Aspergers - A Family's Story

This is just a short update to let you all know how the change over in medication from  Ritalin to Strattera for the treatment of ADHD is going for Harrison.

So far everything is working out really well. It is quite a mission changing medication as we have had to work through a process of introducing the new medication and reducing the old but it is working out very well. Harrison is a completely different child.  Ritalin is a stimulant so Harrison had many ups and downs through his day as the medication worked and then started to wear off from his system.  With Strattera it is completely different for him.  Strattera gradually builds up in his system and releases slowly so he has no ups and downs far more consistancy.  He can go to bed at a reasonable time and can settle immediately he has no pent up energy to get rid off that had been suppressed by the Ritalin.  He is happier in himself and very proud that he no longer has to take medication at school - which as you can imagine is a really big thing in the life of an eight year old.  By the way this is his first week since starting school that he has not had to take meds. Fantastic!

He has an appetite again during the day and he seems much calmer in himself.

Harrison has had a bit of a skin rash which may be related to the Strattera but in talking to his Paediatrician - Anthony we have decided just to manage this with an antihistamine as Anthony believes that this will gradually settle down as Harrison's body starts to get in tune with the Strattera.  We all agree this is a small issue when you see the positives Harrison has had.

So this Friday will see the end of Ritalin for Harrison and a new world opening up for him.

We could never have imagined that such a change would have been possible in just 4 weeks.  We all agree this is a terrific outcome so far!