Starting Strattera

[Guest guest]

Hello All,

We saw Luke's psychiatrist this past Thurday and we have

decided to try Strattera for his ADHD. While on Methylin SR(generic

ritalin), he began to experience tics. I took him off for a period

of time and his ticks seemed to decrease dramatically. I was forced

to give it to him again because he went back to school. He needed

it to pay attention in class. Within 10 days , the vocal tics came

back. He controls them at school, but saves it for the home.

Before Luke started Ritalin he periodically had some jerking

movements of his head but it wasn't that bad. Now he has quite a

bit of jerking movements of his head and neck along with the vocal

squeeking. That Thursday, I got the official opinion from the doc

that he is very sure that Luke also has TS. First OCD... then

ADHD....Now TS. How wonderful! A year ago, it was so hardly

noticable that you couldn't really say he had tics. Today, it is

another story.

I am very aware of everyone else's horrible experience with

Strattera, but I feel I have to give it a shot. I have copied all

mailings about the side effects. I am watching him like a hawk and

will stop it immediately if something bad happens. A mom from the

OC Foundation says that Strattera worked for her son with no side

effects. I have to see if Luke can be one of those kids. These

vocal tics need to go away. For the first two weeks, I am giving

it to him at night, then I will switch him to days. Hopefully he

will experience less side effects that way.

Right now I could just scream! I am so angry and there is no

thing toward I could direct my anger. After the conference and all

the reading I have done, I felt that I have come to understand and

how to fight OCD successfully. Now Luke has to deal with TS. What

a pain! I guess now I get to go to another web site to learn about

TS. Right now, I am not in the mood.

The only concellation I have is that Luke's case of OCD/ADHD/TS

is not as severe as others with these disorders. He seems to control

it fairly well at school. He is finally starting to use what his

therapist has taught him.

Thanks for letting me vent. After I cool down, I will get back

to the reading and researching. I already know about Dr. Mansueto's

(sp?) research about " Touretic OCD " and the increased difficulty in

treating people with multiple disorders.

BTW, it looks as if there are two Luke's with OCD on this site.

I hope we are not confusing you.

Therese- Mom

Luke age 10

From Ohio- GO BUCKS!