[ Home | Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Jeannine Virtue
Date: 07 Apr 2003
Time: 00:34:04 -0400
Remote Name: 4.63.253.158
Ruth,
Your story is so familiar. The fact is that children almost always more focused and more productive when on ADHD medications - just as we would be while on stimulants. Unfortunately, with that aspect of ADHD medications, the downfall is side effects. The most common Ritalin and Concerta side effects are decreased appetite, as well as difficulty sleeping.
Enter Strattera - the first non-stimulant ADHD medication. I am not fond of Strattera in any way. It is too new and we just don't know yet of any long-term Strattera side effects, of Strattera side effects that did not show up in the small sampling of test subjects used to get FDA approval. I know a number of doctors who will not prescribe Srattera until more is known about the drug.
Besides, the side effects of Strattera are virtually the same as Ritalin side effects and side effects of other ADHD medications so you may very well continue to see decreased appetite.
If you go to the Attention Deficit Disorder Help Center homepage at http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com and scroll to the bottom to "Archived Newsletters", you will find an article about Strattera, as well as a very good article about nutrition. Those should provide a great deal of help in your situation.
We firmly believe that nutrition and supplementation should be the first course of treatment for Attention Deficit and ADHD. It is very effective and you should see notable changes. These changes will not be as immediate as taking Ritalin, Concerta or other ADHD medications but you are paid off with the benefit of no side effects.
Since your son is already on ADHD medication, you might want to keep him on medication through the end of the school year since there are only two months left, though I would suggest maybe going back to Ritalin instead of Strattera. Maybe you can try 5 mg to see if that helps with concentration while still allowing for an appetite.
The summer months are a great time to focus on alternative measures to prepare him for the next grade in fall.
If you have any other questions - feel free to email or leave a post on the forum.