Hi....
I'm new here, just found this forum a few weeks ago.
My 7 year old son just switched from Concerta to Strattera. So far he is doing very well with the Strattera. I find that he is finally eating and mornings are no longer the living hell that they were for so long.
The one bad thing that I am seeing is that now he is wetting the bed. He has never done that,ever! Is this happening because he is sleeping so deeply? I have also noticed that he is tired when I put him to bed (which he never was before) and that he sleeps really hard. He takes his pill at about 5:30 pm, with supper.
If anyone else has experienced bedwetting with Strattera please let me know what, if anything, you have found that can help with it. Also, since none of my kids were ever bedwetters I don't really know what to do.

Thanks for the help, and thanks for being a very valuable resource. :)

Peace,
~kristine

I have no experience with Strattera but I can tell you about bedwetting.
It will pass and your job is to see the big picture and stay calm about it. It can lead to major esteem issues if you make a big deal about it.
Just buy some plastic covers for the bed and plan to replace the mattress if you have to...
Also, limit fluid intake before he goes to bed.
I found out that one common cause of bed wetting is the same that I suffered from as a child. While sleeping I would dream I was going to the bathroom only to wake up in a warm pool of my own making. He may actually think he is getting out of bed and going to the bathroom only to discover he is still in his bed.

So, focus on dealing with it and not making a big deal out of it. Ask how he feels about it and give him the power to figure it out and correct it on his own and you will make big strides towards a strong self esteem as an adult.

I am definitely not making him feel stupid or bad about it. I would never do that. I know that it would be cruel of me and that it would affect his self-esteem.
Last night we talked about it and together we thought of things to do and talked about how it wasn't going to last long and that soon he wouldn't be doing it anymore. We laid a plastic garbage bag under the sheet and then a towel on top of the sheet and limited his drinking before bed. He didn't wet last night, so that's great!
I know that this is just a temporary thing and that it'll soon pass. The medicine is working really well in all other aspects, so getting over this hurdle will be only a minor issue.

Peace,
~kristine

Originally posted by moonwillow
I am definitely not making him feel stupid or bad about it. I would never do that. I know that it would be cruel of me and that it would affect his self-esteem.
Last night we talked about it and together we thought of things to do and talked about how it wasn't going to last long and that soon he wouldn't be doing it anymore. We laid a plastic garbage bag under the sheet and then a towel on top of the sheet and limited his drinking before bed. He didn't wet last night, so that's great!
I know that this is just a temporary thing and that it'll soon pass. The medicine is working really well in all other aspects, so getting over this hurdle will be only a minor issue.

Peace,
~kristine

Kristine, That's great news! Thanks for the update. Paul

Bedwetting/urinary incontinence is not an uncommon side effect of strattera even in some of the adults who take it. The fact that he was not doing it before suggests it is a side effect but, of course, only a doctor can give you the best information regarding cause and effect in this situation.

I would speak with his provider, and see if they believe it is the meds causing it. It may be something as simple as a dose reduction fix. If not that they may switch him to another medication. Just my two cents.

Strattera can cause urinary retension or urinary hesitation (it's difficult to pee). Perhaps your son can't empty his bladder completely before bed, resulting in a problem during the night?
That would be my guess.
Good luck,
Greg

Yes those too. There is actually a very good website or two out there on it, if you type it into the ol' search engine.

Much as I hate talking about it I had bad side effects all around on it. To include what Greg is talking about as well as what I mentioned earlier. Not much fun.