--- In 11q_disorders@yahoogroups.com, "linzee_carroll" <linzee_carroll@...>
wrote:
>
> I was wondering if anyone else has had any success with any of the ADD
> meds with their 11q child. Brayden has about a 5 second attention
> span and is constantly going from one thing to another all day long.
> The neurologist thought we should start trying some medications to
> help him stay a bit more focused in school. I know that many people
> have tried the different meds, but I also know that many have said
> that they did not really work. He is on a trial run of Adderol right
> now, but I haven't noticed any difference and his teachers haven't
> either. Any info about what works for other 11q kids would be great
> to take back to the neurologist with me on our follow up visit.
>
> Thanks,
> Linzee
>
Hi Linzee -

Erik was on methylphenidate (generic Ritalin) for several years. His dose was
25mg/day -
10mg at breakfast, 10mg at lunch, and 5mg in afternoon (3-4 hours between
doses). The
drug suppresses appetite so I always made sure he got food within 10 minutes of
taking
it. The 5mg afternoon dose helped him come down off the drug a little easier -
the mood
swing was awful without the 5mg. We tried the time released version but it was
just too
hard on him and everyone else as each dose subsided and then kicked in during
the day
- the transitions were just too severe. We did the generic version because
that's what
insurance would pay for - and the dose quality was not always good - sometimes
too
much, sometimes not enough. I have known other people who have observed this
with
the generic methylphenidate also. Erik had two reactions to the methylphenidate
over the
last year (headache, nausea/puking) so we changed to Adderall XR 15mg. We tried
Adderall a few years ago and it wasn't successful then, but it's working great
now! Since
it's a time release formula, it lasts about 10 hours, and it doesn't totally
take his spark
away like the methylphenidate did. He's doing great in school and we get good
reports
from his direct service providers also.

Good luck!
Sherry