Re: Straterra and seratonin syndrome

[Guest guest]

Hi Ellen, Straterra is not an SSRI and I don't think can have an effect in

causing serotonin syndrome. I'm not a doctor, so I suggest you speak with

your pharmacist about Straterra and any risk of serotonin syndrome--for me

facts go a long way toward dispelling any fears or worries I may have.

Re " too many meds " --I felt the same way back when the doctor suggested

adding a small dose of a second SSRI to my daughter's zoloft--and again when

he wanted to add Risperdal to the two SSRIs. I know none of these are ADD

meds, and my daughter's never taken Straterra, but it still seemed way too

much medication for such a little girl at the time--6.

So, she was on all three of these meds for about three years, and it made a

wonderful difference in her quality of life, OCD symptoms lower than they

had been to that point, she began doing well in school, could sit still and

pay better attention, self-esteem and feelings of mastery of OCD rose, etc.

What helped me make this decision in light of my fears of long-term

consequences, was imagining explaining to my daughter, years from now when

grown, just why I chose to withhold a med her doctor thought could help.

She was already a master cross-examiner, Yikes! But I realized I was trying

to make this important decision on her behalf, based for the most part on

disasterizing, uncomfortable feelings, and what-if worries--yes very

OCD-like thinking as you point out!

She was on all three meds when she went through a year and a half of CBT/ERP

with an expert therapist at a childrens' anxiety clinic attached to a

university, a resounding success.

More recently, we were able to gradually withdraw the second SSRI and later,

the Risperdal, and she continues to do well with minimal symptoms a year

later. Our experience was, she needed those meds during that time to

function, be comfortable and happy, be successful at school, and be able to

work hard in therapy. They normalized her life. Later, she did not need

some of them any longer, so they were discontinued, but it was the right

decision to give them during those three years. If things change, and she

begins struggling again, we'll certainly consider restarting them.

So my point is, you don't know until you try, and medication does not have

to be forever. A trial of Strattera or any other med is just that, a chance

to try it out and assess positives and any negatives. Then the decision to

use the med or not can be based on reality and known facts of its effect in

your particular child, rather than general worries and fears. IMO a child

dxed with OCD and ADD who:

> hates school, and her anxiety is up because of it. She tries very hard,

> but concentrating is hard for her. She doodles and daydreams alot

> and needs alot of help at school. I don't know what to do.

is struggling and suffering unnecessarily when there are medications that

may help, suggested by both the pdoc and therapist, that have not been tried

yet. Have you thought of the long-term consequences of your daughter's

current attitude toward and failure feelings about school? There are

potential consequences to everything, not just in the issue of giving or

withholding medications IMHO.

HTH, sorry this got so long,

Kathy R. in Indiana

----- Original Message -----

> We are again thinking about adding strattera to the lexapro for our

> dd who has OCD and ADD. For some reason, I am so terrified about it!

> She really needs some help, I dont know why I am so worried about

> it. (OCD on my part????) I worry about seratonin syndrome,

> seizures, mania,..... Our pdoc says we should try it, and so does

> our CBT therapist. I am not worried about short term side effects,

> just long term ones. It was hard enough putting her on one med, but

> two??? And especially a new one like strattera, without a lot of

> years behind it. I was wondering it anyone has any advice or

> experience on this one. I keep procrastinating on this. She hates

> school, and her anxiety is up because of it. She tries very hard,

> but concentrating is hard for her. She doodles and daydreams alot

> and needs alot of help at school. I don't know what to do.

>

> Thank you all for sharing your success stories. They really help keep

> us staying positive. Thanks. Ellen

[Guest guest]

Hi Ellen-

I wanted to echo Kathy R.'s post about treating our children to help

them with their struggles. About six months ago we, too, were

facing the question of added medication for our daughter, 13...OCD,

ADHD(inattentive), and diabetes (insulin...the diabetes was *just*

diagnosed in February, so you can imagine we were feeling pretty

overwhelmed). Anne is on Lexapro, also, for her OCD (diagnosed in

October 2002). Like your daughter, Anne STRUGGLED with schoolwork,

not because she was unable to *do* the work, but because the ADHD

made concentration SO difficult; organization was haphazard at best;

and she was really taking a hit to her self-esteem. She began

Concerta on March 26, and we immediately began seeing changes.

Better yet, Anne noticed it as well... " even when I forget, I

remember I forgot! " is one of my favorite quotes from her.

Anne was on Concerta for the last quarter of her seventh grade year,

and for the first time during middle school, she was able to make

her goal of honor roll *without* my constant prompting, return trips

to school for forgotten items, and with her own organization. What

a terrific boost for her self-esteem. Anne chose to stay on

Concerta over the summer because she found it to be so helpful.

This year, she is doing better in math than some of her peers who

used to 'tower' over her in their knowledge and ability in

math...again, without my hovering! Treating her inattentive-ADHD

was one of the single-most effective and beneficial interventions we

have undertaken. She has more time to do the things she really

wants to do because she is able to concentrate. I would urge you to

give your daughter the opportunity to benefit from effective

treatment. Our p-doc told us that Concerta (and, I believe,

Strattera as well) was short acting, and that any benefit/adverse

effects would be gone by the next dose.

Having said that, I know how much we want the best for our children,

and I don't take any medication lightly. I just wanted to give you

a positive story about treatment of ADHD.

Blessings, and let us know what you decide and how things are going.

(Ohio)

Anne (13...14 in 3 weeks!!! with OCD since 10/2002-on Lexapro 15mg

alternating with 20mg; ADHD on 36mg Concerta; and diabetes...which

she continues to manage well on 4 shots of insulin a day).

[Guest guest]

Hi Ellen-

I wanted to echo Kathy R.'s post about treating our children to help

them with their struggles. About six months ago we, too, were

facing the question of added medication for our daughter, 13...OCD,

ADHD(inattentive), and diabetes (insulin...the diabetes was *just*

diagnosed in February, so you can imagine we were feeling pretty

overwhelmed). Anne is on Lexapro, also, for her OCD (diagnosed in

October 2002). Like your daughter, Anne STRUGGLED with schoolwork,

not because she was unable to *do* the work, but because the ADHD

made concentration SO difficult; organization was haphazard at best;

and she was really taking a hit to her self-esteem. She began

Concerta on March 26, and we immediately began seeing changes.

Better yet, Anne noticed it as well... " even when I forget, I

remember I forgot! " is one of my favorite quotes from her.

Anne was on Concerta for the last quarter of her seventh grade year,

and for the first time during middle school, she was able to make

her goal of honor roll *without* my constant prompting, return trips

to school for forgotten items, and with her own organization. What

a terrific boost for her self-esteem. Anne chose to stay on

Concerta over the summer because she found it to be so helpful.

This year, she is doing better in math than some of her peers who

used to 'tower' over her in their knowledge and ability in

math...again, without my hovering! Treating her inattentive-ADHD

was one of the single-most effective and beneficial interventions we

have undertaken. She has more time to do the things she really

wants to do because she is able to concentrate. I would urge you to

give your daughter the opportunity to benefit from effective

treatment. Our p-doc told us that Concerta (and, I believe,

Strattera as well) was short acting, and that any benefit/adverse

effects would be gone by the next dose.

Having said that, I know how much we want the best for our children,

and I don't take any medication lightly. I just wanted to give you

a positive story about treatment of ADHD.

Blessings, and let us know what you decide and how things are going.

(Ohio)

Anne (13...14 in 3 weeks!!! with OCD since 10/2002-on Lexapro 15mg

alternating with 20mg; ADHD on 36mg Concerta; and diabetes...which

she continues to manage well on 4 shots of insulin a day).

[Guest guest]

Hi Ellen-

I wanted to echo Kathy R.'s post about treating our children to help

them with their struggles. About six months ago we, too, were

facing the question of added medication for our daughter, 13...OCD,

ADHD(inattentive), and diabetes (insulin...the diabetes was *just*

diagnosed in February, so you can imagine we were feeling pretty

overwhelmed). Anne is on Lexapro, also, for her OCD (diagnosed in

October 2002). Like your daughter, Anne STRUGGLED with schoolwork,

not because she was unable to *do* the work, but because the ADHD

made concentration SO difficult; organization was haphazard at best;

and she was really taking a hit to her self-esteem. She began

Concerta on March 26, and we immediately began seeing changes.

Better yet, Anne noticed it as well... " even when I forget, I

remember I forgot! " is one of my favorite quotes from her.

Anne was on Concerta for the last quarter of her seventh grade year,

and for the first time during middle school, she was able to make

her goal of honor roll *without* my constant prompting, return trips

to school for forgotten items, and with her own organization. What

a terrific boost for her self-esteem. Anne chose to stay on

Concerta over the summer because she found it to be so helpful.

This year, she is doing better in math than some of her peers who

used to 'tower' over her in their knowledge and ability in

math...again, without my hovering! Treating her inattentive-ADHD

was one of the single-most effective and beneficial interventions we

have undertaken. She has more time to do the things she really

wants to do because she is able to concentrate. I would urge you to

give your daughter the opportunity to benefit from effective

treatment. Our p-doc told us that Concerta (and, I believe,

Strattera as well) was short acting, and that any benefit/adverse

effects would be gone by the next dose.

Having said that, I know how much we want the best for our children,

and I don't take any medication lightly. I just wanted to give you

a positive story about treatment of ADHD.

Blessings, and let us know what you decide and how things are going.

(Ohio)

Anne (13...14 in 3 weeks!!! with OCD since 10/2002-on Lexapro 15mg

alternating with 20mg; ADHD on 36mg Concerta; and diabetes...which

she continues to manage well on 4 shots of insulin a day).