Atomoxetine/ Strattera

[Pantoufle23]

Keen to hear from those who’ve tried or use this for adhd? Running out of options 😔. Thanks

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.

Hi Duvet, Dd is on day 10 of atomoxetine (dose increase day 8). At the moment she says brain fog is worse than off meds and she can’t focus on any of the pre 6th form assignments 😔. This seems quite common initially but the problem is she will refuse to start 6th form like this and so may not give it long enough and will want to go back to Concerta which increases her heart rate and possibly makes her more anxious. She had a month off meds (most of which we were on holidays so the variety/novelty meant she was ok) but like you can’t get anything sorted now we are home. Will keep you posted x

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.

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)

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

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

@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!! 😬

@duvet it didn’t help I’m afraid. She was on it about 7 weeks. Zero focus though it did help her get up in the morning and still put her heart rate up a bit. She’s back on concerta (with low dose propranolol) to bring heat rate within ok limits). Variable success but we’ve tried them all now.

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

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.😊

@duvet thanks yes it's been frustrating as we've literally tried them all now and no magic bullet. Still, concerta is better than nothing (but I hate the need for beta blockers). We've been trying therapy (cost a bomb) but apart from DD feeling like someone understands her a bit, I am not sure it is achieving anything unfortunately as she seems unable to put anything into practice for more than a day or two.

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

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