Question about ADHD meds | Autism PDD

Hello everyone. It's been awhile since I've posted. Lots of new people here!

I have a question about ADHD meds. Katy is dx'd with Dev delay - possible autism and now, of all things, ADHD. Her Autistic symptoms lessened as her ADHD symptoms increased. Just today she saw her pediatrician who prescribed 5mg of Focalin XR for her ADHD symptoms, to be taken once every morning. She also takes 2mg of Clonidine every night for sleep. Here's the problem. Since I was/am very unfamiliar with ADHD meds I wanted to inform myself about this new drug and it seems that there might be a problem with her taking it while she's on the Clonidine. Also, there aren't any studies that have proven it's safe for children under 6 yrs old. I can't imagine that her doctor would give her something that could hurt her. Does anyone here have any experience with this medication, good or bad? And is anyone here giving it to a child who is also taking Clonidine?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

My guy has PDD-NOS and ADHD. He is on Metadate CD (40 mg) and is doing well on it. A friend of mine has a 12 year old son with ADHD and Anxiety (but not ASD) and he started Focalin about 6 months ago. He also takes Clonidine at night. I'm not sure of the dosage, but she said that it has made a HUGE difference in his abilty to focus at school. He is doing very well on both of the drugs. I know your Katy is a lot younger, but I hope this helps ease your mind a little. Hopefully some of the other parents with younger kids will respond to you as well. Have a great day!

Tiffany

My 4 1/2 year old son (mild/mod. autism) is also on Metadate but only 10 mg a day. We have noticed positive changes with him on it. His teacher who is very anti-meds. has admitted that it is helping him. It took trying a few different meds. to get it right so don't get frustrated; any negative changes, call your Dr. immediately.(((HugsforKaty))) My 4 1/2 year old son is on the exact same meds. He started off on 10mg of Focalin XR 6 months ago along with .5 mg of Clonodine at night. He is now taking 20mg of Focalin XR and .1 mg of Clonodine at night (his ADHD is very severe) and I am here to tell ya, it is WONDERFUL!! In the beginning, I was concerned just like you, although I completely trusted his doctor, I checked with a few more and 3 different pharmacists as well. From what I was told.. The Focalin is a central nervous system stimulant and that is to help with the ADHD, and the Clonodine is a VERY mild blood pressure medication that is used very often to help them come down completely from the stimulants in order to sleep, but is not enough to cause a severe blood pressure drop due to the stimulant raising the blood pressure a bit above normal to begin with.

I have had a world of luck using these meds, and feel very comfortable telling you that its ok. You little darling will be just fine, and while taking those meds, the doctor will also keep a very close check on blood pressure, will be checking periodically liver and kidney functions via bloodwork. You have nothing to worry about, but I completely understand your concerns.

If you have anymore questions, PLEASE feel free to PM me anytime.

Hope this helps you.
Good grief......no replies, lol. My ds tried ritalin and dexedrine, both of which caused increased anxiety.
I can't figure out how to make links but go to autism.com . They have
collected information from parents all over about how medications/diets
and therapies were working for their asd kids. The medications are in the
assessments section.

Shelly!!!!!

OH WOW!! Good to see you!! You need to post a recent pic of Katy so that I can see how much she has grown. It really HAS been a while since you have been here huh?

I only know about the other Adhd drugs like ridilan, concerta, dexadrine, strattera. Me or mine never took focalin...sorry If you don't get good enough responses here then call a pharmacy. ANy pharmacy will do...they (those people) love to tell you all about drugs...LOL And they will know for sure if there is any problem with taking them both together. I guarantee you will have a hard time getting them off the phone..lol jk

Hey..you need to come more often!! Take care,

Karrie

Hi, Shelly, Wow, long time no see. Hope everything has been going well for you.

[QUOTE=ann2boys]I'm sorry that Focalin didn't work for you!!! We tried the XR and had a similar reaction...he just ran wild up and down the hall, just screaming...when we went to the short acting version, he was all better!!![/QUOTE]

We'll give it another shot today and see how she does. If it doesn't seem better I'll call her Doc Monday and see what we can do.

I'm sorry that Focalin didn't work for you!!! We tried the XR and had a similar reaction...he just ran wild up and down the hall, just screaming...when we went to the short acting version, he was all better!!!

New baby? Congratulations! How is Adam adjusting to the new addition? I know Katy would be beside herself, lol!

Do you ever see KPDearest here anymore?

[QUOTE=karjab30]

Shelly!!!!!

OH WOW!! Good to see you!! You need to post a recent pic of Katy so that I can see how much she has grown. It really HAS been a while since you have been here huh?

Hey..you need to come more often!! Take care,

Karrie

[/QUOTE]

Hi Karrie! Long time for sure! Been busy....life takes over, you know? New pic of Katy in sig line. Took it about 3 months ago.

I did call the pharmacist and got some good, LONG WINDED feedback, lol. We tried the Focalin this morning. Her compliance is better - hyperactivity worse. Today I've been slapped and bitten as well. I feel defeated.

I am going to call her doc Monday and see about Concerta or one of the other meds she mentioned. What a letdown for sure.

Hope you and yours are well. Thanks for your reply - all the replies here. I've come to this forum for so long and had such good advice. I'm glad to see that it's still here.

How is your family? It's really nice to see you!

aww she is just georgous!!! and she has grown soo much. I like the little hip jeans with the holes in the knees...LOL Very cute.

My family is good. We are bigger of course with the new baby. Another stinky boy..LOL I'm so done now that I have 5 kids. Take care,

Karrie