Am I being precious keeping ds off school to start adhd meds?

[Veuvelily]

He’s 14
Just maybe the first day

Even if you aren’t planning for your son to take them at the weekend long term it’s a very good idea to start on a Saturday to look out for adverse reactions. Your DS may also find that he feels emotionally sensitive at first so being at home will help.

Bold fail

OP yes I would, I have had a few that have really struggled the first couple of days. As others have said, whatever you choose to do, please let the school know.

@thelittlestrhino just say you are in Scotland instead of the stupid face!

[quote MyDcAreMarvel]@thelittlestrhino just say you are in Scotland instead of the stupid face![/quote]
No.

No one told me to keep my child at home when first taking ADHD meds. I gave her one, sent her to school, and she had a very adverse reaction (hallucinations, mania, fainting). It was only after the fact that everyone said "ermm why did you send her to school?". Oops. I didn't know!

The issue with not taking meds over the weekends is that Monday can be a rocky school day. Obviously see what’s best for your son but worth bearing in mind.

@Hoardasurass I probably could pursue a diagnosis of adult adhd as have a lot of traits - can’t really be bothered though as I don’t want to pay for a diagnosis/medication and wouldn’t want to take meds anyway… so basically what I have is the option to CBT myself with workbooks/pay for some CBT. I definitely need it!

Can you not just start them on a Saturday?

Yes because missed days need to be caught up. We started on Sat and do dose changes on Saturdays.

I think it must take more than a couple of days to assess any side effects of a drug like that. I'm one to err on the side of caution so would probably keep my child at home for a week or else start the medication in the school holidays. However I would prefer options other than meds, frankly.

@Borracha

We just started DS this week and were advised to start over a weekend. Yesterday was day 3 and his first day at school on them - we just gave his teacher a heads up, mentioned the possible side effects and agreed to catch up at the end of the week to discuss how he has been so we can feedback collectively to his doctor.

In my LA school have to complete weekly reports when students start their meds. We have to make sure CAMHS get them back before the follow up appointment or else they won’t issue a repeat prescription:

@LBFseBrom

I think it must take more than a couple of days to assess any side effects of a drug like that. I'm one to err on the side of caution so would probably keep my child at home for a week or else start the medication in the school holidays. However I would prefer options other than meds, frankly.

So school wouldn’t be able to report how the child has been on the meds for the first week,

Does the school have a medical officer?

I think it's always best to start new meds. on holidays or weekends. However ADHD meds. vary in having a different optimum dose for each individual. So the dose you start at shouldn't be the only strength you've tried. It can take weeks or months to reach the optimum dose. It's not a brilliant idea to miss so much school whilst trying medication.
I have 3 on meds. and they are all settled on different dosages. DS, on the maximum dose took 14 weeks to reach the optimum dose for him.

I do agree with informing the teachers, school & school nurse and asking for feedback - that's always useful.
Also allowing very young children a short time off to settle, may be useful. Teens however need to work out whether the meds. are helping in the school environment and in what way.

Some ADHD meds. don't work as well if they're missed over the weekend. Also some children don:t respond as well to the meds even after a 1 day absence.

Ds had to try two meds to find one that worked. Luckily he started the first ones during summer break as they actually made no difference to his adhd symptoms, but made him v sullen, withdrawn and depressed. The second ones he started over a weekend and worked instantly and brilliantly.

I'm about to start mine. I'll go for Monday morning on purpose - after all I have to see if I'm benefiting from the meds in the context of daily challenges.

I would say it’s best to start them on the weekend/ holidays. I started concerta when i was 12 and had school the same day and got bad headaches, so decided to stop after a few months. I started elvanse at 15 or 16 over the holidays and the first day I remember being very emotional, however after I got used to them they were life changing and made school much more manageable.

When dd started her medication for ADHD we was advised to start it over the weekend or during the school holidays where we could keep an eye on her for side affects.
So I don't think you are being unreasonable but you could start his medication on the weekend then he won't need to miss a day.

Well apparently the meds can take 2 weeks to get to the pharmacy!
ironically ds is off with an ear infection

He went back in today after a v painful ear infection and meds arrived today!
I’m not keeping him off again, so I think we’ll do it over the bank hol weekend. Fingers crossed.

We always start over weekend. It can be a bit shocking at first especially if you have an extremely hyperactive child. I kept asking mine if they were ok as they were quiet for more than 5 mins. Stomach aches are normal if taking stimulants as is not eating lunch.

They usually start on quite a low dose for kids and titrate up. Mine didnt feel much different to start with. Id just send to school when he starts but let the senco and his form teacher know in an email

You’re not precious, I’d keep him off for longer than a day.

I’m an adult on adhd meds and I had really quite bad nausea in the first week. I’ve recently changed meds and had to pull the dose back down because of the headaches (and and taking half the recommended start dose now so I can move up more slowly).

They are worth it in the end, in my opinion, but I think it would be worth home schooling for a week and that the school should provide resources for this as a reasonable adjustment

As an adult I started ADHD meds. I think it's a good idea to be a home for the first week. I've had issues with needing the loo very urgently and also thirst.