stimulant help

[Zentime]

Is there really a stimulant medication out there that doesn’t cause children to not eat and fall asleep easily at night? We have tried so many with my 10yo son and they all seem to have these side effects. Are the side effects just something users and their families learn to accept and deal with?

[CaringmClara]

Some stimulant medications, like Vyvanse or low-dose methylphenidate options, might have fewer side effects, but every child responds differently. If appetite loss or sleep trouble persists, non-stimulant options like guanfacine or atomoxetine could be worth exploring. Talk to your child’s doctor about adjusting the dosage, timing, or trying alternatives to find what works best. You don’t have to just “deal with it” – there are options! It’s best to consult your child’s doctor to find the right option and explore ways to manage side effects effectively.

[audreyaudrey]

We tried Concerta and Adderall but personally found the side effects to extreme for our 10 year old. We also didn't really see any positives We decided to try guanfacine (1mg). Two months on we have had no side effects, a happier child and a much more relaxed household. It's not perfect but we never wanted perfect. It took about 2-3weeks for the medication to take effect. My child takes it before bed and unlike stimulants it doesn't really wear off.

[Cyclone10 in reply to audreyaudrey]

We gave up on guanfacine pretty quickly because my son was sooooo sleepy on it, did you have this same experience initially or not?

[audreyaudrey in reply to Cyclone10]

We haven't see the sleepiness you describe. BUT!! -our pediatrician did recommend that he takes it in the evening before bed so that might be the reason. During the day he is alert and seems well rested( most of the time)so I don't think it's affecting his sleep. Hope this helps.

[Cyclone10]

I recommend the Ollies Kids Sleep gummies! They only have .5 milligram of melatonin which is a tiny dose and also contain L-Theanine, chamomile and lemon balm which are beneficial. They don’t knock my son out (which is good because we don’t want it to). They just help him feel ready for bed like he was before he started meds. He usually gets a great night’s sleep, but he was a great sleeper previously so that might be in his favor. Ask your doc, but typically melatonin is fine for kids with ADHD.

Has your son tried both “families” of stimulants? For instance, my son was on Focalin but had never tried Adderall until recently. For him it helped a bit to switch the type of stimulant. Some people are the opposite.

[Willowbee37]

what have you tried? What time does he take it in the morning?

[Zentime]

Thank you for your responses. You can probably sense my desperation. My son was on guanfacine 1 mg for a little over a year. It did calm him down but over time I noticed he became less motivated and apathetic. So we stopped it and I’m happy his “zest” has returned. But also the impulsivity and decreased attention have as well. Over the past year we’ve tried multiple dosing options of Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvance, and most recently Concerta. All medications do help a bit with focus and attention but always at the cost of not eating and difficulty falling asleep. Because he takes an SSRI for anxiety our doctor is hesitant to try Strattera because it’s a SNRI and may cause serotonin syndrome. I feel he does ok at home because we’ve learned techniques to support him. So the medication need is primarily for school but I’m just starting to feel like maybe it is t worth it. 🤦🏽‍♀️. I know I’m not alone. I appreciate this group. We’re all in this together!

[Rollersk8er]

my daughter is 16 and we tried several stimulants that all gave her side effects before settling with Wellbutrin--it apparently works on two? Different neurotransmitters. This has helped her ADHD quite a bit