OCD AGAIN!!!

Sorry to hear it’s not working out with the new medication. Hang in there!

Jan, can I ask why he is on Strattera and yet another stimulant is added? Seems to me if the Strattera is working, things should be left alone, and if not, then one med. at a time might be a better way to go.

Our son did not do well on Concerta. He got very angry and had extremely black moods. We tried Adderall and that worked much more smoothly. I have heard that it is 50/50 if you respond to Ritalin/Concerta or Adderall/amphetamine. Plus some kids don’t work well with the XR formulations and need to take the regular stuff, even if it’s less convenient. I know this process SUCKS! It makes me feel as if I am experimenting on my son’s brain. He doesn’t do that well with the XR and even needs a little “booster” in the morning to get him started because the XR only delivers 15 mg. at a time, not the 30 mgs. that’s on the prescription. We are still fine-tuning the dose. And of course our kids are growing and the dosage changes and then everyone freaks out because aren’t we drugging our kids to death???? :x

At least your son can tell you exactly what he is feeling and how his mind is working. And you can take him off the meds if they work against him.

Hang in there! You’re a good mom and your son will be OK.

JB

Thanks, guys,

The Straterra has never seemed to do much for him and I haven’t asked why he is still on it. I thought she wanted him to stay on it just to see if Metadate worked before taking him off it ,but honestly I haven’t asked her. Guess we will be trying something new today. I do feel like he is a guinea pig sometimes. Thanks for the info. Jan

I’m right with you on the guinea pig analogy, but it has to be that way because these meds don’t work the same way on 2 different kids. My DH was talking to his mom over the weekend and telling her that we are having lots of problems right now. She said, “You’re not going to give him MORE drugs, are you???” Oh, yes, dear MIL, I thought I’d just put him into a catatonic state so he doesn’t bother ANYONE!!! I should send him over to her unmedicated so she can experience it first-hand. None of us likes to give our kids these medications, but what choice do we have? They have to survive being children in school and have a few shreds of self-esteem left over before they can grow up to be wonderful adults who contribute to society.

I know someone who tried Strattera for her son, and the doctor did use a stimulant at the same time, because it takes so long for the Strattera to kick in. And Strattera isn’t a stimulant, so I suppose it’s OK for them to be on both at the same time.

Have you tried Adderall yet? Your son’s reaction to Metadate sounds like what our son did on Concerta. I had so many bottles of rejected medications…and might have some again, since he might need a medication increase now. You buy 90 days worth, for the savings, and then half-way through that, you have to switch to something else.

Anyway that little rant was totally unrelated to your post. Sorry. I hope you find the right medication this time.

JB

Hey Mom,
Just heard from the Dr. She said to wean Michael off Straterra for a wk. and then we are going to try Wellbutrin. Seems to be a never ending trial!! We’ve been on Concerta, Metadate,Ritalin,Tenex,Straterra,Imipramine,Adderall,I’m sure there are others but I can’t recall at the present.Wish us luck! Jan

Man, you *have* been through a lot! I thought we’d tried quite a few before finding Adderall, but nothing like that list! Gosh.

Our son is taking Wellbutrin for concurrent depression and he has had no side effects. I do wish you and your son the best of luck - I sure hope it has the right effect. It has a stimulant effect, for sure, but also lifts mood. But it can be the wrong choice if your kid has anxiety, because it can increase the panic feeling.

Again, best of luck to you.

JB

Hey Mom, She is keeping him on the imipramine for the anxiety. Maybe,Please God, It will be the combo that will work. Thanks, Jan

I will sure pray on your son’s (and your) behalf. This is hard on families - do you have good support from your husband? My DH struggles with the idea of our son being on these drugs…and every time there is a dosage change he resists it. I know the psych. will want to increase once I tell her what Jonathan’s been acting like and I am thinking I just won’t tell him. I know that’s not right, but I am tired of feeling like the bad guy for wanting our son to get some self-control. I know what he feels like, because I have days where I wonder if this really *is* out of our son’s control or if he’s just a brat and I’m making excuses for him. There are lots of backlash-against-ADHD books on the shelf, all making it sound as though this is nothing but bad parenting and drug companies trying to make money. :roll:

So on one hand, I am advocating for my son in school and other arenas, struggling to teach him the social skills that I take for granted, and trying to make his life easier, not harder, and on the other hand I am afraid that it’s all a bunch of BS and he’s just a stubborn, oppositional, obnoxious kid. Well, for now, the meds are the only thing that is keeping the lid on this boiling-over family, so I guess we will do what we need to in order to live.

I really will pray. Can you e-mail me his name or initials? I find that it helps if I have the person’s name to give to God.

JB

Hey Mom, I sent you a PM. Jan