Hi all,
My son has been rage free/meltdown free for 5 months now. Yeah no violence and more managable. At first we were just so grateful for not being bitten, etc etc. Now we really need to start to once again try to address the adhd symptoms. Prior to mood stabilizers and the proper diagnosis, we had tried metedate, adderall, tenex, and while working on the mood we tried focalin and clonipin. All causing very bad side effects mood/behavior wise. Now we have gradually been upping strattera. He is starting 65mg today. We have seen perhaps a little benefit but certainly not enough.
Yesterday the psychiatrist and I agreed that after we see what happens this month with the upping of the strattera then we will dicuss the next options.
He is SOO mood sensitive that it is scary to try anything now that he is not raging but the truth is not raging still does not mean that he is functioning well. He is in a regular first grade at a small private school. His teacher is amazing and making good accomodations and sees how bright he is. His focus is poor, he is not disruptive, he talks A LOT when given the opportunity, and she is concerned about his mental energy. He wants to be done quickly, needs many breaks and has trouble thinking through tasks that he can't answer quickly.
At home, the adhd symptoms are blaring.
Anyway, the question is if people have had good experiences with stabilizing mood and then adding a stimulant for focus.
Thanks,
Bugsy's mom
My son has been rage free/meltdown free for 5 months now. Yeah no violence and more managable. At first we were just so grateful for not being bitten, etc etc. Now we really need to start to once again try to address the adhd symptoms. Prior to mood stabilizers and the proper diagnosis, we had tried metedate, adderall, tenex, and while working on the mood we tried focalin and clonipin. All causing very bad side effects mood/behavior wise. Now we have gradually been upping strattera. He is starting 65mg today. We have seen perhaps a little benefit but certainly not enough.
Yesterday the psychiatrist and I agreed that after we see what happens this month with the upping of the strattera then we will dicuss the next options.
He is SOO mood sensitive that it is scary to try anything now that he is not raging but the truth is not raging still does not mean that he is functioning well. He is in a regular first grade at a small private school. His teacher is amazing and making good accomodations and sees how bright he is. His focus is poor, he is not disruptive, he talks A LOT when given the opportunity, and she is concerned about his mental energy. He wants to be done quickly, needs many breaks and has trouble thinking through tasks that he can't answer quickly.
At home, the adhd symptoms are blaring.
Anyway, the question is if people have had good experiences with stabilizing mood and then adding a stimulant for focus.
Thanks,
Bugsy's mom