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From: Ruth
Date: 07 Apr 2003
Time: 00:28:55 -0400
Remote Name: 4.63.253.158
I have a 14 yr old son who at about age 9 was tested for a learning disability. Through this battery of tests it was revealed he might be slightly ADD. We kind of skimmed over that issue because I did want or feel it was necessary to put him on any medication. He was placed and still is in "resource" once a day for about 40 minutes. We have gotten several types of outside help for our son because the school he attends, we feel, hasn't given him the specific assisitance he needs. One day, several months ago he asked me if he could go on medication for his ADD. He said he has difficulty staying on task. Maybe, he said, medication would help. My husband and I discussed it and agreed to give it try. He had a physical and the pediatrician spoke with him and agreed that it may indeed help. She spoke of Ritilan and I asked if there was something he could take once a day because of the stigma of him going to the office everyday and taking a pill. She put him on Concerta. I'm not sure what the mg. was but it was appropriate for his weight. After taking it for approximately 2 days his appetite decreased to maybe one meal a day if that. I called the doctor and she lowered the dosage, still he had decreased appetite. The Concerta did indeed work, my son couldn't believe how much work he had gotten done at school those 2 days. So, once again, I called the doctor. She said we had to try Ritilan because he was sensitive to the 12 hour pill. OK. 10 mg. of Ritilan was given only in the a.m., because again, he did not want to go to the office for medication. The 10mg. once a day did help him concentrate, but once again he had no appetite. I then phoned the doctor explaining the situation, we no have a new drug, Strattara, no stimulant, hopefully, it will not repress his appetite. All this time I am reading the side effects, getting a sick feeling in my stomach. Going on web-sites pro and con. I'm really a loss here, is it worth it? My son is a C to D student. We know he can do much better if he could stay on task.