Special Needs Education

» jordiesmama - new to Daytrana

In response to new to Daytrana posted by mom0611:

I definitely don't know about the patch, but when Jordan was in 4th and 5th grade the teachers could tell immediately that he had not been medicated. Sometimes the more I read, maybe we will just stay on Focalin XR, because of the great results we are getting. Good luck all. RB

-- posted by jordiesmama

» michelleking75 - new to Daytrana

In response to new to Daytrana posted by mom0611:

Yes, I just recently took my son off of the patch because he was not going to sleep at night and plus he had formed some sort of nervous habit which was making him pull his hair out (by the roots). He now has two bald spots on his head. Looking for anyone who had experienced anything of that sort. It has really disturbed me. We have switched to focalin.

-- posted by michelleking75

» daytranaadult - site irritation with patch

I'm a 56-year-old woman with ADHD who's been on the 20 mg. patch for three months. It's absolutely transformed my life and my ability to think. I can't imagine how I'd function at this level without the patch BUT... I'm having a lot of trouble with site irritation: scaliness, itching, redness, rough skin. I'm nearly scratching myself raw even with cortisone cream. My MD said I could put the patch in other places besides my hips, so I'm alternating between upper arms, shoulders and hips and now all six sites itch like crazy. Any OTC creams/ointments/anything effective for others with this issue? And what's the truth about putting the patches in the fridge/freezer to make them easier to peel -- has this been proven to decrease the effectiveness?

-- posted by daytranaadult

» Molly6163 - site irritation with patch

In response to site irritation with patch posted by daytranaadult:
Use tweezers to remove the backings...it works! Haven't ruined a patch since trying this!

Skin irritation & itching seems to be common complaint. Have you asked for a prescription steroid cream? Something stronger may help.

-- posted by Molly6163

» chemig - question on response time

We just started my 6 1/2 year old son on Daytrna this weekend. Previously he had tried Focalin and Focalin XR, but he was metabolizing even the extended release too quickly and not making it through the school day without problems. With Daytrana, once the medication is in his system, he is able to concentrate and regulate his impulsive behaviors, he even pays more attention to detail while doing his homework. However, there seems to be a significant lag time between applying the patch and seeing the effects. Our pediatrician told us that clinical trials showed that it was effective within 2 hours, but it seems to be taking 3-4 hours for him. We are noticing that it does continue to work for about 3 hours after the patch is removed, so we aren't about to abandon this approach yet. But, I was curious as to whether anyone else was finding it this slow-acting.

-- posted by chemig

» mom0611 - question on response time

In response to question on response time posted by chemig:
My 9 yr. old son is on the 15 mg patch and it has been hard for me to tell when it actually kicks in. The real problem I am having is with the sleeplessness at night. I am removing the patch earlier in the day, keeping it on him no later than 4 pm, which should mean it would wear off completely by 7 pm, but he has actually been unable to fall asleep until around 10:30 or 10:40 pm. I can't believe this stuff is still effecting him at that time! Does anybody know whether the body adjusts to the meds so the children are not so out of whack w/ the sleeping, or do I need to get more meds now just to get him tired?? I am so frustrated! I don't know if this patch is even working. My son's ADHD is not very obvious. He is more forgetful, inattentive, and disorganized rather than hyper. He can also be very uncooperative w/ tasks that are basic requirements, but which he hates, such as taking a shower or doing homework. We may up him to 20 mg but I am concerned this sleep thing (staying up) may get worse... Then do I try another med, or get something on board to help him sleep??

-- posted by mom0611

» ShansMom - Slow Acting.... Sleeping

It took 3 hours for the patch to start working on our 10 year old, so she now takes 10mg Focalin in the a.m. which kicks in after 30 minutes. By the time the Focalin wears off the patch is in full swing. She metabolize meds quickly, but we have had wonderful results with the patch. For difficulty getting to sleep our doc prescribed .15 mg of clonidine which she has about an hour before bedtime.

-- posted by ShansMom

» sheila1970 - Slow Acting.... Sleeping

In response to Slow Acting.... Sleeping posted by ShansMom:

okay,i think i lost my message, new here. anyways melatonin works wonders and its natural, clonidine has so many side affects and the kids are getting enough with their adhd drugs already. and melatonin is cheap, and you get it at the health food store. My 6 year old takes 1mg, and my 12 year old takes 3mg, about half hour to hour before bed. and I take it as well, 7mg...I am an insomniac myself.

-- posted by sheila1970

» mom0611 - Slow Acting.... Sleeping

In response to Slow Acting.... Sleeping posted by sheila1970:
Sheila,

I agree w/ you about not wanting to give more meds because of additional side effects and all. You're right, they have enough going on in their system just w/ the ADHD drug. I have heard a lot about melatonin. I haven't had much luck w/ herbal or natural aids in the past but maybe I'll give the melatonin a chance. Last night my son actually fell asleep at around 9:30 (instead of 10:40 or so...) and maybe it was because I took his patch off at 3:30 pm. It's kind of early to remove the patch but I wanted to see if he'd go to sleep better and he did. Now I will consider leaving the patch on for the full 9 hours and using melatonin, so he can benefit from the patch longer. Thanks!

-- posted by mom0611

» sheila1970 - Slow Acting.... Sleeping

In response to Slow Acting.... Sleeping posted by mom0611:

we have not started the patch, YET. My 6 year old has been on everydrug possible, low low doses. Like opening the focalin xr, and dividing it into 3 doses. he has food allergies and is constanly wild, driven by a semi truck motor I think. LOL. Yes, laugh, but it really takes a toll on your marriage and family life. My 12 year old is doing great, but adjusting our 6 year old has been hector!! I would like to try the patch, because Dr. says we can cut it as small as we need to to adjust it to him. It sounds like you all have to take it off quite early to get these little kiddies to bed eh? any other huge side affects?
I know every one is different,obviously.
today I am tolerating him on natural remedies,but,hes still running. we homeschool our 4 children, so were always together...its hard to like these
attitudes.

-- posted by sheila1970