Focalin XR

[Guest guest]

Hello Everyone. I hope the school year is off to a good start for everyone. As I follow the group each day it is refreshing to be able to help other families and also see the accomplishments that our (AS/HFA) 9yr old son in fourth grade is making with 6 yrs of some sort of daily therapy, parent/professional resources and prayer.

I really could use some advice on our next 'bump in our journey'. Our son also has ADHD and was taking Adderall XR 10mg for about almost 2 yrs. We experienced to side effects that really concered us. 1) the loss of appetitie..our son is not a good eater anyway after spending age 3-5 at wkly visits to the CC Feeding clinic for hypersensitivity & lack of oral motor development. So we experience a frightening drop in weight at one point.

2) the unexplined side effect was the aggitation that was expressed by our sweet, kind hearted, well-mannered boy. This past April we took him off the meds for Spring break and our son w/the friendly disposition came back to us!

Here is the challenge. Now back to school he is having trouble focusing, controlling social impulses and showing signs of stress (picking socks, skin, things that appear when faced with new experiences)

Our Neurologist gave us Focalin short tabs 2.5mg to try and it seemed to help without any change in appetite or disposition, so they want tus to try the Focalin XR in 10mg.

Heres the last piece of our latest 'puzzle'. Since going off the adderall in April our son has gained 15 pounds (with no change in diet and a Very active summer schedule.)

I don't know where to start w/this now. We have an appt w/our pediatrician tomorrow regarding the weight gain and I am sooo scared to try the meds.

Does anyone have any experience w/the Focalin XR??

No, we have not gone the BIOmed route or made drastic changes in his menu because it has been a nightmare to get him to eat meals anyway. I am very open to making small changes at a time, but need someone to hold my hand (effects the entire family!)

Okay, thanks for reading & hope to hear from someone..Anyone.

Sincerely,

[Guest guest]

Hi, --

My son is on FocalinXR, and has not had the problems he did on Adderall (very

much the same as what you wrote about side effects). In terms of eating, we can

usually get him to eat something for breakfast, but he is usually not hungry at

lunchtime. We do see him make up for that at the end of the day, however. He

was always very thin, and for awhile we were worried about his lack of weight

gain (that happened due to a major stressor, however...it was not his meds).

Now, he is perfectly normal for his weight and height. He's been on FocalinXR

for about 3 years now.

I wish you the best of luck in finding the right med. It's not easy, I know.

--Suzanne

[Guest guest]

,My son has done very well on meds, but not on stimulants. They seemed to make him have tics and feel worse emotionally. Because of this, we didn't continue with these meds. He also has OCD and major depression, so his meds are a constant concern. He is on Strattra and that has worked wonders for him.Deana in ALSent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®From: DeGraff <reneendegraff@...>Sender: Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:47:39 -0700 (PDT)< >Reply Subject: ( ) Focalin XR I was wondering if anyone has experience with Focalin XR. What are your experiences? I am very hesitant about trying medications. Is it worth trying it? Thanks

[Guest guest]

Our son was on this for 5 days - it was a disaster. He was perfect at school

(which they loved) but he would have a complete meltdown at about 5:30 every

night over nothing - just get very sad and cry - this is what is called rebound

dysphoria. I hear this medicine has been great for others - just our own

experience.

>

> I was wondering if anyone has experience with Focalin XR.

>  

> What are your experiences? 

>  

> I am very hesitant about trying medications. Is it worth trying it?

>  

> Thanks

>

[Guest guest]

First, kids react differently on medications. You child is not taking any meds right?

We were hesitant with meds. My 15yr old DS, is taking Abilify (.5mg) (we lowered dosage since taking Clonidine). We started off with ritalin then Foxalin XR(15mg). It did not work for him...emotional, crying, etc... Then changed to Concerta (18mg), which made him angry, verbal, etc... Took him off and is currently taking Clonidine(.1mg at night and .50mg in the morning). He started approximately two months ago and right now seems to be working.

Every child reacts differently and it take times to see what works or not.

Good Luck.

From: DeGraff <reneendegraff@...>Subject: ( ) Focalin XR Date: Tuesday, June 22, 2010, 9:47 PM

I was wondering if anyone has experience with Focalin XR.

What are your experiences?

I am very hesitant about trying medications. Is it worth trying it?

Thanks

[Guest guest]

I don't know. He takes Strattera for his ADHD. He takes Zoloft for his OCD. The combination along with Lamictal really works for him.Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®From: wilma1866@...Sender: Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:29:39 -0500< >Reply Subject: Re: ( ) Focalin XR Does strattra work for OCD?On Jun 23, 2010, at 7:51 AM, deabakcp wrote: ,My son has done very well on meds, but not on stimulants. They seemed to make him have tics and feel worse emotionally. Because of this, we didn't continue with these meds. He also has OCD and major depression, so his meds are a constant concern. He is on Strattra and that has worked wonders for him.Deana in ALSent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®From: DeGraff <reneendegraff >Sender: Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:47:39 -0700 (PDT)< >Reply Subject: ( ) Focalin XR I was wondering if anyone has experience with Focalin XR. What are your experiences? I am very hesitant about trying medications. Is it worth trying it? Thanks