Stratera and ADD-Any advice? I need help.

[daisybell911]

My Daisy has been diagnosed as having the inattentive form of ADHD. My son has the hyper end. Anyway, she has been prescribed Stratera. I don't know anything about the drug and need some advice from anyone who can help.

With the hyper part of ADHD, my son is really benefiting with his Adderall. We can see such a difference when he dosen't take his meds. With Daisy, she's not like that. She's very quite. I almost hate to give her the meds because her symptoms are not on the outside. I want her to do the best that she can in life and maybe the meds will help but I don't want to overact either. I know all little girls can be dreamy but she has a very hard time following anything but the simple of directions. She is a very anxious child too and I was told the meds could help.


I just need some advice and some pozzie Vibes. It's very hard to be told that your child is less than perfect and knowing that two of my children have issues are even harder.

((hugs in advance))
Lisa

[RioDuranie]

my youngest has ADD but they like to lable it all ADHD now no matter what. The meds she is on mellowed her out so much that I didnt like her taking it she just became this person who sat and stared. Our doctor said the meds will help her learn when she loses the focus and that she wont need it for ever.


Neither of your children will have to be on meds for ever. My daughter learned to realise when she lost focus and with the last summer vacation she stopped takling it. She hasnt beenon it since.

Her teacher knows she was on the medication last school year and keeps her eye on her. When she see's that she is losing focus she will say something to her to remind her that she is suppose to be doing her work.

My daughter would rather be drawing all day then spend any time in school so its a struggle but she has come to this stage of no meds.

Our children are not less then perfect children. I think of them a special children who have different ideas of how their day should go then someone telling them how it should go.

PM me if you want to talk more about this. Because life is challenging with our special children and its nice to know other parents who have the same "issues"

{{{{HUGS}}}}

[SekretReligion]

I'll send you some pozzie Vibes. Good luck. It will all be fine.

[Carina]

I don't know anything about the drugs you mentioned, but you love them more than anything in the world, and you, your husband, and their doctor will do the very best for them, whatever that is.

Just believe that, continue to educate yourself, and y'all will be fine!

Hugs from me to my : Daisybell.

[durangirl316]

Lisa-
How old is your daughter? How did you come upon her diagnosis? I am a supporter of meds when there is a true diagnosis of ADD or ADHD. One problem is that sometimes symptoms of something else are masked as ADD/ADHD. As a teacher with 7 years in an inclusion classroom with young children, I have had plenty of experience with ADD/ADHD and related. I applaud you for taking concern and making the committment to doing whatever is best for your daughter. many parents flinch when they hear anything about ADD/ADHD and get defensive and refuse to seek treatment of any kind. I always said that if your child was diagnosed with something like diabetes, would you delay or refuse the insulin treatment? of course not ... but there is a stigma and so much misinformation surrounding ADD/ADHD that parents are uninformed and uneducated about the options and outcomes for their child.

I have had several students on Stratera with no problems and positive results. I am not a medical professional, so I would depend on the advice from a highly qualified pediatrician (or two).

Again, kudos to you for taking the reins and seeking what is best for your daughter. sounds like with you on her side, she will be successful!

[Corene]

I know what you’re going through. My daughter was diagnosed with ADD (no, H). She definitely isn't hyper by any means. It was hard to get on board with the diagnosis because I would see her sit still on the computer for hours on end and concentrate on things she liked. Also, have the belief that ADD and ADHD is now the catch all for all behavioral problems with children (especially when the initial recommendation comes from the teacher) it was hard for me to admit that she needed help.

She's not on Stratera but she is on Concerta. And the thing to remember about these drugs (now this is coming from my Ped and is a bit simplified) is that they all pretty much work the same way. It's speed. What makes them different is the delivery system. So the initial reactions to the drug as she gets used to taking it will likely be the same as your son (sleeplessness, diminished appetite, etc).

But honestly, I know it's hard to go through this. It's easier for me to admit that I need a drug to fix something with me then it is to make your child take one. But life is so much better for me with Rebecca on the Concerta. She's better at school, and much less frustrated.

Someone told me that kids that are diagnosed with ADD (and ADHD) are usually extremely bright and highly intelligent. Hope that's some consolation.

[moomama18]

First off, remember that a mother's instincts are usually correct and you know your child better than anyone else. That is what I always told all my parents during the nine years I taught.

No child is perfect. They are all unique and that is what makes them so special. Embrace her and what makes her special - find all the good in it and let her know. I am going to my son's IEP tomorrow and it is the weirdest feeling in the world to be on the other side. But I am proud that I am an advocate for him and that I am getting him the help that he needs. If I don't, who will?

I tutored a child who was on Stratera (as well as a number of other things). He just had to keep trying out different drugs until he found the one that worked best for him. He has anxiety issues as well but he is getting so much better.

If you're worried about meds, have you looked into alternatives? You can always PM me if you want to talk more. Kudos to you for being an advocate for Daisy and doing what is best for her.

Michelle

ps - I gave you some random karma!

[damdemfries]

Sit back & get comfortable....

Strattera actually works slightly different then the other meds. And, it takes time to build up in their system. You may not see results for 2-4 weeks (or longer), whereas the other meds you see results immediately. I'm sure you were told that, but just in case not.

My son is on meds. His old psychologist & new pyschologist both told me that they didn't see good results with Strattera alone (sometimes taken with other meds, yes). I didn't work for my son. Not saying it won't work, because every person is different...just passing info that I've been told.

ADD/ADHD meds supposedly work the same, but in many cases they don't. Some work better for some people. And, sometimes what works now may not work later. Plus, they fall into 3 different categories.

My son has ADHD (diagnosed by a psychologist years ago). We have tried a million meds trying to find the right "fit." He first started with Adderall XR. After a while it didn't seem to work, the doc upped the dose a few times with no big results. We were then switched to Concerta. That was a nightmare for my son. It didn't last long (even though it was an extended release pill also), and it made him pick his finger nail & toe nails something fierce. We moved on to Dexedrine (a lesser known pill that's been around for a long time). He used this for quite a while until his lack of eating got o me. All made his appetite less, but this was major. Plus, it made him VERY anxious. The side effects out weighed the benefits. We then tried Strattera. It did absolutely nothing. Now he's on Focalin XR, which seems to be working well (knock on wood). He takes a quick pill in the afternoon sometimes (for example, when he goes to tutoring, etc.).

Again, different meds work differently for people. Hopefully you'll see results quickly, but if not, don't be surprised if you go another direction (trying different meds, etc.). I wish you luck. It's not easy. I commend you for doing something to help.

Good luck!

Deb

[somenewromantic]

It's really ironic this would be on here today......I got an email from my daughter's teacher yesterday afternoon; she wants to see me right after school today, and says it is just a struggle to get Caroline to get her math work done.

Well, it's a struggle for me to get Caroline to get her spelling done.

And I think I know what's coming today........and God help me I don't want to hear it. She, like some of the Moms above listed, will draw her little heart out (has won school awards for her artwork); or sit and do computer stuff.

And I am torn, I really am. Caroline's teacher assures me she is a sweet and thoughtful child ( I have put her in tutoring for her math), not a disciplinary problem, and I am wondering if the question is posed to me about meds, will I do it? I just don't know.......

I am pretty wracked by this. Caroline is so sensitive........I just can't shake the feeling she only needs an extra shove in the right direction; she certainly isn't hyper......

I could be wrong.

[afan]

Stratera is the only non stimulant medication used to treat ADD/ADHD. This means that your daughter won't have a decreased appetite or trouble sleeping sometimes. (There are no longer ADD diagnosis given as they changed the diagnostic manual within the last couple of years. Daisybell, your daughter now has what's called ADHD-predominately inattentive type). Damdemfries is correct. Stratera works differently than other ADHD medications and does take 2-4 weeks to show full effect. When this drug first came out it was thought to be a "wonder" drug. With use, however, it was found to be not effective in managing hyperactivity but is used frequently in conjunction with stimulant medications. For a child, stratera either works or it doesn't.

I would suggest that you have your daughter evaluated by a pediatric/children's psychiatrist and possibly involve her (and you) in some therapy. The therapy will help you understand what's going on with her better as well as teach her some self management skills.

I am a child and family therapist at a community mental health agency. I would not always trust a pediatrician to give your child an appropriate diagnosis. Just my bias, but I see lots of kids who have been diagnoses with ADHD at a young age who have not been treated properly by the medical professionals nor school systems.

If anyone wants more information about the work we do here with kids with ADHD (and other diagnosis) pm me.