Strattera (wasn't sure where to post this)

live4today, RN · Oct 30, 2005

Darling kiddos! :) They look nice and healthy...and happy...today. :balloons:

RNin2007 · Oct 30, 2005

Love your signature cheerfuldoer =), and thank you.

Thank you for the input Wanda, appreciate any input I can get since we just started this. My boy is only on 10mg right now, so I was quite surprised that we saw any results at all. He will probably get up to 25 mg as well.

~J

Ado Annie, ASN, RN · Oct 31, 2005

My 8 year old who was dx last month with ADHD (mostly ADD) just started taking Strattera this week. I feel like I have a NEW CHILD!! His PNP said it could take 2 days to 6 weeks to work and by the second day we were seriously noticing a difference. He had early brain injury, hydrocephalus (resolved with a third ventricle bypass) and PVL (periventricular leukomalacia...area of dead tissue in his brain). He has a high IQ and you wouldn't really know he had a problem until you sat him down to do school work or told him to do something involved.
Does anyone else have a child that takes this, or have friends...or know of anyone who has children on this med? Just curious to see what sort of results others are having with it. =)
~J

One of my boys (they're almost 11) has been taking Strattera for about 2 years with excellent results. The only side effect we found troubling is tachycardia. The doc wants to try Focalin XR, so we've just filled the prescription, and will be starting that tomorrow (both boys) and he won't be taking the Strattera ... unless this doesn't work. Strattera didn't work for the other son...

Good luck with your kiddo. Sounds like he has a lot going for him, including a good mom with his interests at heart.

Jolie, BSN · Oct 31, 2005

Thanks for your reply, and for posting the pictures of your kids. They are absolutely beautiful! What a testament to devoted parents that they have grown into such happy and healthy children!

I appreciate the information. You have really opened my eyes to the potential children have, despite enduring serious complications so early in life.

rn/writer, RN · Oct 31, 2005

I worked child and adolescent psych in a past nursing life. We also adopted a child with fairly complicated psych needs and spent 14 years trying to get the meds right.

He had some success with Strattera as well as other meds and med combinations.

These posts underscore the need to balance flexibility and caution. Extremists at either end of the spectrum--those who will never consider any med for any reason vs. those whose think meds are the answer to everything--miss the point. Meds should be but one tool in an entire toolbox of choices. Our kids need a combination of physical, emotional, spiritual, educational, and behavioral supports. Meds can be extremely effective for some and not so much for others, but they can't overcome negatives like chaos in the home, lack of school support, inadequate diet, lack of proper sleep, etc. They can give kids a leg up in dealing with their inner chaos and impulsivity, but they aren't magic.

It's equally important to remember that as kids grow and change, their medication needs may vary. What works one year may lose its effectiveness the next. Adolescent hormonal changes can alter body chemistry enough to warrant a change in meds.

I'd encourage parents of kids on psych meds to stay aware and attuned to their child's signals. Docs may be the experts on the meds themselves (and unfortunately some say they are but aren't as well-versed as they think), but you are the expert on your kid.

If a med isn't doing what you believe it should, ask questions. Seek out information. Be willing to try various other meds or combinations until you find something that is both effective and tolerable as far as side effects go. Keep an open mind, but tune out those who judge you for placing your child on meds in the first place as well as those who nag you to try what works for their kid.

Meds are tools. You get the best results if you are willing to work at finding what works best and adapting if what you chose becomes less effective down the road.

I am grateful that our kids have these options available. Years ago, many of these wonderful children were doomed to lives of frustration and constant conflict. Meds have changed that bleak outlook. Even so, the use of medication is a serious matter and has to be monitored with care.

Best wishes to all of you navigating this intriguing terrain.

Morning-glory · Oct 31, 2005

I'm 38, and I did a trial of Strattera earlier this year. It worked for the ADD, but it made me too sleepy, even if I took it at night or split the dose. I just could not wake up for more than an hour at a time. As tired as I would get, my thoughts would start racing as soon as I tried to get some sleep, and then I would get some really wierd dreams. It worked very well, but the side-effects were just too intrusive.

Congratulations on getting your child the help he needs. I wasn't diagnosed till I was 31. I managed to make through elementary and high school with just passing grades, teachers saying I was lazy etc... It wasn't till I got to nursing school that the whole thing feel apart for me. Diagnosis was a revelation. "OMG, how did you get through school till now?" Was the reaction when the tests came back. ADHD without the hyperactivity (I got distractable instead), and a severe learning disorder.

So I was tried on a bunch of meds and so far, Mannerix is my drug of choice. Decreases the anxiety/depression cycles and "makes my brain work better".

Good luck, it is a really hard road to travel.

mitchsmom · Oct 31, 2005

My 8 year old is on Strattera.

We have always known he was ADHD (literally since he was a year old), we avoided medications until this summer. He started on Concerta which was ok for a while (better but not miraculously better like the meds are for some people, I'm sorry to say). But, as the school year got going, he started having horrible mood swings each evening and morning (during the withdrawal times basically)... he is a moody person anyway but it was way too much. So, he started Strattera.

It has been better so far, for about 3-4 weeks... but the last few days I'm thinking the moods might be building back up again... I really really hope not because I don't know what we'll do if that is happening again... we'll see. And he's on 40mg so it's not like he's not going to be getting it upped.

I forgot to say that he is usually on a fairly strict whole foods diet (not Feingold - just whole foods = NO additives- food in as close to it's original natural state as possible... we do eat snacks and cookies and stuff but it's from the health food store or homemade so no additives). I think the diet helps some, when he is strictly on it... right now, fahgetaboutit.... I let them go nuts for Halloween!

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Nov 1, 2005

I worked child and adolescent psych in a past nursing life. We also adopted a child with fairly complicated psych needs and spent 14 years trying to get the meds right.
He had some success with Strattera as well as other meds and med combinations.
These posts underscore the need to balance flexibility and caution. Extremists at either end of the spectrum--those who will never consider any med for any reason vs. those whose think meds are the answer to everything--miss the point. Meds should be but one tool in an entire toolbox of choices. Our kids need a combination of physical, emotional, spiritual, educational, and behavioral supports. Meds can be extremely effective for some and not so much for others, but they can't overcome negatives like chaos in the home, lack of school support, inadequate diet, lack of proper sleep, etc. They can give kids a leg up in dealing with their inner chaos and impulsivity, but they aren't magic.
It's equally important to remember that as kids grow and change, their medication needs may vary. What works one year may lose its effectiveness the next. Adolescent hormonal changes can alter body chemistry enough to warrant a change in meds.
I'd encourage parents of kids on psych meds to stay aware and attuned to their child's signals. Docs may be the experts on the meds themselves (and unfortunately some say they are but aren't as well-versed as they think), but you are the expert on your kid.
If a med isn't doing what you believe it should, ask questions. Seek out information. Be willing to try various other meds or combinations until you find something that is both effective and tolerable as far as side effects go. Keep an open mind, but tune out those who judge you for placing your child on meds in the first place as well as those who nag you to try what works for their kid.
Meds are tools. You get the best results if you are willing to work at finding what works best and adapting if what you chose becomes less effective down the road.
I am grateful that our kids have these options available. Years ago, many of these wonderful children were doomed to lives of frustration and constant conflict. Meds have changed that bleak outlook. Even so, the use of medication is a serious matter and has to be monitored with care.
Best wishes to all of you navigating this intriguing terrain.

Wonderful Post

unc005 · Nov 9, 2005

Hi RNin2007,

I was just doing a search and came across your post. I'm sorry I can't be of any help, but it looks like you've gotten some here. LOL...I wanted to say that *I* am a former premie (myself), also have hydrocephalus, have a VP shunt, etc. I was a singleton--youngest of three kids (older brother and sister: 28y/o and 24y/o, respectively). I had a fairly 'easy' NICU stay--minus the IVH and so forth. I can tell you more if you'd like...take care! You have BEAUTIFUL children! I don't have any children myself--just two nephews and a niece (5y/o, 3y/o---he was a 36 wker @ 3#12oz., 16 1/4", but stopped growing @ 31wks.---and 18 mo.: she was 3wks. early @ 5#even and 17.5", respectively).

Erin