My son was recently diagnosed ADHD (comorbid with early onset Bipolar). He's now seeing outstanding specialists and has a great support program that includes an excellent Neuropsychologist, Psychiatrist and soon a psychologist (to help with mood issues). So I don't want this to turn into a meds/no meds debate. I respect both sides and considered my options exhaustively before making the decision to medicate at such a young age.
My son is doing very well, but one of the side-affects of Concerta is loss of appetite. He's a very active child and I'm a little concerned about him not getting enough nutrients for his activity level. Do any of you moms have some ideas for managing this? He's also a picky eater, which is problematic as well.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks to everyone who responded. Your comments were both helpful and reassuring. I'm making sure my son eats before taking his medication, and I've noticed that he gets very hungry around the time the medication wears off. It means he misses regular dinner time with us, sometimes, and it might mean later bedtime as well, but as long as he's eating something. :-) I tried the pediasure, which he used to like, but he doesn't like it anymore. However, I can mix the carnation instant breakfast with a little extra chocolate syrup, and he'll drink that with his meal.
He's a regular sized kid, and I wasn't so worried about weight loss, but more about him having the right nutrients. It's very comforting hear how other kids grew up healthy in spite of erratic eating patterns. I'll be careful not to get too neurotic about it, although it was hard not to the last couple of days. I was so used to him always being hungry and wanting snacks right after school.
Thanks again, gals!
I would feed him breakfast before you give him his medicine, allow him to eat what he will for lunch & try to get him to eat a good supper after the meds have worn off. My son was on medicine & he would eat late at night. I also didn't give it to him on weekends or days when he wasn't in school. Now, he's 6 ft. 1 & healthy!
Best of luck:)
Hi F.,
Please take a look at the DORE program that is available in Dallas. It is an extrodinary program with incredible results for children with similar diagnosis as your son.
www.cerebellumcenter.com
www.dore.co.uk
Good Luck
You might consider taking a look at JuicePlus. It is a whole food supplement made up of 17 fruits and vegetables. It is not a vitamin. I have 15 years experience in helping children that have food allergies, with their diets. I was amazed at the research behind JuicePlus. Our family has been taking it for 7 years and it has made a trememdous difference. My website is www.applestozucchini.com . You can e-mail me from there and I would be happy discuss his dietary needs with you if you would like some additional help.
My son has been on medication since he was seven and we have had the same issues. Luckily he was not real skinny before we started. He lost quite a bit of weight the first six months, but has evened out and stayed a healthy weight ever since. He is now 14. I make sure he has a good breakfast before he takes his medicine, then he does not eat any lunch. But he will eat a good dinner. He is in high school now and refuses to take a lunch or buy anything.
When he was younger, I would send healthy snacks in his lunchbox, instead of a full lunch. Like yogurt, string cheese, peanut butter or cheese crackers, chocolate milk, fruit, granola bar, etc. Whatever your son likes. I would put three or four things and encourage him to try to eat at least one thing, his choice. Try not to make it a battle, because this will only make things worse. He already feels out of control and so try to give him as much control over his eating as you can.
My younger son, who is not on medication, was always a picky eater and very underweight at age 6. But now at 10, he is a bit pudgy, so I am sorry that I was always forcing food on him. My pediatrician says that very few kids will actually starve themselves. If you leave them alone, they will eat what they need, even if it does not seem like much to you.
Our doctor suggested that we make sure our son gets a good breakfast and lunch. If he wont eat I try to give him chocolate milk made with Instant Breakfast to help with nutrients and calories.
This may not be an option on your sons' meds, but with my son I let him take a break from the meds one day a weekend. He usually eats good that day. Today was that day and he had two enchildas and sides for dinner and that's a lot for him. You have to get creative and encourage eating where you can. Also, don't forget the vitamins, my doc said they are important when they are not eating as much (the instant breakfast helps with that also)
Good luck!
I am concerned about my daughter possibly being adhd, would u mind forwarding the name of your doctor on to me, I want to get her checked but the doctor we have now just keeps saying.. "oh she's just a hyper child dont worry about it" what her doc fails to hear is that I am adha and bipolor and so is my daughters dad. If I can catch this thing before its bad I want to.
Hi!
My son was 6 when he was diagnosed, and already pretty thin, so we were very worried about his weight and appetite. We made a point of offering him Pediasure every morning, but calling it chocolate or strawberry milk. We had a rule that he had to eat at least 3 (I know that sounds pathetic!) bites of each meal. For lunches I did the same as one of the other mamas, basically a selection of snacks. Dinner was always an issue, but the main thing is not to turn it into a fight, no matter how frustrated you get. With our son that just made things so much worse. Our Dr. told us that the bedtime snack would be the key, so we gave him more Pediasure with peanut butter or cheese and crackers, fruit, things like that. He is nearly 11 now, still thin, but not underweight. I know it's hard, especially if you have other kids that shouldn't be eating every waking moment, but you will get into a routine. Hang in there, and best of luck to you!
Same issue here! My daughter actually lost 5lbs when we first start medicating 3 years ago (she is almost 9) and she has yet to gain anything beyond 2 lbs a year, but she isnt below the line so at least we are maintaining.
She loves PB&J and cheese quesadiallas. (I know I spelled that wrong!) She also loves yogurt and snacky crackers. I make quite a few of PBJs and ques every few days and put them in the fridge. You would be amazed at how much they will eat when what they like is ready and they can grab it themselves.
Another thing I found is that by about 9pm when her meds wear off she is really hungry and will eat and eat. We have thrown bedtime out the window for food. If she is hungry and is eating, she is allowed to stay up and snack. She makes up for a lot of calories she missed during lunch and dinner. Yes, she may not go to bed till 9:30pm, but she is getting the nutrition she needs.
For dinner, if she doesnt like what we are eating after trying at least a few bites, she is able to get something of her choice. I feel when working with a child who needs to gain weight, some things are less important, like teaching your child to eat what is on the table.
Her doctors have said that although this isnt the perfect plan, what she does like to eat does have nutrients and let her eat it if that is what she wants.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do. It definitely is a daily battle and you cant keep it to the back of your mind.
My first thought would be to offer food much later than usual because his meds will have worn off and he will be more likely to be hungry. Concerta tends to last about 10 hours. More dinner to a later hour and serve high protein foods that you know he likes. Then, start a bed time snack routine where you make him another something right before bed. It is hard to eat when you aren't hungry but I bet if you let him eat later it will be easier for him to want to eat. Good luck and glad he is doing well!!
I am not in the same situation, but my son had weight issues. And eats very little. Our GI dr had a nutritionalist who recomended 2 instant breakfast per day for the calories and nutrition. Offer high protein and healthy choices and make every bite count.
Sound like the others tjat have been in your situation have some good advise as well. Good luck.
