Straterra?

[stitchlover]

Any one have a kid on Straterra? My daughter's doctor is wanting me to put her on it and I just need some more input from others who have used this with their child. Will be more than happy to discuss this via PM since I know it can be a touchy subject.

 

[BeckityBobbidyBoo!]

My 10 year old has been on a few different adhd meds and strattera is the only one that didn't cause sleep issues and stomach trouble.

 

[stitchlover]

That's good to know. She did take Focalin at one point and it kept her up too late at night.

 

[Reginak]

I have two children on Strattera right now. They were only affected on the first day - they practically slept all day. (I must admit it was a relief.)
Anyway, this is their first ADHD medicine of any kind and they have had no side affects at all and their behavior has also greatly improved.
I have heard that Strattera is the only medicine of its kind to not use amphetimines; however, I have never checked that out so I don't know if it is an accurate statement.
My only problem is that my insurance is refusing to help with the cost so for the two children it costs $290 a month for the two of them. This hurts our budget greatly but they were probably doing that much damage to our household already (they were recently adopted and have not stopped acting out).
Regina

 

[stitchlover]

Do any of your children have co-existing anxiety issues with their ADD/ADHD?

 

[robin09]

My DD9 is on Strattera for the daytime and they have her on Serequel at night to help her sleep. She has Aspergers, adhd, ocd... Jenn doesn't like the strattera at all, she doesn't like the taste of it, and she says it takes away her imagination.. Willing to talk PM if you want, I don't mind talking here, as I feel it helps others make a decision for themselves. I was helped greatly here when I questioned the idea of meds altogether.

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

My 9 year old has done quite well with Adderall XR. That's the first and only med we tried.

 

[stitchlover]

Taste wouldn't be an issue because my daughter just takes the pill. We don't do the liquid. I have seen the benefits of treating my daughter for ADD, that's not the issue.
My concern is her anxiety problems. The doctor wants to take her off her anxiety medication and let straterra take care of both. I called Lilly, who makes Strattera, because I was unaware of it's impact on anxiety. Lilly said the FDA regulations do not allow them to say this medication is for anxiety. They are only regulated as an ADD/ADHD medication. This is a kid with pretty severe anxiety problems. She currently takes 30mg of Lexapro a day. 2006 was a very rough year for us because she quit responding to her previous medications and we were dealing with panic attacks, depression, inability to function in school due to panic attacks, etc. It took us months to get her back to a good place once they switched her to Lexapro. She's in a good place right now. So needless to say the idea of taking her off Lexapro sends MY anxiety levels through the roof.
I also have to say I have NEVER questioned this child psychiatrist before this. I love him, he has been a life saver. My husband says he is the doctor and I need to trust him but I'm truly scared.
This is why I am not completely comfortable talking about it in the open forum. There are people who roll their eyes and judge me for having my child on anxiety medication and I just don't like to deal with that. I would invite you to live with my child on no medication for anxiety...it would break your heart.

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

This is why I am not completely comfortable talking about it in the open forum. There are people who roll their eyes and judge me for having my child on anxiety medication and I just don't like to deal with that. I would invite you to live with my child on no medication for anxiety...it would break your heart.

I have to admit, I was one of "them" BEFORE my 9yo was diagnosed over a year ago. I watched other people put their whole family on meds instead of working on better parenting. Again, IMO--I wasn't living in their shoes to know if that was the right or the wrong thing to do. I just thought people were too quick to have their kids pop a pill.
WELLLLLLLL, then it comes my turn and my then 7 year old telling me that he wanted to kill himself, wanted to move to California, and just dealing with the worst meltdowns. NOW- life is good. After the meds.
So I would just tell you to listen to your heart. Deep down, YOU know the right thing to do. You know your kid the best. Don't listen to anyone else, they are just uneducated on the topic just like I once was.

 

[Kimmumum]

My DS13 is on Strattera. I love it because it is not "a controlled substance". It works naturally with your own body chemistry. It does not work for a lot of people though . He has been on Ritalin and Concerta before and even though they were 24 hour drugs they only lasted about 8 hours. Strattera seems to last at least 12 hours.

If you have concerns about the anxiety can't you talk to your doctor about keeping her on the Lexipro but lowering the dose until you see how she reacts to the Strattera? You are the mom and know your daughter the best. Go with your heart!! Good luck.

 

[lalagrace]

I take Staterra, and I love it. I tried several of the other meds, which left me feeling either edgy, or stoned.
Straterra does make me sleepy, and gives me dry mouth, but those side effects are worst in the first 2 weeks.
I feel that it is effective for my anxiety as well. I am a dweller, and a fretter. But this medication helps me keep things in perspective, and allows me to use the cognitve theapy techniqes to break the obsessive negative thought process.

 

[stitchlover]

I am going to talk to him about all of this tomorrow. This child needs 24 hours anxiety coverage and I just don't see how she is going to get that without Lexapro. I would be more comfortable with the Straterra/Lexapro combination.

 

[robin09]

Believe it or not, my daughter takes the pill, I didn't even know there was a liquid, and absolutely hates the taste of it also. I know, I just don't understand, but then again, food has always been an issue with us. Textures are tough for her, so maybe it is the smell, or texture of it. The nightime pill she does fine with and doesn't complain.

I feel your pain about the medicines and other peoples views. It took me quite awhile to become comfortable with giving her meds for her issues. You are the mom, you know your daughter best. YOU live with her 24 hours a day, the psychiatrist might be a professional, BUT is not an expert on your daughter, take it slowly, decide what you want done for your daughter. It seems to me as if the anxiety is the bigger issue. Think about it and decide for your daughter what you feel will be best. If you need to talk, I'm here, fel free to PM.

Taste wouldn't be an issue because my daughter just takes the pill. We don't do the liquid. I have seen the benefits of treating my daughter for ADD, that's not the issue.
My concern is her anxiety problems. The doctor wants to take her off her anxiety medication and let straterra take care of both. I called Lilly, who makes Strattera, because I was unaware of it's impact on anxiety. Lilly said the FDA regulations do not allow them to say this medication is for anxiety. They are only regulated as an ADD/ADHD medication. This is a kid with pretty severe anxiety problems. She currently takes 30mg of Lexapro a day. 2006 was a very rough year for us because she quit responding to her previous medications and we were dealing with panic attacks, depression, inability to function in school due to panic attacks, etc. It took us months to get her back to a good place once they switched her to Lexapro. She's in a good place right now. So needless to say the idea of taking her off Lexapro sends MY anxiety levels through the roof.
I also have to say I have NEVER questioned this child psychiatrist before this. I love him, he has been a life saver. My husband says he is the doctor and I need to trust him but I'm truly scared.
This is why I am not completely comfortable talking about it in the open forum. There are people who roll their eyes and judge me for having my child on anxiety medication and I just don't like to deal with that. I would invite you to live with my child on no medication for anxiety...it would break your heart.

 

[stitchlover]

Oh I agree...in my opinion the anxiety is the larger issue. I think he is referring to this as ADD with co-existing anxiety. I believe some children have anxiety caused by their ADD/ADHD. Our daughter has VERY mild ADD and I firmly believe she is Anxiety with co-existing ADD.
Ah well...I'm not an MD but I'm a mom. We are going to have a serious discussion about all this tomorrow. I'll keep you guys posted as to the decision. I am an adult with an anxiety disorder but I go long, long periods of time (years) unmedicated because I'm able to cope. I'm afraid I'm going to need to be medicated if we go down this path!

 

[stitchlover]

I have to admit, I was one of "them" BEFORE my 9yo was diagnosed over a year ago. I watched other people put their whole family on meds instead of working on better parenting. Again, IMO--I wasn't living in their shoes to know if that was the right or the wrong thing to do. I just thought people were too quick to have their kids pop a pill.
WELLLLLLLL, then it comes my turn and my then 7 year old telling me that he wanted to kill himself, wanted to move to California, and just dealing with the worst meltdowns. NOW- life is good. After the meds.
So I would just tell you to listen to your heart. Deep down, YOU know the right thing to do. You know your kid the best. Don't listen to anyone else, they are just uneducated on the topic just like I once was.

Oh I was right there with you about looking down on parents who put their kids on medication. But our daughter was not living any kind of life you would want for your child before her diagnosis. It was very hard to make the decision to put her on medication but the life she leads now is wonderful. We still have some meltdowns but some of that is due to me not being consistent...I'm working on that! I tell the pediatrician this is not what I thought parenting would be. It doesn't help that she is an only child and I have no one else to compare her to.

I so appreciate everyone being willing to share their experiences with me. I don't have any friends who have children on any medications and didn't know where else to ask the question. I will let everyone know what the doctor and I decide tomorrow. He really is wonderful. We have been in his care for 2 years now and I don't know how we would have gotten through '06 without him.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I take Straterra, I didn't know kids took it I've seen it advertised as an adult ADD drug. I like it better than adderal which was a stimulant b/c it made my heat race. I think its helping me some days i really notice the difference, its usually when i complete something and afterward im like WOW I sat down and did that from start to finish with no distractions!
But my understanding was that usually stimulants were used for kids and non-stimulants for adult ADD, I could be wrong.

 

[stitchlover]

Back from the doctor's visit. He told me there is a very real possibility that the Straterra will not give the needed coverage for the anxiety. He agreed to allow her to take both her Lexapro and Straterra and continue to monitor. He said there is a good chance that at some point we will be comfortable backing down on the Lexapro.
This is why I love this doctor. I presented my point of view calmly (well maybe I was a little wound up) but he listened. He knows that I live with this child and see her anxiety levels. He said maybe this coming summer we could look at backing off the Lexapro a little and see how she does.
Thank all of you for sharing your experiences with me. Hopefully this will be the right path for us.

 

[robin09]

Thankyou for getting back! I'm glad your doctor listened to you and you feel comfortable. Summer is usually when I relax with the meds with Jenn, or try something different, so that school doesn't get affected. Have a good holiday and a happy new year!

Back from the doctor's visit. He told me there is a very real possibility that the Straterra will not give the needed coverage for the anxiety. He agreed to allow her to take both her Lexapro and Straterra and continue to monitor. He said there is a good chance that at some point we will be comfortable backing down on the Lexapro.
This is why I love this doctor. I presented my point of view calmly (well maybe I was a little wound up) but he listened. He knows that I live with this child and see her anxiety levels. He said maybe this coming summer we could look at backing off the Lexapro a little and see how she does.
Thank all of you for sharing your experiences with me. Hopefully this will be the right path for us.