Strattera?

[Nichole101]

In about 2 days I will have to make up my mind on what med I want to put Elizabeth on.She is 5 1/2 will be 6 in dec, I read that no studies have been done on kids under the age of 6.

But some things I have read about it here seem so good with the hyper part of ADHD! and thats what I want!

I called the docs office and asked them about it she said he will give me a call back so we will see

[eaccae]

Nichole,

Dad2Brooke can give you a lot of info on Strattera.

I only have experience with ritalin. DS started on 5 mg of ritalin (once in the morning and once at noon) when he was 4 1/2. Luckily for us he had no side effects (he already had problems sleeping JUST like Elizabeth, and he was already short and skinny) and it worked well. He is hyper/highly inattentive/highly impulsive (and of course, highly creative and highly intelligent). He is now on a time released ritalin. If you do decide to go with ritalin - I would start out on the the regular - see how it works etc. You will have to fill out a form to have the nurse give Elizabeth a pill at noon - but I personally think it gives you a better picture of how the ritalin works with your child. The different time released pills seem to have different effects due to the method of the time release, your child's metabolism, etc. We definitely have to play more with the time released medications. But at least I know it is the time release and not the ritalin itself, if that makes any sense.

I know how hard it is. All children are different so what works great for one - doesn't work at all for another, etc.

[jdmom]

Every med affects every child differently. Strattera didn't do anythign for Jarrett's hyperactivity, but I have heard so many other people who love it. It's a trial and error kind of thing. Adderall XR was great for his hyperactivity and focus and attention span, I loved it. But it affected his appetite and he wouldn't eat. Now we're on Concerta and it works well. It's not as good as the Adderall, he still gets in trouble occasionally at school for being wiggly and singing out loud without even realizing he's doing it and not staying in his seat always on the bus. But he eats well on it, and he does great on his school work. I've thought about trying a different med, but I'm going to wait and see how his teacher this year manages him. He didn't start the Concerta until a month or so into school last year.

[MomX2]

Straterra apparently works well for many kids with many positive effects. I only have one suggestion to offer. Watch for changes toward aggressive/angry behavior either part of the time (about 24 hours after your child had their last dose) or more often. It can take up to a month for Straterra to become effective. Because of that other changes may also come on slowly. My daughter seemed fine on Straterra at first. 4 to 6 weeks later, toward the end of the school year, she started become very aggressive with us, swearing/spitting/and sometimes kicking which was a serious change in her behavior. This was a change for the worst and everyone kept telling me it was hormone/age related. It wasn't until after we took her off the Straterra that she changed back to her somewhat hyperactive but much happier, playful self. In retrospect I realized that it probably had taken a month for the Straterra to kick in and start causing these temperament changes which came on gradually.

She had the same type of aggressive reaction on Concerta but it happened after only a few days of taking that medication.

[Nichole101]

I was thiking about waiting till school started to see how liz acted in school... I dont know I am yes give her meds no dont give her meds.. I am lost!!!

I know for sure she will need some type of sleep aid thats a must cuz she wont be able to be herself if she goes to bed at 1 2 or 3 am and has to get up at 8..do you all think this is a good idea or and I just being dumb!

[AustinsMom]

You might do a search for previous posts about melatonin. It can be purchased at health food stores and can be effective in promoting sleep. Might be worth a try.

[adhdtimes4]

One of my boys (he's 16) is on Strattera. He also has major sleep problems; the doctor says he simply doesn't need so much as most people. We have to limit his sleep time, and it has helped. Can you imagine? "Don't you dare go to bed! It's not midnight yet." Had we known this when he were smaller, we'd not have put him to bed so early, and not given him naps.

[jaxmom]

E had the same experince as momx2 with Strattera. My 15yr was on concerta. Concerned about controled substances, I changed her to Strattera at the end of the school year. things got very bad and out of desperation I found ADHD Support.

I think you should start now if you are going to start it. If you wait for her to have problems at school, then she will have to live down the "bad kid" or "the wacky kid" imige. 6 year olds don't undrerstand adhd.

If strattera doesn't work. try other meds. I waited till jax was 12 1/2 yrs before I started to givr her meds. She was very unhappy in elementery school and nearly drove me nuts. I though I was doing what was best for her and didn't want to give meds because I thought I might be doing it for my own sanity. BIG MISTAKE!!!!

Hope this helps.
PS Jax is back on concerta and is doing fine.