SoCalMommaof2
09-05-2007, 09:31 PM
My son was dx earlier this year with ADD. He was first prescribed Concerta. He did well on the first 3 dosages however they were not having a big impact on his schooling. So we went up on the dose once more. We noticed that all of a sudden he went into being a zombie for most part right about the 2nd release. Dr figured that he still had some 1st release in him when the 2nd would be released causing him to go into this zombie state of doing nothing!! It was quite alarming.
Well after that, the Dr said he wanted to switch him to Strattera to see how it worked. He was given the 18mg dose first to try for 2 weeks and it everything went ok, then I was given the 40mg dose. So he did good on it. So we filled the 40mg dose and he went into a sleepy mood. About the time the 2nd release, he got so tired that he could not stay awake and would fall asleep.
Now the Dr wants him to see a Pediatric Neuro Specialist to see about other options.
Has anyone's child had these effects with these meds or any experience at all. I would appreciate anything at this point as I am just lost. He starts back in school tomorrow and he is going with no meds.
Well after that, the Dr said he wanted to switch him to Strattera to see how it worked. He was given the 18mg dose first to try for 2 weeks and it everything went ok, then I was given the 40mg dose. So he did good on it. So we filled the 40mg dose and he went into a sleepy mood. About the time the 2nd release, he got so tired that he could not stay awake and would fall asleep.
Now the Dr wants him to see a Pediatric Neuro Specialist to see about other options.
Has anyone's child had these effects with these meds or any experience at all. I would appreciate anything at this point as I am just lost. He starts back in school tomorrow and he is going with no meds.
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hotdam
09-05-2007, 11:38 PM
Yes my son has bouts with sleepiness when he takes his straterra for the first time after summer is over, we do not give him meds durin the summer but finding out with these kinds of meds they have to be given everday in order for the system to adjust to them. my son takes 18 mg I will not increase as the increased dosage makes him a Zombie also, he may need to reduce the dosage back to 18 that is what we did. we will keep him on this dosage until he grows more.
let us know what happens, also does he takes his medicine on a full stomach? it helps if he does.
let us know what happens, also does he takes his medicine on a full stomach? it helps if he does.
MSgirl
09-05-2007, 11:47 PM
My 6 year old son was said to have ADHD and we tried the medicine. We went through a range of emotions. One day he stared off into space in a zombie like state, the next day he cried nonstop, and the following day he was angry. We decided the medicine was not worth my child's personality and we would look for an all natural way to go.
After researching, I found that blonde hair, blue eyed boys are more likely to become hyperactive due to the foods they eat. I figured I had nothing to lose and would give it a shot. Now, five months later, we only eat what is on the diet.
The change has been amazing. My once hyper child is now the quiet child who sits and draws or reads. My family and neighbors have commented on how he must be growing up because he behaves so well now. I just smile and say thank you. I enjoy taking him to town now because I know that he is going to behave and not run wild.
Now he is still a typical boy who loves to play football, rides his bike too fast for his mommy's taste and climbs trees. He still has his wonderful personality but is a joy to be around.
The diet is not hard to follow. It is just choosing different products off the grocery store shelf. Some brands to trust are Kashi, Back to Nature and Annie's. The book I read was "A.D.H.D. - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Natural Approach to Help and Heal a Hyperactive Child" by Ted Broer.
Here is a summary of the diet:
1) NO DAIRY PRODUCTS, especially cow's milk. This is the single most important restriction.
2) NO YELLOW FOODS. Especially Corn or Squash. Bananas are white. Don't eat the peel.
3) NO JUNK FOODS. If it comes in a cellophane wrapper, don't eat it.
4) NO FRUIT JUICES. Too much sugar content. One small glass of apple juice has the sugar content of eight apples. It is better to eat the fruit
5) CUT SUGAR INTAKE BY 90%. If you can, cut it down to zero. Sugar is in just about everything, but give it a try. Do your best without going crazy.
6) CUT CHOCOLATE BY 90%. No more than a single piece, once a week.
7) NO PROCESSED MEATS and NO MSG. Only get meats with labels that say, “Turkey and Water,” etc. If the meat has chemicals listed that you can't pronounce, don't buy it.
9) CUT FRIED FOODS BY 90%.
10) AVOID FOOD COLORINGS WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
11) NO PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED OILS
12) NO HIGH FRUTOSE CORN SYRUP
I promise it is not as hard as it seems. We eat Kashi Heart to Heart cereal with soy milk, Annie's Cheddar bunnies (just like goldfish), Annie's Bunny grahams, Back to nature chocolate chip cookies, and soy ice cream. The bread we use is Sara Lee sweeted with honey and Health Smart butter has flax. Joseph reacts the most to milk. If he has milk, he will react with 15 minutes.
A bonus is that I lost 20 lbs and my husband lost 17 lbs.
If anyone has any questions, post back and I will try my best to reply.
After researching, I found that blonde hair, blue eyed boys are more likely to become hyperactive due to the foods they eat. I figured I had nothing to lose and would give it a shot. Now, five months later, we only eat what is on the diet.
The change has been amazing. My once hyper child is now the quiet child who sits and draws or reads. My family and neighbors have commented on how he must be growing up because he behaves so well now. I just smile and say thank you. I enjoy taking him to town now because I know that he is going to behave and not run wild.
Now he is still a typical boy who loves to play football, rides his bike too fast for his mommy's taste and climbs trees. He still has his wonderful personality but is a joy to be around.
The diet is not hard to follow. It is just choosing different products off the grocery store shelf. Some brands to trust are Kashi, Back to Nature and Annie's. The book I read was "A.D.H.D. - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Natural Approach to Help and Heal a Hyperactive Child" by Ted Broer.
Here is a summary of the diet:
1) NO DAIRY PRODUCTS, especially cow's milk. This is the single most important restriction.
2) NO YELLOW FOODS. Especially Corn or Squash. Bananas are white. Don't eat the peel.
3) NO JUNK FOODS. If it comes in a cellophane wrapper, don't eat it.
4) NO FRUIT JUICES. Too much sugar content. One small glass of apple juice has the sugar content of eight apples. It is better to eat the fruit
5) CUT SUGAR INTAKE BY 90%. If you can, cut it down to zero. Sugar is in just about everything, but give it a try. Do your best without going crazy.
6) CUT CHOCOLATE BY 90%. No more than a single piece, once a week.
7) NO PROCESSED MEATS and NO MSG. Only get meats with labels that say, “Turkey and Water,” etc. If the meat has chemicals listed that you can't pronounce, don't buy it.
9) CUT FRIED FOODS BY 90%.
10) AVOID FOOD COLORINGS WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
11) NO PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED OILS
12) NO HIGH FRUTOSE CORN SYRUP
I promise it is not as hard as it seems. We eat Kashi Heart to Heart cereal with soy milk, Annie's Cheddar bunnies (just like goldfish), Annie's Bunny grahams, Back to nature chocolate chip cookies, and soy ice cream. The bread we use is Sara Lee sweeted with honey and Health Smart butter has flax. Joseph reacts the most to milk. If he has milk, he will react with 15 minutes.
A bonus is that I lost 20 lbs and my husband lost 17 lbs.
If anyone has any questions, post back and I will try my best to reply.
hotdam
09-06-2007, 12:19 AM
Wow that sounds amazing, I would certainly like to know more about this diet and what to look for or not look for. My son drinks milk like its water, but doesnt he need it for calcium? anything you can tell me would be most appreciated.
MSgirl
09-06-2007, 12:52 AM
The ADHD books explains why it is okay to choose soy milk over cow's milk. The main ingredients I avoid is milk, partially hydrogenated oils, high frutose corn syrup, and enriched/bleached flour. I tried to avoid foods that have been through processing. Instead of fruit chews with artifical colors, gelatin and sugar, he eats Welch's dried fruit snack pack. We use Skippy All Natural Peanut Butter and a jelly sweeten with fruit juices. We buy the same foods as we did in the past instead I buy the healthiest product I can find. I have learned to read the ingredient labels instead of how many calories or fat grams. My suggestion is to learn what foods to avoid and any names they can go by especially sugar. It has many different names. Also, don't just look at the front of the box. Just because it says that it is made with whole grains doesn't mean that it is free of high frutose corn syrup or has not been through the bleaching process.
This year my son has K-4 teacher moved up to the first grade and he has her again. She can't believe the difference that it has made.
He is also learning what he can eat and not eat. If he is offered something that he knows he can't have, he will let you know that it is not on his diet.
I hope you find this helpful. Good Luck with your sweet angel.
This year my son has K-4 teacher moved up to the first grade and he has her again. She can't believe the difference that it has made.
He is also learning what he can eat and not eat. If he is offered something that he knows he can't have, he will let you know that it is not on his diet.
I hope you find this helpful. Good Luck with your sweet angel.
index.html
09-06-2007, 04:26 AM
SoCalMomma, I'm not sure what you mean by "second release" with Strattera. There's no reason for Strattera to be given twice daily. Once a day (regardless of the dose) is sufficient and since it often does cause drowsiness, giving it at night is probably best.
As hotdam found out, Strattera needs to be given every day with no "drug holidays".
As hotdam found out, Strattera needs to be given every day with no "drug holidays".
hotdam
09-06-2007, 09:50 AM
Thanks for the info, I will be checking into this.