I would like some feed back from anyone whose child has experienced anxiety like symptoms on Strattera.

By way of background, I have a 12 year old daughter, 77lbs. She was on Concerta, but was experiencing horrible tics where she would pick at her self. Once she was taken off the Concerta, the tics went away. She then started on Strattera 25mgs on August 1st, 2003. On august 13th, 2003 we added an 18mg dose around 5:30 p.m. The past week she has been complaining of pains in her chest and arm, rapid heart rate, trouble breathing (although she does not appear to be in any breathing distress), fears at night, trouble sleeping, and general anxiety like issues at night (although not a full blown panic attack). Also moody on and off, mostly late afternoon to night. Has anyone experienced side effects like this while on Strattera? If so, how did you handle it? Did you take your child off the medication, or should I wait a little longer and see if it goes away? She is still easily distracted, and can be hyper in some situations.


[This message has been edited by kappy (edited 09-09-2003).]

[This message has been edited by kappy (edited 09-09-2003).]

My son started Strattera this week...He's 14
Are you keeping a record of any type of complaint she may tell you...I am writing down any thing I can ..Just in case I have to notify his Doctor.I hope we do not run in to any type of problems..But you never know..They did tell us the first few weeks he may feel sick to his stomach.. and to eat when he took it..or have small snacks..not have a empty belly.Maybe its the time she takes it.. we have to do it in the morning.. he couldnt take it at night.. He would just lay there for hours.

Keep notes... so you can tell her doctor what she has told you.. and how she feels..

Good luck

Bren

[This message has been edited by Bren30 (edited 09-10-2003).]

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It seems that the different meds affect each person very differently. What works wonders for one person can cause another severed illness. If the Strattera is causing negative side effects, you may need to try something else. The Strattera HELPS my son's anxiety tremendously. In fact, that's one of the main reasons he takes it. He also takes Ritalin because the Strattera doesn't help his focusing--but it does help his eating, sleeping, hyperactivity, anxiety, and it prevents the Ritalin "let down" when the stimulant wears off. So, it's all appears to be a matter of how one's body reacts.

Jboon,
Were you able to cut down on the amount of Ritilin your child takes? My daughter went off stimulants because they caused her to pick at her arms and legs all the time. But maybe a very small dose of adderall when needed during high stress/stimulating situations would help to chill her out a little. She is still very active on the strattera (mostly late afternoon/ evening) and it is almost imposisble for her to calm down at cheerleading practice, etc. Do you think I could give her a small dose before practice., but not everyday. Cann Adderall be takend on an as needed basis? I haven not heard any negative feedback from school yet (7th grade). So maybe the strattera is helping during the day and wearing off early evening.

Jboon,
Were you able to cut down on the amount of Ritilin your child takes? My daughter went off stimulants because they caused her to pick at her arms and legs all the time. But maybe a very small dose of adderall when needed during high stress/stimulating situations would help to chill her out a little. She is still very active on the strattera (mostly late afternoon/ evening) and it is almost imposisble for her to calm down at cheerleading practice, etc. Do you think I could give her a small dose before practice. but not everyday. Can Adderall be taken on an as needed basis? I have nnot heard any negative feedback from school yet (7th grade). So maybe the strattera is helping during the day and wearing off early evening.

[This message has been edited by kappy (edited 09-15-2003).]

Muztang 777...don't just stop it cold turkey! Talk to the doctor about how you should do that, or cut back a little at a time.

Please call your doctor and let them know!!! My son has had a horrible reaction to Staterra. Same symptoms but it got much worser!!! My son was great on it for the first 6 weeks and then a total different boy came out that was hard to manage. The past 4 days have been hell. He has panic attacks before he goes to school.(this never happened before) I send him to school and then he is at the nurse in hysterics!!! Crying that he need me and his heart hurts, his stomache hurts. It's bben crazy. The child study team has helped out today. He's been off meds for 2 days and he wants his Concerta back. He feels he need meds.To make himself better. This is so sad because I never wanted him to feel that he needs medicine to function on a daily basis. The doctor is a pshchiatrist and said that the Starteera can have delayed reaction like my sons. Good luck!!! I sure need it!

TomKyle,

How old is your son and how much Strattera was he taking. My daughter is 12 and taking 50mgs a day. It has now been 3 1/2 weeks since my orignal post and 9 weeks since my daughter started Strattera. She is doing better. She has not had any more aniexty issues. She is still active and unfocused, although not as bad as without med.

My son is 7 and he was on 25mg and then moved to 40. He says he does not feel good without medicine. The doctor said that he should go back on concerta before he goes to baseline. We'll see what happens.

my 7 yo daughter is now strattera, she was on ritilan la 40 mg, now she takes 40 mg of strattera, she only weighs 36 lbs. i think that it is to much for her. like you she was picking at herself constantly. she still does even with the strattera. but less often. we even had to get an antibiotic cream because she was picking so much. it's now october and she still has bug bites from august. its crazy. as for the moodiness and the emotions, it has gotten worse. she just can't handle anything. she cries at the slightest thing and if something doesn't go her way she has a worse temper tantrum than my 2 yo. i have another appointment with her dr in november but i think i might move it up because i am not sure that i can deal with this anymore. i spoke with her teacher and she said that she is tired all the time at school, so i am sure that it is the med. anyway. sorry for the long post hope it helps

Marjson,
How long has your daughter been off the Ritalin? My daughter's picking stopped once we took her off stimulants. The picking is definitely related to stimulant use. She does not do it at all on Strattera. She was also up and down on the beginning with Strattera, but that has gone away. Her mood has leveled off, although she does still have her moments. The biggest concern is focusing and hyperactivity. She gets extremely stimulated in most social situations, school, group gatherings, etc. But I am not putting her back on stimulants. The picking was much worse than any hyperactivity. I know what you mean about the bug bites though. My daughter had them on her arms, legs, etc. It was so sad. I am so thankful that has gone away. Your daughter's picking may clear up completely once the stimulant is out of her system.