Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has she had a neuropsych evaluation? Could it be something other than ADHD or in addition to? I agree that I would try another stimulant or two or some nonstimulants before going to Lamictal.

Yes she was misdiagnosed with GAD for years until then. She has ADHD, ODD and possible BPD.

Has she done DBT? Did she find it helpful for emotional regulation?

My son is on Lamotrigine and Clonidine and it's working ok. He is also on an SRRI and Buspar if that helps you at all. Stimulants not only didn't help, he was terrible on them. I will never put him on another stimulant.

This sounds a bit like my DD. Wellbutrin and clonidine didn't work for her at all. Haven't tried Lamictal. Stimulants and buspar help a little. Even with similar symptoms, kids just have different biochemistry so there's inevitably an element of trial and error. Was bipolar ruled out? It's repeatedly been floated for my DD, but she is on the young side for a diagnosis so we're seeing how things go for the next couple of years. In any case, I think clonidine is definitely worth trying - I've heard many good experiences even though it wasn't helpful for us.

Anonymous wrote:Has she had a neuropsych evaluation? Could it be something other than ADHD or in addition to? I agree that I would try another stimulant or two or some nonstimulants before going to Lamictal.

Yes she was misdiagnosed with GAD for years until then. She has ADHD, ODD and possible BPD.

Anonymous wrote:Our daughter is on Clonidine and it is so helpful to just take the edge off. She is still definitely her, but less sensitive to the environment around her.

OP here - does she take it at night or AM? Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:I would try another stimulant before trying Lamictal - it seems more hard core to me. And my DD had a bad reaction to it.

We tried 4 stimulants before finding one that works with manageable side effects.

What reaction and which meds did you try?

Anonymous wrote:Has she had a neuropsych evaluation? Could it be something other than ADHD or in addition to? I agree that I would try another stimulant or two or some nonstimulants before going to Lamictal.

Our child psych has repeatedly said she doesn't care about evaluations like that in regards to medication. She doesn't medicate relative to diagnoses in that way, she medicates for symptoms to improve a child's life. Having another label isn't what will magically get you the right meds IF you have a good prescriber. They can do their own diagnosing, plus observation etc.

My kid takes both clonidine and lamictal. It's great.

Has she had a neuropsych evaluation? Could it be something other than ADHD or in addition to? I agree that I would try another stimulant or two or some nonstimulants before going to Lamictal.

Clonidine is often given for kids to get to sleep.

I would try another stimulant before trying Lamictal - it seems more hard core to me. And my DD had a bad reaction to it.

We tried 4 stimulants before finding one that works with manageable side effects.

Anonymous wrote:Our daughter is on Clonidine and it is so helpful to just take the edge off. She is still definitely her, but less sensitive to the environment around her.

+1

Our daughter is on Clonidine and it is so helpful to just take the edge off. She is still definitely her, but less sensitive to the environment around her.

We found Lamictal helpful. We actually found all mood stabilizers helpful but it had the least unwanted side effects for my son. We never tried Clonidine so I can’t give you a comparison.

My son also only ever had good results with Vyvanse and Ritalin for ADHD. Non stimulants were completely ineffective.

Anyone have a teen with ADHD that is more the mind racing, impulsive, emotional deregulation than say hyperactive or inattentive?

Stimulants don’t seem to work on her. It doesn’t make her worse, but it’s like they are placebos. I see no difference. Tried Methedate and Concerta and increased both. I know they are similar.

Psychiatrist said we can try a different stimulant or a mood stabilizer, specifically Lamictal. Maybe try Clonidine if I didn’t want to do a mood stabilizer. She seemed to lean on Lamictal though.

She is currently on Wellbutrin in AM and Buspar twice a day. This has worked well than any SSRI. She just needs something else to help with impulses and emotions. I feel like she is always looking for dopamine highs. Through impulsive decisions, arguing, controlling others type of situation. Something to calm the mind or give her a pause to make a decision.

Does this make sense? Anyway just looking for any input.