Yes, the 18mg is the lowest dose so I may have to explore other
options... At this point, I'm leaning toward nothing because he's
really high-functioning.

I went thru school and didn't even realize that I was ADHD (my parents
didn't even recognize it in my 2 brothers until they pretty much
diagnosed themselves so you can imagine how unlikely it would have
been that they'd have seen anything like that in their daughter!)
until I was an adult but man, if I'd known and gotten some sort of
help, school sure might have been a little easier to figure out.

I'm hoping I can teach my son some coping mechanisms along the way
since I'd love to avoid the meds if possible.

As for pharmacies, it seems I've had a different experience each time
I go to get the script filled. Once the doctor forgot to put their DEA
number on the script, ("we need this, ma'am, because it's a controlled
substance."), once they wanted my son's social security number, ("we
need this, ma'am, because it's a controlled substance."), another
time, it was my driver license number, ("we need this, ma'am, because
it's a controlled substance.")... Yes, I know, but can CVS get it
together and take ONE approach? I'm totally on board but just let's
be consistent, shall we?

Sorry for the rant. :)

And thanks for the input, Joann!
-barb

On 5/4/05, Joann Vessey <snowballbaby525@...> wrote:
> Hello Barb,
>
> Is there a lower dose of concerta that your son could take? I am not sure if
> the 18mg is the lowest dose or not. Even if there were a lower dose, it may
> help the sulleness, but then not work for the concentration. My son started
> out on 36mg, which I think was STUPID of the doctor to put him on right off
> the bat. I asked his regular doctor if she would prescribe him a lower dose,
> and she gave him 27mg. It worked fine. Then the pharmacy accidentally
> refilled it with 18mg, and he started having trouble concentrating in school
> again, until I figured out what the problem was. I hadn't even realized they
> gave him the lower dose. You have to watch those things!
>
> Joann
>
> barb <be.mcmullen@...> wrote:
> Hi there,
>
> I'm new to this list and hoping to get information and insight.
>
> I'm a mom with a 9 yr-old son with mild ADHD. He's currently on 18mg
> of Concerta and he has been for about a year. It has helped
> dramtically with his ability to stay focused at school but the
> trade-off has been his demeanor. He's almost sullen and so quiet when
> he's on the Concerta. Once it wears off, he's back to his cheery self
> but I hate what it does to him when he's on it (he only takes it on
> school days).
>
> I'm going to take him off of it for a few days and get feedback from
> his teacher but I'm just wondering if anyone else has seen that as a
> side effect. I want him to learn but there must be a better way.
>
> I saw someone mention "Attentive Child" from GNC in another forum...
> can anyone say how well that works for them?
>
> barb, who has ADHD too, but coping without drugs (at the moment).