ADHD / ADD Support Group
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD) are more common than you might think. It is a syndrome that exhibits symptoms such as hyperactivity, forgetfulness, mood shifts, poor impulse control, and distractibility. Join others who suffer from these conditions and share your experiences.
My 17 year old son was recently diagnosed with ADD (no hyperactivity). He's always been an A-B student, but between life changes, moving, new school, puberty, etc. his grades have taken a tumble. All of his teachers say he's brilliant and he contributes more than most of his peers in class. He aces his tests in most classes and has done great on Regents exams. However, he hates homework. So his overall average is low.
Anyway, he's been on Ritalin now for about two weeks. It was 10 mg in the morning and then again before lunch. That didn't seem to be offering enough consistency, so dr. changed dose to 20 mg in the AM and the 10 mg at lunch time in school. He's still feeling the ups & downs when it wears off and he comes home exhausted & too tired to focus on homework. The one area that he really needs to focus on!!! I spoke to the doc about an extended release med, he said ideally that will be what we will move to. Not sure what this means and why we're not just doing that now. New to this, so any kind advice would be helpful. Thanks.
Anyway, he's been on Ritalin now for about two weeks. It was 10 mg in the morning and then again before lunch. That didn't seem to be offering enough consistency, so dr. changed dose to 20 mg in the AM and the 10 mg at lunch time in school. He's still feeling the ups & downs when it wears off and he comes home exhausted & too tired to focus on homework. The one area that he really needs to focus on!!! I spoke to the doc about an extended release med, he said ideally that will be what we will move to. Not sure what this means and why we're not just doing that now. New to this, so any kind advice would be helpful. Thanks.
He sounds like my son ~ the late diagnosis, not hyper, great grades, he rushes through his homework and is tired. Then between the bus and changing classes ~ he does not turn it in. This is a flippin' mystery.
We tried Adderal and Ritalin - no change. Vyvance has done OK for the past four months and tomorrow we start Vyvance & Risperidone. The Risperidone is for this rage he has suddenly developed. It happens when he's home. Nothing at school or infront of what peers he has. He can go from 0 -100 in seconds at home. Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde.
Any rage or anger in your son? My son is 14 and diagnosed at 12.
I'm sorry to drone on about Jack. Have you talked to his teachers about his ADD? His Dr. gave me a questionairre to give to all his teachers during the second semester. It didn't exactly say he had ADHD, but the teachers must have recognized the forms and started to ease up. I didn't want to tell his teachers ( I didn't know if you get kicked out of honors classes or what not. DUH ME) or look like I was looking for favors).
Jack is on Vyvance and he says it helps him focus. He takes it at 5:00-5:30AM. Funny, this whole thing started when he was 11 and had nothing to do with school, grades or focusing. :(
Let me know how he's doing, OK? kim
((hugs)) kim
He's having such a hard time with the "ups" & "downs" of the medication. Our therapist has suggested to our doc a long acting med. Hopefully, we will find something that will help. We have an appointment soon.
Thanks again.