Figuring out which medication works

[Sy5636]

Hi parents!

My 2nd grader recently is going through changes with not being able to control his emotions. We see this at home and get reports from school that he has outburst when he doesn't want to do his school work. He also gets frustrated when he doesn't get the subject and in turn becomes emotional, upset and breaks down in school and has a Tantrum....sometimes a big melt down where he is crying & can't stop!

There was also an issue with his focus so wee started a new med with an additional lower dose of Adderall 2.5mg in the afternoon. The teacher said she sees that he is sitting still and not fidgeting as much. Yesterday she noticed while they we're learning on the rug or circle that he was looking around at other people and out of focusing. But still has outburst & tantrums.

My problem is I'm new to this and I'm having a problem deciding if I should try a new medication again next week? I'm not sure if he's not focused because he just doesn't like school or does not understand the subject or of it's inattentiveness. Does medication help with tantrums or emotional outbursts????

The big issue we are dealing with now is the tantrums at home and in school. With me his mom I feel like it's less because I have different strategies I use to calm him down. But in school and with other people like his grandparents I know that it's more escalated. And that idea of him being like that in school sucks!

If I do decide to try a different medication next week. I'm looking into Focalin because it's the purer form of Ritalin. Hoping it has less side effects as well.

[Onthemove1971]

Sy5636-

Welcome to the group. Thank-you for giving medication a try. It sounds like you are seeing a Pedestrian for the medication, I would recommend that you see a child psychiatrist, they specialize in helping person with medication.

From my research and experience, each medication treats one symptom. So the medication that help with impulses control will help a lot to make him not hyper-focus ( this often causes) and decrease his need to be impulsive, which really helps in school.

Now when you talk about focus, there are medications that help with that. Often times having 2 different medication is what is needed.

Research show that most children need intervention in school. So have you thought about an educational plan? IEP or 504 plans would help him especially when he is not focused on class.

Research also show that thearpy/behavior intervention also helps.

Hope this helps, best of luck

[Cjkchamp]

My son started on Quillivant. Then he went to adderral which made him aggressive. Then he went to Focalin and we saw improvement. They also added Guanfacine and just kept increasing that until he was at the highest dose. It didn’t help the outbursts and seemed to just be sedating him and suppressing his personality. The right medication can really help. Our psychiatrist finally recommended broad spectrum micronutrients several months ago. Our son showed a total 180 when he reached a half dose of the micronutrients. I highly recommend looking into them for your little one. Wishing you the best!

[Sy5636 in reply to Cjkchamp]

I have never heard of micronutrients. How exactly did it help you?

[Cjkchamp in reply to Sy5636]

They are basically super vitamins that efficiently cross the blood brain barrier. I highly recommend you read the studies and listen/watch the TEDx. My son is not as irritable. He is able to regulate his emotions better. He is able to be more focused. He also just completed seven weeks at school without aggressive episodes. They are worth looking into!!

[LabLover2]

You may want to consider genesight testing (genetic testing for medicine) to aid you in medication selection. Are you engaged with psychologist (behavior) and psychiatrist (medicine)? Public school? Engage in their services for special needs. Our son started in K5 now he is 12. Long road.......

[anirush]

A psychiatrist is a good for is for medication but even with them it's trial-and-error for what will work for your child.

One of my grandsons has terrible anxiety and has been on risperidone. It's the only thing that has helped with both his anxiety and anger.

Focalin XR worked well for one of my grand kids but the other one it made angry. The younger one can't take any stimulant ADHD medication.

Good luck.

[KMLMPLS]

I understand your struggle, you are not alone! We found that our 7 year old son responds best to Adderall XR (7.5mg) but his behavior and mood wasn't great. So we started him on a bunch of supplements with great success. In addition to his Adderall XR (7.5 mg) he takes OmegaBrite Omega 3 (2 capsules), Folate (not folic acid, folate and the body ready form is the key, we buy the Solgar brand) and Magnesium Glycinate - many good brands out there but specifically MG. All of these supplements have really helped his behavior and mood and he has had one melt down/bad day in the last few months. And we have seen his wonderful personality come back. It took a while to get there with the right does of his stimulant (my husband manually creates the 7.5mg capsule!) but there has been a ton of improvement. Good luck, you will all be okay because you are here trying to figure out how to help him. One step at a time. ; )

[Sy5636 in reply to KMLMPLS]

May I ask who manages the meds and which team of docs help you figure this out?

[KMLMPLS in reply to Sy5636]

Our son's psychologist suggested the stimulant and his pediatrician worked with us on the right one and right dose. We really figured out the right dose of Adderall with trial and error. The 5 mg didn't really work and the 10 mg worked but he was too subdued and felt physically crappy. Concerta did nothing...no change whatsoever. We knew Adderall was the right stimulant but had to play with the dose. Our pharmacist didn't love that we have to "make" the 7.5mg but everyone is on board knowing it works. His psychologist also suggested the Omega 3 and Folate (body ready form). He walked us through the studies where both had been tested. A close friend of mine who has ADHD and two kids with ADHD suggested the magnesium glycinate as her family has used it for years. I'm now REALLY intrigued by the broad spectrum nutrients and need to research those.

[Pennywink]

Hello! Yes - the medication trial can be very trying. But it's definitely worth it once you find the right one (or more.) For my son, the first one flattening him a bit, the second he was a surly punk, and the third has been a home run! Emotional dysregulation is a common component of ADHD

School accommodations and parent training are also really beneficial! Perhaps talking to the school psychologist can help with looking at making adjustments (ours was unbelievably helpful!), as well as pursuing a 504 or IEP.

[Sy5636]

Update: First off thanks for the advice! We are currently waiting on the psychoed testing done by the psychologist. My son does have a 504 plan which helps him specially with the smaller group or one on one testing. I have not yet found a psychiatrist. I feel like I want a child psychiatrist but I can't find out that does not have an over 6 month wait-list. I can go to one that doesn't spealize in peds maybe.

So far we changed his medication last Friday to Focalin 5mg XR. I notice after school when I pick him up the meds is already worn off because homework can be challenging. I'm still waiting on the feedback from the teachers I emailed them today! Is that too early to ask that we just started Friday so 3 days of being on the new med?

[KMLMPLS in reply to Sy5636]

I don't think it's too early at all. Our son's teacher noticed every time we changed the dose or medication and we were in touch every day. It was critical because she saw him the longest period of time when he was on meds. She helped us figure out the right dose as well.

[Onthemove1971]

Sy5636- Glad that you continue on the journey to find what is right for him. Most children will need a "booster" dose in the late afternoon, especially if you are asking him to do things like homework or sports. Our son takes one medication for impulse control and one for focus.

Best of luck!