Re: 6.5 y.o. started Strattera - anyone else on it?

[Guest guest]

Andie,

I just got a handout from my own therapist about strattera...I don't know much about it...but it doesnt seem like shes been on it long enough to get its full effect.. And everyone reacts different to meds....I know this is no help but I was wondering about it for my own son. I will be following your letters to see how it is going...good luck I hope it works out for her and you.

Marcia

( ) 6.5 y.o. started Strattera - anyone else on it?

She doesn't seem to be benefiting from it in the least right now. We started very slowly with 10 mg every other day for 15 days, then 10 mg every day, then 10 one day, and 20 the next, and soon we will be up to 20 mg daily.

She was on Adderall 5 mg extended release, which seemed to at least help with impulsivity, although her mood changed from an almost manic happy (spaztic at times-seemed to have no control and made loud noises or banged on things, or hit or poked at people-but never in a mean way) child, to an aggressive grump as the meds wore off. She even seemed to be more cooperative than she is now. Now that we're up to alternating 10 and 20 mg, she's showing signs of anxiety more so than usual. Wondering if it's the med, or some other variable. Her appetite is definitely starting to decrease, which I know is a side effect, and I'm having to bump up her melatonin slightly so she can settle down and go to sleep. She's been getting up saying she's scared, and she follows me around the house a lot lately, which in uncharacteristic.

FYI she's about 40 lbs (tiny girl). I am on Strattera for inattentive-type ADD - or whatever you want to call this issue - but one thing I notice it really does for me is it stops the tornado of thoughts I usually have bouncing around in my head so I can better deal with external sounds. I do feel more sluggish on it though.

All I really want to know is if anyone has had experience with this med and how it worked. We are taking it slow, as I know we should, to try and avoid side effects as much as possible. Of course this means that until we finally reach a therapeutic level (IF we do!), she's pretty much on her own to deal with the impulsivity, distractability, being unable to complete school work, annoying friends, family, and classmates to the point of no one wanting to be around her, sensory issues are compounded (lots of spinning and chewing and sensory seeking in general - but irritated by noise and freaking about having her hair brushed again), the list goes on.....

I'M GOING NUTS! PLEASE, SOMEONE TELL ME WE'LL SEE SOME IMPROVEMENT SOON!!! Lie to me if you have to! Just kidding, of course I want the truth.

The psych said the next step is to go up to 30 mg, and if that doesn't show improvement, we'll go back to Adderall and throw an SSRI on top of that. *sigh*

Thanks for listening~

Andie

[Guest guest]

Marcia,

You're probably right. I'm sure we're not at a therapeutic dose yet. I recall

having some success with Strattera myself after maybe about 3 weeks (I think),

but then again, I titrated more quickly than I probably should have. I got very

tired each time we increased strength... in fact, I think it may be the reason

I'm still tired all the time! It also gives me horrible heart burn and makes me

feel nauseous if I don't take it with a full meal.

I don't know if this is wishful thinking, but I believe the child was a little

better today. Could also be because it's SATURDAY!! But she did play in her

soccer game, when just yesterday she was insistent upon quitting. She said

having all those people running around her freaks her out - maybe the Strattera

is starting to help. We'll see - and I will continue to post updates.

Andie

>

>

> Andie,

>

> I just got a handout from my own therapist about strattera...I don't know much

about it...but it doesnt seem like shes been on it long enough to get its full

effect.. And everyone reacts different to meds....I know this is no help but I

was wondering about it for my own son. I will be following your letters to see

how it is going...good luck I hope it works out for her and you.

>

> Marcia

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ( ) 6.5 y.o. started Strattera - anyone else on it?

>

>

>

>

>

> She doesn't seem to be benefiting from it in the least right now. We started

very slowly with 10 mg every other day for 15 days, then 10 mg every day, then

10 one day, and 20 the next, and soon we will be up to 20 mg daily.

>

> She was on Adderall 5 mg extended release, which seemed to at least help with

impulsivity, although her mood changed from an almost manic happy (spaztic at

times-seemed to have no control and made loud noises or banged on things, or hit

or poked at people-but never in a mean way) child, to an aggressive grump as the

meds wore off. She even seemed to be more cooperative than she is now. Now that

we're up to alternating 10 and 20 mg, she's showing signs of anxiety more so

than usual. Wondering if it's the med, or some other variable. Her appetite is

definitely starting to decrease, which I know is a side effect, and I'm having

to bump up her melatonin slightly so she can settle down and go to sleep. She's

been getting up saying she's scared, and she follows me around the house a lot

lately, which in uncharacteristic.

>

> FYI she's about 40 lbs (tiny girl). I am on Strattera for inattentive-type ADD

- or whatever you want to call this issue - but one thing I notice it really

does for me is it stops the tornado of thoughts I usually have bouncing around

in my head so I can better deal with external sounds. I do feel more sluggish on

it though.

>

> All I really want to know is if anyone has had experience with this med and

how it worked. We are taking it slow, as I know we should, to try and avoid

side effects as much as possible. Of course this means that until we finally

reach a therapeutic level (IF we do!), she's pretty much on her own to deal with

the impulsivity, distractability, being unable to complete school work, annoying

friends, family, and classmates to the point of no one wanting to be around her,

sensory issues are compounded (lots of spinning and chewing and sensory seeking

in general - but irritated by noise and freaking about having her hair brushed

again), the list goes on.....

>

> I'M GOING NUTS! PLEASE, SOMEONE TELL ME WE'LL SEE SOME IMPROVEMENT SOON!!! Lie

to me if you have to! Just kidding, of course I want the truth.

>

> The psych said the next step is to go up to 30 mg, and if that doesn't show

improvement, we'll go back to Adderall and throw an SSRI on top of that. *sigh*

>

> Thanks for listening~

> Andie

>

[Guest guest]

Just watch out on Strattera. My son was on it twice and for the first 3 weeks he looked fabulous, then it turned ugly, causing gradual mood destabilization (like an antidepressant in a bipolar kid can do) and he was a raving lunatic, chasing us around with a steak knife.

I was daring enough to try it one more time, with a mood stabilizer on board the second time. It did the same thing, so we stopped it.

I haven't seen that happen with too many other kids though, but mine are just special I guess.

( ) 6.5 y.o. started Strattera - anyone else on it?> > > > > > She doesn't seem to be benefiting from it in the least right now. We started very slowly with 10 mg every other day for 15 days, then 10 mg every day, then 10 one day, and 20 the next, and soon we will be up to 20 mg daily.> > She was on Adderall 5 mg extended release, which seemed to at least help with impulsivity, although her mood changed from an almost manic happy (spaztic at times-seemed to have no control and made loud noises or banged on things, or hit or poked at people-but never in a mean way) child, to an aggressive grump as the meds wore off. She even seemed to be more cooperative than she is now. Now that we're up to alternating 10 and 20 mg, she's showing signs of anxiety more so than usual. Wondering if it's the med, or some other variable. Her appetite is definitely starting to decrease, which I know is a side effect, and I'm having to bump up her melatonin slightly so she can settle down and go to sleep. She's been getting up saying she's scared, and she follows me around the house a lot lately, which in uncharacteristic. > > FYI she's about 40 lbs (tiny girl). I am on Strattera for inattentive-type ADD - or whatever you want to call this issue - but one thing I notice it really does for me is it stops the tornado of thoughts I usually have bouncing around in my head so I can better deal with external sounds. I do feel more sluggish on it though.> > All I really want to know is if anyone has had experience with this med and how it worked. We are taking it slow, as I know we should, to try and avoid side effects as much as possible. Of course this means that until we finally reach a therapeutic level (IF we do!), she's pretty much on her own to deal with the impulsivity, distractability, being unable to complete school work, annoying friends, family, and classmates to the point of no one wanting to be around her, sensory issues are compounded (lots of spinning and chewing and sensory seeking in general - but irritated by noise and freaking about having her hair brushed again), the list goes on.....> > I'M GOING NUTS! PLEASE, SOMEONE TELL ME WE'LL SEE SOME IMPROVEMENT SOON!!! Lie to me if you have to! Just kidding, of course I want the truth. > > The psych said the next step is to go up to 30 mg, and if that doesn't show improvement, we'll go back to Adderall and throw an SSRI on top of that. *sigh*> > Thanks for listening~> Andie>

[Guest guest]

Please contact the prescribing physician if you continue to have concerns. Children can all react differently to medications. Some stimulant medications can cause negative reactions in children diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Pam

In a message dated 2/20/2010 9:28:51 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, andie6294@... writes:

Marcia,You're probably right. I'm sure we're not at a therapeutic dose yet. I recall having some success with Strattera myself after maybe about 3 weeks (I think), but then again, I titrated more quickly than I probably should have. I got very tired each time we increased strength... in fact, I think it may be the reason I'm still tired all the time! It also gives me horrible heart burn and makes me feel nauseous if I don't take it with a full meal.I don't know if this is wishful thinking, but I believe the child was a little better today. Could also be because it's SATURDAY!! But she did play in her soccer game, when just yesterday she was insistent upon quitting. She said having all those people running around her freaks her out - maybe the Strattera is starting to help. We'll see - and I will continue to post updates.Andie>> > Andie,> > I just got a handout from my own therapist about strattera...I don't know much about it...but it doesnt seem like shes been on it long enough to get its full effect.. And everyone reacts different to meds....I know this is no help but I was wondering about it for my own son. I will be following your letters to see how it is going...good luck I hope it works out for her and you.> > Marcia> > > > > > > > > ( ) 6.5 y.o. started Strattera - anyone else on it?> > > > > > She doesn't seem to be benefiting from it in the least right now. We started very slowly with 10 mg every other day for 15 days, then 10 mg every day, then 10 one day, and 20 the next, and soon we will be up to 20 mg daily.> > She was on Adderall 5 mg extended release, which seemed to at least help with impulsivity, although her mood changed from an almost manic happy (spaztic at times-seemed to have no control and made loud noises or banged on things, or hit or poked at people-but never in a mean way) child, to an aggressive grump as the meds wore off. She even seemed to be more cooperative than she is now. Now that we're up to alternating 10 and 20 mg, she's showing signs of anxiety more so than usual. Wondering if it's the med, or some other variable. Her appetite is definitely starting to decrease, which I know is a side effect, and I'm having to bump up her melatonin slightly so she can settle down and go to sleep. She's been getting up saying she's scared, and she follows me around the house a lot lately, which in uncharacteristic. > > FYI she's about 40 lbs (tiny girl). I am on Strattera for inattentive-type ADD - or whatever you want to call this issue - but one thing I notice it really does for me is it stops the tornado of thoughts I usually have bouncing around in my head so I can better deal with external sounds. I do feel more sluggish on it though.> > All I really want to know is if anyone has had experience with this med and how it worked. We are taking it slow, as I know we should, to try and avoid side effects as much as possible. Of course this means that until we finally reach a therapeutic level (IF we do!), she's pretty much on her own to deal with the impulsivity, distractability, being unable to complete school work, annoying friends, family, and classmates to the point of no one wanting to be around her, sensory issues are compounded (lots of spinning and chewing and sensory seeking in general - but irritated by noise and freaking about having her hair brushed again), the list goes on.....> > I'M GOING NUTS! PLEASE, SOMEONE TELL ME WE'LL SEE SOME IMPROVEMENT SOON!!! Lie to me if you have to! Just kidding, of course I want the truth. > > The psych said the next step is to go up to 30 mg, and if that doesn't show improvement, we'll go back to Adderall and throw an SSRI on top of that. *sigh*> > Thanks for listening~> Andie>

[Guest guest]

We tried Strattera with our now 8 and now 16 year olds; it was as if they did not take ANYTHING. I have a very close friend whose son took it about the same age (at the time we tried, as my 16 year old) and it was a dream for him and he has taken it about 8 years now, so one never knows. It is a great choice / option if it works as it is the one that does not have methylphenidate or amphetamines in it, as I recall, but it just doesn't work for all. If it works, then that would be great! Good luck. (PS. That is the truth for all meds---since we are all different---some things work so well for one and not for someone else---would sure be nice if one size fit all wouldn't it????!). Ruthie Dolezal

From: andie6294@...Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 02:28:42 +0000Subject: ( ) Re: 6.5 y.o. started Strattera - anyone else on it?

Marcia,You're probably right. I'm sure we're not at a therapeutic dose yet. I recall having some success with Strattera myself after maybe about 3 weeks (I think), but then again, I titrated more quickly than I probably should have. I got very tired each time we increased strength... in fact, I think it may be the reason I'm still tired all the time! It also gives me horrible heart burn and makes me feel nauseous if I don't take it with a full meal.I don't know if this is wishful thinking, but I believe the child was a little better today. Could also be because it's SATURDAY!! But she did play in her soccer game, when just yesterday she was insistent upon quitting. She said having all those people running around her freaks her out - maybe the Strattera is starting to help. We'll see - and I will continue to post updates.Andie>> > Andie,> > I just got a handout from my own therapist about strattera...I don't know much about it...but it doesnt seem like shes been on it long enough to get its full effect.. And everyone reacts different to meds....I know this is no help but I was wondering about it for my own son. I will be following your letters to see how it is going...good luck I hope it works out for her and you.> > Marcia> > > > > > > > > ( ) 6.5 y.o. started Strattera - anyone else on it?> > > > > > She doesn't seem to be benefiting from it in the least right now. We started very slowly with 10 mg every other day for 15 days, then 10 mg every day, then 10 one day, and 20 the next, and soon we will be up to 20 mg daily.> > She was on Adderall 5 mg extended release, which seemed to at least help with impulsivity, although her mood changed from an almost manic happy (spaztic at times-seemed to have no control and made loud noises or banged on things, or hit or poked at people-but never in a mean way) child, to an aggressive grump as the meds wore off. She even seemed to be more cooperative than she is now. Now that we're up to alternating 10 and 20 mg, she's showing signs of anxiety more so than usual. Wondering if it's the med, or some other variable. Her appetite is definitely starting to decrease, which I know is a side effect, and I'm having to bump up her melatonin slightly so she can settle down and go to sleep. She's been getting up saying she's scared, and she follows me around the house a lot lately, which in uncharacteristic. > > FYI she's about 40 lbs (tiny girl). I am on Strattera for inattentive-type ADD - or whatever you want to call this issue - but one thing I notice it really does for me is it stops the tornado of thoughts I usually have bouncing around in my head so I can better deal with external sounds. I do feel more sluggish on it though.> > All I really want to know is if anyone has had experience with this med and how it worked. We are taking it slow, as I know we should, to try and avoid side effects as much as possible. Of course this means that until we finally reach a therapeutic level (IF we do!), she's pretty much on her own to deal with the impulsivity, distractability, being unable to complete school work, annoying friends, family, and classmates to the point of no one wanting to be around her, sensory issues are compounded (lots of spinning and chewing and sensory seeking in general - but irritated by noise and freaking about having her hair brushed again), the list goes on.....> > I'M GOING NUTS! PLEASE, SOMEONE TELL ME WE'LL SEE SOME IMPROVEMENT SOON!!! Lie to me if you have to! Just kidding, of course I want the truth. > > The psych said the next step is to go up to 30 mg, and if that doesn't show improvement, we'll go back to Adderall and throw an SSRI on top of that. *sigh*> > Thanks for listening~> Andie>