Hello, my name is Jo. I'm new to this forum. I have a 7 y-o daughter with ADHD. We've tried Adderral and Focalin with bad side effects. I'm very reluctant to try Strattera since it's so new on the market. I'm on the adult forum, as opposed to the parenting forum, because I'm wanting to find some adults who have been on medication since childhood. I want to know the pros and cons. Anybody?

Jo Anna -- A very pretty name and welcome to the forums....so glad you are here.....If at some point you would like to go to the Introductions thread and tell us a little bit about yourself.....please do.....:)

From what I have seen on these forums, very few of us members have been on meds since we were children....simply because we were not diagnosed until we were adults....so we went undiagnosed as children and so no meds.....

And people here have been on meds as adults for various lengths of time..and some not at all...people here are at all different stages and places with their ADD....

Strattera has been marketed as a med for adults with ADD....but there have been ads on T.V. for strattera use with children....I understand your concerns -- it IS a new med and not all of the short or long term effects of this drug have been studied or are known.....

If your daughter is being seen by a doctor you like and trust.....perhaps you can talk to him/her about the fact that the side effects of Adderal and Focalin are not acceptable...and what are the other options for your daughter.....

Again, welcome and please continue to post here often and you will get lots of support:)

Welcome, Jo!

I changed your post into a new thread so that others may see it sooner.

I was diagnosed as an adult, so I'm afraid I can't be of much help. There are other Members on the Forums who'll be able to help, and don't forget to check out the Meds threads under the Treatment/Management section.

Smooch: Can you move the thread with the same question as this...where there is my answer only -- over to here??? That would be great...thanks....

Sorry Joan--new to moving/switching/moderating stuff--and my boss chooses the MOST inconvenient times to give me stuff to do so I got distracted in the middle of all of it!! ;)

Thank you Joan and Smooch for your kind welcoming. Taking your advice, Joan, I did post to the Introductions thread. ; )

Jo Anna~

I highly recommend the book Understanding Girls With ADHD by Kathleen Nadeau, et al.

This book discusses the brain development stages of girls and will most likely address the medication issues you raise (I haven't gotten to that part yet...reading about 3 other books simultaneously).

You might also search the internet for articles, etc. by Kathleen Nadeau (search: Nadeau + girls + adhd or something like that) and you'll surely find more info. I'll see what I can find and will let you know. :)

Welcome to the ADD Forums :)

Jo Anna,

I was diagnosed at 16, not quite an adult - but not a child really either. I was started on Ritalin and had some success with it. Unfortuantely I wasn't really given much insight on what else I could do to manage the ADD. It was like - "here, take this and you'll be fine!" :rolleyes:

As far as side effects though, I can honestly say I had none. I've been on and off it numerous times - no problems with dependance or anything. Currently I am on no meds, but considering going back on them.

Is there a reason why the doctor is pushing the Strattera and not Ritalin? It seems like a no-brainer to me since it's the oldest drug in the ADD book.

-Diane

Hi. The reason your doctor is pushing strattera over ritalin is probably because it is a non-stimulant. Benefits of this are it has no potential for abuse, you can call in refills rather than having to pick up written ones as you would with ritalin, its one day dosing, always in your system (just like an anti depressant) Just because ritalin is the oldest doesnt make it the best. If you try strattera and it doesnt work then your doctor will probably agree to prescribe ritalin.

Smooch,

Thank you for the book recommendation. I will definitely read it!

The doctor recommended Strattera because Adderall and Focalin are stimulants, like Ritalin. They all work in basically the same way. Because of that, the doctor said that Sarah would react to Ritalin the same way she reacted Adderall and Focalin. :o)

I've posted a "reader-response" article I found on addhelpline.org in the Parenting Section that discusses diagnosis and treatments....

Well i know it might be a little late, but i have jsut recently joined this forum and thought that i could give you some help. I have been diagnosed with ADD since the 3rd grade (age 8) and i am now 21. I have been on high levels of ritalin and now recently went to ritalin combined with concerta. i have also been seeing a psychologist the entire time as well so if there are any questions that you have just ask i would be glad to assist in any way possible.

Admin's Note: Posted E-mail address removed. Please read the Forum Guidelines & Rules about posting private e-mail addresses. Thank you.