Straterra and Restless Sleeping | ADHD Information

Hi-

My dd who is 5 1/2 just began Staterra (after trying Ritalin and Adderall with too many side effects).  We are taking 10 mg at night (and working towards her target dosage of 25 mg). 

She has slept with me the past 2 nights and I have noticed that she is VERY restless... moving around, shaking off the covers, talking in her sleep.  Has anyone else experienced this?  If so, did it go away.  I have a call into her psych, but I was just curious given that I didn't read this as on of the side effects on the package.

Thanks-

Suzi

I have been on Strattera two days. The first day it knocked me out. Drowsiness? No..no how about passed out. So yesterday I took it at bed time. I slept maybe an hour. I was fully awake the other six hours. I'm not sure what to do today.

The odd thing is I am a grown (read not petite like a child at all) woman. I didn't expect the side effects to be so fierce.

I think I'll give it another go this morning AFTER I drive to work. If I have to pass out again at least I won't crash my car

susanmarcil, were you told to try your daughter's meds at night first to see if it made her drowsy? I have read that first timers should do that and then when (if) the drowsiness subsides take it in the a.m.
My son just started on Strattera. He had been on Ritalin LA (time release) Was horrible on that medication. My doctor told me that Strattera will take at least 3-4 weeks to get into his system good. Has anyone else had this experience? What should I expect? He's had no side affects so far that I have noticed. Any advice will be appreciated!

kay's mom-

Our psych is having us give it to our dd at bedtime for the first 11 days (as we gradually up her to the target dose).  When we reach the target  dose, then she will take it in the am.  She did this to combat the drowsiness that is common when you first start taking Straterra.

My dd isn't having problems falling asleep or with night wakenings, just that she seems to be restless in her sleep.  When we reach the target, I will try it in the am on a weekend to see how she reacts.

Suzi

unfortunately disturbed sleeping and insomnia is a very common side effect for strattera.  I had severe insomnia, and I hate to be the "voice of doom" here, but I stayed on strattera and tried to "wait it out" for about six months, for the side effects to wear off, but they never did, they got worse and worse.  and they also got worse with each "upping" of the dose.  You may find, that if your daughter is restless in her sleep now, she may wake all the way up, and stay awake once you try to up the dose to her target.   I had to come off of the strattera.....

I know lot's of people who don't like it, but maybe if you give it a little longer chance, it may "even out" for your daughter...

I am a small statured woman, and I notice that I had a lot of side effects on strattera that many children have.  I really hate to see such a young little child go on it, although it does work for some of them.  But maybe your little girl will be different, and she will turn out to be one of the "success" stories for strattera...

Our son is on strattera and his sleeping has improved. His side effects have decreased over time.He grew and gained weight since on it in Nov. 2004He must before it though or gets upset stomach though. He has other issues besides adhd. Some are on the list 50 conditions that mimic adhd.I didn't want to medicate at all. Why, it did little good for me when I was in school.I think they should be able to deal with the kids like they are. Teach to their style. So far I don't like anything I am hereing about any of these meds on this cite. I believe like the how to learn cite long term you find out no major help.I did just to give a try. Why not teach like montessorie does. cafateria foods need to be healthier which would help. Our kids won't eat a lunch from home. They want what the others have. GP pays the bill not me.daniel's mom38444.8958217593

Susan,

My son takes his Strattera in the morning.  He has no problems with restlessness during the night.  Perhaps since she's taking it at night it's disrupting her sleep.

Good Luck!

My son has been on this medication for almost 2 weeks now. Sleeping soundly every night. Yesterday was their first day back since spring break and had a beautiful day! He was having it very rough when he was on Ritalin. Lets just hope this does the trick!

adts mom-

Well...I am in the same boat as you are.  We tried Ritalin LA and Adderall XR.  Both made my dd very depressed, irritable and moody.  While they worked right away for the ADHD symptoms, the side effects were just too much for me. 

We have really had no side effects yet with the Straterra (except the restless sleeping).  We have been on it a week, but very little change so far.  Our doctor said it could be as little as two weeks or as many as six to see the full effects.  How long has your son been on it?  Did he start low or at his target dose?

Suzi

I have been taking strattera for add and have experienced the same problem.  This is probably what causes the sleepyness that many seem to experience during the day.  I switched to taking it very early in the morning right after breakfast.  It helped alot but I've never been much of a sleeper anyway.

 

Zhang

I (grown woman) had odd dreams on Strattera and woke up every few hours (occasionally normal for me, but not all the time) but STILL could get out of bed at 5am no problems...felt totally refreshed, and I am a sleep til 10am if I can kinda gal. Also fell asleep WAY faster than normal. I took it around 6pm everyday. Its the one thing I miss about it, the rest of the side effects proved a huge pain in the bootie compared to its positive for me. Ask your daughter if she feels awake or refreshed...she still might be okay.