Any feedback using Focalin?

[Guest guest]

Hi! My 6 year old had an appt. with his pediatric neurologist whom I like a

lot. He liked all the biomedical and behavioral interventions we were doing,

but suggested that at some point now or in the future we might consider two

types pharmaceutical drugs: Focalin for attention (this is one of Sam's biggest

problems) and an SSRI for language and social issues (two other biggies). He

was honest and said that in his experience, they help only about 1/3 of his

autistic patients. However, when they work, they really make quite a difference.

In the case of Focalin (which he suggested we try first by itself) we would know

within a week or two if it's helping. We could then either continue it or stop

taking it and then at a later time, try the SSRI (Prozac or another one).

Any feedback, good or bad, on trying these drugs? I am generally

anti-pharmaceutical, but I am actually considering this and wanted to check in

with you all.

Thanks in advance--

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My daughter was prescribed Focalin and took it for about a year 3 years ago.

While we did see improved attention, we made an unfortunate discovery during

the rather intensive cognitive testing we do yearly as homeschoolers. Her

right hemisphere IQ dropped 20 points. While IQ is not a static feature, a

drop that large that rebounds when the medication is ceased gave us pause.

I don't know if our experience with the medication is unique. It is

unfortunate that the prescription medications are not looked at in

connection to brain function, especially given that is something they are

trying to aid and actually ended up hurting in our case. Sometimes, we just

have to decide if it is worth it.a very individual decision.

Kathy

[Guest guest]

My son took Ritalin which is similar to this drug. Although it did help

him stay in his seat at school we found over time that it actually

slowed his processing. We found, after years of taking it, and unbeknownst

to us,that he had auditory processing disorder which in a lot of ways

looks like ADD. The Ritalin actually made his processing worse. If your

child is having issues with ADD, as a lot of our kids do, you may want to have

him

tested for APD. I wish we had known about APD sooner. My son was 12 when

we discovered it. My son is now 15 and he has Aspergers. He functions

much better now on biomed. We use 5-HTP for help with serotonin levels

and it works much better for him than antidepressants and without the

side effects of antidepressants. BTW we did not start our son on ritalin

until he was 7. He hated the side effects, lack of appetite, sleep

issues, rapid heartbeat, etc. He was so happy when we found biomed. I wish

you well and I am hopeful you will find the best solution for your son.