Renee016

I have a 14 year old son with ADD and possible ODD. He has recently started taking medication (Strattera 60mg once a day). I have noticed a little improvement at school as far as remembering to write down his homework and have teachers sign "blue card" (disciplinary tactic). He's also been doing better with homework - doing it when he gets home instead of waiting till bedtime and completing most of it.

What I haven't seen much improvement in is his general behavior at home, i.e. frustration with baby sister, interrupting others when speaking, constantly bored and does not know what to do with himself, still needs reminding to take out garbage, take a shower, change underwear! (no kidding)

My question is this: Is the medicine only supposed to help in an academic or structured setting and if so, what else can I do to make things smoother at home? If not, does he need a higher dose maybe, is it wearing off by the time he gets home?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks! Renee

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1982 Fusion surgery for scoliosis with stainless steel Harrington Rod (T5 - L3) using pelvic bone for grafting
1999 Neck problems began
2001 Cervical Kyphosis
2002 Diagnosed with Epstein-Barr (level was 7+) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
2003 3 Herniated Cervical Discs - C4 thru C7. One disc (C5-6) pressing on the spinal cord (no nerve root compression) causing leg weakness, tingling, burning and numbness - diagnosed with myelopathy and ACDF recommended.
2/24/03 One-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy with donor bone and titanium plate (C5-6)
Post 2/03 - Symptoms returned and worsening. Weakness in my legs is like walking against a 50 mph wind - pain in lower back and all the way down my right leg to the ankle - vertigo, muscle spasms in trunk and legs
7/03 EEG, BAERS and MRI of brain all normal
7/03 MRI of lumbar spine showed mild herniated disc (L4/5) with moderate to severe DDD and edema in the endplates. HOLDING OUT FOR ARTIFICIAL DISC REPLACEMENT!