What do you think could be going on with my son?

nickkaylee · 03-24-2005, 11:55 PM

My 10 year old has severe ADHD. He has been on a ton of different meds and recently got changed from Concerta to Dexedrine. He takes the long acting in the morning the fast acting in the late afternoon and now is taking melatonin to help him sleep (he used to take Clonidine). Anyway we thought the meds were working. The teachers said he was less argumentative and all and seemed to be concentrating better. Well we just started him on the Melatonin last weekend. Ever since then he has been more aggressive than before...lots more. I don't think it has anything to do with THAT medication because it's only at bed and this happens all day. Almost every day this week he has gotten into trouble at school...once for a fight, several times for back talking to the teacher. One day he told her that he was "sickl of her giving him an attitude" and had to spend the whole day in another class in another grade! Today he spent almost all day in the office. What could be going on. He has only been on these new meds (Dexedrine) for like a month but he was doing so well at first. He is always a bit aggressive (especially with my daughter) at least at some point in the day but this is rediculous. He even got in a HUGE fight with my father this afternoon. What should I do?

maak823 · 03-25-2005, 11:43 AM

Since this behavior started with the addition of the new drug- I would say it is causing some sort of reaction, not all drugs are meant to take together and can cause different side effects in each person. Try taking him off that medication- see if it improves. Of course ask your Dr. first- some meds can not be withdrawn all at once.
Do you have him in behavior therapy? It helps.

nickkaylee · 03-25-2005, 12:24 PM

No I don't have him in any type of therapy. To tell you the truth I'm afraid to! See Nicholas tends to always be on this "everyone is against me" kick. Nothing is ever his fault. He is always telling my parents things about my hubby (not his father) that aren't true. He tells them how he's always hitting him and this and that and it isn't true. I'm afraid what he might actually tell people when he's "mad" at someone. I'm sure it might help him but not if he lies and gets us all in trouble lol...know what I mean?

Jennita · 03-26-2005, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickkaylee

My 10 year old has severe ADHD. He has been on a ton of different meds and recently got changed from Concerta to Dexedrine. He takes the long acting in the morning the fast acting in the late afternoon and now is taking melatonin to help him sleep (he used to take Clonidine). Anyway we thought the meds were working. The teachers said he was less argumentative and all and seemed to be concentrating better. Well we just started him on the Melatonin last weekend. Ever since then he has been more aggressive than before...lots more. I don't think it has anything to do with THAT medication because it's only at bed and this happens all day. Almost every day this week he has gotten into trouble at school...once for a fight, several times for back talking to the teacher. One day he told her that he was "sickl of her giving him an attitude" and had to spend the whole day in another class in another grade! Today he spent almost all day in the office. What could be going on. He has only been on these new meds (Dexedrine) for like a month but he was doing so well at first. He is always a bit aggressive (especially with my daughter) at least at some point in the day but this is rediculous. He even got in a HUGE fight with my father this afternoon. What should I do?

Amphetamines and amphetamine like drugs, also norepinphrine (adrenaline) drugs can definately cause aggressiveness and mood swings.

index.html · 03-27-2005, 05:17 AM

Nickkaylee, I definitely think that you should look at the melatonin as the source of the changed behavior. Sometimes, melatonin can leave you feeling "hung-over" the next day. If there's one thing that my 14yo SEVERELY ADHD son can't stand, it's things that make him sleepy. They will inevitably make him irritable.

Maybe try reducing how much he is taking first. If that doesn't work, let the doc know that he is having this type of reaction.