8 year old son just started taking adderall xr

[kysmom]

Hi my 8 year old son was recently diagnosed with adhd - inattentive and was prescribed adderall xr 5 mg 1x daily.

I noticed a big change the first day and his teacher and coach both say that they have noticed changes in his ablility to focus also.

He is having a hard time getting to sleep at night. And now that we are in the 2nd week on meds he has been getting somewhat emotional at night and crying. He has also complained about headaches and stomache aches.

Are these things "normal"?

I'm sorry that I am jumping subjects, I just have alot of questions. And it is great that this forum exists, just reading some of the other posts have helped alot.

[Coopersmom]

Kys Mom, those things are normal, unfortunately. If he is still feeling this way you might think about changing meds. My son started on Adderall, became emotional and was switched to Concerta. This worked well but only for awhile. He couldn't sleep and was upset all the time.

Then we went back to Adderall, this time it worked so much better and didn't make him emotional. In addition he now takes Strattera with the Aderall. They both seem to get rid of the side effects for each other and he is pretty happy all the time now.

Mind you this process took a year. It's mind boggling but hang in there and hang out here when you need support, it really helps.

Vanessa

[Nucking_Futs]

Adderall was the right med for my son but the extended release formula wasn't. You might consider a simple switch from extended to dosing through out the day. I would definatly talk with your doctor about it and lay off the depression med's for now (our experiance was they wanted to add depression meds and I wasn't comfortable with it.)

[Hockey Mom]

my 14 yr old son - recently diagnosed ADHD Inattentive was put on Adderall Xr - 15mg to start - after 1 mth upped to 25mg. What a nightmare it was - missed school 2-3 out of 5 days a week - bad attitude - and becoming violent. Dr switched him to Strattera - 60mg - it has only been 1 week but what a change he has actually made 3 days of school in a row and has said he has homework to do for the first time in months. I am not sure if it's the Strattera working so quickly or just the Adderall is out of his system.

[akiss4u]

Maybe the dose of Adderall was to high Hockeymom. He may have the wrong type of medication.

Nucking_Futs does have a point on the extend release formulas. We all have different metabolisms. Our bodies would not all process these extended release forms at the same rates. Some may have good results and others may not. I metabolise medication and foods very quickly. This means that the medication does not stay in my system as long and is not effective as long. For some slow metabolisers it could last up to 12 hours making it difficult to sleep.

That makes me so sad to hear about everyone's kiddos. I have 2 sons 6 and 8 and my heart goes out to all you moms and dads. Watching our kids go through everything negative is awful. Just keep in mind you are doing all you can to help these little ones and the process of evaluation is tough. It will work out if you just hang in there and it may take time. The rewards could be endless and well worth the hard times! It is obvious to me that everyone here loves their kids or they would not bother trying to better the quality of their lives. Good Job Moms! Keep up the good work!