How does your college student manage their ADHD meds?

[Anonymous]

What kind of system do you have in place to keep their medication safe and what system do you have do they remember to take it?

[Anonymous]

My DC just took responsibility for it. She’s been taking it since 2nd grade so it’s pretty routine.

[Anonymous]

My child isn't on a stimulant, but still has a small safe to keep valuables at school. I have my doubts whether it is used.

Fortunately, he remembers to take it on his own. We worked hard in high school to build in this habit via phone reminders and noticing how his body felt.

It's not easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC just took responsibility for it. She’s been taking it since 2nd grade so it’s pretty routine.

NP. LOL. I have a 2nd grader now who takes responsibility for his medication in both the morning and evening. I was going to respond but then figured what the heck do I know, mine is still only in second; college is a long way off. I'm glad to hear that the habits should be well ingrained by college.

[Anonymous]

This is a big worry for me. DS is on Strattera, which is not a stimulant, but I know for a fact he will forget based his current habits. I think I may wean him from the medication this summer and see how he does. It didn't make that significant of a difference in terms of his biggest issue, which is executive functioning (obviously), and he has matured a lot since he started, so I am hoping he can manage without it. He is a junior in HS now, so we have one more year to see how he does without it.

[Anonymous]

Curious to how those taking long lasting stimulants are doing with it.

My concern is that DS started meds at 16 and they are the long lasting kind of stimulant so he can't wake up super late and take them and expect to sleep. Hopefully he will be playing a sport and getting up early and regularly - otherwise not sure he'd adhere to it.

[Anonymous]

I take it those elementary schoolers remembering their own meds don't have the inattentive version of ADHD?

There is no way my 12 year old could remember to take his meds. That's the whole point of medicating him, so that he can remember to go where he's supposed to at the time he's supposed to go there, turn in his homework, remember to write down assignments, remember to check his planner, etc. It's hell.

I have no idea whether his brain will mature enough by college to take his meds in the morning, *before* he's medicated. Maybe a large red placard hanging from the bed? Will he be able to have a phone and have reminders on his phone by then? Who knows?!

[Anonymous]

By high school and college most are selling half of their meds for a profit. Non prescribed ADHD meds are the hottest drug right now for overachieving kids.

[Anonymous]

Most kids yoiu know, maybe.

[Anonymous]

This is a funny story. One morning I absentmindedly took my DC's Focalin instead of my prescribed medication. I realized it just after I swallowed it. That had to be one of my most productive days ever. I can see how this drug can be abused!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I take it those elementary schoolers remembering their own meds don't have the inattentive version of ADHD?

There is no way my 12 year old could remember to take his meds. That's the whole point of medicating him, so that he can remember to go where he's supposed to at the time he's supposed to go there, turn in his homework, remember to write down assignments, remember to check his planner, etc. It's hell.

I have no idea whether his brain will mature enough by college to take his meds in the morning, *before* he's medicated. Maybe a large red placard hanging from the bed? Will he be able to have a phone and have reminders on his phone by then? Who knows?!

My 2nd grader has combined type and my 5th grader is inattentive. Both remember to take morning and evening meds. It's just part of their bathroom routine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What kind of system do you have in place to keep their medication safe and what system do you have do they remember to take it?

DC has one of those weekly things that he fills up every week. That way he knows if he has taken it that day. He is good about taking it when he is on a scheudle- like at college. He forgets more when he is at home on beak and has no schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child isn't on a stimulant, but still has a small safe to keep valuables at school. I have my doubts whether it is used.

Fortunately, he remembers to take it on his own. We worked hard in high school to build in this habit via phone reminders and noticing how his body felt.

It's not easy.

Same with my DC.

I do know that he has a daily reminder set on his phone, and he keeps his meds close to his wallet and room key so that he'll remember. (I don't think the safe is being used.)

He says he is feeling less need for meds as he gets more sleep. Interesting.