Refusing medication

[winde16]

My 8 year old daughter started taking medication just before she turned 7 for ADHD combined type and after she got on a methylphenidate capsule we could mix into applesauce or yogurt, she mostly took it without problem for most of last school year. She'd usually take one or both weekend days off, because she doesn't eat much during the day when medicated. I've lost track of when it started becoming a problem. I think it was sometime in the fall when she started becoming really resistant to taking it. She'd claim it tasted terrible, and we tried mixing it with different things, each usually resulting in a few weeks of better acceptance then fading. It's gotten so that more days than not she refuses to take it, and when she does take it it's with so much stalling and drama it takes forever. Right now her school is virtual, I don't know how I'll ever get her to take it in time to make it to school when it's in person again. When she's not medicated, she's bouncing off the walls, has a lot of difficulty focusing on her schoolwork, is mouthy and generally not too pleasant to be around unless she's getting her own way 100% of the time. When she does take it, I feel like we had the level right, she was still herself, just more focused and able to listen. I get so frustrated and angry, and I'm not always able to stay calm, especially when we're on a time schedule, she's said she would take it and then refuses at the last minute. I've tried offering treats/rewards, and also taking away privileges. Usually losing screens is the only thing she really cares about. Neither of those usually work in the moment; she's perfectly willing to say who cares ? Later on she wants her privileges back, but at the time of the standoff, she doesn't care. And the next day, of course, she doesn't remember/care how she felt later in the day when she'd had her screens taken away. She mostly will not or cannot articulate why she won't take it. Some days she says it's taste. Lately she's been saying she doesn't like being forced to take something. She won't even attempt taking a pill in one gulp, even though we have practiced with tic tacs. We've asked her specifically if she doesn't like how she feels when she takes her medicine and she says that's not it. We attempted to change her medicine to the Daytrana patch, since it appears to be just the delivery that's the problem but insurance won't pay for it unless she has failed at several other medications. We switched her to Vyvanse, which is a chewable tablet which she took without problem for a few days, then with complaint for a few days, now she is completely refusing it. I see lots of posts on how to help children eat pills but for the most part the children sound willing to be compliant but needing help in doing it. She's not willing. She will say she doesn't need it, it doesn't do anything, she can behave and concentrate if she tries. But there's days I don't even want to be around her because of her unmedicated behavior. I want to start her in therapy but have been waiting until she can see one in person; a Zoom meeting is a waste as she will just sit there and stare into the distance, refusing to respond. Sorry so long. I am at my wits end. I don't know what to do but this is ruining our home life. Anyone else dealt with this?

[ADHD_DAD]

I found a good coupon for Daytrana at their website. Looks like $20 per prescription although it appears limited to a certain number of doses. Would give give you a trial of the patches and perhaps energize you to fight it out with your health insurer if they help.

[Onthemove1971]

Most children with ADHD function about 2 years younger than their age, So it would be that she is really acting like she is 6 years old. I think starting therapy, even if it is on the phone, we don't do zoom. You can guide how the topics are presented and start with the conversation. I would speak to the therapist be fore about the topic of her not taking medication and start there. There are so many topics to cover.. like being in a pandemic, school, peer support and going back to in person learning.

I know in our house we don't let there be an option of not taking medication because he can not function without it. One day last week he missed the medication and it was a disaster, arguing fighting..

Good luck with making it all work for her.

[MomofOne13]

We've gone through much of the same scenarios in our house. At the moment, my son takes Adzenys, which is a meltable tablet (there another one called Contempla as well). List price is rediculous but there's a manufacturer coupon making it $50 per month. He still fusses because it tastes bad, but the last time he refused and lost you tube for two days, he started taking it again.