Tell me about your high schooler starting ADHD meds for the first time...

[Anonymous]

My high schooler was just diagnosed with inattentive ADHD. He is extremely motivated and driven so has done well in school but it's clear he has some ADHD that is making his life more difficult.

We're going to start him on Concerta this weekend.

Would love to hear others' experiences starting ADHD drugs on the later side. Did your teen notice a difference right away? Did you?

[Anonymous]

My daughter was off her meds for almost all of junior year. She went back on this year, and we both noticed a different on her grades and behavior. (ADHD Combine type) She is on Concerta 54mg, and is doing well in all her classes, and one referral, but is doing way better.
MY daughter make a video on the pros of cons ADHD meds, some of her
Pros were better grades, able to focus more
some of her cons were not hungry, and not felling like her self.

[Anonymous]

I could have written this post! My son is in 9th grade with exactly the same profile and just was prescribed Concerta, so we are looking at starting it this weekend. I look forward to any other responses to this post!

[Anonymous]

My DD took her first dose of Concerta in 10th grade and came home and said, “Is this what everyone else’s brain feels like?” She noticed an immediate and positive benefit in focus and understanding. Her teachers also noticed a difference in her engagement in class. It took some trial and error with different meds and dosages, but positive benefits throughout.

[Anonymous]

MUST eat a high protein high calorie breakfast

No caffeine in AM/lunch

If they aren’t hungry for lunch, I recommend yogurt or carnation drinks as a replacement

Lots of hydration during the day

take your multivitamin at night. High Vit C isn’t good to take with stimulants so also avoid citrus in AM

Magnesium, protein, and exercise help with the “crash” in the afternoon.

If having trouble getting to sleep work quickly with getting something to help. You can always start with simple melatonin, magnesium, or calm or sleep gummies. But be diligent that they might need something else. Like prescribed Hydroxine or Clonidine.

You will know within days whether it works. You can decrease/increase if needed but within 7-10 days max you will know if you need to try a different stimulant or a non stimulant.

Have your teen wrote down side effects, feelings, good/bad in notes app but put the time on it. You will recognize when it peaks, crashes, or if side effects are worse than the benefit etc….

Tell them not to get frustrated. It is trial and error to find the right combination