northernlights
Member
Hi,
Just looking for other people?s thoughts here. My daughter (who has TS, OCD and GAD) was recently diagnosed with ADHD. Treatment of this is currently under discussion, but her consultant is recommending that she try Methylphenidate (Ritalin). I have reservations about her taking this medication because I have spoken to several people at a local support group who had a bad experience of it. Basically it made their child?s tics much worse. I spoke to an adult with TS who was also in attendance and they told me they had the same experience. One parent actually advised me never to put my daughter on this medication, that they would never again let their child try it. It was just so bad. Another person said that the medication leaflet for Ritalin actually states that it should not to be given to people with Tourette?s. I was told that they all had much better results on Atomoxetine (Strattera).
Ok, so having come away with this information, I told my husband and we both felt that it was only fair to inform our daughter of these individuals thoughts and experiences. She hadn?t made up her mind about taking medication but now, she says she definitely will not take Ritalin if there?s any risk of her tics worsening. She says that she would however consider taking a non stimulant medication to help treat her ADHD which would hopefully have less chance of aggravating her tics.
I?ve been told that Atomoxetine isn?t usually the first drug of choice but our specialist nurse is looking into the various options available, side effects etc.. for our next appointment. What I would really appreciate is hearing about other people on this forum and their experience of taking ADHD medication, especially Ritalin and Atomoxetine, while living with Tourette?s Disorder. I feel such great responsibility here as a parent and am trying to research and educate myself and my husband,help our daughter to explore the options before she herself decides what path she should take.
Thanks,
Fi
Just looking for other people?s thoughts here. My daughter (who has TS, OCD and GAD) was recently diagnosed with ADHD. Treatment of this is currently under discussion, but her consultant is recommending that she try Methylphenidate (Ritalin). I have reservations about her taking this medication because I have spoken to several people at a local support group who had a bad experience of it. Basically it made their child?s tics much worse. I spoke to an adult with TS who was also in attendance and they told me they had the same experience. One parent actually advised me never to put my daughter on this medication, that they would never again let their child try it. It was just so bad. Another person said that the medication leaflet for Ritalin actually states that it should not to be given to people with Tourette?s. I was told that they all had much better results on Atomoxetine (Strattera).
Ok, so having come away with this information, I told my husband and we both felt that it was only fair to inform our daughter of these individuals thoughts and experiences. She hadn?t made up her mind about taking medication but now, she says she definitely will not take Ritalin if there?s any risk of her tics worsening. She says that she would however consider taking a non stimulant medication to help treat her ADHD which would hopefully have less chance of aggravating her tics.
I?ve been told that Atomoxetine isn?t usually the first drug of choice but our specialist nurse is looking into the various options available, side effects etc.. for our next appointment. What I would really appreciate is hearing about other people on this forum and their experience of taking ADHD medication, especially Ritalin and Atomoxetine, while living with Tourette?s Disorder. I feel such great responsibility here as a parent and am trying to research and educate myself and my husband,help our daughter to explore the options before she herself decides what path she should take.
Thanks,
Fi
