AutistiCatIs there an #AskingADHD on here? My child just got an #ADHD dx yesterday. We are open to meds. My kid is 8. He sleeps like... very poorly. I'm interested in hearing the pro/con of those who took meds as kids. Pls boost for wide-ranging responses.
Ryan ✨ Pavlik@AutisticCat there are so many different meds... And there are things like guanfacine and adamantine that can be added to stimulants, that help but aren't actually stimulating, but instead help sleep. If there's an emotional regulation piece, fluoxetine can help and may also help sleep. Not a medical doctor, just a tired parent
Rebecca Richkus@AutisticCat Sleeping poorly is very common amongst ADHD people. I'm fortunate that kids both have slept pretty well before and after meds. First: Meds have been positively life-changing for our family and well worth the possible weeks (or more) of tweaking which one(s) and how much. I've seen some folks do stimulant in the morning and guanfacine in the evening to help with sleep but it depends on the daytime symptoms and your specific kid's needs.
Alex@AutisticCat Boosted b/c I didn't get my dx/meds until adulthood.
In my experience with stimulant and non-stimulant meds? My sleep is unaffected. At my psych's recommendation, I take melatonin to help, and find that changing habits around bedtime is the most effective. But, I also know that my (and many other ADHD people's) circadian rhythm is delayed.
I did see a study (on ADHD adults tho) that showed stimulants can delay it more, but that light therapy can counteract that?
@alex oh that's so interesting about the sleep delay. I've always affectionately called my child a great sleep fighter. And without knowing why I got him a light that starts slowly getting brighter in the morning and I try to have lights dim after sundown.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm glad you finally got your dx.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm glad you finally got your dx.
FirefighterGeek 
@alex @AutisticCat I had frequent bouts of "sleep paralysys" and some relatively mild narcolepsy along with my ADHD. Even doses of the stimulant meds too low to help with focus completely resolve my sleep issues. I do best on Concerta, which is also methylphenedate (ritalin) but with a three stage, very slow, release cycle. Taken at 7am, by evenng it's pretty much gone from my system.
@FirefighterGeek That's neat! I'm prescribed Concerta, but my pharmacy provides generic Methylphinedate ER (same ingredient, different release mechanism), but I think it's still also gone from my system by bed time. I'm thinking working on finding good wind down habits would benefit me most.
I've liked reading/posting about med experiences though because it seems like there's such range to how we react.
@alex i had a hard rime finding the right generic version. Fyi - there is a generic thats actually the real med, from the same production at J&J. Used to be sold by "Patriot Pharmaceuticals" (may still be). For me, the release timing is important. I found the info, and my doc writes the scrip with the instructions to use that specific drug by registry #. If you need it, dm me a reminder (note its not really private) and I'll look it up for you tomorrow.
@AutisticCat i took ritalin briefly as a seven year old in the 70s. They were afraid to keep me on them . I learned to read, ride a bike, and tie my shoes on them. Best six months of school I had in my life. Sitting in class has always beem a horror show for me, except then.
Now I'm on new versions of the same drug for 25 years as an adult. Life changing (for the better). I'm better ar work, a better parent, healthier, and my unusual sleep problems went away.
Now I'm on new versions of the same drug for 25 years as an adult. Life changing (for the better). I'm better ar work, a better parent, healthier, and my unusual sleep problems went away.
@AutisticCat two things to watch for.
1. These are very strong meds and over prescribed. They are wonderful if you need them, dangerous if you don't. If your child seems calmer on them, it's a good sign. For people who don't really need them, they act as you'd expect a stimulant to act.
2. At the end of the meds useful cycle, symptoms of adhd can briefly be more noticeable. More easily distracted, poorer attention, increased irritability. Not long. But real.