My 6 year old son just started Concerta 18 mg. He has been on short-acting Ritalin which worked and long-acting Ritalin, which did not work and caused mood swings and anxiety. I He is diagnosed AD/HD with ASD traits. I thought the Concerta was working because I got good reports from the teachers for the first week of school. But today we gave him the dose and he has been moody and anxious. Not sure if school is different because there is more structure? Anyway, I know kids are all different but I was really hoping this one would work well because of the release mechanism. I was hoping for a more steady release. Anyone able to share experiences?
Sorry, no experience but I'm thinking the latest test at a phychitrist's office I know of, is one that tests your rate of metabolizing medicine. It might be helpful. If its slow to metabolize, it builds up in your system and causes side effects.
my son had really bad insomnia and it caused hallucinations while on concerta...
We had a very similar experience with our son. It worked for a week then he was suddenly "off". Good luck.
My ss takes it and hes older it has worked for him but its-metabolized in the body so within 10-12 hours he crashes and becomes back to his uncontrollable ways. As he has gotten Older now (he's 13 been in it for a few years) he's much better at managing it. School days are tough we start him at 6:30 am, so by 6-7pm he's/ starting to crash, but no mood swings with it. but OCD can come hand in hand with ADHD, so the anxiety I'd keep on eye on and make sure it's not that. The mood swings perhaps could just be when he is starting to crash. Watch the times he's having them.
I myself took Concerta for a couple of years for ADD. Are you giving him the meds at the same time each day? It may have been a different experience for me as I am a hormonal female and an adult, but it always felt like a fog lifting experience for me. Like putting on glasses and seeing a better view. I would give him more time with it. See if it just the initial change in medication. Also it usually takes time for these medicines to work and find their proper places in our bodies. So I would give it more time. Oh..one more thing you have to careful what time you take it. It can really mess with your sleep. That could be why he is mood and anxious. I do remember that...You have find the perfect time to take not to early or too late because it would keep me up all night and then I would be moody. It is a stimulant...
Our son does fantastic on Concerta. I'd say give it a few days and see if there's a pattern. Also talk to him about school to see if it sounds like it's not medication-related. If it's clearly the medication and isn't improving in a few days, I'd called the psychiatrist about it for advice.
