Time to stop the med

[mary2]

Well, I wanted to share a little bit about what has called my attention the most these days after stopping Concerta. I am amazed about what I can really call an extreme anxiety toward food and beverages. It feels like he has to be drinking or eating something during the whole day. I understand that he has to gain some weight which he has already done by the way; but this anxiety doesn't look normal.
Yesterday he had two pancakes for breakfast, then ate lunch at about 1pm; at 4pm he was asking for breaded chicken a French fries; so I got some of those in the oven for him; at 7 was again asking for food. After he ate he kept asking for something to drink; I offered him water or juice, but he said he wanted a special malted sparkling beverage which is commonly drank here. After that he asked for another one; he kept some minutes standing in front of the refrigerator like he was looking for something else. At this time I got upset since I feel this is not normal. I gave him milk before bed since he insisted he needed something more to feel OK. It is like he is eating and drinking in a short time what he did not for so long.
I don't know how to feel... I am happy he has put on maybe a couple of pounds or more, but I am afraid this is not normal behavior...
Right now I stopped buying sweets and cookies which I have always had in stock, because he can eat a whole package in a short time; it is just crazy!! Those sweets usually lasted long in my cabinets because he never ate them that much.

[bugsmom]

Mary, your bringing back lots of memories for me! ;D

I remember when Josh used to go off his meds for the summer, he did the same thing. I swear he ate from morning til night. I remember thinking if he wasn't on meds all year that he would weigh more than me!

I don't know if there is anything to be really concerned about. I think that he's just a growing boy that has gotten his appetite back. If it really bothers you, maybe you could ask his doctor on his next appointment. Could Marcel also be going through a growth spirt? I know Josh just recently went through one and boy, even on meds he ate like it was his last meal everyday. After about 2 weeks it tappered off. I knew he was growing because all he wanted to do was eat and sleep. It could be the same with Marcel.

[mary2]

Thanks bugsmom, I think that I am so impressed because he never had an interest for food. What was troubling my mind a little bit is that he eats DESPERATELY!! It is like he has been starving for the past years. More than concerned, I think I am just too impressed; if he continues eating like this I also think he could get to weight more than me, lol. You are right, he must be also growing; in fact, his growth was slow according to what the Dr said.
I won't call the Dr about this cause I feel that would be crazy of me, I will just try to have more healthy foods available for him so he can really benefit from this food "anxiety". That means,less sweets, and more fruits and juices, vegetable and meat soups, etc...

[puzzled]

Aug 3, 2008 21:49:40 GMT -5 bugsmom said:

Mary, your bringing back lots of memories for me! ;D

I remember when Josh used to go off his meds for the summer, he did the same thing. I swear he ate from morning til night. I remember thinking if he wasn't on meds all year that he would weigh more than me!

I don't know if there is anything to be really concerned about. I think that he's just a growing boy that has gotten his appetite back. If it really bothers you, maybe you could ask his doctor on his next appointment. Could Marcel also be going through a growth spirt? I know Josh just recently went through one and boy, even on meds he ate like it was his last meal everyday. After about 2 weeks it tappered off. I knew he was growing because all he wanted to do was eat and sleep. It could be the same with Marcel.

I agree. You just have not experienced it so far!

My two boys eat non stop. I told Jon that we are going to have to take out a small loan for groceries each week soon. The other night, Jon found a check made out to walmart (they now clear them instantly and hand them back to you) for over $140 and asked what it was for....I told him GROCERIES. And that is a normal amount each week especially if I have to buy any amount of meat.

Don't worry about him gaining too much, once he is back on the Concerta, it will level off again, and perhaps he will be able to stand the appetite issues a bit better.

[lcdc1]

that is cool that he is eating, just make sure it is balanced with the good stuff so he doesn't get too much of a taste for sugar. He seems like he is an active guy, if he is running around like a kid and not sitting around after eating like that, I think it is OK!

[mary2]

Well... Yesterday he seemed calmer and with a very good appetite. I think that the food anxiety was probably part of the rebound if there is really a rebound that lasts a few day after stopping a med.
I am happy he looks better; it seems he is gaining weight. He will visit again his neuro at the beginning of Sept. for his regular check up and I think he will restart the med Sept 8, just a week before he starts school.

[charliegirl]

My son eats like that when he is getting ready for a growth spurt. I honestly don't know where he puts it because he is eating non stop. Fortunately he tends to prefer nutritious foods at those times.

Since Marcel is going back on meds soon, unless he starts to seem unhealthy to you, I would just be happy to see him putting some weight on.

I wonder if part of it is that food just tastes so much better to them when they go off the meds or if they are so used to not feeling really hungry that their minds can't tell the difference between slight hunger like its almost meal time and starvation mode.

[mary2]

This has gone out of control with his behavior and I feel very depressed and weak. I can't stand the way he acts. It is impossible to find a moment of peace at home when he is with his sister. Alone there isn't much trouble, but with his sister it is just not possible to tolerate; I am really out of strategies or ideas to cope with his behavior...
Yesterday the psych told me that the difference is very noticeable; it is impossible for him to sit still; he is all the time jumping and talking so loud it bothers me so much; bothering his sister is the other part, hitting her and making her cry, etc... I understand everything I have heard about positive reinforcement, but while I was driving him from the psych yesterday I was thinking that I am out of positive words, or positive ideas, I am all negative and depressed. I don't remember it was this bad before the med, maybe I just forgot... I feel so stressed out with all this.
I tried to contact my psychiatrist yesterday and today but he hasn't been available unfortunately. I am really desperate
upset, and weak... I need to talk to him so badly. I have always been so pacific and quiet my whole life that this stress, level of noise, and terrible behavior is killing what is left of my patience. Even as a teacher I have never felt so overwhelmed with students' behavior.
I just needed to vent and talk... Thanks for listening.

[charliegirl]

Do his meds have to ramp up or is he on something that you could give him during school and give a med break on weekends? I know you reported that his behavior was worse when he first went off his meds but it doesn't seem like it was as bad then as it is now. Maybe more frequent but shorter breaks will enable him to eat enough to grow healthily and you to keep your sanity around him.

[mary2]

Aug 8, 2008 20:20:55 GMT -5 charliegirl said:

Do his meds have to ramp up or is he on something that you could give him during school and give a med break on weekends? I know you reported that his behavior was worse when he first went off his meds but it doesn't seem like it was as bad then as it is now. Maybe more frequent but shorter breaks will enable him to eat enough to grow healthily and you to keep your sanity around him.

The first thing which called my attention was food anxiety. It has actually lessened, though he is eating very well and that makes me happy.
The behavior problem is the main issue right now. He is on concerta and I know of many people I have read in boards who stop it for the weekends. Once I asked the Dr about this possibility but he didn't recommend it..., I was afraid we have lost part of the work we had achieved with this meds break already, this is just something I thought. So, I am just hoping he gains enough weight this month to then go back to it continued up to December I guess. Now, I am not sure whether December is a good time to keep him off meds, lol, if you know what I mean... I suppose his weight will say it all.