Strattera for My Daughter? ***EDITED***

One of the posters said it made her teenager sleep. That is true. My son was put on it and we were told that he would sleep more than normal. He slept a lot! It only lasted until his system adjusted to it. For us it was a miracle medicine. He is 21 now and it was new when he started taking it. I understand that parents don't want to over medicate their child. I worried about that 15 years ago. Sometimes medication and therapy and diet changes or whatever else there is out there are necessary for the desired results. Good luck with the roller coaster ride!

Strattera worked very well for my ODD/ADD child. The only side effect we noticed was lack of appetite/weight loss. So sorry you had to deal with the negativity regarding medicating your child, but I've been in your shoes and know how it feels to have tried everything else and have to resort to medication. Good luck, and hang in there.

There is a place for meds, but try a few things first.
6g of fish oil daily is the dosage that significantly reduces ADD symptoms. Use only pharmaceutical grade though, such as Metagenics or Anabolic Laboratories.
No refined sugar and no caffeine. Limit her processed foods too. Keep with a very structured routine.
If after doing all these consistently does not work, or you cannot follow it, then medication is warranted.
We had the best results with Focalin. No side effects. Strattera put my teenage son to sleep!
My 7 year old daughter only takes the Focalin during school, I can control her environment at home to where she doesn't need it in the summer. Structure and good diet! The keys of success!

Hi K.,
My Son is 11 and he was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 6. My Son has taken Ritalin, Concerta, Strattera, Risperdal, Daytrana and Adderal and to this date no traditional pharmaceutical has worked. He was also diagnosed with ODD, Anxiety and Bi-Polar. ADHD is and has always been the diagnosis that has stuck. My point is that each doctor you will see will most likely differ in diagnosis and therapy. Change your pediatrician to a Specialist one that deals with behavioral medicine. You are smart not to rush into drug therapy. I have been told by MANY health professionals that ADHD and ODD can not be diagnosed until 5 years of age at the earliest. Most Dr.'s that we have seen do not encourage any drug therapy below the age of 5. Most clinical studies with behavioral drugs do not include children under the age of 6. I know how frustrating this is, we have lived this for a very long time. Cognitive therapy for your daughter and family therapy to learn about her behavior and to learn coping skills is where I would start. Also there are diets and supplements out there that do help.The diets are difficult to follow and expensive to support. Stay away from any food coloring and try to feed her low glycemic foods. (I can send you a list if would like) I have found that a pharmaceutical grade Omega III is essential for brain health and balance. My favorite line of kid friendly nutritional supplements that were made for the full spectrum of behavioral challenges is the Might-A-Mins Spectrum products . They are in Isotonic form which means your daughter could drink the supplements. My Son says it tastes like fruit punch when all three products are mixed together. The same company makes an isotonic form of L-Tryptophan. This is terrific for anxiety temper and sleeplessness. If taken on an empty stomach in the morning it calms throughout the day if taken on an empty stomach at night it helps get my son to sleep. Since taking these supplements I have noticed changes in my Son. He is more able to control himself and the outbursts are diminished as well as improved overall health. Typically ADHD children have very poor dietary habits and these highly absorbable supplements are designed to fill in the pot holes. Please feel free to email me at ____@____.com if you would like information on anything that I mentioned in this note. I would be happy to help. Take care.

L.

That's awfully young to be diagnosing a child with ODD or ADHD. I was informed (through several doctors) that they usually don't check children for those sort of things until they are at least 5. As for medication, that should purely reside on whether you want to do it or not. Don't EVER let someone tell you that you have to, unless it's a life or death situation. My son has Sensory Integration Disorder and ADHD. I did EVERYTHING I could long before I resorted to meds. I had issues with him since he was 2. He's now 7. We waited until he was 6 before we decided it was time. Sometimes the environment (allergies or over/under stimulation) or food can play into why a child acts the way they do. ODD is a SERIOUS thing to consider, especially in a child that young. I would get a second, and even if you have to, a third opinion. You are not alone. *hug*

I don't have any advice about the meds either, but I just wanted to offer my support. My daughter was never "officially" diagnosed when she was younger but ODD was often suggested or "general defiant disorder" or something along those lines. She has now been "officially" diagnosed with ADHD at age 8. We have yet to try any meds, but we may end up there as well, so I am reading the replies with interest. I've been through what you have described. We are trying some dietary changes and supplements currently. I also find the approach at this website helpful: http://www.livesinthebalance.org/ Nothing is an easy solution with these kids though. I'd love to have others in the same boat to chat with for support. Private message me if you are interested.

I can't contribute much about this specific medication, but I want to say two things...first I appluad you for trying to avoid meds and altering her diet and other things. That really can help a lot and so many people try the "quick" fix of drugs first, so good for you! She is really learning how to manage this herself when you introduce concepts like that. Plus, I think it's kind of appalling that her pediatrician scoffed at you! Maybe you should find someone else!!! Secondly, without trying to completely contradict myself...;)...if she really does need meds and the things you have done aren't working enough, you should do it. I've worked with a lot of kids on meds and various studies have shown that when kids (people in general) need medications and don't get them they will eventually self medicate. You don't want that...that's how kids get into illegal drugs and alcohol. This is a tough decision and hopefully people with more experience with this drug can help you understand better! Good luck!

ADD/ADHD and other mental conditions are best diagnosed by mental health professionals. I'd take her to one of those before her pediatrician. Medication is not the only answer. I was on meds for ADD and developed coping skills. Once I had the coping skills down and they were basically habits, the meds and the coping skills were redundant. I didn't need the meds. SO, while meds can be helpful in certain situations she's only 3 and most mental health professionals won't even look at ADHD until the child is school age. Your doctor may be jumping the gun, and you should seek out the advice of mental health professionals not a pediatrician in this case.