Very naive question

[jessicasmom]

I have a naïve question.

This may sound strange, but DD has only been on Adderall and Clonodine for two weeks. She was diagnosed with ADHD only two weeks ago. I have seen an incredible difference with her behavior, minus a few rough episodes.

My question is: how do I know if the medicine is still working or if she needs an adjustment? See… I told you it was naïve. I have been reading most of all the posts on this forum. Most of the posts I have read say that it took along time and is a difficult process to get the correct dosage etc.

Like I said I have seen a huge difference in dd, will it be a noticeable difference, can I expect her to go back to the old ways with her poor behavior and troubles completing work in her class? As it stands now, she is doing really well. I’m just not sure what to expect or what I’m supposed to be looking for. I really feel the need to be on top of her medication, I don’t want her to run into any more trouble at school. If I can stay on top of it the better off she will be.

Thanks

[StrugglingAgain]

HI!! Welcome! You will love it here as there's a wealth of knowledge with lots of experience!

Now, to your question! IF she's doing well and everyone is pleased with her behavior.......let everything stay right where it is! You might be one of the lucky ones that happen on the correct meds and dosage from the git go. HOOORAAAY!! Most of us have many months of trial and error till the right combination and/or dosage is found. If it isn't the right thing, your child will continue the behaviors that were evident before meds or start with something new that you weren't expecting. You need to stay in close contact with your child's doctor. Most likely she will not be totally symptom-free (I don't know of any where the meds totally allow the child to act "normal"), but hopefully there will be the kind of difference in her behavior that you were looking for. Post away!! We're all glad you are here!!

[vickilyn32]

My son who is now 14 started adderall 10mg when he was about 7. We noticed a big diffrence within the first week. We were also lucky enough to hit the correct med the first try. The only time we tried a diffrent med was when he was around 12 and started puberty. He got very depressed, so the doctor wanted to try a new med. He went to concerta, and it was terrible. after a few months on concerta we tried Strattera. He was much happier, but it did not help his inattention. Last january we went back to the adderall, and this has been his best year ever. If you start to see signs of it not working as well as it used to, you may need an increase in dosage. We went from 10mg 7 and 8 years old to 15 mg 9, 10, and 11 years, 20 mg last year, and the beginning of school this year increased it to 30 mg. It all depends on how they grow, how they metabalize meds, how much ADHD they are, etc. All any of us can do is just know our kids as best we can so we can see the diffrences in their behavior.

[AnneM]

jessicasmom ... no questoin is naive !!

As the others have already said if you are noticing a difference then let sleeping dogs lie until you notice it isn't working .... quite often the meds do need some readjusting after a few months ... but right now it seems it is working for you! .. and that is GREAT !! ...

My advice is "take it one step at a time" ... My own son started on a very low does at 13 ... he then had to have it increased TWICE over the next 18 months ... and in fact he is now at age 16.5 years BACK to the very low dose again ..!! (and that is only on days he maybe needs a little extra concentration!) so just take it as it comes .... It honestly IS a moving target!!

GOOD LUCK!!

[tridlette]

AnneM said:

It honestly IS a moving target!!

GOOD LUCK!!

M'Lady... what a wonderful way to express it! I read what you said about Sam, and I think I might go ahead and talk with Michael about trying low dose Adderall again. He did wonderful when he was 9-11 on 20 mg.

At 12 we bumped him up to 30 mg. because he was having terrible break through problems. That was worse, we went to Straterra and he experienced terrible migraines. He has been med free for over a year now, and is currently maintaining a 66 average in school... that IS counting his 97 in his JROTC class.

Maybe, I can discuss with him a small dose trial for a few weeks to see if he does better with less teacher "on my back" syndrome!

Jessica's mom... I am thrilled that you have had such wonderful results so quickly. It gives the rest of us hope to hear positive results!

[finnmom]

Jessica´smom, you´re not naive at all.

If you´ve already seen some noticable difference´s, then you´re on the right way. I´s not always so hard to find the right dosage, you´re lucky It was quite the same with us too, started with concerta 18mg, saw immediate responce, then after about 8 mo´s, we added ritalin because theacher had noticed that he was more hyper and had more problem´s with concentrating.

If it work´s, dont fix it!! You´ll see when she need´s adjustment´s. Great to hear such a good new´s. Congrat´s

[camismom]

I second Anne in saying there is no such thing as a naive question! Like I always tell my dd, we can never learn if we don't ask questions.

As far as an answer... if your child starts exhibiting her old behaviours, then it's time for an adjustment or a change. If she is doing well, getting her work done on time, isn't argumentative, etc. then she is fine. If you start getting feedback from teachers that she isn't completing work, staying on task, is easily distracted, then call the doc. Otherwise, "if it ain't broke...don't fix it."

I wish you continued luck!

[Linda]

We got lucky the first time with meds too....and how did I know he needed a increase? When he reverted back to the old ways.....shivers here ;D ;D ;D ;D

Ask away...no question is naive...we have all asked them anyway ;D

[jessicasmom]

Thanks everyone. You all are so kind. I did feel kind of silly asking that. I just honestly did not know what to expect.

We had a first last night. I had to actually tell my DD, that she had to finish her homework in the morning. She missed school Friday because we went out of town, then she missed Monday because she was sick with a horrible cold. Needless to say she had alot of homework. Tuesdays are her baton twirling class, so we did not get home until after 8:00. She wanted to get it all done. It was after 10:00 before she went to sleep.

I can not count how many times we have faught over getting homework done. My first was: getting her to stop doing homework, so she could get to bed, she had so much ambitition to get it all done, what a difference. ;D

She did finish it. Way to go Jessica ;D
We go back to the doctor's office today, for her two week visit. I actually look forward to it.

Everyone, have a wonderful day.

[camismom]

Good news! and way to go Jessica!

We spent asll night fighting with homework. But that's another thread.