Comments on: More Resources on Problems With the Daytrana ADHD Patch

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:38:24 +0000

Mary Ellen,
Glad to have helped. Another possibility is that the dose should be stronger during the day or stronger earlier in the day. Kids metabolize the medicine at different rates. My daughter is a “slow metabolizer” and so I need to get the patch on her quite early in the morning (about 6 am) to make sure that she’s focusing by the start of school. She also was on 15mgs at first. She stayed on that higher dose for most of the school year last year. Then after the standardized tests, and after her behavior had changed so significantly I thought it would be OK to try a lower dose, we switched to 10 mgs. She was successful then on the lower dose, whereas she needed the higher dose when we started her on the med. So she’s been on 10 mgs ever since (not summer). However, she might need to go up to 15 again, as she weighs more now and is a year older. Just some thoughts — hang in there!

By: maryellen

maryellen — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:56:03 +0000

Jen, thanks so much for your posting; the emotional support I derive from this board is so important. My heart breaks and tears come to my eyes watching my son go through these medication trial and errors.

Just a few minutes prior to reading your post, I had decided to quit the patch (I sent him to school on his few last pills); but now, I think I might try it again. Perhaps while I’ve been battling the liner, some of the med has been removed with adhesive…..and I probably should give it a week’s try. It’s just been quite difficult for him and for his teachers and as a mother, its very hard to stand by waiting for the adjustment to end…….Thanks again Jen, very much!

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:26:29 +0000

Mary Ellen, pop the patch into the freezer for a minute or so and the backing will peel right off. If you fight with it your hands get warm and then no way will it come off. In fact, you might be peeling the medication off as well as the backing if it doesn’t come off easily and smoothly.

I found that it took a few weeks to really see the effect of the patch. You might want to give it a week or two. But if it really irritates your son’s skin then maybe it’s not the right med for him. Good luck!

By: Maryellen

Maryellen — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:12:12 +0000

Jacklyn, thanks for your post. Now I don’t feel so alone. My 7 y/o son has severe ADHD andhe just cannot function in school w/out mess. We just switched from Ritalin pill to daytrana patch, in hopes of finding a more evenly distributed and private med (less ups and downs between pills and no more mid day trips to nurse). Well the first 2 days were tough behaviorally and today, day 3, they asked me to pick him up from school-he could not hold it together. He finally admitted to having scratched off patch today- it was too itchy! And I paid $150/30 patches. I hate to go back to pill cuz he seemed too withdrawn to me and he lost his unique personality….& I curse all morning long until I get the damn backing off…..this ADHD is so difficult.

By: Julie

Julie — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:38:06 +0000

I am cracking up reading your response. We started the patch yesterday and I am already DONE with it. I totally agree with you on all of the issues. My daughter was on Concerta and doing great except for a MAJOR sleeping issue. Well, guess what? We were up until midnight again last night. I removed it at 5:30. Paid $60.00 copay for a worthless med. I guess that tomorrow, I’ll also get up at 5am so I can get the med in her system before school starts. What the heck? Who thinks this is a good idea? I put her patch on 3 1/2 hours ago and it is just now STARTING to work.I’ll be calling the pediatrician tomorrow. I can’t do this.

By: samantha

samantha — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:11:49 +0000

Wow, i live by the patch with my son. jacklyn did you ever think maybe your son has a secondary condition that you can see clearer since its not clouded by the adhd? They say MOST kids/people develop a secondary mental illness with ADHD. My son has ADHD, ODD & a mood disorder. All of the things you described your son was doing is exactly what my son does w/o any meds. Also your frustration doesnt help matters, maybe the patch isnt for you or your son. i have had the same problems from time to time but deal with them becuz the meds work for my son. he too was being suspended in kindergarten being threaten to be expelled. there is help in the school district for that laws to help with school. he CAN have an aide, its the law, try to get a 504 plan or an IEP to accomadate that. you have to be in it for the LONG haul, fight for your son or it gets no better. Now you have help with your husband at least i hope you do. i am a SINGLE parent dealing with my son & his issues along with 2 other children. you have to be patient, find the right meds for your son & fight fight for your sons rights even if it frustrates you, which it will but the end result will be joyful. Hang in there and need to change the additude and negativity or nothing will work.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:39:37 +0000

I am so sorry that you have had such a bad experience with this patch. I don’t know how old your son is or his weight and how that may be affecting his reactions to the medicine. I have not had any of the side effects that you spoke of and my son has been on it last school year and so far this school year and still has not had any issues with it. I hope you can find something that works.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:37:29 +0000

I feel the exact same way, my son is in 4th grade and started his patch last school year and things did a 180 and he is doing so well in school now. He can focus on his work and be able to show how smart he actually is.

By: Marian

Marian — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:00:42 +0000

An update. My son started the patch at the beginning of August, school started at the end of August. He had his ineterim report card last week and had mostly A’s and 2 B’s in reading and spelling! On top of that, the teachers are very happy with him. “he is one fire” said his math and science teacher (5th grade). He raises his hand to answer any question I ask. He is also excelling in his football team. Normally he would play well 50% of the time, the other 50% would be like he was watching the game not participating. A few weeks ago he was crying. When I asked what was wrong he told me he had so much homework, he felt overwhelmed. we talked for 10 minutes and then he started his homework. This was so great! No hysterics, no over reactions, a real conversation! And he handled it so well. 5th grade is a bad year for homework in our school. But he dealt with his feelings and emotions in a rational, normal way. I just wanted to share, partly because it is such a relief after years of him struggling, being upset, and my heart breaking.

By: Marian

Marian — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:54:00 +0000

When something that seems so promising doesn’t work for you it is beyond frustrating and upsetting, even more so when you pay out of pocket for it. I have the same type of feelings for all the other meds we have tried for my son! All the tears and money we spent. For us this patch is a wonder patch..why? Because it works…for my son! You will find something that will work for you too. It is a long and frustrating process. Also with growing children something that works great suddenly stops working and then you are back to square one. I personally HATEd the birth control patch just for the reason you mentioned you liked it (having to stay on for a week). It caused me pain and aggrevation. On top of that I had a period every 2 weeks. So for me that didn’t work. I hope you will find something soon that will work for your son. I also hope soon that medications and health care costs will become affordable for all people, one way or another. There are way too many people in your situation and way too many one lay-off away from that (like myself).