He is on Ritalin LA 30 mg in the morning at 7, 5mg of Ritalin (good old fashioned, not LA) at 11:30 am, and another 5mg of Ritalin at 4 pm. It just does not seem like enough. I feel like he is over medicated to begin with, it just seems like so much. What else can we do to help him? The slightest things set him off, arguing and eventually crying. He screams at all of us all the time. I feel like I am failing him.:(

klyn07,

If I were you, I'd talk to the doc about a longer-acting form of Ritalin. Metadate and Concerta are the exact same med as Ritalin. They act much longer than Ritalin LA and therefore don't have the ups and downs that occur with taking multiple doses. And, the let-down from them in the evening is much smoother than with Ritalin or Ritalin LA.

It sounds to me like son's emotions are a result of the medication wearing off and leaving him "high and dry" - it's not a comfortable feeling. I tried Ritalin LA exactly twice and swore "Never Again"! I was an absolute witch when it was wearing off. I didn't feel that way on Concerta or Metadate.

[QUOTE=fineanddandy;3340111]klyn07,

If I were you, I'd talk to the doc about a longer-acting form of Ritalin. Metadate and Concerta are the exact same med as Ritalin. They act much longer than Ritalin LA and therefore don't have the ups and downs that occur with taking multiple doses. And, the let-down from them in the evening is much smoother than with Ritalin or Ritalin LA.

It sounds to me like son's emotions are a result of the medication wearing off and leaving him "high and dry" - it's not a comfortable feeling. I tried Ritalin LA exactly twice and swore "Never Again"! I was an absolute witch when it was wearing off. I didn't feel that way on Concerta or Metadate.

klyn07,

I do believe FineAndDandy just hit the nail squarely on the head. I cannot tolerate any ups and downs during the day. Most people experience some degree of "crash" when stimulants wear off. ADHD takes the crash to a new level. Our symptoms return with a vengence. They call it ADHD rebound. I call it getting beat and whipped mercilessly. No wonder the boy hollers. I holler louder. And I'm 56. Not suppose to holler and scream couple times a day.

Another product to consider is Daytrana.

Bob