Special Needs Education

» GEORGIEMOM - Daytrana Patch

In response to Daytrana Patch posted by Dylansmom01:

Dear Dylansmom,

Your story sounds so familiar. My 8 yr. old granddaughter has ADHD and started out taking Concerta for her symptoms. We noticed a difference in her behavior right away, but she hated swallowing the pill every morning. She would give her grandparents/guardians a difficult time, so they thought the Daytrana patch would be the answer to their problem. It's not turned out that way, however.

One good day, three or more bad days has been the norm with the patch. The grandparents are wonderful about keeping this child on a schedule, so I know that she has the patch put on at approximately the same time every day. As you said, though, the patches do not seem to be consistent in the dosage. It's hit and miss which means the child is up and down. She also exhibits behavioral problems and sometimes seems to be very sad. She can appear mean and hateful sometimes toward her Grandma and Papa. They are at their wits end.

The child psychiatrist refuses to change the medication because the child is doing well in school. Instead, she prescribed Strattera for her to take after school so she can get through the homework hours. Supposedly, it's suppossed to continue to help the mornings also, before the patch kicks in. Well, it doesn't. I feel so bad for the grandparents and our granddaughter. It's so stessful.

How does you son do in the afternoons after the patch wears off? Is he just moody or does he act out with bad behavior? Has he shown any signs of sadness? We would be so grateful if you could share more details with us. The "Guardian Grandma" read your post from Jan. 10th and told me about it, so I know she will read again and possibly even chat with you herself. Thank you so much!

Grammy Vicky

-- posted by GEORGIEMOM

» NelliRose13 - I received a trial card from Shir

In response to I received a trial card from Shir posted by Dylansmom01:

We are using the 20 mg patch. Amber did okay on the pills, but was not very good about taking the afternoon dose. She took them 8 a.m., noon and 4 p.m. As my husband and I both work a lot of evenings, we weren't around to insist that she take them. Getting the school to give them out was a problem especially if there were field trips or sporting events. She swam on the swim team for a while. We talked to Shire today and are getting another free trial card. We decided that the delay was a problem our pharmacy had with his suppliers, as Shire says there is no back-order with the company. The only problem with the delay is we have an appointment to re-evaluate the patch next friday, and we don't have as much experience with the dosage as we would like. We have mixed results from teachers and co-workers on how it is working out. Amber has a part-time job at McDonald's. Thanks for you interest and comments.

-- posted by NelliRose13

» jordiesmama - I received a trial card from Shir

In response to I received a trial card from Shir posted by NelliRose13:

I am so glad I found this website. I am a nurse and only heard of the patch today, as a neurologist in our area is using it. My son Jordan is 13 and doing excellent on Focalin XR for the past 2 years. For 2 years prior to that he was on Metadate CD with good results. He has no hyperactive symptoms, but only attentive disorder.Every where I had read tonite described that it was for ages 6-12. I am glad to see Nelli Rose's 17 year old is trying it.I will monitor this site, and recommend it to our Dr. at next visit. I truly believe a topical medication, has to be better than something absorbed through the GI tract.Jordan has no side effects, and his school performance is great. I started to allow him to make the decision to take or not to take, but it dropped his grades a little so I took that priveledge away, and require him to use it mon-fri. Keep up the great information.

-- posted by jordiesmama

» mom0611 - new to Daytrana

In response to I received a trial card from Shir posted by jordiesmama:
I have a 9 year old son who started on the 10 mg patch of Daytrana 3 days ago. He was recently dx w/ ADHD and has never been on medication before. He refused to try and swallow a pill so I was glad to find the daytrana. I have not noticed any change in him whatsoever yet. Some people are saying to give it time, but I thought this med was supposed to work immediately. Have others found that it works instantly or that it takes time? Maybe he needs a higher dose, but the doctor said to try this for a week.

-- posted by mom0611

» 5thwheeler - I received a trial card from Shir

In response to I received a trial card from Shir posted by Dylansmom01:

Hi Dylansmom01,
I'm also having problems with the 15mg. patches that came in my sample pack. Can you tell me who you contacted at Shire and how you got a hold of them?

Thanks

By the way, are you the Dylansmom from RV.net?

-- posted by 5thwheeler

» fondy - Daytrana Patch

In response to Daytrana Patch posted by Dylansmom01:

I just found this site and was amazed to read your entry. I have been having the exact same problem with my 6 year olds behavior. He has a few good days and we think we are on the right track, only to be followed by days where his choices are not so great! We are very consistent in putting the patch on at the same time and there are days when it seems even after 21/2 hours it has still not kicked in yet. Also some days it makes his skin really red and irritated and other days he never complains and his skin looks great! I live in an area where not alot of MD's prescribe the patch, probably due to poor marketing in their offices so I appreciate any information anyone gets regarding inconsistencies with the patch.

-- posted by fondy

» doris0728 - I received a trial card from Shir

In response to I received a trial card from Shir posted by Dylansmom01:

My Daughter starting using Daytrana about a month ago....so far very happy with the results except with the sticky patches....have had to throw lots of them away because they were so mangled trying to peel them off. Also, red welts, irritation, and itchiness at the site. Have been putting Neosporin on them, but doesn't help much.

-- posted by doris0728

» doris0728 - new to Daytrana

In response to new to Daytrana posted by mom0611:

This is my daughters first time, too. She doesn't exhibit the hyperactivity, so it was a little harder to tell. I started noticing little things the second week....better handwriting, homework done right away...no more missing or forgotten assignments...better grades. Also, she is less "mouthy" and more loving.
Because she doesn't have the hyper part, I don't give it to her on weekends, but even then her personality is much nicer than it used to be.

-- posted by doris0728

» mom0611 - new to Daytrana

In response to new to Daytrana posted by doris0728:
Doris0728,
Thank You for your input. I realize I need to give it more time. My son has only been on the patch for 4 days and the doctor did say to give it 1-2 weeks. Also, my son is 9 1/2 yrs. old (about 75 lbs) and he may need a higher dose just based on his size. It is encouraging to know that you started to see results in the second week though. Thanks.

-- posted by mom0611

» ShansMom - new to Daytrana

In response to new to Daytrana posted by mom0611:
My 10 year old daughter (adhd) has been on the patch since July with excellent results. Once we were prescribed the correct dose, we noticed it was working the first day. However, keep in mind that many of us are not seeing the change until 2 1/2 - 3 hours after application. Our daughter gets 10 mg of focalin along with the application of the patch. The focalin kicks in after a half hour and keeps her on track until the patch starts to work. We have been very pleased so far.
If your son's level of hyperactivity is anything like my daughter's, you will know without a doubt when it starts to work.
Good luck!

-- posted by ShansMom