Please or to access all these features

SEN

Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Dd12 just started ritalin

28 replies

Babystepstoteenager · 12/11/2023 22:37

Hand hold perhaps… or just some advice.
Following diagnosis for combined type ADHD my DD has started on 18mg ritalin. I has only been 2 days. She cried this evening trying to finish her homework, asking me why isn’t it making a difference yet? She says all she is feeling so far is quite mood swingy, some itchy skin and a bit tired. She is very bright, so she performs very well academically but at a lot of cost - she gets very tired and emotional trying to focus.
She is supposed to start on 26 (I think) mg after 2 weeks.
Can anyone share their experiences of starting on Ritalin? Thank you

OP posts:
Pheath · 14/11/2023 09:11

We haven't tried Ritalin but my understanding about methylphenidate when first starting is that there is often a real rollercoaster of emotions as the brain is being flooded with a new chemical, tearfulness is common. This does settle and improve but you just have to ride with it for the first week or two. Not a great help but the early days are very much a wait and see period, the brain needs time to adjust to it. Keeping a daily diary for calm and focus can help chart progress. Hope you see a positive difference for your DD soon but do spk to your prescriber close to the 2week mark if you're concerned about increasing dose.

Heloo · 13/11/2023 21:00

Bumping for you!

Babystepstoteenager · 13/11/2023 14:55

Bump! Anyone?

OP posts: