Hi.
My 5 yr old son just started Strattera for his ADHD on January 31st. He has been on Adderral since he turned 4. We had severe problems with his impulsivity, which is why we had to choose medication so early. ANYWAY...he's been on 5 mg for a year. Now that he's in school, we've had tremendous problems with his inattentiveness and his impulsivity (escaped from classroom, almost got hit by a school bus, wonderful report cards until the comments section which was VIAL!) So, I asked our pediatrician about re-evaluating him for a medicine increase and about getting some counseling so I could cope with his adhd better, but our pediatrician refused to increase his medicines, saying he didn't feel comfortable increasing medicine in a child so young. So, I contacted our local children's hospital and was referred to a wonderful child psychiatrist in our area. The psy. said that the 5 mg dose was insufficient for his size (52 lbs. 4 feet tall). So she started him on 18 mg for one week and then increased it to 25 mg this week. She said that she may need to go as high as 40 mg. of Strattera because he is "one of the most inattentive children she's ever seen in her care". However, she also kept him on the Adderall and has increased it to twice a day. She also increased the dose from 5 mg. to roughly 7 1/2 mg. two times a day. His teacher said that he was pretty out of it today, not acting like himself, too reserved and quiet. She noticed it last week, but he also had a stomache virus and so we don't know if that had anything to do with him not acting like himself. He HAS been complaining of sleepiness and tummy aches, so the psy. told us to give him the Strattera at night so that he'll sleep through any side effects.
My questions are...
1) Last week when he was on 18 mg, I did notice a good difference in his attention and sleep patterns, but as the week wore on it seemed to be less noticeable. The psy. said it would take a while to get in his system, so how could I be noticing a change already?
2) I read on here a few weeks ago a formula for the dosage for Strattera. I can't find it now. I was hoping that the person who posted the formula before could do it again. I think it's something like multiply the body weight by 2.2 or something and then divide. I can't remember. So, if I could get the formula for Strattera I would appreciate it.
3) ALSO, if anyone can advise me if they think this is too much medicine (25 mg. Strattera and 7.5 mg. of Adderral 2 times a day) for my 5 year old. She just wants him taking the Adderral during the school week because he needs the extra "shot" of attention during the day.
4) How long will it take for me to see a difference? Could I be seeing a difference already? Will the "zoned out" effect wear off when this medicine gets in his system well? I have NO idea.
thanks. I've been doing this for a year, but feel brand new at it.
Valarie
Momof2inSC38392.6605092593Strattera with other adhd med. seems to much to me. We haven't tried any stimulants either.My Dr. doesn't want to.I think meds help some, but all these people should see a neurologists to make sure a proper diagnoses.A lot of wrong diagnosing to is going on .Coping/how to concentratate should be taught also.
Marshall arts I herd great for everyone like this.
I am also asking the school for full reassement of our son.I feel more than adhd is his problem also.
Zoning out isn't part of this disorder our psychologist told us. We use depakote to solve that at same time with other medacine.He says could be a seizure disorder.Not all seizures show up on EEG's either or maybe didn't have one then.Seems working for him. Still bad ,but we all have these.rshn
I understand what you r are saying, RSHN, but I beleive we are using the same term to describe two different things. The zoning out I referenced was a sedate state caused by a strong dosage of the meds. It is not a seizure. The child is not lethargic and can interact with others, he or she just seems indifferent to participate or comunicate.
Yeah, that's pretty much it Tpegeory. He zones out and gets hyperfocused on something and it's..."see ya later."
Thanks Mari. From what the chart says, his doctor has him at the right dose, as long as she doesn't go up on it again. Thanks so much!!!!!
Valarie
http://www.johnswank.com/strattera_dosing_chart.htm
Valerie-
I have pasted a dosing chart for you above that I found searching the web. My 9 yr. old is currently on Strettera and I'm having problems with dosing. I thought this would help and good luck.
Thanks,
Mari
First, it is normal to continue the Aderall (or any other stimulant drug) use when first starting Strattera. The Strattera works like the stimulant drugs, but it is not a stimulant. It is not a narcotic. It has to accumulate in the body before it will become effective, and to do so, the user will continue the former drug treatment for three or four weeks before measuring the effectiveness of the Strattera. Afterwards, the child may or may not need a stimulant "booster" to supplement the Strattera.
Second, the "zoned out" effect seems to indicate he is over-medicated. For all children, it is a trial and error process to get the right dosage. For meds such as Strattera, it is based on weight. For stimulant meds, it is based on weight, age, AND perceived absorption levels. Some child may be on 100 mg of Ritalin while another child the same age and weight may only be on 20 mg. The result is the same for both children. It has to do with the body's ability to absorb and respond to treatment. I would consult (confront!) the doctor immediately.
Here is my experience with dosage: too little dosage and the meds take little if any effect. Too much meds and the child is overly emotional. Way too much meds and the child is a zombie.
If you just started the Strattera, you would not be seeing the effects yet. Do your own experiement. Skip the afternoon pill and see if once a day is enough. If he's still too zoned out in the mornings, put that pill in half and give half in morning, half in afternoon. You will get farther faster if you help determine the correct dosage. Certainly discuss with your doctor if you are uncomfortable doing this. In my case, the dosage we had wasn't working and I had to help speed things up. The school was giving me grief about my little tyrant who made straight A's.
tperegoy38397.4392361111
If he is zoning out, and acting as if he's in a different world, then I think his doasge might be too high. i am 21, 5'4" & 110lbs, and I take 80 mg of strattera. (thats two 40mg capsules) Sometimes I feel zoned out, so I take a break and just take 40 mg, but I always go back to 80.
Valerie-
No problem I myself know what your going through and I sometimes feel as if I've opened pandoras box, so many questions and not enough answers. I believe we parents should stick together because it takes a village to raise a child. Keep your head up and keep plugging along.
Take Care-
Mari
Thanks Tperegoy,
I called my son's psychiatrist this morning and told her about my concerns. She said that we would back down to 18 mg. of Strattera for the next few weeks and see how it goes. Also, she said that the reason why she changed his medicine from Adderall XR to Adderall was because giving him 2 doses of XR PLUS the Strattera was too much medicine. So, we're going to try the 18 mg. of Strattera and the 5 mg. of Adderall 2 x a day and see how it goes.
Your advice was extremely helpful! THanks so much.
Valarie
My 10 year old son just started taking Strattera. He was on 10mg for three days, then 20 for three days, now he's on 30 for three days.. and he'll begin his normal dose of 40mg everyday.
He seemed a little wigged out the first few days on the meds, but that's gone away. At times I do notice him being more focused, but only on the meds for about a week now.. not noticing a whole lot of difference.