HELP my sons Dr. wants to change meds. - ADD / ADHD Message Board

meof3 · 06-23-2004, 09:00 AM

Hello,I'm new.

My son is six years old and has AD/HD.He has been on Aderall xr, concerta
foclin, and now the Dr. wants to put him on strattera.He had angry mood swings in the past and Ive heard that strattera may intensifiy those mood swings.If anyone has had any experinces with strattera and there kids,your info would be very helpful.

dalesgirl · 06-23-2004, 12:00 PM

Strattera works well with my kids but I did question it when the dr. suggested it because a friend of mine had her son on it and there were major problems. When I asked the doctor asked if the child had violent episodes before hand and I said yes and she said that is the answer. That child is on Concerta now and fine.

If I were you and the meds he is on right now are working then refuse to change them. Have you spoken to the doctor about your concerns with Strattera? What is his/her reason for wanting to change the medicine?

meof3 · 06-24-2004, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalesgirl

Strattera works well with my kids but I did question it when the dr. suggested it because a friend of mine had her son on it and there were major problems. When I asked the doctor asked if the child had violent episodes before hand and I said yes and she said that is the answer. That child is on Concerta now and fine.

If I were you and the meds he is on right now are working then refuse to change them. Have you spoken to the doctor about your concerns with Strattera? What is his/her reason for wanting to change the medicine?

My son was on adderall,that was'nt working.While he was on it he was very distructive,he broke every toy he got his hands on.His moods were up and down all the time.He would get so angry and hateful for no reason.The Dr. put him on 36mg of concerta,and that worked for a little while but he got use to it pretty quick.A month later he added 5mg of focalin to take in the evening in addition to the concerta.My son did very well for about two months.Then I started getting notes home from the teacher,saying he wouldnt follow directions from anyone,and his work was getting very messy. At home I noticed he was getting rather sassy, uncooportive,and hyper.
So now the Dr. wants to try strattera,and I'm worried.The more I read up on it the more I dont like it.But, I am interested in maby trying it in combination with the concerta,I've read a few cases of Drs. doing that, it treats bipoler disorder.My sons father has it and I think the way my son moods are, theres a posability he may have it to.The reason I posted on this board is to maby find someone who has their kid on strattera,or even better, a combination and hear how it worked for them.

dalesgirl · 06-24-2004, 09:32 AM

Oh I can't even remember all the meds my son was on.. I know Adderal was one of them and there was a weight concern as well as the fact that he still wasn't getting it. There was Clonidine too for a while which I was leary about at first considering it's a med to control high blood pressure in adults. I guess if you like the doctor and trust him then you can decide. My son had a good doctor who would say..."hey, if there's a problem call. If you don't think it's working you can add X amount and try that. If it still doesn't work call me".

NatalieatSIS · 06-25-2004, 01:53 PM

I hope I get this note to you in time. I DEFINITELY say NOOO to Strattera! My sons are 7 & 9 and both have been on meds for a while. They both tried Strattera and had bad reactions.
First, my son 9, has only been diagnosed for a little over a year, and is only ADD, not hyper or aggressive at all. While trying Staterra, he started banging his head on walls, hitting me, spitting at me, and even stating that he wish he was dead. I have never seen my son act this way in the past, and now off of Stattera, never says or does these things. I am sure it was the Straterra!
Second, my son 7, has been a little agressive and became severely angry and wanted to also hurt me while on Strattera.
I am very happy now that they are on Concerta and both are having much better times.....

I just hope you will reconsider. All children are different and react differently, but my experience was horrible!
Good Luck!