Atomoxetine/ Strattera

My DD can't take the stimulant ones but is very happy on atomoxetine. It takes a few months to reach therapeutic level but works well for her. DS takes the stimulants and they're fine for him. He just takes as needed rather than every day like DD

Hi, please can anyone help me and my 11 year old DD? We have been through a host of stimulant based meds and all of them make her very irritated, withdrawn and sad. It's affecting her social life and is starting to dread school. Have any of you @Manchestertimes got any positive comments/ suggestions from your experiences? I hope your kids are doing well xx

oh sorry to hear that @Pantoufle23 it's disappointing when you read success stories of how much it's helped others. I'm wondering with my DD if the fact that she has ASD makes medication not so effective - I'm sure I read that. It was quite a useful book - Understanding ADHD in girls and women by Andrea Bilbow. She talks a lot about therapy but when I looked into it's so expensive!! And she's just lost her phone so £££. My DD is supposed to be getting some help from college....
I'm just hoping things improve as they get older for these young women.😊

We were back on the medikinet as well but my daughter says it makes her feel numb and doesn't like it. We have tried them all and currently not taking any medication

@Pantoufle23 How has your DD got on with atomoxetine?
My DD just recently tried the medikinet again, similar to last time - high heart rate, she thinks she's more organised but says she feels more anxious at times too, and it's not helped her impulsivity like she wants it too!! 😬

My DD has had good results with a combo of sertraline & atomoxetine. Like you it took a long time to develop but she's in a pretty good place now.
Here's a resource I've found incredibly valuable

n-est.org

@duvet ds had the stimulants before and they never helped whatsoever, just made him more anxious.

Hows atomoxetine going for your dc?

just thought I’d update a few months on, my ds has been on it 5 months now, alongside sertraline for his anxiety.

Hes loads less hyperactive, wants to sit and play on his iPad / PlayStation most of the time, (severe adhd - couldn’t keep still for years!) it’s quite bizarre actually to see him able to sit still.

Hes still really impulsive though, (went to the toilet earlier and squeezed half a tube of toothpaste in his mouth that kind of thing) so it’s working on the hyperactivity just not so much his impulsivity.

Hes getting on good at school, mostly positive feedback (he’s in year 4, spent years prior to 6 months ago with daily complaints, special school aswell! But they are pleased so keeps them quiet for a change)

Hes still on a small dose (18mg a day) and 25mg a day of sertraline.

No complaints really other than he’s lost quite a bit of weight and doesn’t eat much (he’s on daily prescribed calorie shakes for this though)

Thanks for the update both of you. Like you Manchestertimes I think we'll just stick with the Medikinet as probably as good as it gets for us too, and get it transferred over to NHS when we can, can't believe how much it's cost so far for not much gain!. Even if she doesn't carry on with it for now at least she's in the system then for the future.

Hi Duvet, we are taking a medication break over the summer. Sticking to medikinet as that's the only medication that doesn't make things worse. Doesn't make a massive improvement but think now this is as good as it gets.

@Manchestertimes @Pantoufle23 Just wondering how you're getting on? We're back on Medikinet and no side effects apart from high pulse rate on a couple of occasions, however not seeing much benefits either! I've been trying to get her to sort crap in her room cos we're moving house soon but to no avail! Her over sensitivity to anything mildly challenging I say is driving me mad at the moment. On the positive side she has a summer job and that has boosted her confidence and mood. :-)

Thanks for taking the time to reply Pantoufle23 & Manchestertimes, it helps to know! I think we'll give the Medikinet one last try, DD would like to be less impulsive at times - mostly it has caused friendship troubles and perhaps more focused. Also ditto with the revision had to resort to a chart - but it worked! Here's hoping she's at least passed some exams!! She's got a summer job now and this has really helped her confidence after some initial stress and despite turning up late for interview!!

Duvet, your story is practically identical to ours! We have stopped the medication as during the holidays she doesn't really need it. We have tried every other medication but medikinet has the least side effects but no massive lightbulb moment. Maybe it's just as good as it gets so will stick on 40mg when she goes back to school.

@Manchestertimes

Hello, I've been reading through this thread and having similar dilemma with my DD 16 just finished GCSE's. Hard to tell too because her mood can change so much from one week to the next even when not on Medication. She's also happier/calmer when she's not in school!

She started on medikinet XL which was fine but didnt seem to have that light bulb effect. Moved onto Elvanse but seemed shaky, not sleeping and paranoid. Now were wondering whether to go back to medikinet & up the dose or split the dose or try atomexatine. @Manchestertimes how is your dd getting on now?

Hi @Localher0 thanks for your reply.

Thats good to hear that it took 10 weeks to start working. We are on week 5 here and not noticed anything major so far.

also good to hear your dd is on the same combo (atomoxetine and sertraline) as my ds.

Hi @danni0509 - she is doing well. It did take about 10 weeks to work. She started on 40mg and then worked up to 80.
The elvanse (not sure that's the same as your DS was on) was just awful and triggered a suicidal crisis. Our GP was brilliant and got her off that and on to sertraline which really helped. Sertraline also has a small effect on the ADHD so it's worth a try.
Good luck xx

@Localher0 how is your dd on atomoxetine now? What is her dose if you don’t mind me asking?

My 8 year old ds has been on it 4 weeks after an awful 8 months on methylphenidate, he was on 10mg atomoxetine now on 18mg.

He’s starting sertraline liquid tomorrow too as the atomoxetine hasn’t helped his anxiety like CAMHS hoped it would. Bit nervous mixing all these meds for him to be honest. He’s so little.

I also totally understand you don't want to rock the boat before GCSEs. Luckily DD started her new atomoxetine in early upper sixth so it has had time to work (hopefully) before A levels.

Yes she does - anxiety & depression, ADHD and ASD. I think it has helped a bit. She certainly seems calmer and although the major meltdowns haven't stopped entirely they have definitely lessened.