Strattera / Ritalin | ADHD Information

ADHD / Anxiety has been diagnosed in 8yo DS Next step: He has to go to a psychiatrist to find out what is causing the anxiety and based on that the doc can tell us whether he suggests Ritalin (stimulant) or Strattera (non stimulant). Facing up to the decision to medicate scares me sh*tless. How can I put him through whatever medicating might involve, how can I NOT? I just want to see him happy. Any advice from you who have made the decision (to medicate or NOT to) would really be appreciated. Also what are the pros and cons of Ritalin and Strattera?

My 7ys old is also on strattera and like mariaven's son, my son too went through lots of mood issues and I too stuck with it cause I didn't want him on a stimulant and now he's been on it for about 5 mons I think and he is doing very well.

He's even catching up in school and he was very behind I didn't think he would still be caught up by the end of this year and in the last few mons he has learned a lot.

I don't regret medicating him but I do regret not doing it earlier.

Good Luck and hope any of this has helped you.

Thanks guys, it's a scary thing for me. I so desperately want to do the right thing for him. It's not that I'm against medicating per se but am scared if I make the wrong choice I can just make things worse for him, and like Young Mom's son he is very behind in school. I think last year's teacher just took a dislike to him in the end because of everything and I know my son underneath is a great kid. So I need to let that great kid out next year to show next year's teacher who he really is. Last year's teacher didn't see the good kid underneath, she just saw all the issues and difficulties and (I believe) subconsciouly held it against him, result being he really did not have a good year. Next year needs to be fab for him. Does that make any sense?

I completely understand you. I was also too scared about medicating and making the right choice. Well, there wasn't much of a choice for me in regard to medication due to my son's tendency to tic. I have also had many issues with teachers in my son's school. My worst story was a day that the class decided to make a Chrismas party in one of the kid's house and both teachers were invited. One of them started to talk about my son in front of all the other moms saying that she didn't know why my son was the only one who didn't blah, blah, blah,...... I remember getting in my car and starting to cry as crazy. I couldn't believe how cruel she had been. Sadly, I didn't know about this site at that time.

When I took the decision to medicate, I did it during a vacation period. That was in the summer. So it gave me more or less the chance to see how was my son tolerating the medication. If you decide to medicate with Strattera, keep in mind that it takes time to have an effect. It took my son about a month. Another important thing is to make sure to give the correct dose according to his weight. Among the side effects that I found I can mention: Stomach pain (only the very first days and not very bad), lack of appetite (I fought this with pediasure), and mood issues that I am almost completely convinced that have to do with the dosage and body weight. At the beginning my son wasn't in the correct dosage. It was changed three times. Up to know I have never heard my son talking about suicide or death (thanks God!!!). Strattera isn't the kind of med that you can stop for a vacation period. You have to take it all the time because it buids up in the blood. With stimulants is different, you can stop them when your son is not attending school.

Now I see a better child. He is not having behavior issues in school. His social aspect has improved tremendously, he is much better in the academic part although he still needs more concentration. I also complement the med part with therapies intended to help him socially and academically; he also attends karate and swimming lessons. I have seen good results. I also remind you that Strattera just works for 70% of patients.

I really wish you the best of lucks!! Keep us posted on your decision and you son's progress.

My son is on Strattera. He has been taking this for about four months. The last doc ( a neuroped) that is treating my son told me that it just works for 70% of patients. For my son, I think it is working. It is completely different to a stimulant because as the body gets used to it, it should have a 24 hour effect. The only thing that has been an issue with my ds is that there are many mood issues until the body gets used to the med. It is also extremely important that the dosage is correct, and it is determined strictly according to body weight. The mood issues have been the worst part, but definitely they have finally subsided. I think that the big problem with Strattera is that as the body gets used to it, there are some undesirable mood effects, probably this is why many people get discouraged with it and look for something different. In my case I had to stick to it because my son is prone to tics and stimulants worsen them.

If you have any other question about Strattera that I can help you with, I will be very glad to answer in order to help you.

Good luck!!!

my dd started adderal, but that was giving her stomachaches and insomnia. today is her first day on 2.5mg of ritalin at 8 am and noon, i'll let you know how it's going in a few days, or pm me if you have any questions:)

shelley

If you do decide to use meds research the choies( there are many) and the dosages. Strattera is dosed by wweight, Stims are not. It is important to get the right med at the right dose to get results, but the results are SO worth it. My son takes both Ritalin and strattera together.He takes 10 mg ritalin am along with 45 mg of strattera then 10 mg ritalin at 12 and another 10 mg at 4..havent seen much difference yet but could work for others

I was afraid, too, but it came to the point where I had no other choice. When we found the right med and the right dose, it was wonderful. His grades improved dramatically, and instead of being in trouble almost every day, he was making the teacher happy. I don't give it to him on the weekends, and one Saturday I asked him if he liked having a break from the meds. He said no, he likes how he feels on them. He's calm, in control, can think clearly, get along with others better. I read where others have said it's like putting on glasses and being able to see clearly for the first time after having spent your whole life stumbling around in a blurry fog.

It's not a magic wand, though. He still has his moments. He'll never be detail man, that's for sure. But what a difference!

Ogram...thanks for your response. I was in no way questioning the rules of the board...but because the post was deleted before I could see it, I didn't know if the poster was suggesting something useful to others or what. Thank you for clarifying the difference. I was not upset or trying to take a bad stand on anything. I simply had a question.

The difference is, there is not one thing on that site of luvs that has a single thing to do with ADHD. And she is not trying to sell her own pictures. It's a site that her son has. It's not about selling pics. He is a photographer in another state, I live in Texas, I'm not going to call him to do a photo shoot here for me. It's kind of "bragging rights". It's like putting pics of our kids on here

. I have my blog site in my signature, that is my bragging right. But, that is part of ADHDNEWS. If it did I would be the first one to say TAKE IT OFF. There are people on this board that prey on parents in the most desperate time of need. If we bend the rules for one, we would have to bend the rules for every one. That would be a lot of "free advertisement".

If you would like to advertise on this site, I can take your information and would be more than happy to get you a spot to do so for a small fee. I'm sure we could work some thing our.

There are some exceptions to the rules. There are people here that have their own sites that we allow to advertise them in their signatures. That is there because we conceder them our "sister sites". They offer a peaceful alternative to this board that some find just as, if not more "informative". Rules are rules. They are here for a reason. I am sorry that people are offend by them, but that is they way the world goes round. I find it offensive that people make such a big deal about rules. They are basic rules. Go to other boards and see how harsh they are. I am a member of other boards that have MUCH more strict rules that have no problem banning people for first time offenders. They have a banned list that has 100s on them. Sad, but true. Honestly, the rules here are not that harsh or hard to follow. It's just the principle of the matter. Adhere to them and we will all get along. If any one feels they should be allowed to "break one" pm luv and she will discuss it with you. A public discussion about it is not necessary.

I hope this helps. There is no need to be up set and make some bad stand on it. This is just the way things work, that is all.

Luvmykids02...just a question...What's the difference between what you told the women above and your website for Ericphotography. That site is selling pictures. I was just wondering...thought it was kind of the same thing.

Hi, I just recently pulled my 12 year old son off of Focalin because it gave
him facial tics. I just started Strattera. It took me a long time to agree to
meds, I tried more natural supplements some of which I am still giving him
but they were not enough to help with his inattentiveness. I welcome any
info on how other children are doing on strattera and if it really took a
month to work.I think I've kinded decided to try diet before ANY of the meds first! My youngest was put on a high fibre diet for constipation which we've all switched to - lo and behold, I think I'm seeing changes in my oldest! He really tried hard at his swimming lesson yesterday, he's gone to school today with a whole new attitude and has worked most of this afternoon on cutting out and sticking pictures in his book. Let's see .... ! (hold thumbs for me)Good luck Gutsy, and applause for trying to modify your son's diet before going to medication. I know many ADHD kids do need the meds, but IMHO prescription meds are wayyyy overprescribed today when eating correctly and moderate exercise can alleviate many health problems.

A woman I know has a child whose doctor recommended Ritalin, but she has had success with controlling her child's symptoms through diet. I know she limits dairy and gives her a combination of fish and flax oil as well as a multivitamin. I know them through the barn I ride at, so I'm sure the exercise helps out as well.

Personally, I've been vegan for the last 2 1/2 years, and I'm currently trying to eliminate most processed foods as well as varying my intake of grains, fresh fruits/veggies, protein and fortified soymilk/soy yogurt. I've heard that dyes in foods can have a big effect on some people, so I'm completely eliminating foods containing dyes from my diet. However I am also starting Concerta, today's my fourth day on it, so I definitely know that diet and lifestyle alone isn't quite enough for some of us.

Good luck to you and to all the other parents searching for solutions for their kids, as a newly diagnosed adult I can deal with my body getting used to the meds and manage the side effects, I can imagine it's scary and overwhelming to help your children through the sucky part before finding the right solution. My hat is off to all of you.
edbson,

David was on 25mg to start and he weighs 95lbs and I was supposed to
rachet up the dose after a couple of weeks but he got so depressed I took
him off. He has midterms coming up (7th grader) and I wanted him to feel
ok. Not the right time I guess. I might try again in February but am not sure
I want to put him through this initiation period.

Mariaven, I hope you do not mind my budding in but I would be reluctant to
put a child on Risperdal. There are side effects that can become permanent
and while it helps wtih impulse control and mood it subdues the child too
much. It is a very powerful medication.

Thanks Orphese,

Actually I am looking for all advice I can get. I haven't put him on Risperdal after it was prescribed. I am neither planning to do so. I am waiting for a second opinion on January24. Thanks a lot for your comment.

Lisab5560, please do not post links to websites that have books or anything else for sale. It is considered spamming. You can recomend a book but providing the link to the website is prohibited. Please refer to the rules of the message board. Thanks.

ADHD Message Boards: Rules - Please read before posting.

Thanks guys. He has his appointment with the psych on the first weekend in Jan. Hold thumbs for him!

Thank you so much for your input zeeland mom. After only 3 days on
Strattera I took him off of it becacuse he got so depressed and tired. Once
off the Strattera he was his usually teenage self. Still moody but not
depressed. I felt with midterms coming up this was not helping at all. I
spoke with the doctor who felt that it would be ok to give him focalin on test
days. I am now not sure where to turn at this point but maybe get a second
opinion from another doctor. However, the info is out there - almost all the
ADHD meds can cause tics or worse Tourette's except Strattera.

Yes, it can take 4-6 weeks to see results Once the target dose is reached. So overall 6-12 weeks depending on dosage and ramp period. Strattera is dosed by weight, 1.2-1.8 mgs per kilo, and has to be ramped up VERY slowly.

The problem with Strattera is that alot of people are started on Too HIGH of a dose, and they don;'t stick with it for long enough.

What you are describing is a classic side effect of a wrong dose, too high or too low can cause mood swings, depression etc. Don;t stop the med, get a correct dose, ramp it slowly and wait for results.

What is the dose, and what is your childs weight?

Ok edbson, let's see if you can help me :

Today is the sixth week after my ds dose was upped to 25mg. He weights 23kg. I definitely don't see improvement in concentration; moodiness and hyperactivity keep being an issue. I talked to his doc last week and he advised to wait these last days until the sixth week. My son was put on Strattera bcause of tics. Additionally he prescribed Risperdal to help in mood issues and increase appetite which I haven't done because I feel kind of scared about that additional med. I am also afraid about Strattera side effects in the long run. I feel like getting a second opinion but I am still skeptical about stimulants due to the tics.

Any suggestions??

Mariaven39085.848287037

first time posting. My daughter 16 has been on Strattera for a couple of years. At first it really helped but now it seems like there is very little that it does to keep her on task. We are looking at other med's. Hence the reason I am scoping out this board.

For her she seemed to really have a hard time getting used to the meds. A lot of sleepless nights, mood swings, etc until she was on it for a week or so. She also seems to forget to take her meds, so she will take them then forget them, etc. I am sure not good for her body and not good for the household. I wish you luck.