Natural supplements - Autism Spectrum Message Board

Asperger family · 02-01-2005, 03:08 PM

Hi everyone..Im posting to get some info on natural supplements like melatonin, magnesium and B-6. First question is, could it be harmful to give him any of these supplements while he is still taking 18mgs of straterra? Could it change his behavior drastically, have side effects? How many mgs should I give him of each. He is 7 years old, about 65lbs. I have magnesium 250mgs, b-6 50mgs and melatonin 3mgs. I havent tried any yet, just bought them today...but I really dont know how much to give him or if natural supplements can be harmful while taking a psychosis drug. I have tried melatonin myself before and although I wouldnt take it everynight, it really works.It will be over a week before he goes for his check up with his pediatrician.Thanks in advance!

KathleenW · 02-01-2005, 05:56 PM

You need to ask your pediatrician or pharmacist if taking the natural supplements could have any bad effects with the Straterra.

My son weighs 40 pounds and he takes 100mg of B6, 250 mg of magnesium and DMG daily. Those three things plus taking all milk out of my son's diet changed him completely. My son sleeps like a rock, I put him to bed at 7:30 and he wakes up at 7:30 so I have never used Melatonin with him. I however, have always had sleep problems. Melatonin gave me really strange dreams and in the morning I would still feel groggy. Good luck. I hope you get great results!

autmom · 02-05-2005, 10:25 AM

Have you considered trying a multi vitamin/mineral supplement?

Asperger family · 02-05-2005, 02:54 PM

yes, that is what Im trying right now...I took him off the straterra and he seems to be doing fine with the mutli vitamin supplements...Im keeping my fingers crossed that Im doing the right thing. I have also gotten soymilk to substitute his regular milk. He seems to be alright, no hyperactivity. Another thing I have noticed is his dad is a smoker...I have noticed that his nose runs when his dad comes home from work at 5pm and smokes. He also seems to exhibit more hyperness and out of control behavior...I wonder if that has to do with the cigarette smoke, he may be allergic to it. His dad works from 5am to 5pm, so he isnt here alot, so I really didnt notice too much before. Thanks for the replies...I really do think the natural supplements are doing him some good, even though I have just started them, normally he wouldnt make it through the day without his straterra and having tempertantrums. Pretty calm today.Thanks everyone!

IBGECKO · 02-05-2005, 04:54 PM

3 mg of melatonin is waaaaay too much for even an adult. That's why so many people get all clammy and have weird dreams. My husband and son both use melatonin. My husband crushes it into powder, and I put some on the tip of my finger for my son. It works great. All of his sleeplessness (which started when he began taking Strattera and Adderall) disappeared. Just remember that you only need about 1/2 mg.