Experiences of medication for ADHD

[inniu]

I think we are going to be faced with this choice soon. DS is nearly 7. Has ASD and probably ADHD and DCD. His service providers will not diagnose ADHD and DCD before 7.
I think his inability to focus is really hurting his progress in school. He struggles to complete anything. He loses interest in reading half way through a sentence.

I am very reluctant to use long term medication on a young child but I think I might have to.

What are other people's experiences?

[scrabble1]

Hello our ds was diagnosed at age 6. He has tried all the stimulants -Equasym, concerta etc and they were horrendous. He was screaming, crying, rage in trial periods. The tried a non stimulant called Strattera. This made him so pale,thin and violent. Had some time with no meds and recently started Intuniv, a new medication. It is working brilliantly!

[Lesley25]

Watching with interest- I've never heard of intuniv, is it a capsule you can split open?

[SunshineHQ]

We have just been switched to Intuniv, after problems with Medikinet (a stimulant), but I think that is unusual. Most of the other ADHD children I know are still on Medikinet or similar

[SunshineHQ]

It's not a capsule. It is a smallish white tablet which can't be broken or chewed, as it is slow release.

If you are new to ADHD meds, I would expect you would be given Medikinet initially, as first option. Plus, melatonin maybe for sleep?

[Lesley25]

Hi sunshine, we have been on medikinet xl for 2.5 years - it's great for the morning but we find it makes ds more aggressive in the afternoon. That said, it works brilliantly in the morning. Da has asd and largely non verbal so we have to go with gut feel a lot of the time. I've got a camhs apt I'm screaming for to sit down and go through the Med options anyway, I'd just never come across intuniv before

[SunshineHQ]

Intuniv is new to the UK. It was only licensed here in Feb 2016, although had been licensed in the USA for 10 years previously.

[Allthewaves]

Eldest ds has been on stimulants fir 3 years since 6. Has worked well for him. Middle ds has asd but perusing add too. Will def be trying him if it could help his focus and impulsivity

[inniu]

Thanks everyone. I am so reluctant to give him meds. He is such a happy child I don't want that to change but I can see the impact his lack of ability to concentrate is having