Strattera with Negative Results

My son also has ADHD and he takes Adderall XR, granted he is only 12 but it has worked very well with him. He is able to focus on school and chores with no problem. He has been on the medication since he was 7 years old. He does have a short temper but his family doctor says that is part of having ADHD. Hope you find some answers, I know what life is like when no meds are involved.

First - I would get a second opinion from another doctor! Try a different pyschiatrist My son takes vyvanse and has had a lot less side effects with this medication than adderall. There are lots of medications he can try.

Dear T.,

If a drive to Columbus every now and then wouldn't be too much, I can recommend a great Integrative MD. She began her career as a pediatrician who specialized in treating children with behavioral and developmental disabilities (anywhere form the average ADHD school child to severely retarded group home children). She was concerned about the amount of medication recommended by the traditional medical community, so she began to research diet and supplements. She now uses all three (medication as needed once the diet and supplements are balanced). If you think this might work for you, please send me a private message and I will give you her name and contact information.

She's my doctor now because the parents of her young patients were so impressed with the improvement in their own children, they began making appointments for themselves. She now runs a family practice, but her specialty is undeniably children with developmental difficulties.

T.,
I'm really sorry you've had such a poor experience with this. I've worked in the health care field for several years. I'm a third year nursing student, at the age of 40. I love my patients and understand how frustrating it can be as a patient or the loved one of a patient to not be heard. Look for another doctor. If you feel you are not being heard or your opinion is not being taken into consideration, look for another doctor. I'm not advising you to do this every time they don't do what you want them to do, but if your son is not improving, getting worse, and you are facing obstacles with his current health care team, then I'd advise you to shop for someone who will listen to you and your son, start off from scratch with his health history, and work with him. Ask around your area for personal referrals. Many people don't talk about having relatives who are mentally ill, but in reality, most of us do have someone in our family or know someone who is struggling with mental health issues. You might get a name of a really good, compassionate doctor. If your son's insurance covers it, many of the newer psychiatric medications work better and with much fewer side effects. Many of the older ones do have substantial side effects, producing symptoms that are sometimes worse than the disorder it's treating. I can't theorize what may be causing his problems. I'm certainly no doctor, and even if I had been in nursing all my life, that would be inappropriate. I do know that many people with psychiatric disorders can live productive and fulfilling lives if given the right treatment and the right medications. The most successful treatments include both newer medications and psychotherapy to assist the patient in the best way to cope with their disorder.
I'd also like to mention that there are some really good groups out there to help you cope with this. NAMI is the name of an organization that does that. It stands for National Association of Mental Illness. They have group meetings that include patients with mental disorders and families trying to cope with loved ones suffering from psychiatric problems. I sat through a meeting once as part of my psychiatric rotation. It was a really great meeting and the people who run it are very knowledgeable and many of them also have relatives with psychiatric disorders. You will find you are not alone and there is help out there for you and your son. Look for a meeting in your area. They also have a website. Google NAMI. They could probably steer you in the right direction as to what steps to take to get your son the help he needs.

Good luck and God Bless!

G.

Dear T.,
I really feel for your son. I read a book that claimed that may people's symptoms stopped when they found out they were allergic to a certain food or chemical. I would rule everything out before I put him on another drug. I also read a book about bio-identical hormones. A lack of certain hormones affect serotonine levels in the brain which show up as disorders. First, I would go to a reputable chiropractor (8 years education with nutrition emphasis). Take him off thethings he is allergic to. If that does not work, get him tested to see if he is lacking any of the hormones. There are several. If you want to know the name of the books write me back. L. J

Wow, he (and you) have been through a lot! You've gotta talk to my mom b/c she went through some similiar issues with my brother (he had a processing problem, as well as ADHD since he was little.)
BUT he replaced his meds that weren't working with something else that she found that was so much better. He was in highschool at that time and his teachers started noticing a difference in a week or 2, his grades improved, and he felt so much better.
PM me with your number and I'll connect the 2 of you and perhaps it could change your son's life, like my brother!

Blessings!

T.,
Please find a new Doctor for your son. We have a 30 year old daughter who has several diagnoses and it has taken awhile to find the right med's for her. The right med's and the right doctor has made a major difference in all of our lives. I will pray for you all. Also We have found the vitamins we have her on have really helped with the ADHD. If you would like to talk about them or want more info send me a private message.
M.

I know a 20 year old who started on Strattera for OCD stuff and it didn't help him at all. The only thing that works for him - that lets him focus - is Ritalin.

Good luck to you. Sounds like you might need a new psychiatrist and/or a 2nd opinion.

I can't offer any great advice but I can say that EVERYONE reacts differently to these medications. I have been on several and unfortuanatly don't recall which ones did what, but after being on an SSRI, like zoloft and paxil, i ended up having to take an antipsychotic because i was having such severe panic attacks i was seeing things. it was not pleasant at all, so I can relate to what your son is going through with his current meds completely messing him up. my doctors as well said it couldn't be the meds but after they left my system I was fine, or at least the panic stopped. i would be sure to explain to your doctor the issues he's had and ask about various medications, there are so many different classes, SSRI's, anti depressants ect and so on. I'm not sure what class of medication strattera actually is but my first thought would be to totally switch to a different class of medication, because it's more likely to work in a completely different way and then in theory eliminate his side effects. good luck.

Your son is old enough now to start being in control of his behavior. Talk to him. He knows whether or not he can control it or not. If not, you need to seek a new psychiatrist. Anger management and counseling will help more than anything. You as a parent should make sure that you are holding him accountable for his actions.

Have you ever had him seen by an osteopath? They have found links to sensory and allergy issues with add and adhd. Osteopaths work on identifying the culprits and work to remove whatever is bothering you from your body. They have found some people with too much heavy metal in their system to a food allergy. Osteopaths are also non-invasive which is also a plus. In CLeveland there are several good ones that work with Adhd. Have you also had him evaluated by a behavioral psychologist or neurologist? I have seen too many doctors over the last couple years because I have a child with autism, a child with debilitating migraines who may have blood pressure issues and a child that was diagnosed with ADHD who now say he is cured. He was on some of those medicines in late teenage year into early 20's. After he went into the military they found out he had obstructive sleep apnea that was probably causing the ADHD symptoms. They did surgeries on his nose and jaw to correct whatever was causing him not to get a good night sleep. They actually measured where is oxygen levels were low and his blood pressure was high and he was a tall skinny kid which is not the typical scenario. They did a sleep lab to find this out. Through all my doctors visits I have found out that doctors don;t know everything and that I better do my own research to make sure my child is getting the proper care. Good luck to you. I am not fond of medicine. I believe to find the cause first of the problem then figure out what is the best solution. I am not trying to criticize you believe me I know how hard it is to get the best care for your kids. Don't give up and get second opinions. PLease try the natural approach if you can. Traditional doctors never look where osteopath do.

I suggest you check out https://www.neurorelief.com/ These are supplements that balance out your brains natural neurotransmitters which can solve problems such as depression and ADHD. There are no side effects, and the type and dosage is tailored to each individual. The NeuroScience folks from the website can help you find a doctor in your area who can 1) administer the saliva and urine test that will be sent to an independent testing laboratory and 2) advise you about the results and which products will bring the brain back into balance. Good luck.

Strattera was such a bad medication for my child he picked sores all over his body and we ended up at a dermatologist! Adderall (sp) does not work for him either. If you son has an IEP and you have seen a psychiatrist who is refusing to listen to you talk to Social Security and have their psychiatrist see him and give a DX. We went back to no medication because it is better at this point than what the psychiatrist at the Hamilton Center was trying to shove down our throats that has an affect on heart rate and I refuse to use. Xoloft can be dangerous as well, remember there are several children who have attacked and killed family members when on it. I haven't heard horror stories about Paxil yet.

You say this is the only doc in your area. Then go to another area!!! Why would you want this for your child? I wouldn't care if I had to drive 2 hours to a doc, if that what it took to better my child's mental health, so be it. Is this the life you want your son to live just because you don't want to look for another doc in another area? That's not fair to him. Obviously this is more than ADHD and it needs to be addressed and sounds like your not going to get that from this doc.

With all of what your son has been through and the faking for attention...I think that maybe your doctor does not want to bring any other meds into the picture b/c most other meds out there for adhd would be narcotic/addictive medication. A lot of people get addicted to meds and I am sure its not fun. That would bring on much more drama! I dont have a medical background but that was what my gut instinct told me.
Its just my opinion! Good luck!

T.,
I know it has been a couple weeks since you posted your request & response. Have you found help? I would like to
help if at all possible.
Please feel free to call me.

Sincerly,
A.
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I have not read any other responses but my first thought would be to goto another doctor. I see that you are doing that next week so try that first. I am a nurse and have seen wonders from other meds (not ADHD type meds) when original meds don't work. Just stick with it and demand another med!!! Good luck!

Try a new doctor. Sometimes it pays to shop around before you find the right doctor for you. L.

this sounds to me like side effects. my eldest son has bipolar and has many side effects from 10 diferant medications including tremors, seizures, blisters, rashes, heart palpitations, ect. I would recommend a differant medication and possibly a differant psychiatrist. good luck.

T.: Have him evaluated by someone else. All prescription ADD/ADHD meds are stimulants, and they can cause adverse events like you have mentioned. It sounds to me like there is something else going on like a mood disorder of some sort. You have to be his advocate, because he can't do it for himself. Dr. Kiki Chang formerly at University of Cincinnati and now at Stanford School of Medicine feels that ADD/ADHD is often Bipolar NOS because physicians are hesitant to label kids with a mental illness. I don't think this is true in all cases, but it is an interesting thought. Let me know if I can help. S.

Hi T.,
First let me say how very sorry I am for both of you. Your son has obviously been through so much and that doesn't happen without it happening to mom, too. The only advice/experience I know about is through helping the body/mind to get the nutrition it needs which will usually allow it to achieve balance and healing. I have heard many testimonies that attest to this approach so if you have any desire to pursue this direction, please let me know. I am in no way able to give you advice or direction but I know just the man who can. Best of luck in your very worthy quest.

Ask about Vyvanse. It's a once a day medication with various dossage levels. So far we have had great results with it and although my son is much younger we have had no side effects.

Good luck and if you don't get what you want from a doctor, find someone else to see!

T.,

He may need you to step out of the box that your location and inusrance has you in. I would make an appointment with a nero-psychologist and get him a good diagnosis. He is probably too old at this point for a Developmental Pediatrician, but you could try there too. They can be found at the nearest childrens hospital. You may need to drive him to a psychatrist who can help him.

Strattera can cause the kinds of problems you discribe, and that means that it is not the drug for him, and he needs to be carefully watched and his medication mangaged for months by someone who will see him as often as necessary. You may never find that on your insurance plan, you may have to bite the bullet and pay for it. It is one of the dirty little secrets about mental health issues, sad, but true.

If he has a mood disorder, anxiety, and inattention, you need very careful management because all these issues will require medications that can acacerbate the other conditions. It is a balancing act, and you will not find one wonder drug or dosage to fix it all. I will likely take many months of careful managament by a skilled prescriber.

You should get a good diagnois as soon as possible and then apply for gaurdianship if you beileve his mental capacity and responsibily levels are that of a 14 year old. In the end, it matters not if he is on your insurance anymore (and you might be able to keep him on if you have gaurdianship and a diagnosis) if he decides to give you the finger on his health care, he can refuse any treatment you try to get him as an adult. He can do that right now, and there is nothing you could do about it. Young adults with mental illnesses, especially mood disorders, are known to do just that very frequently, so you will want to protect him as soon as you can.

We are in this same boat, but thankfully, our soon to be 18 year old has a diagnosis and sees a very good psychatrist who can see her when ever she needs him, but we pay out of pocket even though we have insurance for the privalage of having proper treatment in a timley manner. We should have gaurdianship before her 18th birthday. I would consider it if I were you. It took years of trial and error to find the right medications for her, so I would find a way to get started as soon as possible.

My last bit of advice is that you put your feet on the floor and not be a victim of your circumstances. The answers are often not fair, or something we don't like, but they are there and you have to go get them.

M.

T.,

Get another psychiatrist for your son. As a matter of fact he needs a good doctor to examine his eating habits as well. The answer is not just in a pill. There are skills that he needs to learn to deal with his condition. Has he ever had blood work done to determine if he is deficient in anything. My family doctor generally dislikes psychiatrist because they are so narrow minded. Yet I know as you do that they are necessary. Make sure you ask lots of questions before you let them try another drug. Remember, doctors work for you. If you are not pleased with the work they do FIRE them. They are human no matter if they are aware of that or not. There are many good doctors out there. Make lots of phone calls and use the net to your advantage. Also there are support groups that help with everything you can imagine. Most of all know that I will keep you in my prayers.

T. G.

I'm sure this won't be helpful, but wanted to point out you may have some problems because your son is over 18, he is the one responsible for his medical care, unless you find him unable to. A doctor may not even talk to you because of this. If it would help, I would consider going through where I work. They have to keep things confidential about him, just as any other client. So not everyone would know the exact business, only what you chose to share.
Good luck. It's a horrible place to be when you start dealing with adult children who have probs.
R.

I don't know what doctor/psychiatrist you are going to, but I would change.
There is a Group called Affinity Center in Montgomery, Ohio and they focus on ADD/ADHD/depression. They do all sorts of testing etc. I have personally visited them and highly recommend them. Doctors name there is Doug Pentz.
Good luck with this. My boys did well on meds and we saw a major difference in about 2 weeks.

I know that my nephew was on Straterra and had horrid side effects. He became increasingly more and more violent. He would hit, scream, punch, throw things, all that the drop of a hat and most time totally unprovoked. Aggression is most definitely a side effect of Straterra! There is another medicine, but I have no idea what it's called..sorry. I just wanted to tell you that your son isn't the only one that has experienced those side effects. I'll talk to my sister and see if she can remember the name of the other medicine her son is on.

If yuor psychiatrist is refusing to even consider another cause for the problems, he clearly isn't the best! I can't believe, as a medical professional, that he would refuse to consider other medication or even a different disorder! Wow! What a jerk! I know you probably don't want to go to a different area, but that may be your best bet. Good luck to you! I hope you and your son can figure out what to do next to give you both some relief.

Sounds more like a mood disorder than ADHD, but they often occur together. My son takes Vyvanse (a slow release form of stimulant medication ) and Abilify, which is for bipolar , which he has not been diagnosed with but whenever we reduce the medication he becomes very agitated and agressive.

I would say shop for a new doctor, but he is probably medicaid insured and so you can't go to a good doctor.

The Abilify had a good result for my older child as well, but she simply stopped taking it.

Wish I could be of more help.

First, get a new psychiatrist. I have been on a couple of different medications for ADHD all with varying side effects. Straterra made me really nauseated and didn't help with my symptoms in the least-- a side effect my psychiatrist had never heard of, by the way. For other people, it is great. Point being, medications have different effects on different people. If the doctor isn't willing to try different options and pursue a different diagnosis, please find someone else... for your own sanity if nothing else. I can probably get you a suggestion for a new doctor should you want it. Just send me a message. Good luck!