Parents with Teen boys that have ADHD

Heather - posted on 10/27/2010

Has he tried just the short acting Ritalin? I have two kids with ADD/ADHD. DD(15) is inattentive type, but also has OCD. She has tried many stims, but they all aggrivate the OCD. Had the most success with Vyvanse, but she asked to go off of it after about 18mths because it was making her emotional and depressed. Intuniv did nothing for her. She is now not on any med for ADD, we are trying to control the OCD right now. DS(12) is combined type, and has tried many things, but Daytrana worked well for awhile. Intuniv was terrible for him, made him have a terrible attitude and behavior. We started giving him generic Ritalin along with Tenex this summmer, and it works very well. So well that we decided to continue it into the school year even though he has to take it at school. There are so many things to try, but sometimes old fashion Ritalin still works best, I think it's still the gold standard.

Jennifer - posted on 10/26/2010

At Itzel, my son's social life is good, He struggles with insecurities & certain peers dont help with that, but overall he has a great social! Although some of his peers in his grade, can tend to find him immature but I dont think meds have anything to do with that.

Kristen - posted on 10/26/2010

My son was diagnosed with ADHD in Kindergarten and we have tried them all!! Stratera was like taking sugar pills, not no effect on him at all, Ritalin didn't work, Vyvance increased his migraines, so we have settled (and I truely mean settled) on aderol. Along with the Aderol he takes 100mgs of Zoloft for his depression, mood swings and anxiety. I wish I could do more for him, he just hasn't had the childhood he deserves. School was very hard for him until he got into high school, then one day he just 'got it' and has been on the B honor roll ever since.

Natashia - posted on 10/26/2010

well my son, which was 6 at the time, was on vyvance. He would get real depressed. It is a sister drug to adderall. It is a methemphetamine that is extended release. I was not a fan of it at all. He is now on concerta and straterra . he takes the stretarra at night. He just started the straterra so I do not know if it exactly works yet. I rather the concerta over adderall, but there is also another medication called intuiv, it is an extended release medicine it is a form of clonidine. It is taken at night as well. It is supposed to have a 24 hour effect.

Angela - posted on 10/26/2010

My kiddo is 13 and has been on vyvance for a yr. he is doing way better & has way less side effects. He even grew! Plus vyvance doesn't have street value. he had dizzy spells 4 a while when we switched him, but soon got over that. his grades are good but we work really hard & he has a good iep.

Itzel - posted on 10/25/2010

My son is not a Teen yet, but I want to ask you, If the social life gets better on the pass of the years, because the way is now, it doesn't look very good at all

Megan - posted on 10/25/2010

When I was in school and took medication for my ADHD I took Dexadrine. My son is also on the same medicine. Do some research and see if it is something that would work for him.

Janine - posted on 10/25/2010

We had great success with Vyvance, but about a year and a half into the meds, he has some serious depression and had to switch, but I loved the minimal effects. I would recommend.

Kaitlyn - posted on 10/25/2010

Our son Kyle is 15 now, and from age 9, took addrerol to help him focus better. But - he couldn't sleep well, and developed obsessive rituals to shut out light and noise at night, and we'd still find him lying awake in the dark.

About 2 years ago, we slowly weaned him off the adderol. The first year without meds was a little demanding, but he maintained his grades and slept better. Mainly, he was rather impulsive.

Since then, he has gotten quite a lot better and is functioning well without medication. Lately, he even does his chores without complaint.

I think he was lucky enough to grow out of the need for meds, but it takes time to really try to make a go of it.

Jennifer - posted on 10/20/2010

I totally agree with you Debra! I hate having to madicate my child. Melontonin only seems helpful with sleep issues. I would really like to have a natural, legal alternative. These medications have SO many negative side effects, makes me think why in the world would I do this to my child? Anyways, I just want to get him through school then he can handle things on his on. But finding the right "drug" is tough. Thanks for all the input! :)

Debra - posted on 10/20/2010

i HAVE A CHILD ON MEDICATION, I WISH I HAD NEVER WENT THAT ROAD, THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY

Renee - posted on 10/18/2010

My 15 year old just recently started Vyvance, I think it works great. But, my son has been on medication since 3rd grade and was at a max.dosage of Concerta 54mg once daily. He also has bipolar and anxiety.Hope that helped???

Mary - posted on 10/17/2010

I have a 15 yr old with "ADHD" it was suggewsted by his dr to stop meds and put him on a NATURAL remedy. It is called Melotonin. We started him on it at 12. His frades improved,his attitude improved,he actually slept throught the night. For the first time ever in his life. he has been taking 3mg everynight for 3 years, he has not become immune to it because it is a chemical your body produces anyway. There is a website called Ablechild.com with tons of info about these and other natural aids. check it out.

Jennifer - posted on 10/16/2010

What, if any, side effects is involved with it?

Carol - posted on 10/13/2010

My son has used Vyvanse with great results.