Comments on: How long does Strattera work for? http://www.addadhdblog.com/how-long-does-strattera-work-for/ A blog about Attention Deficit Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:39:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Veronica http://www.addadhdblog.com/how-long-does-strattera-work-for/comment-page-1/#comment-838969 Veronica Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:52:56 +0000 http://addadhdblog.com/how-long-does-strattera-work-for/#comment-838969 I have always had ADHD. Though I was always considered a good kid in General and teachers though me intelligent, I always had trouble with tests, homework, and remembering important things. Though rarely medicated as an child, as an adult it became very important, do to failures in jobs, wrecks, and remembering things. The worst part for me has always been not reading well due to lack of concentration. I went to a Psychiotrist and was diagnosed amd have been on Strattera now for over two years. I have noticed recently my reading has worsened and am having trouble at work and home again. I was going to talk to my Dr., but with the shortage on ADHD Medicine out there, I am not sure what to say. I have always had ADHD. Though I was always considered a good kid in General and teachers though me intelligent, I always had trouble with tests, homework, and remembering important things. Though rarely medicated as an child, as an adult it became very important, do to failures in jobs, wrecks, and remembering things. The worst part for me has always been not reading well due to lack of concentration. I went to a Psychiotrist and was diagnosed amd have been on Strattera now for over two years. I have noticed recently my reading has worsened and am having trouble at work and home again. I was going to talk to my Dr., but with the shortage on ADHD Medicine out there, I am not sure what to say.

]]> By: Dr. Kenny Handelman http://www.addadhdblog.com/how-long-does-strattera-work-for/comment-page-1/#comment-755251 Dr. Kenny Handelman Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:31:08 +0000 http://addadhdblog.com/how-long-does-strattera-work-for/#comment-755251 David - seizures are a documented risk of Wellbutrin. While there is some concern with stimulants worsening epilepsy, they are not known to cause seizures. Talk to your doctor about the options. David – seizures are a documented risk of Wellbutrin. While there is some concern with stimulants worsening epilepsy, they are not known to cause seizures. Talk to your doctor about the options.

]]> By: David http://www.addadhdblog.com/how-long-does-strattera-work-for/comment-page-1/#comment-734347 David Sat, 19 Nov 2011 07:14:06 +0000 http://addadhdblog.com/how-long-does-strattera-work-for/#comment-734347 Dr. Handleman, I am a 50 year old male caucasion started taking Wellbutrin July 2010 had Grand Mal Nov 22. Went through every test known to man, nothing mri's 74 hr eegs , endocronologist, Neuro surgeon all off it. Conclusion Wellbutrin inducted 300 mg. That was was first a/d i have ever took it worked great just the horrible seizure. 2 years seizure free. Now adhd pops up bad i had been feeling it coming was strange, my wonderful family {very supportive] wanted me tested for adhd, some work with me. Called Dr. family friend for 25 years that did young people and adhd work but had moved up latter in life to older people mostly parents because they were steeling little Johnnies pills and feeling super so he got inerested in that . He tells me on Phone tonight he wants me wife to come over and lets discuss strattera Dr. that seizure scared me to death, I swore I would never take another a/d again here I am What is your feeling on Strattera and seizure risk. I can go straight to adderrall and not have to take every day no seizure worry. I have a lot of confidence in this Dr I just hope he is in tuned to the seizure issue what do you think. Thanks for your help and support on this website. Dr. Handleman, I am a 50 year old male caucasion started taking Wellbutrin July 2010 had Grand Mal Nov 22. Went through every test known to man, nothing mri’s 74 hr eegs , endocronologist, Neuro surgeon all off it. Conclusion Wellbutrin inducted 300 mg. That was was first a/d i have ever took it worked great just the horrible seizure. 2 years seizure free. Now adhd pops up bad i had been feeling it coming was strange, my wonderful family {very supportive] wanted me tested for adhd, some work with me. Called Dr. family friend for 25 years that did young people and adhd work but had moved up latter in life to older people mostly parents because they were steeling little Johnnies pills and feeling super so he got inerested in that . He tells me on Phone tonight he wants me wife to come over and lets discuss strattera Dr. that seizure scared me to death, I swore I would never take another a/d again here I am What is your feeling on Strattera and seizure risk. I can go straight to adderrall and not have to take every day no seizure worry. I have a lot of confidence in this Dr I just hope he is in tuned to the seizure issue what do you think. Thanks for your help and support on this website.

]]> By: Leigh http://www.addadhdblog.com/how-long-does-strattera-work-for/comment-page-1/#comment-287886 Leigh Fri, 26 Nov 2010 05:42:26 +0000 http://addadhdblog.com/how-long-does-strattera-work-for/#comment-287886 I've heard from a friend of mine that her daughter's negative behaviours increased for a period of time during the first 4 weeks but she had been warned about this and she was encouraged to try to ride it out, sure enough things settled back down within a couple of weeks and her daughter is doing great,. She has been on Strattera for a few years now. I’ve heard from a friend of mine that her daughter’s negative behaviours increased for a period of time during the first 4 weeks but she had been warned about this and she was encouraged to try to ride it out, sure enough things settled back down within a couple of weeks and her daughter is doing great,. She has been on Strattera for a few years now.

]]> By: Dr. Kenny Handelman http://www.addadhdblog.com/how-long-does-strattera-work-for/comment-page-1/#comment-283059 Dr. Kenny Handelman Thu, 18 Nov 2010 03:46:53 +0000 http://addadhdblog.com/how-long-does-strattera-work-for/#comment-283059 Dawn, I don't think that opening the capsule would change the absorption of the medicine. Dawn, I don’t think that opening the capsule would change the absorption of the medicine.

]]> By: Dawn http://www.addadhdblog.com/how-long-does-strattera-work-for/comment-page-1/#comment-282016 Dawn Mon, 15 Nov 2010 17:31:21 +0000 http://addadhdblog.com/how-long-does-strattera-work-for/#comment-282016 Dr. Handelman, My son, 7, was just diagnosed with ADHD, hyperactivity, in Oct. We did the full physchological evaluation and his primary MD recommeneded we start Strattera and this is his 4th week. His teacher feels she noticed behavior improvement (able to sit for longer periods, not blurting out answers, interuppting, inappropriate comments) the first week. However, weeks 2 & 3, she felt he was exhibiting the negative behaviors again. Of course week one was the 10mg started dose and now he's on the 18mg ever since. Will this take time to build in his system or is this dosage/medicine likely not right and we need to up the dosage or switch meds? Also, sounds silly, but the 1st week he swallowed the pill whole. This was a real battle so we resorted to pouring out the capsule into a juice. Would this lessen the effectiveness (would he be getting that much less medicine). I can't see how, but thought I'd ask. We followup with his primary MD at the end of the month and the psychologist as needed. Dr. Handelman,

My son, 7, was just diagnosed with ADHD, hyperactivity, in Oct. We did the full physchological evaluation and his primary MD recommeneded we start Strattera and this is his 4th week. His teacher feels she noticed behavior improvement (able to sit for longer periods, not blurting out answers, interuppting, inappropriate comments) the first week. However, weeks 2 & 3, she felt he was exhibiting the negative behaviors again. Of course week one was the 10mg started dose and now he’s on the 18mg ever since. Will this take time to build in his system or is this dosage/medicine likely not right and we need to up the dosage or switch meds? Also, sounds silly, but the 1st week he swallowed the pill whole. This was a real battle so we resorted to pouring out the capsule into a juice. Would this lessen the effectiveness (would he be getting that much less medicine). I can’t see how, but thought I’d ask. We followup with his primary MD at the end of the month and the psychologist as needed.

]]> By: Dr. Kenny Handelman http://www.addadhdblog.com/how-long-does-strattera-work-for/comment-page-1/#comment-240069 Dr. Kenny Handelman Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:02:13 +0000 http://addadhdblog.com/how-long-does-strattera-work-for/#comment-240069 Sue, thanks for joining the conversation. Here are a few thoughts: Strattera may be a good option - and could work to help the ADHD and not worsen the tics Wellbutrin is an antidepressant which also has some ADHD properties - it may be an option Even with tics, stimulants don't always make them a big problem. You may consider trying it. Neurofeedback has decent research behind it (it isn't perfect, but neither is any treatment). The biggest side effect is the time you have to put into it. Review these options with your son, and let him decide what's best (hopefully with lots of your input!). Sue, thanks for joining the conversation. Here are a few thoughts:
Strattera may be a good option – and could work to help the ADHD and not worsen the tics
Wellbutrin is an antidepressant which also has some ADHD properties – it may be an option
Even with tics, stimulants don’t always make them a big problem. You may consider trying it.
Neurofeedback has decent research behind it (it isn’t perfect, but neither is any treatment). The biggest side effect is the time you have to put into it. Review these options with your son, and let him decide what’s best (hopefully with lots of your input!).

]]> By: Sue http://www.addadhdblog.com/how-long-does-strattera-work-for/comment-page-1/#comment-237542 Sue Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:20:14 +0000 http://addadhdblog.com/how-long-does-strattera-work-for/#comment-237542 Hello Dr. Handelman, I have two sons recently diagnosed with ADD. My older son is 20. He was diagnosed with Tourrettes Syndrome at age 9 with possible ADD at that time. As Ritalin and other amphetamines prescribed at that time were proported to exacerbate ticks, as parents, we chose not to medicate, but, to monitor. The medication recently recommended for my older son is Strattera as he has co-existing social anxiety along with the Tourrettes. The ticks are mild and intermittent, so, they have not been a major concern. The attending psychiatrist has noted exacerbation of ticks when the other amphetamines are prescribed to his patients. Strattera, we are told, has a positive effect on anxiety. This psychiatrist is thinking our son might have had mild episodes of depression. From parental observations our son does have low self esteem, but, he is generally an optomistic personality. He has always slept poorly and low energy levels are routine. Would Strattera contribute to low energy? As his medicine options are limited, we have researched and had consultations and examinations with a registered psychologist who uses neurocognitive skill enhancement and neurobiofeedback (with EEG assessment) via software. My own research of the literature including a recent metanalysis conducted by a psychologist out of Dukes University in North Carolina indicates good potential use of this non-medicinal therapy (over 50% success rate). We are thinking of trying this route initially before resorting to drug therapy as there is encouraging data and potential for permanent changes due to the neuroplasticity of the brain. One of our concerns is the time element, as it is suggested the program would be approximately 6 months to get my sons up to speed with their non-ADD cohorts if successful. That being said, the psychologist is very optomistic with respect to the older son. Your comments would be welcomed. Many Thanks, Sue NB. This is my very first contribution to a blog! Hello Dr. Handelman,

I have two sons recently diagnosed with ADD. My older son is 20. He was diagnosed with Tourrettes Syndrome at age 9 with possible ADD at that time. As Ritalin and other amphetamines prescribed at that time were proported to exacerbate ticks, as parents, we chose not to medicate, but, to monitor.

The medication recently recommended for my older son is Strattera as he has co-existing social anxiety along with the Tourrettes. The ticks are mild and intermittent, so, they have not been a major concern. The attending psychiatrist has noted exacerbation of ticks when the other amphetamines are prescribed to his patients. Strattera, we are told, has a positive effect on anxiety.

This psychiatrist is thinking our son might have had mild episodes of depression. From parental observations our son does have low self esteem, but, he is generally an optomistic personality. He has always slept poorly and low energy levels are routine. Would Strattera contribute to low energy?

As his medicine options are limited, we have researched and had consultations and examinations with a registered psychologist who uses neurocognitive skill enhancement and neurobiofeedback (with EEG assessment) via software. My own research of the literature including a recent metanalysis conducted by a psychologist out of Dukes University in North Carolina indicates good potential use of this non-medicinal therapy (over 50% success rate). We are thinking of trying this route initially before resorting to drug therapy as there is encouraging data and potential for permanent changes due to the neuroplasticity of the brain. One of our concerns is the time element, as it is suggested the program would be approximately 6 months to get my sons up to speed with their non-ADD cohorts if successful. That being said, the psychologist is very optomistic with respect to the older son.

Your comments would be welcomed.

Many Thanks,

Sue

NB. This is my very first contribution to a blog!

]]> By: Dr. Kenny Handelman http://www.addadhdblog.com/how-long-does-strattera-work-for/comment-page-1/#comment-224191 Dr. Kenny Handelman Sat, 31 Jul 2010 21:21:13 +0000 http://addadhdblog.com/how-long-does-strattera-work-for/#comment-224191 Kayla - I'm not clear how long he's been sleeping. Sleepiness is a side effect of Strattera. And sometimes it is worse in the beginning when someone starts the medicine, and gets better day by day. If you are concerned with the amount of sleep - call the prescribing doctor. Kayla – I’m not clear how long he’s been sleeping. Sleepiness is a side effect of Strattera. And sometimes it is worse in the beginning when someone starts the medicine, and gets better day by day.
If you are concerned with the amount of sleep – call the prescribing doctor.

]]> By: kayla http://www.addadhdblog.com/how-long-does-strattera-work-for/comment-page-1/#comment-224169 kayla Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:13:50 +0000 http://addadhdblog.com/how-long-does-strattera-work-for/#comment-224169 I was just wondering how long he should be asleep for. I was just wondering how long he should be asleep for.

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