ADHD medication problems- help needed!

[Manchestertimes]

My daughter was diagnosed with ADHD last summer and has been taking medication since. Started with medikinet which worked a bit and dose was increased to but no major improvement (but also no major side effects)
She was then changed to concerta and it has been a nightmare- very tired, irritable says she can't talk to friends as she has nothing to say etc.
Now just spoken to doctor and we are going to try Elvance. I feel upset as concerta was so terrible I'm scared by wat the reaction may be with Elvance.
I am close to the point of stopping the medication altogether.
Please help and give me you experiences of medication.
Thanks

Elvanse was the best medication DC was on.

School work improved dramatically, happier relationship with friends as they weren’t being constantly bombarded/annoyed/accidentally hurt.
The only issue was that it was an appetite suppressant so DC didn’t eat all day but, by 9pm when it was wearing off, it was very obvious. Took around 7am & had breakfast but hardly ate during the day then couldn’t be filled and ate loads from 9ish.
We could always tell when dose needed adjusting as behaviour deteriorated again.

Did say head felt like concrete initially when first started but that quickly stopped. Wish they had continued on it instead of stopping just before GCSE’s. Predicted grades plummeted once off meds.

It’s worth a try, I hope it works well for your DD.

Thanks caughtavibe, she is starting on a very low dose and increasing gradually so hopefully won't have side effects like concerta.

My little boy has been very settled on equasym XL. I think it is a very similar long acting medication - not sure if this would be any different but you could ask?

Hi Manchestertimes, we crossed paths last year soon after diagnosis. V sorry to hear meds journey not been easy for your dd either. Def worth trying Elvanse as it’s a big improvement for many and generally smoother than concerta etc . My Dd has just come off it unfortunately and we are titrating concerta. All a nightmare as GCSE year🤦‍♀️.

Hi Pantoufle, I'm sorry things have been difficult for you. I'm close to the point of stopping the medication as it's not really having any effect. The concerts was a nightmare. Elvanse a bit better but starting on a low dose and building up again. My daughter didn't get extra time in exams as it was a private diagnosis. They did some tests on her in school and said she didn't qualify.

Good luck with the Elvanse. I’m not hopeful re concerta but running out of options and she isn’t managing without meds. Only thing left after this is atomoxetine which dr is not positive about. My Dd had a private diagnosis and has extra time which I she desperately needs. She had to show she needed it in mocks - changed pen colour for the +25%. Is your dd in yr 10 or 11?

She is in year 11. She did well in the mocks but it was literally hell making her revise - even with the medication. She can super focus in exams but revision is terrible. I'm dreading the next few months. Just want to get her through the exams