Non-stimulant ADD medicine??

[weskie]

Hi everybody,

My DH was diagnosed with ADD about 15 years ago (after DD and DS were diagnosed), and he tried Ritalin at that time. The Ritalin plunged him into a deep depression which took him quite a while to get out of. He hasn't taken any meds since then. Now, however, he is tired of the constant struggle just to manage his life, and is wondering about trying something other than Ritalin. I heard somewhere that there is a non-stimulant medication for ADD now. Can anyone tell me what it is, and whether it works? Any medication tips for an adult ADDer would be great!!! Thanks!

[ohmama]

You are probably thinking of Strattera. See details at www.strattera.com

Or are you referring to the amino acid L-Tyrosine to increase dopamine levels in the brain? If so, there is information on this in the natural alternatives section of the forum.

[weskie]

Thanks ohmama! I haven't been in the midst of the various medications for a while, because my kids are older. DD, 25, has always done well on Ritalin--she's on Focalin now (and she's a Ph.D. student!!!). DS has had problems with virtually every medicine he's tried, and he's tried a lot of them. He's not home right now (in Dublin for junior year abroad), but I found two bottles of Strattera in his room! (Obviously he didn't like it.) I did go to the website you gave me and it sounds like Strattera takes a while to work. DH is going to get a referral to a psychopharmacologist, so we'll see what they recommend. Wow, it would be great if he could find something that helped without causing depression!!

[mctavish23]

Hi weskie,

Congrats on both your kids accomplishments. I love to hear of ADHD's in grad school and doing well, as well as in studying abroad. I wish them both much luck and success.

As you know, everyone is different when it comes to meds and how they will react. I tried Straterra in Sept and became so ill that I had to go on short term disability leave to save what little vacation I had left. It was either an allergic reaction of some sort or it clashed with my blood pressure med, as it will raise blood pressure. Either way, it didn't matter and I was without meds for about 3 weeks while it got out of my system. It seems to have a rather long half life of about 3 weeks or so. In short , it wasnt the med for me. I've remained on Wellbutrin 200mg bid, which I've taken for years and then started methylphenidate SR 20mg bid. I also take nortriptyline 75 mg HS. Its an old school tricyclic which has a synergistic effect on Wellbutrin,

Around this part of the world( N Minn), the peds and the psychiatrists aren't overwhelmed by Straterra, epsecially as a first line treatment. It seems to follow along the lines of what most meds do; it either works well(which seems to be in the minority), it doesnt work at all or it makes kids sick. The latter can be dealt with it seems by eating and also when you take it, however, a lot of kids apparently don't want to continue after becoming ill.
I realize that all of this is merely anectdotal, but I hope it helps a little.
Good luck.

mctavish23

[ohmama]

Weskie,
I would love to have a psychopharmacologist for my boys. We live in a small town and I don't think it is possible. I think if your going to use meds this is the best type of Dr./Psychiatrist to have in your corner. Are you familair with Dr. Andrew Stoll? He is the director of the psychopharmacology research laboratory at Harvard's McCean Hospital. His book "The Omega 3 Connection" is very informative on the various brain disorders and the use of the omega 3 fatty acids.

My boys tried Strattera but it did not work at all. At least we got away without side effects causing harm so I'm greatful for that. There is a lot of personal information and tips on using this med over on millermoms forum. I think she wrote the book on strattera. It's amazing what you can learn from personal experience and it all seems to be there. You may want to check this out. Look for the topic "Everything you always wanted to know about Strattera" if your interested. It has been a good med for a lot of people.

I would advise reading "the omega 3 connection" book mentioned above so you can become familiar with the latest research and maybe could relate this to your son for his visit with this new Dr.

I agree with Mctavish that your children are all an encouragement in that they are doing so well with their lives. What a true blessing to see this. It is often a parents great fear. I am hoping mine will some day be functional. Anything beyond that would bring me to my knees with gratitude.

[Honeysmom]

I agree totally with Oh Mamma in the aspect of Omega 3's.

Also, I take Adderall. It is different from Ritalin, althought I have never tried Ritalin, so I can't do a comparison on how they make you feel. I do not have really any problems with Adderall. I don't get shakey, although I am more alert. My appetite is decreased somewhat, but nothing that would cause any concern. I think it works really well. I also had my son on it and he did not react as well. I liked the way it worked for him, but he developed a tic, so I had to take him off.

Since you went throught this with your kids it sounds like you already know a lot of this is trial and error. He might just have to try a few out to see how he reacts.

I also was on Wellburtin 300 mg's and I did not have very good luck with it. I had some really bad side effects.

IMHO, age also plays a part in how a person will react to a med. Since our bodies are always changing there is different chemistry going on and what causes a side effect when you are 30, may or may not when you are 50. But that is just opinion

Forgot to mention, I will get a headache if I skip a day with Adderall. I guess that is my biggest problem with it.

Good luck, I hope he finds something that works...Becky

[jdmom]

Weskie-
I tried Strattera with my DS(6) and we loved it. It increased his focus and we had no side effects whatsoever, which was a blessing. We had tried Adderall XR before that and my son had lost so much weight it was scary. The only problem we had was that it did not address his hyperactivty, and DS is ADHHHHHHD.
Now we are on Concerta. I was scared to try another stim because of the weight loss issue. But he is eating great. It seems to have no effect on his appetite at all.
Every med affects every individual differently, I've learned. Just because you had a reaction on one stim doesn't mean you will have the same reaction with a different one.
BTW, one of the things I loved about Strattera was the fact that it wasn't a controlled substance. I didn't have to go to the doctor's office every month to pick up a new prescription. They were able to just call it in to my pharmacy for me.
Millermom's forum IS a great place to learn about Strattera, if you want more info. She honestly knew more about the med than my pediatrician.

[sweety]

:DHello! Started on strattera friday because concerta was making me depressed and anxious. Doing ok so far but was told by the pharmacist to take it at night. What a miskake!!! was up 4x friday night. Now take it in a.m. Still have a little trouble getting and staying asleep but we will see about reactions farther down the road. Not anxious, agitated or depressed for 3 days now, so that is good. ;D Any other adults on strattera? anything would be helpful.

[shardstar]

Hi Sweety,

I started taking Strattera about six weeks ago. I really like it, although I sometimes get tired and a little dizzy. Usually, if I can take a little nap, I'm fine.

At the beginning I was having major insomnia problems and my doctor recommended that I try Melotonin. I take a 3 mg. pill every night about a half hour before bed, and it really helps. I've noticed that I sleep much deeper and feel much more rested when I wake up in the morning. I never even felt that way when I was med free.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. I've done a good amount of research on this med.

[Douglas]

Strattera is excellent for easing stress and building focus ... but in some men it can eliminate sexual function more effectively than a hand grenade.

They should give it to priests.