Inattentive ADHD teen - meds experiences

[Pantoufle23]

Hi, I have a recently diagnosed 15yr old dd. Academically able and school were completely unaware whilst she has been falling apart at home with homework and revision, massively propped up by us. Appt with psych in a few days to discuss meds as we’ve tried pretty much everything else, though it hasn’t been an easy decision. Keen to hear experiences of those of you with dc diagnosed in teens, esp girls. How much have meds helped and any problems with them? Big thanks x
(Also posted in child mental health)

Hi, maybe it will just take time for your daughter to get used to the increase in medication. We start medication at the end of August so will only have a week in before school starts.

Hi @Pantoufle23 it’s great to hear she’s at least responding, personally I would push for XL to give greater stability

Thanks yes side effect have calmed down. Another appt tomorrow and likely dose increase. If that goes well then move to XL next.

That’s great news, hopefully your DD will settle well on the new dose and be ready for September

Thanks , a way to go I fear but have to keep hoping! She will be put on an XL in a couple weeks after increasing dose again.

I am trying to understand how older teens who need to do homework/revision manage later in evening? If on Concerta that would have worn off by 6-8pm? Is it better to go for something like Medikinet which would in theory wear off by end of school and then take a dose of the short acting methylphenidate early evening?

To be honest you need to consider your future plan

At the moment you’re being seen privately, if you are planning on moving into NHS care then you need to consider what your local area will actually prescribe

For example DD diagnosed by CAMHS started on Concerta XL to allow 12 hours function takes tablet at 8am kicks in about 9 and wears of between 8-9pm

However as soon as she was handed over to GP shared care they changed her to a generic initially Xaggitin but latterly Delmosart

For DD this has been fine, however…

DS diagnosed privately and started on Concerta XL all fine, transferred to our NHS adhd service and shared care with GP practice who immediately change him over to the cheaper Delmosart

DS now has gut problems on the Delmosart which as a very low weight coeliac isn’t happy about, despite the adhd service having concerns about his weight saving money is more important than a patient’s well being and we’re weeks away from being handed on to the adult team when DS turns 18 later this year

I guess what I’m trying to say is if you’re planning on nhs care going forward be aware they are generally only funding the cheapest treatment plans they can

Sorry to hear about your ds’ problems. I had heard about the cheaper version of concerta.
I have no idea if it’s the same with medikinet. We do need to move over to shared care with gp once stable yes.

It might be worth contacting your practice pharmacist, they can advise you what drugs they are currently authorising under the shared care protocol to help guide your choice of regimen

If it helps to reassure you both DC manage to do school and homework on XL and both are currently doing A levels

Thanks. By XL you mean concerta equiv that is meant to last 10-12 hours? I am trying to get my head round this. It is meant to be at peak concentration at 6-8hrs which is why I worried about the evening.

This is assuming of course that the next dose increase actually works!

All the medication names seem so confusing. When we start on medication I will need lots of help from you guys! I think Can I ask if ADHD causes children to have rude behaviour. My daughter was also assessed for ASD and although there were traits not enough for a diagnosis. I'm just wondering if attitude will improve with the medication or is that just her personality? Thanks

Sometimes I think we all forget that they’re still just kids, teens and have all the challenges of that as well as adhd/ASD etc Manchester

Mine aren’t particularly rude but I know others who are, it may be nothing to do with adhd or it might

I do think though it can affect their self esteem and this can affect attitudes

Either way, always here to support, we’re heading into a busy year as both of ours are taking their A levels and looking at university which will come with major hurdles particularly for DD who has severe Misophonia too

Tomnooktoldmeto, did you have any issues with increasing heart rate on meds ?

Hi Pantoufle, no our main side effect was reduced appetite followed by late night munchies when the meds wear off

DD hasn’t really had much in the way of side effects only when changing dose for about a week, DS sadly is more affected but maintains the benefits outweigh the side effects

thanks. I wonder if it's something that will settle down, it's getting higher than I would like (though BP fine). Typical now it's actually starting to do something!

It may well settle, are you checking it through the day to see if it’s just an initial spike? We all wear watches that show our daily rhythm which gives a better overview

Thanks yes will give it a few days before worrying too much. Her heart rate appears quite high anyway so there isn't much leeway! Testing at different times.
She does seem more engaged but no sign of being able to work any quicker (which doesn't really make sense)?

Hi just hijacking the thread, my son starts Concerta XL on Monday so was interested in the topic!

Hi @mightyducks good luck for Monday, everyone is welcome here. Hopefully you’ll see the light switch moment when it starts to kick in, it never gets old

Hi thank you, yes it’s going to be very interesting to see how it works for him , the lightbulb moment sounds interesting!! I’ll report here how it’s going and support/advice/ handholding!

Good luck Mightyducks - hope it helps your ds.

Tomnooktoldmetoo - we are prob going to try Elvanse next week. She’s not on anything atm as the methylphenidate was only helping for about 30 mins if that and we were having a problem with BP and heart rate as dose went up. 😔. I’m getting pretty stressed as only 2 weeks til yr 11 so crossing everything this one goes better for her !

@Pantoufle23 keeping my fingers crossed for you! DS went on meds at the exact same stage just make sure school take it into account as academic flight paths will have been calculated on your DD prior to diagnosis without meds or extra time

If anything from year 10 is used to calculate grades due to Covid they should remember to take this into account to prevent your DD being adversely discriminated against

Thanks Tomnook. We will have to speak to school at beg of term. Had hoped of course she would be doing better by now, and the meds process and disappointment has increased anxiety levels etc . I am not sure though that school will be able to do much about grades etc apart from extra time etc? So hoping the Elvanse will help.

Hi Pantoufle, how is your daughter doing? We are starting on medikanet 10mg next week so will let you know how we get on.

Hi Manchestertimes, wishing you all the best with the new meds and hope you see some results quickly (so many do). We started on Elvanse yesterday (lowest dose), nothing much to report unfortunately at this point. Dose increase from 4th Sept potentially.

Hi we are nearly 2 weeks in now , all seems to have gone well so far, just a lack of appetite when he is on his meds , can definitely see the impact on them , one they wear off he is bouncing around again after 6-8pm ! We are upping his dose on Tuesday and he’s staying trying that for a month. Really hoping it makes a difference for him at school but I guess we’ll see how it goes