know why . I just want the best for him~~~~wish us luck

[Linda]

I always got nervous too....we want what is best for our kids and the unknown is scary!!! Let us know how it went!!

[camismom]

sportsmom said:

There are some days I just can't talk to him because he thinks he is right about everything.

I think at 14 this is age related too. Lord knows I get it with my 13 yo! If she makes up her mindghe sky is purple you will not get her to see it is actually blue!

Anyway, you and I are on the same page with 8th grade this year. Our children are getting so close to high school and we want to find that right combo for their ever changing bodies. Middle school is such a pivotal time for kids...when they try to find themselves and just the tiniest bit of failure in something can knock 'em down!

I do wish you luck today! Keep us informed of the outcome.

[kstquilter]

i also think some of the arguing is his age. i haven't tried strattera but seems like i've read on here that some parents also have to use a stimulant in addition to help with the focus. maybe someone can speak to that.
i have to agree with miles that sometimes to change can have many different consequences. i wish you all the best and hope it works out for everyone.
karen

[sportsmom]

Well we went to the dr and I am not sure if I am happy with the outcome but I will try it for a month (that is when we have another checkup). She upped his strattera to 60mgs. At first she wanted to add a stim to his 50 mg of strattera and I said no that would overmedicate him then she threw out adderall and I said no I have read about to much rebound with adderall then she said maybe we should just up the stratterra so I agreed but I still feel defeated as the whole point was to put him on a med that would give a med break. She said he is growing just fine but I think he should weigh more then 77lbs. for an 8th grader. Well I still have a month to see how it works but I am not sure~~if he does great then I will be happy and not worry about it because the biggest thing is making it thru this school year but if I see anything lacking I will be better prepared to say what I want for him. So anyways keep your fingers crossed for us.

[camismom]

sportsmom said:

Well we went to the dr and I am not sure if I am happy with the outcome but I will try it for a month (that is when we have another checkup). She upped his strattera to 60mgs. At first she wanted to add a stim to his 50 mg of strattera and I said no that would overmedicate him then she threw out adderall and I said no I have read about to much rebound with adderall then she said maybe we should just up the stratterra so I agreed but I still feel defeated as the whole point was to put him on a med that would give a med break. She said he is growing just fine but I think he should weigh more then 77lbs. for an 8th grader. Well I still have a month to see how it works but I am not sure~~if he does great then I will be happy and not worry about it because the biggest thing is making it thru this school year but if I see anything lacking I will be better prepared to say what I want for him. So anyways keep your fingers crossed for us.

i'm sorry you didn't get the results you wanted. Sometimes you have to just act like the old and put your foot down! By upping the does of Strat did she take into consideration his weight? If I am remembering the Strat formula correctly he is own the max dose for his weight..so watch his blood pressure. 77 lbs seems low to me so I see your concern. Cami weighs more than that!

I will keep my fingers crossed for you that this will not effect him school wise and no matter what you end up with he will be ok in school and weight.

Take care!

[Linda]

If you are still not happy put your foot down I think you know what is best...most moms do