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SN children

strattera ?!

13 replies

lucydaniels4658 · 11/02/2015 18:24

DD 14 has been prescribed this today.Can someone share their experiences with this medication?

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senvet · 11/02/2015 21:07

seen it somewhere on these pages - I'll post back if I find it

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lucydaniels4658 · 11/02/2015 21:23

Thank you.I have scared myself now bloody google!

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Pebbles72 · 12/02/2015 07:18

My DS, 11 years, has been taking Strattera for about two and a half years. He has ASC, ADHD and extreme anxiety. Previously he tried Ritalin based meds but these caused an increase in his anxiety symptoms. Strattera has been much more successful. It reduces his ADHD with out exacerbating his ASC and also gives some anxiety relief. Compared to the Ritalin based meds, it seems to be a much 'softer' med and we experience no personality changes or rebound symptoms that seem to be common with Ritalin. Strattera takes two to three weeks to build up before it's effect is fully functioning. It has been very successful for him and has certainly helped him manage some of his difficulties to the extent where he is able to engage in life with some degree of success.

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ouryve · 12/02/2015 11:34

DS1 (11) has ASD and ADHD and has been taking Strattera since he was 6. Same reasons for not using Ritalin as Pebbles' DS, plus he has a fluctuating appetite and goes through phases of borderline eating disorder, where he loses weight dramatically, so we couldn't risk that particular side effect of methylphenidate.

He really can't function without it. Within a week of starting it, he was able to do enjoyable things that he previously couldn't manage (not simply a case of not being compliant at school). The big thing for us is language processing. He can't have a conversation or follow instructions without it, his impulse control goes out of the window when he outgrows his dose and he feels very restless and out of sorts.

And he sleeps better with it, too.

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lucydaniels4658 · 12/02/2015 14:01

Thankyou its good to hear something positive.Like your DS my DD has issues around food so wanted to avoid ritalin .
Did your boys have side effects? DD only on day 1 but has been sick and very dizzy.

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ouryve · 12/02/2015 14:25

He was dog tired for the first couple of days but that soon passed.

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streakybacon · 12/02/2015 17:03

Ds (16) takes both. Atomoxetine (Strattera) 40mg in the morning with 15mg methylphenidate (Ritalin), and Ritalin again lunch and early evening. He has had problems with other brands of methylphenidate but OK with Ritalin. The aim was for him to get by on just Strattera but he still needs the Ritalin. Strattera alone wasn't enough.

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lucydaniels4658 · 12/02/2015 20:22

Im not sure if its the placebo effect but DD seems less on edge already.Pretty sure I read it takes a while to work.

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ouryve · 12/02/2015 21:24

We saw some good effects within a day or two. It was a week or two before his hyperactivity began to settle, though.

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ouryve · 12/02/2015 21:26

That's quite a low dose of Strattera streaky. (DS1 calls you beaky stracon, btw :o) DS1's maintenance dose is 40mg and he's currently on 40mg in the morning and 10mg in the evening. That extra 10mg has helped damp down a lot of his evening irritability.

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lucydaniels4658 · 12/02/2015 22:23

DDs started on 60 (shes quite tiny to) and they said they will probably increase dose Shock
I think this has been the first day for ages she seems quite relaxed and we had a pleasant time no fretting ,screaming or blowing up !

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streakybacon · 13/02/2015 06:43

That's quite a low dose of Strattera streaky

So I believe. The intention was to reduce the Ritalin and increase the Strattera, but we haven't been able to reduce the Ritalin yet because it's very noticeable when he hasn't taken it. We're seeing the psych next week and I want to discuss meds then.

Beaky stracon - I like it Grin.

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LittleFluffyMoo · 13/02/2015 10:57

DS1 (ASD, ADD) has been taking Strattera (40mg) now for about 5 months and it's been fantastic.

Had prev tried Medikinet XL but had worrying side effects (mood swings, shaky hands) so took him off it. He had started begging us not to make him take it too, so we had to listen to that!

Strattera - takes it no problem, says it doesn't make him feel 'funny'. School says his work has improved dramatically, executive function much better, knows what day it is and what he needs to do each day (mostly). Is communicating much better with friends at school, and with teachers.

A big thumbs up from us so far!

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