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Hello! Day 1

KMLMPLS profile image
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Hello out there - our 7-year old son was diagnosed with ADD back in August and we started meds last Friday, Adderall XR - 10 mg. I joined today because the last 2 nights he's had a hard time falling asleep. I found a few posts about taking a supplement and landed on the Brain MD Restful Sleep supplement with (among a few other additives), melatonin and magnesium. We'll definitely try it for him (and maybe us?!). We're curious if we should discuss changing the dosage with his doctor? Or adding a second (half?) dosage toward the end of the day? Have any of you changed dosage to address sleep issues?

In our research we've learned that it's really not a 24 hour dosage. Thankfully we can't tell when it wears off, there is no obvious drop or major change in his behavior but he's his normal crazy self during bedtime routine so we know it's not in his system by bedtime.

I know starting medication can be scary, I was so nervous. And the first day rocked his world...I had tears in my eyes all day as he shut down and didn't eat much. But each day has been progressively better and we definitely see a difference. We will try this for 10 days and then try Ritalin to see if one stimulant works best over the other. We have kept a journal and documented what we see and have asked him for his reaction as well.

Looking forward to a community of advice and support!

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KMLMPLS
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4 Replies

We do always keep doctor looped in on supplements our kids take. Adderall did make it difficult for our daughter to sleep - she said she felt ramped up on it so we switched her back to Intuniv.

Son is on adderall but I don’t know if it affects his sleep. He was already on Clonidine for sleep issues when he started this. I have seen it affect his appetite so we let him eat small amounts all day and at night he eats what he wants. I know some friends use pediasure and other supplement drinks for their kids to address this. We can’t due to food allergies but are working on an alternative.

Adam081911 profile image
Adam081911

I have a 7 year old son with ADHD and anxiety. He is on Ritalin 10mg (AM), another 10mg (after lunch), both short release. This way, his appetite is not effected. He always had a hard time falling asleep. He is anxious about having a bad dream.... over trials and errors past year, Ritalin worked greatly but sleep has been still a struggle. So, with a consultation with his pediatrician, we've been giving him melatonin 5mg one hour before bed. He typically falls asleep in 15-20 minutes with melatonin. If he doesn't take it, it takes 90 minutes for him to fall asleep.

We give him Epson salt bath once or twice a week, but I don't think it's making a big difference to help him sleep ( we tested this without melatonin on the weekend.)

We recently ordered weighted blanket so he can stay in his bed all night instead of coming to my bed. We're still waiting for the order.

So far, melatonin is the best help for his sleep.

I hope you'll find what you're looking for.

KMLMPLS profile image
KMLMPLS in reply toAdam081911

Thank you! This is really helpful.

Kiandra profile image
Kiandra

I like Vayvanse. They can eat lunch and they are their normal self. My daughter takes a 20mg vayvanse morning and a 10mg addrell xr afternoon. Folican had the same effects on my 11yrs old son and he took 15mg. So i had to switch and hes on Vayvanse 30mg. Dont feel bad you have to do this so they can stay focus in school and good great grades and be a successful citizen. A lawyer i know shes in her mid to late 30's and she takes addrell. Good luck. Most definitely i use to open the capsules and poor a little out

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