Guest guest Posted July 14, 2004 Report Share Posted July 14, 2004 Nick was diagnosed with HDDD (Hyperlexion Developmental Delay Disorder) about a year ago. At first they started him on Clonidine (.05 mg am/.05 mg pm). We were still seeing a lot of problems so the pm dose was increased to .1 mg. After about 3 months the doctor wasn't pleased with the results and decided to try Adderall Xr 5mg. Nick now takes Adderall Xr 10mg. + .05 mg. Clonidine in the morning and .1 mg. Clonidine at night before bed. Believe me I see a major difference on the days we forget to give it to him (more implusive and less focused). Nick has had sleep problems since he was about 7 (about the time we moved into our house) and I can't determine if the Adderall is making the problem worse or not. Nick will usually stay in bed all night if he sleeps with a grown up, in his own bed alone or with his brother he gets up initially any time between 10:30p-12:30a to go to the bathroom and get a drink of water -- after that it's a crap shoot whether or not he will go back to sleep for any length of time. I can't tell you the number of times I have spent from 1a or 2a up trying to keep him in bed, finally giving up about 5a (especially in the summer when it gets light earlier). The worse part for me is I not only have Nick up those nights but he invariably wakes his two younger brothers. And once they are all up -- you can forget getting them back to sleep. The youngest one will usually drop about 10a if he is kept up all night. The middle one will crash about 4p if I can't get them down for a nap. Nick will crash if made to lay completely still or if I strap them all into the car (and carseats) and drive I can usually lose all three relatively quickly (of course on those days I probably shouldn't drive since I'm sleep deprived. Good luck! Cari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2004 Report Share Posted July 14, 2004 Hi Di, has been on medication since kindergarten. It really does help him focus, especially in the morning. He started with Ritalin, but by the time we got the dose up enough to help him focus, he completely stopped eating. So then we tried dexedrine, which he was on for several years. It worked well, and it did dampen his appetite somewhat...which was not a bad thing. Last year we switched to extended release Adderall, and it has worked well too. He gets one in the morning, that is it. I've never given it to him past 8 or 9 am, and it has not affected his sleep. I only give it to him on school days. Call me if you want more details! ADHD med advice > Since Nic has been " officially " diagnosed as ADHD, I made an appointment to see the Dr. about medication. We really don't want to do it but if it will help him sit and stay focused in school, we are willing to at least try it. we thought we'd try it over the summer to see what works best. > > I don't know a whole lot about meds. Stratera sounds appropriate but it takes about 2 weeks to build up and it must be given everyday. Adderall is short term , out of the system by dinner time but it's a stimulant and he doesn't sleep well as it is. > > I'm told Stratera can cause drowsiness and to give it before bedtime. Also with this, it is fairly new and I don't know if proper testing has been done on it. > > Weigh loss is not a concern as Nic could stand to lose a few pounds anyway...80) > > Any advice? > Di > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 20, 2004 Report Share Posted July 20, 2004 The doctor prescribed Dexedrine. He was going to give him the Adderall but I reminded him that Nic can't swallow pills. He wasn't sure (and he was looking in a book but couldn't determine) if they made it in a capsule form where I could sprinkle it in applesauce or something. the book definitely said you couldn't crush the pills (it would screw up the time-release). He quickly mentioned something about leaky heart valves when I asked about any other adverse side effects. Nic's echo's have all been good but I decided to run it past his cardiologist first to be sure the Dexedrine wouldn't effect his heart. I'm waiting for her call before I go ahead and fill it. Does swallow pills? Di ADHD med advice > > > > Since Nic has been " officially " diagnosed as ADHD, I made an appointment > to see the Dr. about medication. We really don't want to do it but if it > will help him sit and stay focused in school, we are willing to at least try > it. we thought we'd try it over the summer to see what works best. > > > > I don't know a whole lot about meds. Stratera sounds appropriate but it > takes about 2 weeks to build up and it must be given everyday. Adderall is > short term , out of the system by dinner time but it's a stimulant and he > doesn't sleep well as it is. > > > > I'm told Stratera can cause drowsiness and to give it before bedtime. Also > with this, it is fairly new and I don't know if proper testing has been done > on it. > > > > Weigh loss is not a concern as Nic could stand to lose a few pounds > anyway...80) > > > > Any advice? > > Di > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 20, 2004 Report Share Posted July 20, 2004 Hi, The Adderall is in capsule form and does not swallow pills. So I just put the capsule in a bite of yogurt and he swallows it, followed by a sip of water. The Dexedrine really worked well for for several years. His cardiologist had no issues with it. Let me know how Nick does with it. ADHD med advice > > > > > > > Since Nic has been " officially " diagnosed as ADHD, I made an appointment > > to see the Dr. about medication. We really don't want to do it but if it > > will help him sit and stay focused in school, we are willing to at least > try > > it. we thought we'd try it over the summer to see what works best. > > > > > > I don't know a whole lot about meds. Stratera sounds appropriate but it > > takes about 2 weeks to build up and it must be given everyday. Adderall is > > short term , out of the system by dinner time but it's a stimulant and he > > doesn't sleep well as it is. > > > > > > I'm told Stratera can cause drowsiness and to give it before bedtime. > Also > > with this, it is fairly new and I don't know if proper testing has been > done > > on it. > > > > > > Weigh loss is not a concern as Nic could stand to lose a few pounds > > anyway...80) > > > > > > Any advice? > > > Di > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 20, 2004 Report Share Posted July 20, 2004 My daughter takes medadate for her ADD. It comes in a capsule form that I sprinkle on yogurt. I have not noticed any side effects. She does not have any other issues, but it is a capsule option. ne mom to Lena 7/ADD, Ethan 5/DS and Caleb 1 ADHD med advice > > > > > > > Since Nic has been " officially " diagnosed as ADHD, I made an appointment > > to see the Dr. about medication. We really don't want to do it but if it > > will help him sit and stay focused in school, we are willing to at least > try > > it. we thought we'd try it over the summer to see what works best. > > > > > > I don't know a whole lot about meds. Stratera sounds appropriate but it > > takes about 2 weeks to build up and it must be given everyday. Adderall is > > short term , out of the system by dinner time but it's a stimulant and he > > doesn't sleep well as it is. > > > > > > I'm told Stratera can cause drowsiness and to give it before bedtime. > Also > > with this, it is fairly new and I don't know if proper testing has been > done > > on it. > > > > > > Weigh loss is not a concern as Nic could stand to lose a few pounds > > anyway...80) > > > > > > Any advice? > > > Di > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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