Worried about DS and ADHD diagnosis

[dandelionandbirdcock]

Hi everyone, I’d be grateful if others could share their experience of diagnosis and meds for their teens with ADHD. I’m so worried about DS and could probably do with some talking down.

DS is 14 and a lovely boy. He’s always been very quiet and distracted and we realised it may be inattentive ADHD thanks to his teachers highlighting it. I wish we’d realised sooner. He is at a fairly prestigious academically selective private school. I mention this because although it’s amazing that he passed the exams and has done pretty well, it comes with a lot of extra pressure and friends that are doing ‘better’ than him. We try and take the pressure off, but it is there nonetheless. We want him to do well, he is clever and articulate when the fog of the ADHD intermittently lifts. But it affects his self esteem and confidence.

He was formally diagnosed two months ago and is taking Xaggitin XL. The first 18mg dose did nothing, and he’s now on day 5 of 36mg. So far he’s felt ‘slightly’ more awake for a couple of hours in the morning and then nothing. It’s also making him nauseous so he doesn’t want to go to school.

I hate seeing him like this. He’s so disappointed the meds aren’t instantly working, and his results are declining now he’s into more challenging GCSE work. He’s also got a detention for not concentrating in class, which I am pushing back on. Teachers know of his diagnosis and SENCO have been helpful. But I just feel we’re now in a bit of a negativity spiral and I feel so sorry for my boy.

Any words of advice or wisdom gratefully received!

Can you discuss trying a different medication? There are others DS could try.

For DS2, medication hasn’t been the magic wand some describe it as. It isn’t for me either. We both take non-stimulants.

I would request another meeting with the SENCO too.

Thanks @2x4greenbrickdo you think it’s worth stopping the Xaggitin so soon? We did have a check in with the nurse yesterday and she thought the nausea was due to DS skipping lunch. He quite often does, even before the meds, because he’d rather hang out with his mates even though we’ve told him he needs to eat. But last night he said he felt sick at bedtime which makes me think it’s not the skipping meals that’s the issue.
This means he now has a prescription for 54mg on its way…
How soon did you switch to a non-stimulant and how much difference is it making?

I was thinking the nausea is a reason to discuss swapping medication so soon. It is worth trying more regular eating first, but otherwise I don’t think it is too soon if DS is experiencing side effects that are having a knock-on effect on wanting to attend school.

For different reasons, we both started on non-stimulants. They have helped, but not to the extent I hoped. I hoped they would have reduced DS2’s impulsive and risk-taking behaviour far more than they have.

Ok thanks @2x4greenbrickthat makes sense. I guess maybe try another few days with proper eating and a better breakfast (swapping cereal for porridge) and then I should get back in touch with the nurse if no improvement?

I think that sounds sensible.

We struggled similarly for my DD who was diagnosed as a teenager. Took us 6 moths to get to the right medication and right dosage. It all seemed quite hopeless until the end when it all clicked into place. Unless the meds are making a real difference (and it wouldn’t be ‘slight’ it would be night/day) keep trying other meds.