Strattera

[san635]

My son developed Raynard's Phenomen after taking Strattera. Weaning him down on the dosage reduced the symptoms. His hands otherwise where blue, white, and cold through out the day. He had a reaction from the stimulants and can not take them. HAs anyone used accupuncture for controlling ADD symptoms?

[allmymarbles]

I also researched Strattera and finally found Reynaud's Syndrome as a side effect. It was only mentioned once in all the entries. The problem in researching this sort of thing is that most of the entries are by interested parties. It is frustrating to have to go through all that trash.

[Sandman2]

  I certainly don't doubt that it happened to your child.  Its just that ADHD is a hugely stressful condition. And stress flows with the over-all environment around the child.  Strattera may well have been the cause, but I would not be surprised if the Raynaulds returns while he is not on Strattera. Hopefully it won't!.  I would still read the book I recommended.  Best wishes.

[benjimom]

Sometimes the medication companies probably want to keep these bad side effects quiet.  I know of a few drugs that have very bad fatal side effects being a nurse and they are not hte common ones like upset stomach, etc.   If your doctor said it happened, it happened and I would not doubt it one BIT!  I hope the accupuncture can help, you know it is worht a try and it's DRUG FREE!  

[san635]

We have been to the Doctor (Rheumatologist) he has seen 4 cases of Strattera related Raynards. He went of the medication and it dissappeared within a few days. It was first documented in Germany with a 12 year old girl in 2006. There is a link. Probably due to the increase in Norepinephrine in the body. Just and FYI it happened to us. Have done tons of research for ADD and it's subtype. I ran accross the research when I was researching autonomic dysfunction

[Sandman2]

    Hummm, the problem is that strattera is not a stimulant, which is probably why it was prescribed to your son, and I can not find Raynard's symptoms listed as any side effect of strattera.
     "Raynaud's phenomenon is an exaggeration of vasomotor  responses to cold or emotional stress."  ADHD can cause a lot of emotional stress.  You really need to talk with your doctor.  You also need to do some research as allmymarbles suggested.  How old is your child and how long has he been on Strattera?  
     I have never seen any literature that would even suggest that acupuncture would control ADD symptoms.  However, it could be good for stress and increasing blood flow.
     I would first concentrate on solving the Raynard's problem.  I don't think that just eliminating strattera will do that.  Second, I would start doing some research on ADD.  The idea that acupuncture would help suggests to me that you need a better understanding of what ADD is and how to work with it.  A good book to start with is, "The ADD/ ADhD Answer book." , by Susan Ashley.   Good Luck!
  

[allmymarbles]

Whenever a doctor prescribes a medication for a child, the parent would do well to investigate its side effects of the medication. ADD medications can be very nasty, and that includes Strattera.  

In a case like this I would definitely investigate alternative medicine for the treatment of your child. The answer may be acupuncture which has no side effects. Do whatever works.