Focalin experience?

[Anonymous]

We just received a prescription for our DS and I would like to hear from those who have experience with it. Pros/cons, any advice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just received a prescription for our DS and I would like to hear from those who have experience with it. Pros/cons, any advice?

It's been very good for my child. It doesn't curb their appetite as much or flatten their mood to the same extent that other meds did in the past. DS has been on it for quite a few years.

[Anonymous]

My child has been on it for four years and it's been good. At too high of a dose it caused increased anxiety, but no problems at the sweet spot dose.

[Anonymous]

Focalin XR has been wonderful for my child - no abrupt come-downs when medicine wears off, and it has helped him immensely with impulse control and attention. My only concern is that he has only maintained weight - he has not gained much if any - although he has gotten taller, so he's still growing.

[Anonymous]

It caused huge meltdowns in the evening for my tween. Crying, throwing stuff...full on tantrums like he was 3.

[Anonymous]

DS has been on it for 3 yrs. XR in the morning and a booster in the evening.

It does curb his appetite and he eats for the whole day in the evening. I try and get protein into him in the morning. I make yogurt smoothie pops and add protein powder into them.

The booster cuts down on the afternoon rebound.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS has been on it for 3 yrs. XR in the morning and a booster in the evening.

It does curb his appetite and he eats for the whole day in the evening. I try and get protein into him in the morning. I make yogurt smoothie pops and add protein powder into them.

The booster cuts down on the afternoon rebound.

Thanks - what's the afternoon rebound and what is the booster?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS has been on it for 3 yrs. XR in the morning and a booster in the evening.

It does curb his appetite and he eats for the whole day in the evening. I try and get protein into him in the morning. I make yogurt smoothie pops and add protein powder into them.

The booster cuts down on the afternoon rebound.

Thanks - what's the afternoon rebound and what is the booster?

The afternoon booster is another dose of Focalin--non XR. The rebound effect is common with kids on stimulants. It's a crash when the medication wears off. The booster is usually a lower dose which makes the "crash" gentler and later in the day. Later in the day usually means the child is not in a demanding environment, ie...they are home.

[Anonymous]

DS was on the XR for 2 years. It was the first med the dev ped tried. Little effect on appetite, no discernible rebound. It changed his life and ours. Our issue with it is that DS is young and burns through medication very, very quickly. So he eventually was taking the XR 2x/day and eventually even that wasn't working and the doctor wasn't comfortable increasing the dosage even more given his age. It took nearly a year to find a medication that worked just as well.

[Anonymous]

DS was on XR for three yrs. really effected appetite but changed to another medication bc the XR was causing anxiety. After DS was off Focalin, he gained 20 pounds and grew 5” in about 6 months.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks for the anecdotes. What did you do to help ensure your DC was getting lots of calories and nutrients at breakfast and dinner?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for the anecdotes. What did you do to help ensure your DC was getting lots of calories and nutrients at breakfast and dinner?

Full fat yogurt
Whole milk
Yogurt pops with protein powder
Lots of peanut butter
I find that if I offer lots of small bites, he eats more than if I make a normal dinner plate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for the anecdotes. What did you do to help ensure your DC was getting lots of calories and nutrients at breakfast and dinner?

Full fat yogurt
Whole milk
Yogurt pops with protein powder
Lots of peanut butter
I find that if I offer lots of small bites, he eats more than if I make a normal dinner plate

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Liberal olive oil on pasta, lots of carbs in general
Cheese, full fat cheese, and lots of butter.
Ice cream and milk shakes.

Pp with the DS who gained 20lbs. He went from 60 to 80 at 11 yrs old. Still skinny.

[Anonymous]

NP. Are there any premade protein shakes you'd recommend for your kids in the morning? DS8 recently started Focalin XR and I want to make sure he's getting enough protein in the mornings.