Straterra

[Joan Pandas Mom]

I know a few have tried Straterra. Have you had good results? My 15 DS got a prescription a few weeks ago. I think I'm going to give it a try today. I know it takes a few weeks to get into the system.

[MomWithOCDSon]

We haven't used Straterra, but we have been using another of the non-stimulant ADHD meds, Intuniv, and found it to be very helpful in terms of DS13's focus and ability to "get the ants out of his pants," etc. Since Intuniv is basically Tenex, though, I guess it is not always a good answer for kids with tics. Our DS's behaviors are primarily OCD, not tics, so we haven't seen any negative side effects on a long-term basis. He did get a little sleepy/tired by the end of the day the first week or so he was taking it, but that all evened out over time.

[Joan Pandas Mom]

My S has what looks like tics but he said they are not tics because he has an obsession first. I'm not sure though, sometimes they come on quick and I will ask him what the obsession was and he will say, "I don't know, I really don't know." I wonder if they are tics or compulsions. We have tried Adderall in the past but that made is OCD (and/or tics) worse. He had to stop taking it.

 

quote name='MomWithOCDSon' date='Mar 27 2010, 02:56 PM' post='61470']

We haven't used Straterra, but we have been using another of the non-stimulant ADHD meds, Intuniv, and found it to be very helpful in terms of DS13's focus and ability to "get the ants out of his pants," etc. Since Intuniv is basically Tenex, though, I guess it is not always a good answer for kids with tics. Our DS's behaviors are primarily OCD, not tics, so we haven't seen any negative side effects on a long-term basis. He did get a little sleepy/tired by the end of the day the first week or so he was taking it, but that all evened out over time.

[JAG10]

Our d10 uses Strattera with no negative side effects. She is prim. OCD, only transient tics occ.

 

She started it before we knew PANDAS. It is supposed to take weeks to work. I don't know if it's bcs of PANDAS or if her metabolism is atypical (along w.everything else) but we noticed improvements in 2-3 days.

[MomWithOCDSon]

Sammy Maloney took Straterra for years, I know, both during his recovery from PANDAS and for several years afterward. I asked Beth via email if the Straterra was for ADD/ADHD behaviors, or if it was to assist him with the OCD. This is what she said in response:

 

I think it was a combo. It let him focus on overcoming the OCD behaviors, so it was an ADD issue but related to the OCD. We've actually just decided last week to eliminate it completely and see how it goes. She said if he needs it again it will just feel generally like he can't keep all the balls in the air, some anxiety, etc all ADD stuff. The Strattera is really what let him break down the barriers holding him back from overcoming the OCD (as per the book). I'd try it in lieu of the SSRI.

[simplygina]

My S has what looks like tics but he said they are not tics because he has an obsession first. I'm not sure though, sometimes they come on quick and I will ask him what the obsession was and he will say, "I don't know, I really don't know." I wonder if they are tics or compulsions. We have tried Adderall in the past but that made is OCD (and/or tics) worse. He had to stop taking it.

 

 

 

My son has the same thing. It may start as OCD but becomes a tic like thing. And sometimes he has a tic, but then his OCD tells him he needs to continue to do it for a certain length of time until it feels right or it is an even number. I think they call that Tourettic OCD or something like that. It took me a long time to figure out if some of his behaviors were tics or OCD because of this. But this fall he started some behaviors that were very obviously tics so I realized he had both going on.

[Lilyma]

We haven't used Straterra, but we have been using another of the non-stimulant ADHD meds, Intuniv, and found it to be very helpful in terms of DS13's focus and ability to "get the ants out of his pants," etc. Since Intuniv is basically Tenex, though, I guess it is not always a good answer for kids with tics. Our DS's behaviors are primarily OCD, not tics, so we haven't seen any negative side effects on a long-term basis. He did get a little sleepy/tired by the end of the day the first week or so he was taking it, but that all evened out over time.

My son's doctor wants to start my son on Intuniv for ADD. My son has tics, I thought tenex helped with tics. Please inform as to what you know, I don't want to start anything that will cause my son anymore tics. His doctor prescribed this certain med because it is a non-stimulant. How quickly did you see focus improve? I am so hesitant about giving my son any type of meds because I don't want anything to backfire on him.

[MomWithOCDSon]

We haven't used Straterra, but we have been using another of the non-stimulant ADHD meds, Intuniv, and found it to be very helpful in terms of DS13's focus and ability to "get the ants out of his pants," etc. Since Intuniv is basically Tenex, though, I guess it is not always a good answer for kids with tics. Our DS's behaviors are primarily OCD, not tics, so we haven't seen any negative side effects on a long-term basis. He did get a little sleepy/tired by the end of the day the first week or so he was taking it, but that all evened out over time.

My son's doctor wants to start my son on Intuniv for ADD. My son has tics, I thought tenex helped with tics. Please inform as to what you know, I don't want to start anything that will cause my son anymore tics. His doctor prescribed this certain med because it is a non-stimulant. How quickly did you see focus improve? I am so hesitant about giving my son any type of meds because I don't want anything to backfire on him.

Didn't intend to alarm you; I had some previous exchanges with a parent who's child's primary behaviors are tics, and she was wary of the Intuniv/Tenex, I thought on that basis. But since my DS doesn't have tics, I may have misunderstood.

 

We saw a positive change in his focus within about 2 days. Then, when we forgot to give it to him about 4 days in, not only did we notice a different (negative difference, that is), but DS noticed it, too . . . said he felt like he couldn't hone in on the teacher, etc. Next day, back to Intuniv as usual, and he was back in the game!

[trggirl]

We tried Intuniv last month. I think we made it for 3 weeks and it was just no good for my daughter. Her fears ramped up, her tics were as bad or worse, she woke up three to four times a night, and her focus went from bad to worse.

 

This was my first and only try at the ADHD meds and it was not good. With that said though, after agonizing about it for months, I am glad I tried and can cross it off my list. I was torturing myself wondering if I was not doing right by my daughter by not giving her a med that could make her life easier.

[PEte]

As an adult with OCD/Tourettes/ADHD (or so they tell me) I am very aware of the details of my specific issues, and I'm beginning to formulate a model in my head by which all symptoms are actually a manifestation of a lack of inhibitory control in my mind. All symptoms seem to start with a slight urge to do something, whether it be to make a physical movement, follow a debilitating or disruptive train of thought, or complete a ritual. Each can be controlled with moderate effort for a short amount of time, but after a while I will have to complete the action or some other will take it's place. If I am in a bookstore, I "feel" the books that are not lined up on the shelf (but only when I see them), and if I don't adjust them to be in line I will "feel" them even when I leave their presence until some other impulse is carried through. The peculiarity of all of this is almost fascinating if it weren't so annoying!

I guess what I'm saying is it FEELS to me that they're all manifestations of the same thing.

I've just started Strattera but haven't noticed a change yet.

 

My S has what looks like tics but he said they are not tics because he has an obsession first. I'm not sure though, sometimes they come on quick and I will ask him what the obsession was and he will say, "I don't know, I really don't know." I wonder if they are tics or compulsions. We have tried Adderall in the past but that made is OCD (and/or tics) worse. He had to stop taking it.

 

 

 

My son has the same thing. It may start as OCD but becomes a tic like thing. And sometimes he has a tic, but then his OCD tells him he needs to continue to do it for a certain length of time until it feels right or it is an even number. I think they call that Tourettic OCD or something like that. It took me a long time to figure out if some of his behaviors were tics or OCD because of this. But this fall he started some behaviors that were very obviously tics so I realized he had both going on.

[Worried_Dad]

Our son's been on a "starter dose" of strattera (25 mg) for a few weeks now. It does seem to have helped his focus: he's doing better with homework and is remembering on his own to take his meds 3 times a day. Before the strattera, we had to always remind him about the meds, and homework was a major struggle.

 

So we're cautiously optimistic. So far, so good... but it's early days!

[melanie]

danny was on statera when he was 10 (hes 16) now.It was great for a long time.He did have stomach aches but did very well.This was pre pandas. We tried it about a year ago and it was a mess .SO i guess it depends.He cant take meds like SSRIs intruv seems to be helping maybe ask the doc what they think about that one??

 

 

Melanie