My DD who is 6 y/o was evaluated for ADHD by a psychaiatrist on Wed. The nurse did most of the work, the medical history, questions, etc. I was expecting more of a physical exam - they just took height & weight - but she also has been a very healthy kid so I am guessing that is why. I did not think to ask at the time. I let DD be herself when we were w/ the nurse and Dr, didn't bug her about being quiet or sitting still.
The dr (who turned out to be the father of a boy that is in DD's 1st grade class) then took all the paper work (the school sent a bunch of info too) and looked over it while me and DD were in his office. He asked a few questions about family, asked DD a couple questions about school and watched her race around the office looking at all his stuff. Then, in short, he said that she had all the typical signs of hyperactivity and that he recommened Concerta. We are set to go back in a month, but if there are issues w/ side affects or anything to give him a call. I know there isn't a special test done, but I guess I was expecting more. Is this a pretty typical eval experience?
I haven't given her the Concerta yet, I am going to wait until tomorrow so I can see how she reacts to it. The side affects that he said he hears the most often is problems sleeping and lack of appetite, both of which went away after the meds wore off. In one or two occasions there have been ppl that experienced a racing heart. He said he has had a lot of sucess w/ this med and that if I choose not to give it to her for a day, like over the weekend or while on vacation etc, then that is fine b/c it doesn't have to build up in the system to work. I went to the Concerta website plus a few others and read about it. I am wondering what experiences other ppl and their kids have had w/ Concerta?

My son has been on Concerta since June and has done great, we have had to increase the dosage once.

My son had to be seen by a Psychologist to get a diagnoses. We started with our Dr. and he referred us to the Psychologist and DS had 2 or 3 appts with her, then she administered a IQ test and some other type of test that I can't remember the name of right now.

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DS-16
DD-12
DD-5
DS-2

The assessment you had seems normal. We recently started ds on meds for ADHD. He started with Strattera which made him angry and weepy. He's now on Focalin with much better results - different drugs work for different people. But his ped. had his Aspergers, etc. diagnosis from a few years ago, and had IEP and testing info from the school, plus his own records on his health. He asked him a few questions and observed him. Then, he took the info and read it over a couple of days, then gave us a call with his findings. So I don't have the Concerta experience, but the dx is similar. This is and inexact science, and you just have to keep working to find the right med, the right dosage, etc. If you don't find the side effects acceptable, let the Dr. know. Some parents tolerate it when their child feels angry and edgy on the drug because it helps them focus. However, our Dr. said right away it wasn't right for him when I reported that symptom.

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The Really Needy, Special, Networking and Talking Mod

So far she has been taking the Concerta for three days. Swallowing the pill has been an issue, but w/ the help of a bribe it went ok today.
It helps with the hyperactivity and concentration , but when she talks she stumbles over her words, which she did b4 to an extent, but it seems worse now. I have noticed that she does have less of an appetite and upset stomach which doesn't present that much of a problem. However she has had a hard time falling to sleep - she was in bed 1.5 hrs last night b4 she finally fell asleep and 1 hr the night b4. That worries me. Maybe it lingers? I gave it to her at 7:30a yesterday and 6:30a'ish today so we will see what happens.
Also, she has more of a temper and was really moody after she got home from school. Last night I told her she couldn't go over to friends house and she blew up - yelling at me. She went from calm to yelling in snap. It was just so sudden. Then a coloring book wouldn't coperate and she started banging it on the floor and crying.
If this keeps up over this week and next week and am going to call the Dr and see about something else. Thanks for the input!

I would call the Dr. right away. As soon as I mentioned my son's moodiness on the first med, he said it was plain to see it wasn't right for him. And when he switched, he told me that if there were bad side effects to let him know right away, and not to wait for the two week update (he has me call in after two weeks with an update on how he's doing, including one from the teacher). Do let him know about the sleep issues, too. It sounds like another med may be more appropriate.

Oh, and on the swallowing...we tried pudding - didn't work...guzzling from a bottle, no go, drinking sweet juice through a straw, including putting the pill on and under the tongue..no go. Spoonable and drinkable yogurt - no success.

SO...guess what's worked consistently? We've only tried it a couple of times, so there's no proven track record, but I'm going to keep at it. He's willing to try, but it's his gag reflex that gets in the way. Ice cream! I give him a spoon (no nuts or chunks to chew) and he swallows it. Then we do the pill with another spoonful. It works. I think it helps numb the throat or something. He did gag a bit today, but was able to keep it down.

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I called the Dr yesterday b/c I don't want to battle over swallowing the pill. Especially while trying to get out the door in the morning. She can do it and has done it three times, but she doesn't like to and is refusing to - stubborn kid! We tried drinking water, using a straw, laying down and drink from a straw, swallowing it w/ ice cream - no go. He perscribed regular Ritilan in a chewable so it will have to be take twice a day, but it will only last for 8 hrs (4hrs each pill) and hopefully help with the sleep issue.

I'm wondering if Daytrana might be a better option. It lasts for 9 hours but you can adjust that by removing the patch. My ds(8) is on it and it takes about 2 hours to really get into his system. It will last 9 hours and once it's removed it will be out of his system within 2 hours---I like that we can remove it early or put it on later if necessary.