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Original poster

Adhd meds make you hyper?

50 replies

Bruisername · 16/11/2023 22:40

my dd13 has been taking the fast release tablets and at the start she finds she can focus really well and get work done but then after a couple of hours she goes hyper and silly

is this the meds? It seems a bit odd!!

OP posts:
booksandbrooks · 16/11/2023 22:41

What was she like before?

Original poster
Bruisername · 16/11/2023 22:42

Unfocused and silly behaviour. She describes the period after the good focus as being more than her usual hyper and the feedback I’m getting from school seems to back that up

OP posts:
Starlightstarbright2 · 16/11/2023 22:46

I would suspect it’s the meds wearing off . Slow release only last 8/12 hours depending on med .

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CandyLeBonBon · 16/11/2023 22:47

Depends on the dosage and length if slow release. Some lasts 4 hours, some lasts 8 etc - depends on the dosage/brand

All2Well · 16/11/2023 22:50

I was on the extended release 12 hour ones but when they'd wear off my ADHD symptoms would appear ten times worse. I suspect it's them wearing off you are noticing.

Original poster
Bruisername · 16/11/2023 22:50

Hers are 4 hours so I guess that makes sense

OP posts:
HoppingPavlova · 16/11/2023 22:52

No, it’s the same fact opposite. This phase is the meds wearing off after they have been doing the job correctly. It’s a little odd a 13yo would not be on extended release tbh, which doesn’t entirely avoid problem but it would be much less pronounced. It also shows on the immediate release they need a top up at school before the initial dose wears off so this can be avoided and the dramatic come down happens at home but all of this you need to discuss with the prescriber.

HoppingPavlova · 16/11/2023 22:53

*exact, not same fact

Original poster
Bruisername · 16/11/2023 22:59

She wouldn’t take the longer release so now she knows what it’s like when it works she is more willing to take the longer release.

she’s been taking one at 8am and then at the end of lunchtime

OP posts:
CandyLeBonBon · 16/11/2023 23:02

Bruisername · 16/11/2023 22:50

Hers are 4 hours so I guess that makes sense

Yeah my son used go through similar - you could always see when they were wearing off

Original poster
Bruisername · 16/11/2023 23:04

Thanks! Well it’s reassuring that they are working!

her dose is still low - will an increased dose make it last longer or should we look to switched to a longer release?

OP posts:
NumberFortyNorhamGardens · 16/11/2023 23:15

My DD takes the longer release but also has the short acting version as a back-up/booster for long days.

CandyLeBonBon · 16/11/2023 23:24

Bruisername · 16/11/2023 23:04

Thanks! Well it’s reassuring that they are working!

her dose is still low - will an increased dose make it last longer or should we look to switched to a longer release?

I think be led by DD - they can have quite strong side effects if you go too hard too soon and can make you feel pretty nauseated so if she's happy taking the 4 hourly ones maybe make sure she takes her second at 12:30 and have a top up at 4:30 if she needs one (I had to do this with my son until he felt ready for the 8 hour slow release dosage) and melatonin at bedtime was also really when couldn't sleep (pretty much all the time lol!)

Original poster
Bruisername · 16/11/2023 23:27

At the moment she has it at the end of lunchtime so moving it earlier wouldn’t help necessarily

we have a review in a fortnight

OP posts:
Catgotyourbrain · 16/11/2023 23:43

she needs to try slow release- it’s really hard to manage the fast real ease ones over the course of a day.

even with the slow release (Concerta or similar) methylphenidate you need to make sure she has food with or before taking them. This is because and empty stomach makes for a much more intense experience. She Amy not feel hungry while the meds are active- but my experience is that you need to be ready with healthy snacks or a meal when the meds run out because ‘hangry’ behaviour can kick in really quickly as they wear out.

don’t get me wrong though- they are an absolute life saver- but as with ADHD itself - it’s a case of knowing yourself and how you react to a situation.

Original poster
Bruisername · 16/11/2023 23:48

Thanks. I think she was worried the meds would dull her so she wanted the short lasting so she would be herself at lunchtime. I think now she is seeing how they feel she may be more open to the slow release

OP posts:
OhamIreally · 17/11/2023 05:51

It is a come down. I asked the psychiatrist when my DD first started medication and she confirmed that this was a known effect.

My DD takes a slow release one called Medikinet it's been the best one yet, no headaches, lasts all day. She didn't get on with Concerta at all.

Original poster
Bruisername · 17/11/2023 08:39

Can I ask how you would deal with this at school?

she is having a bit of a see saw time - lots of praise when she is showing the focussed behaviour which is great but then lots of punishment later in the day when she becomes disruptive

OP posts:
CandyLeBonBon · 17/11/2023 08:40

OhamIreally · 17/11/2023 05:51

It is a come down. I asked the psychiatrist when my DD first started medication and she confirmed that this was a known effect.

My DD takes a slow release one called Medikinet it's been the best one yet, no headaches, lasts all day. She didn't get on with Concerta at all.

Yes that's what we used to use - he uses concerts now and is not getting on with it

HoppingPavlova · 17/11/2023 12:28

*Can I ask how you would deal with this at school?

she is having a bit of a see saw time - lots of praise when she is showing the focussed behaviour which is great but then lots of punishment later in the day when she becomes disruptive*

???? surely the way to deal with it is for her to be medicated properly so she doesn’t become disruptive later in the school day!!

Original poster
Bruisername · 17/11/2023 13:34

I wish I could get a medication review tomorrow but it won’t be for a fortnight. I can’t give her more than 2 doses a day under the current review.

so I either stop the medication or not

OP posts:
JumpingFog · 17/11/2023 21:10

What time is she having the second dose? You said the end of lunchtime but not what time that is

Original poster
Bruisername · 17/11/2023 21:20

1pm.

so if they worked for 4 hours it would cover morning lessons 8-12 and afternoon lessons 1-4

OP posts:
eurotravel · 17/11/2023 22:02

Give her body time to adjust. You might find the effect reduces soo n

eurotravel · 17/11/2023 22:05

My DD13 started like yours. They tend to give that first to check no massive adverse reaction. Now she's on slow release 12 hour taken at 7am
If over tired she can go into ADHD meltdowns or hyper but not always. Their bodies defo adjust

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