Sadly, I have no really useful answer to your query... but as a Adult woman diagnosed a little over a year ago with ADHD, perhaps I can give you some subjective insight into her experience... (as I was a little girl...) I know when I first started medication... I felt first relief and excitement, but that was followed by a feeling of "zombiness" due to the complete EXHAUSTION the shortage of Dopamine had caused me. As the medication provided relief, my body started to focus on healing itself. I too... the ever gregarious charming woman, became a wall-flower for a time... because for the first time I was able to "think" before I spoke... to evaluate whether I wanted to actually say something.... however, I am to a point now where I am reaching out and doing better than ever.

As for your daughter, I can not say which is a better choice. Perhaps, with education about her ADHD she can learn to deal with it on her own without developing the unhealthy compensation mechanisms Adult ADHD'ers often have... on the other hand, perhaps she would be more comfortable on treatment. I honestly don't know which is better, but I believe the early diagnosis will change her life.... it's the NOT KNOWING that made coping with life so hard for me...

It is heartwarming to me that you would be so concerned about her "zombiness." It shows how very much you care about her as she is, and as a gregarious ADHD woman finding unconditional acceptance or understanding in modern society can be very difficult. No matter what medication she is given, she will always be ADHD, as it always wears off.... so acceptance of her "for who she is" is essential in my opinion, and will prevent her much of the emotional distress many of us others have been through.

I guess my only suggestion is to talk to her, and ask her "how she feels." She's probably extremely bright, even at 9, and can help you through this difficult decision. Also, they have released a lot of new medications in the last year for children, which are supposed to have a lot less side-effects.

Good luck, and write anytime if you think it helps.

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LizzyQ you just gave me an a ha moment. I just recently started medication and have felt somewhat like a wallflower compared to myself without medication. I couldn't figure it out. It's kind of like before I would just say whatever came into my head and then sometimes it would be fine and sometimes it would make me feel stupid but now that I can think before I speak I'm never quite sure what to say. But I am a much happier person when I am taking my medication I feel as if a fog has been lifted from my brain and I can now think clearly. Olivia's mom I'm not sure that, that information helps you in any way but maybe give the medication some time so that your daughter can adjust. Then you may be able to make a better decision. My daughter was medicated at 10 years old and did so much better in school and became so much more confident in everything she does. Now her gifts really shine.

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Hi,

My son was a zombie when he was taking Ritalin 30mg, he was only 10 years old. The medication was helping him stay very focused but he was a zombie. I was very concerned and very sad to see a cheerful, talkative young boy seem so sad. He would hardly every laugh out loud. My son told the doctor that it was helping him focus and he felt no side effects, but that he did not want to be so quiet around his friends, he wanted to laugh, joke around and be more lively. The doctor changed him to Adderal and to a much lower dosage. He is back to his normal self but is doing very poor in school. The doctor has changed his medication again. It is trail and error until we get the correct medication and the right dosage that will help him focus and still be able to be more of his normal self.

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I have a 7 yr old son who seems no matter what ADHD med is given is a zombie too. I question this all of the time. But, without the meds he would not beable to sit still in class to do his work or even pay attention. He has been diagnosed 3 years now and it is very frustrating that this trial and error bit is not working. No matter what meds he takes he seems to still be a zombie. This is the low doses too. His ability to focus in class is not there and he probably does need an increase in the dose but....he will be so zoned out. Sorry I don't have an answer for you. I just wanted you to know you were not alone in the way that you feel.

Errrin

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2 Ideas: 1. Chat with your child's doc about trying Vyvanse (fairly new, to be used in the 6-12 year old age group "only", "lasts" 12 hours, very smooth body reaction, Shire offering free 30 day trial at this posting date). The real life experience for me.. it's working. My very experienced ADHD pdoc started me on it last week. First day, I noticed much better focus, concentrating, staying on task, mental clarity, ability to shift attention and get back on task. Previously was taking Adderall.. a lot of it. It was like eating tic tacs. 2. A comment on the Zombie reaction. I Zombie when undermedicated. Of course, children are not adults so my physical reaction doesn't matter for squat. However, after 28 years in pediatric prosthetics/orthopedic bracing, I've worked on overly medicated kids. When your child Zombies, is her heart rate up? Regardless, my gut is telling me that she/he is acting OVERLY medicated and/or is on the wrong type of drug. My limited 2 cents says investigate/consider the Vyvanse. This type of drug group lends itself to a fairly quick/reliable yes or no time frame as to it's efficacy (as opposed to the dreadful weeks/months needed for anti-depressants). God bless your efforts.

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Swirleegrl,

I was reading your post and noticed you did take adderral. Did you know that Vyvanse was Adderral only cleaned up? My son was on Vyvanse for a couple of months but the side effects from it were not worth him taking it. He couldn't sleep, had dark circles and bags under his eyes, he had no appetite whatsoever, he was very moody and would get set off very easily. He is now back on Focalin XR 10 along with Stratterra 25 at night.

Glad to hear that Vyvanse is working for you, it didn't for my son. It also made him a Zombie too.

Errin

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Errin (Mom of Cole) said:

Did you know that Vyvanse was Adderral only cleaned up? My son was on Vyvanse for a couple of months but the side effects from it were not worth him taking it. He couldn't sleep, had dark circles and bags under his eyes, he had no appetite whatsoever, he was very moody and would get set off very easily. He is now back on Focalin XR 10 along with Stratterra 25 at night.

Glad to hear that Vyvanse is working for you, it didn't for my son. It also made him a Zombie too.

Errin

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swirleeegrl said:

Why does their product info sheet state that "6-12 year age range, not yet recommended for adult usage"?

That age range seems a bit strange. I'll have to remember to ask my doctor or my sister, who is a pharmacist. My guess is that it may have only been tested on children in that age group so there is no research on adult usage. Just a guess though. My 16 year old son and my 26 yr. old daughter both take Vyvanse and they don't have any problems with it. Neither of them are a zombie. My husband has been on Adderall for three years and he is happy with that.

Elaine

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My son was the same way at age 6 when he first started on Adderall. It turned out that he was depressed. Hyperactivity can mask depression, which may show up for the first time when the hyperactivity is treated. My son's pediatric psychiatrist put him on a low dose of Prozac and his mood improved markedly. He stayed on Prozac for two years during a period of significant social turmoil at school. He was facing bullying, peer rejection, and many of the negative social consequences of ADHD. We began using a successful behavior modification program and placed him in a social skills group, both of which helped him to learn positive social skills, which in turn has improved his self image and mood to the extent that Prozac is no longer necessary . He is doing very well and making progress in learning to make friends. If you have not used a pediatric psychiatrist, I highly recommend doing so. They, not pediatricians, are the real experts in early childhood mental health, including ADHD and all of the comorbid conditions that can accompany it. A pediatric psychiatrist can determine whether the zombie-like symptoms are depression or simply over-medication.

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Now that my children are off school, I am noticing 'zombie like' behavior on their meds. What was helping them be VERY focused at school, is making them seem very boring/bored at home. My 10 year old wants to take a break, but I am leery, because I know that the ADD makes me nuts as well... the non listening and dragging the heels etc. I can't stand the robotic like behavior. My oldest also says he starts to feel tired after we put the patch on. Like everything has slowed down. He is taking Daytrana 15 mg. He was on the 10 mg, but we noticed some erradic inappropriate behavior on the lesser dose... (hopping up and down and hand flapping).

My gut is telling me that I need to go back to doc. and refine the treatment... Maybe go to an oral and see if that helps. The Daytrana seems to either work well, too well, or not well enough depending on how well the patch is sticking to his skin. There seems to be allot of recalls on the quality of this medication.

I'm thrilled that my kids have been able to excel in school, but I want them to socially excel as well. :o( Teresa

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Contrary to my Behavioral Pediatricians recommendation, I do not give my 10 year old son his ADD medication (he is on Focalin XR10mg ) during the summer. He is on a neighborhood swim team and he says the medicine slows him down too much. I mean, what's there to focus on during the summer - TV or video games? He is also more friendly, talkative, and outgoing without the medication. We have to talk more about self control and how to control his impulses but he is old enough now to realize that he can try to control certain aspects of his behavior. I will occasionally give him a short acting Focalin on Sundays to help him make it through Sunday School and worship service. I have also given it to him for day camps such as golf or tennis.

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I do keep my daughter on meds during the summer. She goes to camp and I find that she really neesds the meds to help her with her social interactions and impulsivity.

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I keep my 10 year old son on his Focalin XR 15 mg during the summer and also give him 15 mg of the short acting Ritalin in the late afternoon. He is so much sweeter, calmer, nicer and more helpful on his meds. He is able to concentrate better, nicer to his brother, no huge outbursts or anger. Admittedly, his creative energy is a little diminished and when he was taking an acting class I did let him stop his meds during the class, but for the most part, we are all much happier with him on his meds. He has less side effects on the Focalin than on previous meds Concerta, although the Focalin does make him more anxious. It seems to be a trade off. Good luck as you search for what's best for your child.

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My daughter is 12 and on Daytrana 15mg. We have decided to keep her on the patch over the summer. I try to keep a good part of her day structured. academically she struggles with Math so during the summer I have her work on a computerized math program so she can retain and be on target upon return for school. She also competes gymnatics and this takes focus and discipline. When time is not "structured" video games, riding bikes and swimming fill the rest of the day.The patch and dicipline seem to go hand in hand, it helps her to think before impulse surfaces. Without the patch she bounces from one thing to another without completion, attention is short lived and friends tend to be scarce. The patch helps her socially, academically and with her love of the sport of gymnastics. It is a mutual decision, she is an active part of her treatment.

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This summer, we've switched our 11 year old son from 36 mg of Concerta, to 27 mg. During the school year, he needs 36 mg to stay focus, organized, academically productive and self confident. When school is out (including the school year weekends) 27 mg is enough to keep him "on track". It also increases his appetitie, which was the main reason we switched. I also like the fact that he can take 27 mg later in the am (up until 9 am) and still be able to fall asleep at a reasonable hour. Sometimes I will give 36 mg if I feel the social situation may be overwhelming/overstimulating. For our family, it seems to be a good compromise between no meds and school meds.

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