so I accidentally took my son's ADHD medication today

[willbeskinny]

My DS, who is 6, is currently 3wks into being on the medication Strattera for his ADHD.
He was tried on Medikinet, but after 2 wks had a reaction and was taken off.

So far, both myself and his TA have not noticed a difference in his behaviour. If anything I think he is more aggressive and his behaviour more challenging. He has also been quite sad and teary, with low self esteem, which is not like him. At all.

Anyway, today I accidentally took one of his tablets. I have felt "funny" all day. I can't even begin to describe how I've felt, and while it hasn't been terrible, it hasn't been great.
I'm now in turmoil because I know that I can't even begin to imagine how he has been feeling whilst on this medication. I keep thinking back to the last few weeks where he has been lead on the sofa or he's been particularly weepy. It's making me sooo sad right now to think what he has been going through.

We have got a 4wk check on Friday to see how he's getting on, check his weight, blood pressure etc. I feel like telling the doc that we've changed our mind and that I don't want him on it anymore, however, I'm not sure we do wnt that.

My decision to put him on meds wasn't taken lightly and I was literally at the end of my tether with him. Also he's struggling socially at school and I think/was hoping the meds would also help with that.

Still with me.... I guess I'm looking for advice from those with DC on ADHD meds and their experiences. I don't know whether we persevere and hope it gets better (doc did say 6-8wks before we noticed benefits) or I sack it off based on my experience today.

P.s. Thanx for reading :-)

have you tried the vitamins, minerals and fish oils instead?

They have been miraculous for many people on here...

Methylphenidates have a different effect on people with ADHD than on NT people, something to do with neurology. So your ds may not feel the same on them as you do.

If the side effects are worse than the illness, then discuss taking him off them - best to do this under medical supervision.

They do take a good month or two to show benefits. My "evidence" is all from working with teens with AS etc, but for those it works for it really does work and they appreciate the control they've gained.

I'm not a HCP, just lucky enough to have worked with people who have then felt they can discuss it with me, so don't take my word as fact though. Your judgement is the most important

skewiff I did try vitamins. Medication has literally been a last resort. Done parenting courses, been to support groups, changed his diet. You name it, I've tried it.

purplepidjin I have read and re-read over and over the side effects and felt the benefits of the medication far out-weighed the cons. I think I'm just a bit upset at the thought of my baby feeling like I've felt today, everyday.

If he has ADHD, he will feel completely different on the same meds. The way they work means they have a completely different effect on people without ADHD (that being why those without ADHD shouldn't take stimulants lol) and er, that being why they are prescribed for ADHD, because the neurotransmitters and other scientific wooery don't work the same way for the nt.

If he feels how you do, he doesn't have ADHD. (unless you do, obv).

Try vyvanse. School think it's working like a dream for ds1. Concerta wasn't conclusive.

I like how madwoman put it - that's what I was trying to say and failed miserably

Don't base it on your experience..the ADHD brain responds differently as others have said. It is worth giving it some time.. it takes a while to get the dose right too so sometimes a bit of juggling is necessary .

I can only give you my experience.. my DD1 was dx at 6 and after trying all the non med routes , went on Ritalin. It took a good few weeks before I felt convinced we were doing the right thing, but eventually it was a miracle drug for her.. I can't imagine where she would be without it.. she took it for 9 years, then stopped, and now at just turned 20 has actually gone BACK on it as a young adult. She's been on it for 5 weeks and it has been so so beneficial.
She is actually a 2nd year student at University doing medicine.. very bright but concentration span of a gnat (also has dyspraxia and dyslexia) and it has allowed her to get to where she is and now.. to perform at the level she is capable of achieving,

Sometimes you have to try a few different meds..we varied but found Ritalin suited her best.. but it IS worth persevering..

If a child with ADHD takes the medication it will work as it is meant to. ADHD meds are stimulants and will only work if the person taking them has ADHD, I know it sounds mad but the stimulants in the meds only stimulate the impulses in the brain so calming the person. I know this isn't quite what you want to hear but if the meds are having the opposite effect on your ds them it is possible he doesn't actually have ADHD.

Thanks everyone.

Think I just panicked a bit. Was such a big/difficult decision to put him on meds and think I just freaked out a bit.

He def does have ADHD, he has only been on these ones for 3 wks and doc did say 6-8wks to take effect, so worth persevering I guess.

I find that generally you never seem to hear good things on the net or in the news etc about these kind of meds and I don't know anybody else who has a DC with ADHD/AS, so it's great to come on here and get peoples experience.

The media will always publish the most worthy stories because that's what makes money. It's why we need boards like these, to share real experiences and use the "hive mind" to filter out the sensationalism to get at the facts.

Methylphenidates (concerta, ritalin, strattera etc) are in the same drug group as amphetamines. "Illegal drugs doled out to naughty 6yos" is far more dramatic than "medicine helps children"

Willbeskinny-you made the decision you felt was right for your son/family :) My DH and I were in a similar situation last year ...DS (who is also 6) was dx with ADHD in October/November time and spent a couple of weeks discussing the pros and cons etc and finally decided we would try medication ....after of course trying the usual diet, behaviour management and parenting courses etc etc!!

My little man originally started on Equasym XL 10mg and did well for a few weeks and then we increased it to 20mg ...he has more good days than bad days (both at home and at school) and we feel justified that we made the right decision for him and not just our family life ....he is doing better at school (although that is still a big work in progress as he does have some other underlying issues that are still being assessed) and has even made friends (with those friends coming for tea and everything).

It might just be that its not the right type of meds for him, I know that some try different ones and different strengths till they get the right level. We chose Equasym XL because we can open them and put them on soft food as DS would not swallow a tablet but also because they are slow release and they do him throughout the school day.

They are not a cure as you know but they have really helped him (and us) a huge lot!!!

Star xx

Thank you so much everyone

Have thought alot about it all today and think I was just panicking. The meds must've really made me funny . I'll def be more careful when dishing out the meds in the morn from now on.

Strattera isn't a stimulant medication. It contains atomoxetine, not methylphenidate. Atomoxetine was actually originally developed as an antidepressant and has the same need to build up in the bloodstream to achieve a therapeutic dose. As with many actual antidepressants, the first few doses can knock you for six, as you haven't yet built up the correct metabilic enzyme response to it. If it is taken regularly, as prescribed, if effective, the therapeutic response builds up as the worst of the side effects subside.

DS1 was really drowsy for his first few days on it.

That said, we did see some improvement in his ability to focus within a week and his ability to communicate (he has ASD as well as ADHD) really improved dramatically. Within 3 weeks, his hyperactivity was a lot less over-bearing.

IIRC, increased aggression is a common and undesirable side effect and if you're seeing no improvement at all, with him having taken it correctly for 3 weeks, you definitely need to talk to the prescribing psychiatrist about it.

Hello, first time of posting I have DS who is 11 and diagnosed at 8 with ADHD and ASD traits (doesn't have all three problems to formally diagnose ASD) using Equasym for his ADHD.

I have to say deciding to medicate is really hard and although not perfect life has been easier since medication. The hard part is when it wears off.

The only downside initially were stomach aches and the only long term problem is trying to keep weight on him.

Thanks ouryve. That's really helped. Didn't really no the difference between the methylphenidate and the atomoxetine. The fact that the strattera can knock u for 6, maybe explains why I felt so funny.
DS has defo had increased aggression and has been on the meds for almost 4 wks with both myself and his TA noticing no change.
I'm going to make sure I go armed with notes to appoint tmrw so that I make sure I explain everything.

Have just read your thread with much interest as DS almost 6 also started meds 3 weeks ago - Equasym 5mg. The weird thing is I've been thinking the last couple of days about taking one myself to see how he feels..... Can't believe I just admitted to that! Couldn't believe it when I read your post & now thinking there's no point as sounds like I wouldn't feel like he does anyway.
So sympathise with you, was a very hard decision for us too - having done the parenting course, cut out sugar, tried omega 3 etc etc!!
I swear DS is angry after only a few minutes after taking tablet but paed said she'd never heard of that so was good to read others experience of increased anger...
I would definitely say DS is less hyper but he's still getting really angry and is soooo rude with it too. Still getting at his sibling too but overall I don't think he's made me cry nearly as much as before the meds! So it must be working.
Will watch this with interest

I tried Medikinet (which is another name for ritalin) with my Ds1. It made him weepy and aggressive. his self esteem, like you say, plummeted. He was argumentative.

I took him off it, and the ADHD nurse refused to believe me, so I haven't been back to see him since - unfortunately this means I have to buy Ds1's melatonin from the internet, but this is a small price to pay for not having to see that arrogant twat again!

U bth sound just like me :-s

Saw doc today and as he's not suffered any major side effects, i.e implications to his health, then we are to continue with the Strattera for another 4wks.
He did say if still no difference in 4wks then he doesn't know where we will go nxt. Tbh, I'm not holding my breath.

DS is getting so down now. He cnt understand why he's taking these tabs everyday and yet he still cnt seem to control his behaviour. One minute he's his normal, happy, hyper self and the next he's down and crying. Five mins later he's lashing out. Were all mentally drained with it and I feel so sorry for DD, who often gets caught in the crossfire.

Eee, wouldn't swap this dude for the world and wouldn't have him any other way, but sometimes I wish the ADHD/AS would go screw themselves.