Adderall -

[Guest guest]

Ellen - We saw the " anxiety " kind of all along I think- it was more of a

constant " anger. " It wasn't until we took the Adderall away and replaced with

antidepressants that the contrast was so visual. My daughter is older now (23)

and takes no medication. She hates the bipolar meds because of weight gain and

the " blunted " feeling with them. She actually maintains herself - she even

has a son and does very well. She has come a long way since " those days. " I'd

have the say the anxiety with Adderall was there all along, but we attributed

it to her " angry " mood and constant turmoil. As for Strattera, my son takes

this - Do I see a noticeable difference? It's hard to say. I do see it

helping anxiety, but I'm not quite so sure about attention - In his case, it's

hard

to tell how much of his inattention is caused by the anxiety and how much can

be attributed to ADHD. I will say though, by the end of the first week he

started taking it I walked in his room one day and he had every school book out

and was actually working on missed homework assignments - My son really has no

self-esteem when it comes to school and this was a HUGE milestone for him.

Since then, I think there's too much anxiety in the way. I know a lot of times

they'll add a small dose of stimulant to the Strattera - we haven't done this

because my son also has Tourette's so we've pretty much stayed away from the

stimulant medication. He also takes in addition to the Stattera - Zoloft and

recently added Abilify.

It's tough situation, it really is. You'll know rather quickly I think

whether the Adderall is a good match for her.

In a message dated 9/2/2005 10:50:09 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

musicgirl9395@... writes:

,

Thank you for sharing your experience with adderall. I will watch for

anxiety. A few years ago, my dd tried the regular adderall and it also

caused a lot of anxiety. I guess it did build up over time too, but

back then, we didn't see much of a positive response either.

How long did it take for your daughter to react anxiously to it? I am

wondering if it would help if we don't give it to her on the weekends.

Then she could have a chance to catch up on sleep. She likes to sleep

late in the morning.

I am hoping, but I guess I need to be cautiously optimistic. Boo

hoo...Has your daughter ever tried stratterra for ADD? Someone once

listed that it helped her child with OCD as well. I guess that would

be our next try.

Thank you. Ellen

[Guest guest]

I think the most incredible part is that as much trouble as she gave me

during those years, all those lectures, etc I gave her really were absorbed. I

hear her telling her brother every day if she knew then, etc... She really has

far exceeded my hopes and expectations - at her young age she owns her own

home and business. She has a son and prays and watches him every day for " the

signs " of what she had.

I went through hell raising her and must admit I'm a little more relaxed with

my other two - especially knowing how successful my daughter turned out in

the long run. It really is possible, but only with our help. We have to keep

pushing them and guiding them and eventually the pieces will fall into place.

Have a great weekend.

In a message dated 9/2/2005 2:32:22 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

musicgirl9395@... writes:

,

Thanks again. I am so glad to hear that your daughter is doing well

now as an adult. I am sure her challenges continue, but the fact that

she is managing on her own is just great. These stories give us all

hope for the future. Knowing that other kids with challenges learn

to deal with them in the world is wonderful to hear.

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks again. I am so glad to hear that your daughter is doing well

now as an adult. I am sure her challenges continue, but the fact that

she is managing on her own is just great. These stories give us all

hope for the future. Knowing that other kids with challenges learn

to deal with them in the world is wonderful to hear.

So far, the adderall seems really good. Less anger, less

frustration, more concentration, more happy, more calm......

Nighttime is hard, but it always has been. We will use

medication...the ambien was not good! Yesterday, when the adderall

wore off, she was moody, but before the adderall she was moody

often!!! She has also been sleep deprived because of school. I am

cautious, but remain hopeful. It was just such a pleasure for me to

see her happy. SHe was kissing me and thanking me for making the last

few days so great.

I have a son with special needs too - Asperger's Syndrome. He takes

the plain adderall, just a tiny bit. More and more I hear of

families with multiple kids with special needs. It gives me a little

comfort knowing that I am not alone, and that it is clearly genetic,

and not our fault.

I also get great comfort to hear of all the other families that have

to give their children all these medicines, as I think that is one of

the hardest things for me to do. Thanks you for sharing...Ellen