My ds (7) takes Concerta 36 mg once a day, I just read this article & am going to call his doc. It says that these stimulant ADHD meds can cause "sudden death". OMG! I just wanted to make sure you all knew about this if your kids are taking this. It's pretty scary, there has to be a better way

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/22/health/policy/22fda.html?hp&ex=1156219200&en=50705e06df3eb2a7&ei =5094&partner=homepage

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Laura:love:

I am sorry I don't know about that med but follow your heart, mom's know what is best regardless of what the DR says. Do what you feel is best and don't let down.

Wishing you the best, April

Why would he be taking a "stimulant"?

I don't want to sound dumb but there are other meds. for ADHD that are non-stimulant and seem to control better.

(I believe they all have the black box warning though--but read the details--they by law have to include the data because it's a child--with Straterra I believe it was one child out of thousands and thousands and they don't know if that's why he/she died or not--it's been a while since I read the pt. info. but definately good to research!)

In children with ADHD, the stimulant part of the drug actually works in the reverse as it would for you or me, it has a calming effect. Since he started taking it a year ago, he went from being in the office everyday & poor grades, to straight A's & hardly ever in trouble. I was amazed at the difference in him. There were a couple of days last year when I forgot to give him the pill in the morning, and by 8 a.m. the teacher was calling me to see if he had had his medecine or not, the difference is THAT huge. I am waiting on the doc to call me back & see what he says.

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Laura:love:

My ds9 is taking Concerta. He started at 18mg and now is at 27mg. My concern for your ds is that he is taking a big dose. Did he start at a lower one that didn't work or did they start it at that dose? If I remember right 36mg is the max.

Ds has been taking Concerta for 1 1/2 years and has been doing fine with it. The only side effect is lack of appitie. So we encourage him to eat more often. Weight is an issue for him. He's almost 10 and weighs less than 70 lbs and is average height.

I would come straight out and ask the Dr about your concerns about ADHD meds causing death. I know I will be asking questions at our next check up. (next week)

For us the pluses have been incredible. Ds went from a student struggling to stay in his chair with fair grades to an honor roll student that is excelling and in control. DH wanted to stop the meds and ds begged to stay on them. He said his tool box (brain) is finally organized.

I know the decision is hard. Trust your instincts to do what is best for your ds.

Yea, he started at 18, then 27 & now to 36. His only side effect is trouble going to bed at a reasonable hour. Last night he was up 2 hours past bed time, but as with your ds, the good effects are amazing. It was explained to me once that having ADHD, for those of us who don't have it, is like being made to sit in one place and have to watch a 10 hour movie in a language we didn't understand. Sort of how they feel all the time, they are not bad per se, just hyper all the time.

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Laura:love:

[quote=roxtar27]In children with ADHD, the stimulant part of the drug actually works in the reverse as it would for you or me, it has a calming effect. Since he started taking it a year ago, he went from being in the office everyday & poor grades, to straight A's & hardly ever in trouble. I was amazed at the difference in him.

I agree with the above--but when it wears off...holy cow!

I have adult ADD and my son has ADHD and we both take a non-stimulant med. when it wears off, we know it but it's not extreme.

We have a little lack of appetite as well, but in my case part of my ADD was being a busy eater....(and overeating)

I am on Concerta 36mg a day... It actually really helps me even though it is a stimulant. Now I am an adult and have tried Adderall XR which caused me to have a heart attack. The reason is that concerta is a time released formula and as along as you don't cut the medication to try to down his dose (SERIOUSLY DO NOT DO THIS) it causes the meds to go in you a lot lot faster!!!But he should be fine..

Don't remember what age your child is and I understand that each child is different... But I refuse to put my children on any stimulant or really any type of medication. It can lead to serious social problems because some symptoms of ADD/ADHD can be made much worse on meds...

Not to mention these meds can stunt growth and learning ability. My doctors agree with me on this one...

PLEASE do not think I am judging you because I honestly believe that each of us parent our own way and it truly seems that you are trying. My daughter is ADHD but we control it differently.
We are not really a sweets kind of family. We outlaw sugar as much as we can. Thank god that nowadays they have those diabetic aisles so that we can still have candy. We all LOVE fruits and veggies so I make sure there are lots and lots in stock. Not to mention that we keep her busy.
We keep her mind and body busy... Seeing as my parents didn't believe in this and never medicated me... I turned out fine but I think I am doing a better job of learning what to do to help her...

There are a lot more things you can do feel free to contact me or ask and I will be happy to help...

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Angie
Navy wife and mother of 3 precious girls . Jade (5), Keira (4) and Contessa (2) Hoping to have a little boy in the future!!!

Well, keeping him busy & controlling him at home is not our problem. We dont have the sweets & all that either (my dh went through cancer 2 years ago, and since then, we all eat very healthy) it is when he is not with us, when he is in school and has to try and control this by himself. The teachers can't spend the amount of time with one child like he needs, and home schooling is not an option. If that makes any sense. They check him out every 3 months for any issues like growth, weight, overall happiness & learning.

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Laura:love:

Sweets and the like are not really in our home either. But, if they are my ds can sense them and is like a junkie about it until it is gone.

We are fortunate that ds doesn't have trouble going to sleep, but he is able to function on less sleep than anyonelse in the family.

We had the same school issues and I really don't feel that I am qualified to homeschool him, so we decided to try medicating him. So far so good. My hope is that he will outgrow the AD/HD and one day be med free.