We finally started the Focalin XR...

[Payton2009]

Well we are on day 2 of the focalin xr 5 mg tablet. I got scared yesterday because he said his head felt weird. But that was on Sunday(yesterday), but then today was his first school day on Focalin Xr and he did great and I could tell a difference already. He came home sat down and did his homework and didn’t get up not once. And he seemed more focused. I panicked for nothing. I looked at his IEP and he has the preferred seating, small group testing, verbal reading to him while testing, special education for math, and reading intervention with a small group, what else can I suggest?

[JoyousExpectation]

So great! Cheers for a successful day! Keep us posted on he does as it wears off this evening. I am thinking of trying focalin.

[despi in reply to JoyousExpectation]

We have been on focalin for 2 years now. In the afternoon sometimes I give him 2.5 focalin to be able to get him to focus on homework.

[Payton2009]

I almost lost my hat for a minute. But what I can say is although I didn’t lose it there is alot of waiting and unknown which is the challenging part.

[janaq]

We just started focalin xr yesterday. Tonight my kid was complaining of stomach cramps and headache. I read this could be a side effect of meds. I know how you feel about the waiting period.. I just want to find what works bestbfor my child.. pronto!

[Payton2009 in reply to janaq]

My son hasn’t had the stomach issues but he says his head felt funny yesterday. But today he says , I feel fine, the dr says he is on the low dose focalin XR which is the 5 mg tablet. My son has a really good appetite so maybe that works in my favor I don’t know. How is your sons appetite overall?

[despi in reply to Payton2009]

My 8yr. Old boy takes focalin 2x per day. Our appetite is a problem. He is small for his age and that is a problem. We take another liquid for that. When he does eat, i focus on nutrient dense food, like vegetables, meat . Try to make every bite count.

Good luck

[anirush]

My grandson was on Focalin XR all through grade school and did wonderfully on it. Sometimes when you first start a medication that can cause an upset stomach but that goes away after a few days. So glad to hear that he seems to be doing better.

[Payton2009 in reply to anirush]

He says he has been doing fine, on the focalin .....in particular what should I be looking for besides stomach ache?

[anirush]

The only other thing he had problems with was drowsiness at first but that wore off quickly

[Payton2009 in reply to anirush]

He did say he was sleepy a few times but I thought focalin could cause insomia?

[despi in reply to Payton2009]

For us we can't sleep. He takes melatonin, clonindine and still is up until 11:00 most nights. He puts me to sleep.

[Pennywink]

Glad to hear the Focalin has been successful so far!!

When my son first started a stimulant, the most immediate side effect was drowsiness - though nothing severe. It wore off after a few weeks. The only longer term effect we notice is that he isn't hungry when it is active, then starts getting ravenous as it wears off.

Fingers crossed you found the right med!