Has anyone tried ADHD medication in secondary school?

[Startingtogetverytired]

Son would like to try medication to see if it helps focus / remembering things in lessons.

We are worried as have seen first hand my husbands brother being a complete zombie whilst on Ritalin and it having no difference to his school life or academically.

Can anyone give their views who have tried medication please? Thank you

We saw a difference straight away after the first dose.

Started on 5mg twice a day of methylphenidate for a week, then switched to 10mg twice a day for next 3 weeks. Started 20mg slow-release at beginning of September.

DD has 10mg instants that she can add on at end of the day if needed.

Every time we increase the dosage we're seeing a better effect and fewer side effects.

Initially she was getting really bad headaches on the weekend days when taking a break, and the after-school rebound was pretty grim (2 hours of simultaneously hyper, exhausted and starving hungry). Appetite also massively reduced on the meds.

Now the only side effects seem to be that her appetite is a bit reduced while the meds are active (getting about 10-12 hours from single dose at the moment), and she's so much nicer, more rational, focused and generally happy and positive on them that the days off are somewhat of a contrast.

She's seeing consultant in a month and her plan is to see if he'll agree to trying another dose increase - she wants to push for max positive and minimum side effects - and if she can take them everyday.

This has been helpful and interesting to read. My son is trying Elvsmse after hating methylphenidate. I hate to give him drugs but school were worried he might not pass the GCSE exams this summer. We’ll see how it goes.

I teach a student who takes medication for adhd. If he forgets to take it he is unable to focus or learn. The difference in him is stark.

Can anyone comment on the best option for inattentive ADHD?

So that's called ADD - we just got the diagnosis - there's no hyperactivity - well there is a bit - but it's often accompanied by exhaustion with a need for movement but it's controllable. She has great impulse control but there is still a need to move at points during the day.

Also, she has restless leg syndrome which drives this movement - so I'm wondering how the meds would affect that, if at all?

my son and son in law with add have both found meds useful at staying focused for (in their case workplace settings). both find exercise helpful, one prefers am peloton the other pm long brisk walks.
i'd be examining nutritional supplements for restless legs, if newly diagnosed the psychiatrist might be able to suggest which vitamin or mineral would be best.

DD has inattentive with elements of hyperactivity and impulsivity.

She's on methylphenidate - now 30mg XR a day plus 5mg top ups if needed, and 2.5mg of melatonin to get her to sleep.

The only time we had issues with exhaustion was the 6 months before Dx as her brain wouldn't stop enough for her to get to sleep, so you might find melatonin helps there. It definitely did for us.

Meds have made such an incredible difference for us, but it does seem to be a very personal thing and what works for one doesn't work for another - and it can take time to get everything titrated right.

I have no idea on restless leg syndrome I'm afraid.

My 18 yr old has just started and she's loving the difference it makes.
She has inattentive ADHD it helps her focus massively.
A few headaches when she started and she's lost weight from lack of appetite but that's all

go for it 100% it has been life changing for my gang. on the studies side, they are now getting the grades they actually deserve (before it was mostly below or up and down and up and down)
it also helped with the risky behaviour and has stabilized/tidied up friendships. one of mine has also stopped endless snacking (dopamine seeking/boredom). we have found the meds also help with the sensory difficulties, less bothered about noises or smell or sound, less moaning about clothes itchiness.
it does impact appetite though, but my teenagers have seen so many benefits that they put up with that. Also, I let them to take their pills when they want/need I think it is important they have that autonomy.
Anyone who tells you stories of being zombified was on the wrong med or on the wrong dose, it is important to have a good accessible and caring doctor your child is comfortable to speak to (or to you if not).
good luck !