Newbie with Strattera question

[raingirl]

Hi there ,
I'm totally new to the whole ADHD issue. My son is 8 and we have been trying to treat him all this time for Sensory Integration Dysfunction (and made good progress with the sensory issues).

However, this summer I finally gave up on trying to go it "without medication." My son's hyperactivity (makes everyone nuts!!) and impulsivity have been keeping him from participating in too many things that a child should be able to experience.

So the doctor has him on a trial of Strattera. He's been taking it for about 5 weeks now and is on 40 mg/day (has been at that level for 1 week). I do see some improvement in the hyperactivity, but I have to say that I was hoping for something more dramatic/obvious. I "think" I see improvement, but there are so many times that he seems only slightly better than usual.

I know it takes some time for Strattera to kick in. Do I need to give it more time, or should I know by now if it's truly "right" for him? The doctor also said some kids take a small dose of a stimulant along with the Strattera. Is that a reasonable thing to try?

I've been very scared and wary of the medications for such a long time. But I'm at the point now where I'm more worried about my son missing out on/being successful at normal life.

By the way, he's a really terrific kid and VERY smart! I can tell you more sometime, but don't want my post to get too long.

Thanks loads,
Raingirl

[finnmom]

:)Raingirl and welcome to our site, I´am sure you´ll find lot´s of info and support from here.

First; all of us have been afraid of med´s, it´s natural and means that you really care of your child. Med´s do help some, but not all, so it´s usually a bit of a trial and error to find the right one for your child.

I have no first-hand experience of Strattera, but what I´ve learn from those in here, who do know about it, it take´s week´s to build up the therapeutic level.... 5 week´s doesnt seem so long, does your doc think you´ve reached the therapeutic level already, or will she/he still increase the dose? All I know is that it WILL take some time, so I wouldn´t be so worried yet... I let the other´s jugde that, thy know better...

Some have to use low dose of stm´s with strattera, because(and this is totally out of my hat, so other´s HELP ME ) I remember someone saying strat. is not so good with concentration as stim´s(even though it might help adhd-sumptom´s generally) but hese effect´s are always personal, every child is different so... you just have to wait and see how it goes.

Anyway, I know so little of strat. I cant help you more, but I´am sure you´ll get answer´s from other´s that can help. Welcome again!!!

[camismom]

Hey Raingirl.... my daughter took Stratt for a little while last year and what Marja siad is pretty much it. It takes at least four weeks to build up in your child's system before you will start to see full results. Some may take longer depending on metabolism. Remember too, or look into it if you don't know already, that the dosage is weight based. How much he weighs depends on his dosage amount, so don't let the doc start increasing just because benefits aren't being seen. Too high a dose can cause trouble. Last, yes, it is common for small doses of stims to be added to the Stratt and in everyone I've know that tried it, it was quite effective...my child included. For some kids Strat hasn't helped as much with concentration, others hyperactivity. Each child is different, you'll have to monitor yours to see if either apply. If he is doing well all the way around than the stim wouldn't truly be needed.

One other thing... be sure to give him the Strat with something on his stomach. It can cause stomach upset. That's why my dd stopped taking it because she's not a big eater and it was keeping her sick.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[tridlette]

hi! Welcome aboard. I had my son on Strat for about 5 months, and saw immediate improvement, which is quite UNcommon. He stopped due to adverse Migraine headaches. I also took Strat for a while, and what a difference it made for me. I want to start again, but my doctor was concerned about other medical issues that I had, and without enough clinical documentation of mixing meds, we decided to skip the ADHD meds...

There is definitely a ramp up period, and some of the more experienced folks say that "if you haven't tried straterra for at least 3 months, you really haven't tried it."

If you haven't already found it, look at this web site

millermom.proboards23.com/index.cgi#general

I found that there are some very informed folks over there, and you will find good med. info.

We are a better group of people! but a lot of us flip between the two boards.

Most important, write down notes of every thing you try. I know that I stopped giving my son Concerta because of some good reason... but for the life of me I don't know if it was upset tummy, weight loss, bad attitude/reaction, expense...

IF you don't write it down, you won't see any trends. Notes about every thing really make a big difference. Including in school related matters.

Good luck, and again, welcome!'

Laurie

[sweety]

:)Took strattera for quite a while.Worked for me but because I had other issues(depression) Dr. changed me to Effexor SR 150. Only comment is DONT LET YOUR SON DRINK CAFFEINE. I would have a cup of coffee and my hands would shaketo the point I couldn't drive. (I know thats not a problem with kids but holding a pencil was next to impossible.)

[raingirl]

Just wanted to check in and say thanks for your comments and welcomes. It's much appreciated!

My son has been on Strattera for over 7 weeks now, with only mild improvements . . . so the doctor is having us try a stimulant along with it. She gave us trial prescriptions for both Adderall XR and Focalin (not at the same time, of course). We just started yesterday with a low dose of the Adderall, so I'll have to keep you posted. I haven't seen any striking improvement, but it's ony one day and a low dose, so it's probably too soon to tell.

Thanks so much again,
Raingirl

[finnmom]

Raingirl, that´s quite common combo, strat and stim´s... I hope it´ll work for you But it´s quite an try and error with med´s some time´s....