Just about to start Concerta!
Commentary Rating:
"very helpful" 2 of 2 people found this review to be helpful
Commentary contributed by:
A visitor on Nov 28, 2001 01:13:00PM
Age of your child with ADHD:
7
His/her grade level:
Second Grade
Contrast your child's at-home behavior and mental state before being medicated and after being medicated:
(Daughter started on Metadate ER for one month--see below) Before med: Hyper, impulsive, disruptive, interrupts frequently, difficulty finishing tasks, babbling at times, excessive "silly" (immature) behavior (ex: barking, babbling).
After med: Calmer, not hyper, acts more "grown up", still very enthusiastic and spirited in a positive way, speaks quieter and more evenly.
Contrast your child's at-school behavior and mental state before being medicated and after being medicated:
Before med: Last year in first grade, her ADHD symptoms became quite troublesome--weekly reports from teacher of impulsive, disruptive behavior, lack of organization, difficulty focusing,sitting still, etc. Behavior mod worked slightly.
After med: Immediate improvement on initial trial of Metadate ER 10 mg once a day (started one month ago), daughter is now in second grade. Teacher said she is much less hyper, more focused, less talkative and impulsive, non-disruptive. Virtually indistinguishable from non-ADHD children while she is on med.
Behavior(s) that led you to suspect that your child has ADHD:
Easily distracted
Trouble maintaining focus
Inattention to detail
Seems not to listen
Interrupts excessively
Can't sit still in class, even when it's expected
Age of your child when these symptoms became a significant problem:
5
Dosage of the ADHD medication your child is taking:
Metadate ER 10 mg once a day
Describe any ADHD medications your child took prior to his/her current regimen:
None
Side effect(s) your child has demonstrated while taking his/her current ADHD medication:
Decreased Activity
If you selected one or more of the above side effects, please elaborate:
Decreased activity in a good sense--less hyperactivity. A negative side-effect not listed above but is a common one, decreased appetite. She can hardly eat lunch on the med. Has to compensate at breakfast and dinner.
Additional advice regarding this medication that may be helpful to other parents:
Can use advice! Our MD is sending us a Rx for Concerta, because our daughter seems to need coverage for after-school activities, too. ADHD may be adversely affecting her social life due to occasional annoying and immature behavior when she's with other children.
My concerns are further decreased appetite for dinner also (she is thin to begin with) and the idea of giving a stimulant for so many hours, for most of the days of the week.
Describe any disabilities or conditions that your child has that are unrelated to the ADHD, and any medications being used to treat them:
Food and seasonal allergies--takes Zyrtec when needed, especially in spring.
Description that best fits your philosophy regarding behavior-modifying medications, such as Ritalin:
I oppose giving my children psychiatric medications except in extreme cases. familyeducation.com |
