Tanya Says:
My son, who is 8, started 18mg Concerta a couple of weeks ago for ADHD. The first couple of days it was wonderful. He was generally happier, his concentration was excellent. He did talk a mile a minute and had trouble falling asleep at night. Both my husband and I were amazed at how well it worked. But the effect has been steadily becoming less and less by the day. It's been 2 weeks now and he's very much like how he was (impulsive, no concentration, doesn't listen etc) even while on medication. Has anyone else experienced this and if we up the dosage now, how many more times and how often would we have to up it???
My step son has worked his way up to 90mg of Concerta a day. He is 10. 18mg is a very low dose, you may want to speak to your doctor about it.
Oh and if you are wondering how 90mg? 1 36mg and 1 54mg in the morning. After trying everything so far this has been the best! He is still a little boy that does boy things, just not so impulsive and his grades are wonderful now.....my problem is when he gets used to the 90mg is he going to have to go higher? That worries me!
Dawn, thank you so much for your response. We have an appointment to see the doctor today. I know she will want to up the dosage. I am just concerned about how quickly he would need to go to a higher dosage again. While medication helps his immediate behavior, all the side effects and a little child, and probably for the rest of his life, being on such high dosage of medication cannot possibly be good for him in other areas. And, what then, when he gets to the highest possible dosage??? May I ask what dosage your son started on and how long it took to get to the dosage he is on now?
He has been on them all. He was started on 20mg Adderall xr worked his way to 25mg of it. He seemed to be doing fine or so I thought. The doctor yanked him off it and put him on Vyvanse 50mg. He just wasn't right, but the doctor insisted this was the best and newest treatment and upped his dosage to 70mg. He got more aggressive and more impulsive. The doctor said give it time. Well, being a nurse, I took him in and I said now you listen here this child has went through two ADHD medications and they are adult doses. It is not helping him he is failing school and is being very mean. I said I can't take it anymore, so something needs to be done to help this child and now! He says has he been on concerta? I said no....he knew that! Well, he started him on 54mg and gave me a script for 18mg to go with it, well he ended up taking both and that child has completely changed. All his grades are A's and B's and his behavior is 90% better. He actually interacts with other kids now where he would just sit with his dad and I at softball games for our daughter. His next visit I thanked the doctor because all this has been going on for a year. Trying different meds to see what would work and so far this one is it. He started him on 90mg a couple weeks ago. I now seeing what you are saying am going to talk to the doctor about my son getting older and if he will have to go up. That number seems to high to me anyway, but I do know of some children that take xr meds twice a day because they are definitely ADHD. This or any of the meds never made him hyper until late in the evening when it starts wearing off and he talks about 90 miles per hour and my head is spinning. I am glad you mentioned that, because I know some people learn to deal with it and come off the meds as adults. Some have no choice but to stay on them to function. Thanks
I wonder why your doctor started him on 90mg! Julian (my son)'s doctor said that they always start with the minimum dosage, which is 18, well, at least in Connecticut. Are you worried about abuse? Maybe I'm reading too much or worrying too much, but I've read that it has been known to happen, although not as often by the person it's prescriped for. They said that it constricts blood vessels, increase blood pressure and heart rate, and the release in dopamine is associated with a sense of euphoria - kind'a like street meth! The idea of an 8-yr old being dependent on meds doesn't sit so well with me...
My mom was giving my nephew 12mg of Concerta for 2 months. She went to her regular doctor for a routine blood and urine tests. They found Meth amphetimine in her urine. She held the pills in her hands every day and it just finally soaked in her system.
Wow, there is no Meth Amphetimine in Concerta. And it sure as hell wouldnt soak into her blood stream from holding the pills you idiot. Why don't you see if shes taking Meth.
You actually can have any type of medicine enter your body by just holding the medicine---just for you info. I'm a nurse and that is the 1st thing they teach you in school, if you have ever been in a hospital that is why nurse where gloves when handling medicine or pop it into a cup without holding it.
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