Poor kid. All that trial and error must have put all of you through the wringer.

Have you tried any non-drug treatments or alternative ADHD treatments? Many parents of ADHD children who have experienced negative side effects to medication have claimed to have good results with things like nutritional supplements, changes in diet, and other alternative treatments.

Alternative ADHD Treatment: Can Diet Ease Symptoms

Using Fish Oil to Treat ADHD Symptoms

Can You Make It Without ADHD Medication?

Good luck, Dena

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We tried Concerta when my daughter was about 7 or 8, for 2 days. It was a very low dose, but I don't remember the exact mg since it's been a few years ago. My daughter wedged herself between the refrigerator and the counter and climbed up the wall. Then she stayed up all night cleaning up the little bits of cat hair off the floor (severe OCD). When I called the doctor, he wanted to know if she was hearing voices that no one else was hearing or hallucinating. Then he told me to take her off the drug. By that time, she was OFF this drug. We've been trying more natural methods during the summer. The HD part is under control, but she still has trouble with the attention part. We have found that exercise like swimming, helps tremendously. During the school year, she wears the Datrona patch. This works well and we have control if she sleeps late or she wants to get to sleep early. You just pull it off, where as with a pill, you have to wait for it to wear off.

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Rlkezer-

Did your daughter have an OCD symptoms before that episode with Concerta or have any lingering ones after?

And, how long do you leave the Patch on for- if you take it off at 3-5pm does your daughter fall asleep at a normal time?

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I'm a child/adolescent psychologist, so you need to check with your physician, but I don't think Concerta comes in a smaller dose than 18 mg. Due to the design of the pills, it is also not possible to cut a pill in half.

I'm so sorry that you are having trouble with sever side effects. As far as medication, I think that it is very important that you find the best specialist physician you can and to be persistent about finding a physician who is right for your child.

As far as alternative treatments, I would recommend looking at CHADD's excellent handouts on complementary and alternative treatments.

The very best of luck to you in finding the best treatment for your child.

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