Hi:

According to Dr. Larry Silver, mood swings are a common side effect to Strattera. Check out this article for more details: http://www.additudemag.com/q&a/ask_the_add_medical_expert/1245.html

He suggests discontinuing the medication if side effects don't go away after a few weeks...

Good luck!

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Thank you I will check out the article. He had these mood swings and huge tantrums even before taking the medicine? Maybe he is bipolar instead?

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mmc,

If he had the tantrums and mood swings before the medication, I would look into the child onset bipolar disorder. The most recommended book out there on child onset bipolar disorder is "The Bipolar Child" by Dimitri Papolos. You may be able to find it at your local library, instead of purchasing it. That's where I found it.

Children with ADHD can have tantrums and be moody but usually bipolar disorder is more severe. I would look into it myself before mentioning it to the doctor. It helps to be proactive and know what you are talking about. Some doctors will simply dismiss your concerns so it helps to be educated. And if he doesn't appear to fit the picture of childhood bipolar disorder, you can rule that out.

My nephew was diagnosed with childhood bipolar disorder at 8 yrs. old. He had originally been diagnosed as ADHD and ODD, but he didn't seem to improve with medication. He would get violent and threaten his mother. It took quite some time before the bipolar diagnosis was made. Not all psychiatrists or therapists are experienced in diagnosing or recognizing the disorder in childhood. That is why it would help if you learn about it and see whether or not the descriptions and examples in the book are similar to your child's situation.

My nephew was on medication for his bipolar disorder once he was diagnosed and has been continually on the medication. He is now 18 and he is doing fine. He still had ADHD but that was pushed aside once the bipolar diagnosis was made. About four years ago, they realized he did have ADHD as well. (Some clinicians don't like to make more than one diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder, so they will only choose the one that appears to be the most problemic at the time and concentrate on it. So they will treat the bipolar disorder and ignore the ADHD for example.)

Elaine

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I have been googling bipolar and a lot of it seems to be my 8 year old. I will get that book you recommended.

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Well I took my son to his pediatrician yesterday and he checked my son's height and weight and temp. But he didn't check his blood. He left him on the same dose of Strattera 35 mg until the script runs out and then he is going to be on 36 mg so I don't have to keep paying two copays. I talked to the pediatrician about his tantrums and moodswings and tics and he referred us to a child psychologist. He has had the tantrums, moodswings, and tics for a long time, long before he was diagnosed this April with ADHD and started on Strattera. I had hoped that the strattera would help with the mood swings and tantrums and maybe tics but it didn't. I don't think it has made it worse either but I really do think he may have tourettes or child onset bipolar. His appointment with the psychologist is Aug 6, that seems like so far away. I have made me a counseling appointment for July 23

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Well I managed to change my 8 year old's appointment with a counselor to July 9th. I am so excited. I have been reading alot about bipolar, Oppositional Defian Disorder, and Tourette's. I really think he is a combination of ADHD, Tourette's, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. There is a medication I did some research on too called Catapres that helps kids with ADHD, Tourette's, etc. Maybe the doctor will put him on that to try if he does infact have Tourette's.

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Well my son went to the psychologist yesterday and he dx'd him with also having Chronic Motor Tic Disorder, and Depression. I talked to him about the tantrums and moods and he said it could be part of the ADHD and gave me some things to try when parenting. He said if he has a tantrum or mood swing I am supposed to set a timer for 10 min and let him have his tantrum and if he stops before the 10 min turn off the timer. He said other parents have tried it and it stops the tantrums fairly soon. He also gave my son homework and that is to say okay mom if I ask him to do something like clean his room, get ready for bed, do his homework, etc. So we will see. He also thinks if we give him a medication along with his Strattera for his tics they will maybe supress a bit.

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Thanks! I will check out the article. He had these mood sweeps and huge scenes even before taking the medicine? Maybe he is bipolar rather?

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Its hard with mood swings and tantrums. My son was just diagnosed with Chronic Motor Tic Disorder as well as his ADHD. I wonder if that is part of the tantrums.

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Well I we went to the psychiatry appointment. I really like her. She is going to leave my son on Strattera for now but she has added Risperdal 0.25 mg. She said it should help with the tics and maybe with some of his tantrums. I am nervous to try a new medication though.

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