ADD meds on top of others for 10 year old

[Anonymous]

My DD has been diagnosed with a Mood Disorder and is currently on Risperdal and Seroquel, although we are trying to phase out the Risperdal because of weight gain. She has been in and out of the hospital, has been in a day treatment/school program for the past 4 months and is improving. Wonderful team of social workers and psychiatrists working with her. Since she has mild ADD and many learning issues, they are suggesting we might try additional meds for the ADD. The thought is it would help with the impulsivity, focus, distractibility, restlessness. Talked about both stimulants or non-stimulants -- they think the stimulants might be more effective and as a possibility, suggested that we try the fast-acting meds at school to see how she reacts to them. Anybody any experience with this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD has been diagnosed with a Mood Disorder and is currently on Risperdal and Seroquel, although we are trying to phase out the Risperdal because of weight gain. She has been in and out of the hospital, has been in a day treatment/school program for the past 4 months and is improving. Wonderful team of social workers and psychiatrists working with her. Since she has mild ADD and many learning issues, they are suggesting we might try additional meds for the ADD. The thought is it would help with the impulsivity, focus, distractibility, restlessness. Talked about both stimulants or non-stimulants -- they think the stimulants might be more effective and as a possibility, suggested that we try the fast-acting meds at school to see how she reacts to them. Anybody any experience with this?

My DS, 9, takes Adderall and Prozac. The combination works very well for him.

[Anonymous]

If your DD has a mood disorder, the very last thing she should be on is an ADD/ADHD med. It will exacerbate her moods big time. Any psychiatrist should know this. What day program is she attending? Please tell me it's not MSA in Columbia, MD.

[Anonymous]

20:27 I think it really depends on the medication, you can't generalize. My DC is on strattera and effexor. There are tons of kids out there with mood disorders who need to have their ADHD treated as well. Sure, the ritalin related meds can be a poor fit for kids with anxiety, but you can't generalize about all meds.

[Anonymous]

DS is 10 and on both Risperidol and Vyvance. The combination seems to be working. Without the Risperidol the vyvance did exacerbate the moods big time. However, the Risperidol evens things out. DS was on Risperidol for over a year before we tried Vyvance again and I was worried about the weight gain- however since we have started the Vyvance he is not as hungry and has lost weight. I hope this helps. My thought are with you!

[Anonymous]

06:33 Thanks so much -- helpful to know the combination is working for someone!