Flipping Out | ADHD Support

LitlBaa
Senior Member

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Posts: 351

Flipping Out Dec 2, 2003 23:22:18 GMT -5

Post by LitlBaa on Dec 2, 2003 23:22:18 GMT -5

I am completely at a loss as to how to deal with dd12. We increased her Strattera from 40mg to 60 mg last Thursday. Things were going well, until Sunday night. She didn't get her way about something, and just flipped out, said we don't love her, she wants to move out, said she wasn't going to sleep because we were going to stab her because we wanted her out of the picture, she wanted my husband (her stepdad) to leave, and then as I left her room she said, " Don't worry, Mom, I won't kill you...I love you even if you don't love me."

Yesterday afternoon I went to her school and talked with all her teachers, her grades are terrible and I wanted to see what the problem is. We got the missing assignments and she decided she was going to stay up all night and finish them. I finally convinced her to go to bed at 1:30am. Tried to get her up at 6am, 6:30am, then when she finally got up at 7 she was screaming, hostile, violent, door slamming, throwing things, and she finally got out the door nearly 30 minutes late.

When she got home from school, everything was fine until we refused to take her to Target. She flipped out again, scream, stomp, slam, said she wasn't going to eat dinner because we were going to poison her or spit in her food. DH picked up Mexican food for us, she wanted tortilla chips but we had eaten them, and she flipped out again. Now she's walking around here like the world is fabulous when 20 minutes ago she was screaming.

My question is...is she just acting like a teenager or is it the increase in meds? We're about ready to lock up the sharp objects and Motrin. Help!

I also posted this under Behavior. I don't know what to do with her.

Mary

Jenn
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Posts: 121

Flipping Out Dec 3, 2003 11:43:57 GMT -5

Post by Jenn on Dec 3, 2003 11:43:57 GMT -5

What is her weight? It could be too much meds. My 38 pound boy, even though 25 mg is within the safe range for him he reacted like that. He is good on 18mg, although it don't control his hyperness, just his temper and somewhat his attention. My 10 yo ADDer said that the strat didn't help her too much with her attention and wanted back on the Focalin. Talk to the doc and maybe have to split the dose one in the morn and one with supper around 5 or 6pm. Mikie takes his strat at night with supper and than uses Dexedrine during the school day.

God will bear no burden that one cannot handle.

AnneM
Administrator

We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails

Posts: 7,158

Flipping Out Dec 3, 2003 14:07:16 GMT -5

Post by AnneM on Dec 3, 2003 14:07:16 GMT -5

Hi Litlbaa .... What meds is your daughter on? I am asking because I am wondering whether there is some depression involved here?

My son was diagnosed at 13 with add and depression (adolescent onset) ... he was a happy guy when he was younger - but at age 13 he became SOOOO difficult!!
He is now 15 and intervention has made such a huge difference to him (he takes Concerta and St Johns Wort) ... his attitude, school behaviour, family relationships have literally "turned around" from that horrible time .... On reflection I think at that time he was "angry and unhappy" ... I didn't see it at the time!! ... The doctors who were diagnosing him had to spell out DEPRESSION to me!! ... and even then I didn't 'really' believe it .... but on reflection I can see it was there and the intervention has literally turned it around ....

It is just a thought - but your daughter is a very similar age to the one I am describing ....

DS: Sam 17 - add

When you reach for the stars, you may not quite get them, but you won't come up with a handful of mud either.
--Leo Burnett

Dad2Brooke
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You can only go as far as you push!

Posts: 1,467

Flipping Out Dec 4, 2003 11:29:33 GMT -5

Post by Dad2Brooke on Dec 4, 2003 11:29:33 GMT -5

LitlBaa, changing levels of Strattera can definately cause different behavior for a while. I would look at that as a likely source of the change.

What does you daughter weigh? Is she on an acceptable dose for her weight? Too high or low of a dose can definately have undesirable side effects.

The formula for Strattera is generally 1.2 mgs per 2.2 lbs of body weight. I've read that that is the low end. You can go as high as 1.8. Right now Brooke is on 40 mgs and wieghs 60 lbs., which equates to 1.5 mgs per.

I would definately talk to your ped about this.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Your are in my prayers.

Last Edit: Dec 4, 2003 22:39:30 GMT -5 by Dad2Brooke

___________________________________
Ralph
Father to a wonderful 7 year old daughter, Brooke.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
--Reinhold Niebuhr

LitlBaa
Senior Member

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Posts: 351

Flipping Out Dec 4, 2003 21:16:51 GMT -5

Post by LitlBaa on Dec 4, 2003 21:16:51 GMT -5

Thanks for your suggestions. The doctor says he told me there would be side effects from the increase >:(

but I never expected this. The 60 mg might be a little high but not by much. She weighs 92 pounds now. When she's not flipping out her focus is much better.

We solved the poison issue...my hubby went to see The Haunted Mansion because Katie had seen it on Saturday with a friend, and she tends to internalize movie dialogue.

Depression could very well be an issue for her, her father pays hardly any attention to her, doesn't call or write, or make an effort to see her, and he lives only three hours away. And her grandad (her father's dad) has been dx'd with liver cancer, and she adores him. She knows he's sick but I don't think she understands the seriousness of it.

Thanks for your help and prayers. I'll keep you posted.

Mary