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Original poster

Can anyone talk to me about side effects and benefits of ADHD meds in kids?

67 replies

nightwebs · 03/08/2023 08:10

DD13 is soon to start meds for ADHD and the psychiatrist discussed the potential side effects of these which we understand. For those of you who have DCs on the meds, did they experience any side effects upon starting them and how long did they last? Also, how do you feel that the meds overall helped them with their ADHD symptoms? Am feeling anxious now we're at this stage and hope there isnt too much for DD to contend with here.

OP posts:
ZenNudist · 03/08/2023 08:11

Watching sorry

Missingpup · 03/08/2023 08:11

Following

Sirzy · 03/08/2023 08:11

For ds there were no side effects. But now we have the medicines balanced right he is much more settled and happier. He can focus on school work more so isn’t frustrated at not being able to do things.

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Missingpup · 03/08/2023 08:14

Would be helpful if posters also included the medication their child is on

Missingpup · 03/08/2023 08:14

Please

Christmas202 · 03/08/2023 08:16

Watching as we suspect our son has it. He is nearly 5 though. Even if he has, I'm not sure if we would medicate him, his personality makes him who he is. I've heard that medication can change them.

Robotindisguise · 03/08/2023 08:21

You might have more luck in SN chat.

So - DD did well on Ritalin until she missed a dose, and then side-effects kicked in (terrible low mood). Concerta worked, but not quite as well, and kept her jangling into the small hours.

We ended up on Elvanse. She will tell you it makes no difference, but we tested that with a medication break and her teachers would beg to differ!

The thing is, it’s very personal. We know plenty of people who have got on just fine with Ritalin, with none of the down side we encountered…

I would say - do it. I know how you’re feeling but if it works it can be transformative.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 03/08/2023 08:21

Christmas202 · 03/08/2023 08:16

Watching as we suspect our son has it. He is nearly 5 though. Even if he has, I'm not sure if we would medicate him, his personality makes him who he is. I've heard that medication can change them.

Yes thats my worry too. Our son is almost 5 too, and have been referred for assessment. The way the HV talks is like he's definitely got it though, so I'm sure he does. We're not sure on medicating, as I don't want to change his personality, just help him to focus more and make the best of his life

Robotindisguise · 03/08/2023 08:22

@Christmas202 I worried about that as well but I think it’s just an urban myth. It can stop them making bonkers decisions or daydreaming as it improves executive function but it doesn’t change who they are one bit.

Sirzy · 03/08/2023 08:23

Missingpup · 03/08/2023 08:14

Would be helpful if posters also included the medication their child is on

Ds is on attomextine and medikinet.

he was initially started on attomextine because he has major issues with food as it is so we didn’t want to impact appetite. That worked well but he needed a top up so he was started on medikinet alongside it and we have got a good blance now

Soontobe60 · 03/08/2023 08:23

As a Senco, I’ve seen a fair few children who’ve been medicated for ADHD. Obviously my observations are based on how the children were in school. The meds have had an impact on every one of them, not always in a good way. The biggest negative impact is loss of appetite leading to significant weight loss. I’ve seen children who’ve ended up with heart palpitations so have had to stop meds. I’ve seen children who’ve become almost instantly calmer and more settled and have consequently been much happier in school with more focus but I’ve also seen those who’ve become almost robotic.
What is important is to ensure the meds are taken exactly as prescribed - to the exact hour even. Sadly, I’ve had children whose parents seem unable to organise themselves enough to ensure the meds were taken and therefore have had to have the meds in school - those children fared the worst on them.
I suggest keeping a diary of how he responds each day, that way when you have a follow up appointment you’ve got the notes on the impact of the meds to hand.

Sirzy · 03/08/2023 08:24

The medication doesn’t change personality at all. It just helps calm the brain down so they can actually be themselves!

if anything Ds personality has been able to show through a lot more since starting medication

Soontobe60 · 03/08/2023 08:25

Robotindisguise · 03/08/2023 08:22

@Christmas202 I worried about that as well but I think it’s just an urban myth. It can stop them making bonkers decisions or daydreaming as it improves executive function but it doesn’t change who they are one bit.

The whole point of the meds is to change them - otherwise why would you take them?

Russooooo · 03/08/2023 08:25

DS started on Medikinet but it reduced his appetite and gave him stomach aches.

He moved to Equasyn and prefers it. We still have to remind him to eat, but I think this is largely due to his sensory needs (doesn’t seem to feel hunger or thirst in the way NT people do) rather than the meds.

It definitely doesn’t change his personality. He would describe it as ‘letting me think’. If we’re having particularly active days where he’ll focus anyway, then he doesn’t tend to take it, but on quieter days, or days where being able to focus is important (eg all school days!) then he takes it.

Maddy70 · 03/08/2023 08:26

It takes a while to get the dose correct. But it's worth persevering with

RHOShitVille · 03/08/2023 08:27

DD15 is on 20mg medikinet with an option of a top up.

No personality change!! Just less anxiety and bouncing off the walls at night.

It's an 8 hour release so we don't have to take it at the same time every day, but it is sensible to time it around school.

Didn't get on with Intuiv (or something similar) as it caused negative side effects - intrusive thoughts. So we stopped it and stuck with medikinet.

Russooooo · 03/08/2023 08:28

Oh, he was also prescribed circadin by his adhd doctor, and that was almost immediately life changing. Him being able to sleep improved all of our lives!!

Grimwood · 03/08/2023 08:29

Side effects - no appetite at all whilst dose is active ( so doesn’t eat lunch). Can get a bit of a come down ( but suspect a lot is actually hunger kicking in). This was worse when he took Medikinet. Now on Elvanse which was so much more effective for him. I don’t give him it at weekends and holidays because of the appetite suppressant.

Benefits - has changed his life for the better substantially, particularly in school ( he is combined adhd). He asks to take it, and is aware if he has forgotten a dose and the school will ring me so he can definitely feel a huge difference. He says it allows him to be more in control and his mind is quieter.

It doesn’t solve everything of course and lots of challenges still remain ( for example even with it he couldn’t cope with a mainstream high school - although partly because all the ones here are zero discipline approach). But yes it’s changed our lives ( just to note it did take a while to get the right dose and the right medication - we are going to try and tweak it again at his new school I think as his primary wasn’t really very helpful).

Grimwood · 03/08/2023 08:32

Oh and definitely didn’t change his personality!

Grimwood · 03/08/2023 08:36

I’d also say ( but each child is of course different!) that the impact of his ADHD became much worse as he progressed through primary. At 5 no one really noticed because lots of children have similar behaviours and lack of focus then (infact school refused to accept there might be an issue). As he went up the school thought things became progressively more difficult.

I really regret not pushing harder to get him diagnosed younger and think being on medication younger would have helped prevent the huge damage that occurred to his self confidence and self view because of the way he was treated in school. This ( which also increases his anxiety) has a much more negative impact on him and his life than the ADHD.

ForestofBears · 03/08/2023 08:42

This is very helpful. DD was diagnosed recently, and the (private) dr basically said yes, this is the diagnosis and here is a prescription for the meds with no time for me to consider if that is what I want to do or discussion of the risks and benefits.

PizzazzRoxyStorma · 03/08/2023 08:42

"The whole point of the meds is to change them - otherwise why would you take them?"

  • wow, this poster says she is a SENCO, but clearly knows squat about ADHD!

Anyway, back to the OP's question...

My child (11) is on EquasymXL. It's slow release, so the effects last the school day. It doesn't change his personality at all. What it does do is allow him to focus and concentrate in class. Before, he thought he was a stupid idiot because he struggled to follow the teacher's instructions / crack on with his work. Now he can do these things just fine.

Weirdly, you can tell if he has taken a pill that day by his handwriting. It's neat handwriting when he's on his medication- and messy when he isn't!

The only negative side effect we have noticed is the effect on appetite. Packed lunches often come back uneaten - then when the medication wears off in the evening, he's ravenous.

I don't like taking pills for anything so never thought I'd be up for medicating my child. However it's had such a positive impact on his life - not just school, but outside school too - that I can honestly say I haven't looked back.

ADHD kids have such a tough time at school and in life generally. Take all the help you can get.

PizzazzRoxyStorma · 03/08/2023 08:50

Grimwood · 03/08/2023 08:36

I’d also say ( but each child is of course different!) that the impact of his ADHD became much worse as he progressed through primary. At 5 no one really noticed because lots of children have similar behaviours and lack of focus then (infact school refused to accept there might be an issue). As he went up the school thought things became progressively more difficult.

I really regret not pushing harder to get him diagnosed younger and think being on medication younger would have helped prevent the huge damage that occurred to his self confidence and self view because of the way he was treated in school. This ( which also increases his anxiety) has a much more negative impact on him and his life than the ADHD.

This matches my experience and my son's experience identically. Every word.

My son was 8 when he was diagnosed and prescribed medication. Already by then, the damage to his self-esteem and self-confidence was immense.

I wish we'd gotten there sooner!

Grimwood · 03/08/2023 08:56

@PizzazzRoxyStorma - 10 here, so much damage done already. We also have the handwriting thing btw!

OP and others - there is a really helpful book on ADHD medications for parents ‘The Parents guide to adhd medications’ by Peter Hill - I’d really recommend it, it’s very factual and balanced and a helpful introduction.

NurseP · 03/08/2023 08:58

My son has learning disabilities and asd and adhd. He takes equasym xl 30 mg and a 5 mg instant release top up. Game changer for us.so much less destructive, calmer, able to focus and learn- his progress at school since the meds is amazing. It does knock his appetite at lunch time but he is starving in the morning and evening ! He is still very much himself.
The purpose of these meds is not 'to change them' its to help them focus their mind and be able to concentrate and be calm .
If you try the meds and decide its not right then there are many options to change or stop.

I felt I owed ot to my boy to try. I just want him to be the best version of himself that he can be. Having g him more calm on the meda has opened a lot of doors for us such as activities and going places we would not have tried before .

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