Just started with Strattera

[losingmysanity]

:(Hi.. My son age 11, 70 pounds (small for his age) has just started Strattera. I'm really hoping it will work. It was just approved for use in Canada in late March, so we asked the doc to put him on it. Previously he was on Ritalin, but only .5 mg three times a day, because he also has Tourettes and it aggravates the tics too much.
He started at 10 mg for two weeks, then went to 18 mg for two weeks, and now he's been on the 25 mg for about 4 or 5 days. It doesnt seem to be doing anything as yet. He cant keep a thought in his head, and he's tearing around and yelling like a banshee. I really am hoping to stick with it though. He goes to see the doctor in a couple of weeks for a progress report. Anybody else had a similar experience? Maybe just needs a higher dosage? Thanks all

[Linda]

I know so little about strattera...did you visit there website?

www.strattera.com

[sportsmom]

LMS

Here is a formula for you do use to determine your ds strattera dosage:

weight divided by 2.2 X 1.2 = lowest dose

weight divided by 2.2 X 1.8 = highest dose

Your ds lowest is 38 mg and highest is 57 mg so it sounds like you still have some ramping up to do. I would use 40 mg as a target dose and see how it goes from there. Unfortunately it takes a few weeks for you to see results from strattera but once you do it is great. You will know when you son needs an increase because of his behavior. My son is at 50mg (25mg in morning and 25mg at night) but I am seeing some behavior problems so I think it is time to increase. Good luck and let us know how it is going.

[Amsmom]

cheryl, thanks for that great info!!

losingmysanity, i really hope it helps. best of luck, fingers are crossed for you and your ds. please keep us posted.

[sweety]

I have been on strattera for several months. It seems to work well for me. The only problem I have is I CAN NOT drink any kind of caffeine with in in the morning. Gives me real bad hand tremors and a bad case of agitation. Does your son drink sodas? Mountain Dew, Pepsi, Coke and Dr Pepper have LOTS of caffeine in them and this could aggrivate his banshee tendencies. (I know being 11 doesn't help, I have a 10 1/2 year old girl myself who can do a pretty good imitation of a banshee. She is on Concerta 45mg every day) If he does drink sodas keep them away from him and see if that helps.

[losingmysanity]

Thanks everybody for your help... nope, we dont let him drink pop or anything with caffeine.
He mostly drinks juice or water. Once a week or so we let him have a non caffeinated pop for a treat.
I am sure the doctor started so low, because nobody here in Canada has tried this yet. We started it as soon as it was approved for use here.
I'll update after our visit. I'm really hoping this works. I'd like to get him of Ritalin (but if it turns out to be the only thing that works, so be it).

[tridlette]

Try this site for Straterra info...

millermom.proboards23.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1067310659

Millermom was one of our old members, and when our original web site was sold, we all went scrambling for a place to learn and share.

Simultaneously, her site and this site were started. She was really the Straterra information mine. She has more experience with it than the rest of us combined.

Good luck!

Laurie

[losingmysanity]

Wow MillerMom has everything in there. That is a fantastic post that she summarized. I have searched that site for "strattera" before but havent found that thread. A million thanks for the tip

[finnmom]

losingmysanity, GOOD LUCK

I´ve heard some of those that use strattera, seem´s like it help´s with impulsivity etc. but sometime´s it´s not so good in concentration-wice.... I think the only way is try it out.

[tridlette]

So many of us here assisted with the research on the Straterra, reporting the results of our own or our children's experiences.

I am a little prejudiced, I like this site better, but she really does have a gold mine of information!

Glad I could help you out!

Laurie