[senco-forum] Ritalin vs Concerta

Concerta comes in a few dosage options:

Further re long term use of Ritalin:
There are now several long term studies on the use of Ritalin. Most of the
less favourable ones have been done on rats and not over a long term period
but doing what researches believe has 'mimicked' long term use. However,
there are in increasing numbers of reports coming through that state that
there are no long term ill-affects of medication. Do have a look at :
http://www.adders.org/index.html
and look under research for some studies into the use of stimulant
medications.
Amanda.

----- Original Message -----
From: "AJ Curry" <aj.curry216 at ntlworld.com>
To: "Simonides" <simon at pickhandle.freeserve.co.uk>; "Michelle Hazell"
<michelle.hazell at virgin.net>; <senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk>
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2003 9:56 PM
Subject: Re: [senco-forum] Ritalin vs Concerta

> Concerta comes in a few dosage options:
> 18mg, 36mg and the combination of the two (the most common) 54 mg. So, as
a
> rough guide, if a child was on a total of 60mg of Ritalin a day he will
> probably be better off taking the 54mg. If this is the case, it is a
less -
> hour for hour, dosage and so it is common for there to be a behaviour
> 'relapse'. It can settle but it may mean that the child will have to
> 're-learn' some of the behaviours that his medication was helping him to
> 'manage.'
> As for the comment re after 10 years he should come off (or words to that
> effect), the best way I have had this explained to me is this: glasses are
> there to help a difficulty and after 10 years of wear, you cannot presume
> that the child could suddenly see again. They are not a cure for a
> psychological difficulty but they are there to help 'normalise' a medical
> condition.
> For many, but not all, a slow and well supervised tailing off of
medication
> (possibly over several years) may help the child to learn to 'manage'
their
> difficulties on their own. For those children, it is often the learned
> appropriate behaviour over a period of several years that helps them to
come
> off of their medication. This does not mean though, that behaviour is the
> only issue - don't forget the symptoms ((lack of concentration,
impulsivity,
> hyperactivity (in some cases), complete disorganisation, poor short term
> memory, associated low self-esteem etc etc). So, this 'tailing off' is by
no
> way, suitable for all children. It is now widely accepted that up to 60%
of
> people with ADHD will carry their difficulties into adulthood. This will
> obviously differ in severity. It is not fair, simply because of people's
> opinion on the medication - often born out of ignorance or bad press, that
> they should come off, if it means that they will suffer. In my opinion,
and
> I am well -read on this subject but in no way a medical expert, it should
be
> down to the child, the family and the consultant to make those decisions.
It
> is not your life - it is theirs!
> Amanda C
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Simonides" <simon at pickhandle.freeserve.co.uk>
> To: "Michelle Hazell" <michelle.hazell at virgin.net>;
> <senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2003 8:44 PM
> Subject: Re: [senco-forum] Ritalin vs Concerta
>
>
> > Well, it's not our job to advise on medication! Personally, I'd be very
> > happy to see him taken off - 10 years is a very long time to be on this
> > drug. But, again, it's not our job to say as such - unless it comes up,
> say,
> > at an annual review.
> >
> > What other "interventions" have there been over the same time period
> (even,
> > he says in hope, for a bit longer)? How has he responded? What are his
own
> > observations on his altered behaviours? Does he accept a difference? Can
> he
> > own his difficulties? What are his plans for the next few years?
> >
> > Cheers
> > Simon
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Michelle Hazell" <michelle.hazell at virgin.net>
> > To: <senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk>
> > Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2003 8:27 PM
> > Subject: [senco-forum] Ritalin vs Concerta
> >
> >
> > Hello everyone-firstly apologies if this reaches the list twice but I
> could
> > really do with some help.
> >
> > I hope all you clever people out there can help me with a problem, one
> > of the students in my class is nearly 18 and up untill 2 weeks ago
> > taking ritalin twice a day (he has been on Ritalin for 10 years). He is
> now
> > taking the equivalent amount of
> > ritalin in the form of concerta. However his behaviour has taken a
> > decided turn for the worse, he is turning over chairs, intimidating
> > other children, shouting out innapproriate things and generally finding
> > his behaviour very difficult to control. He is a great guy, helpful,
> > funny and very likeable apart form these anti social aspects of his
> > behaviour
> >
> > I suppose what I am really asking is has anyone experienced these side
> > effects going from one drug to the other and what is the efficacy of
> > ritalin in the long term for this student?
> >
> > I really hope you can help
> > Michelle
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
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