Starting Over Talk - Peer Coaching Support Site

FYI - Tommorow is the 2nd annual national AD/HD Awareness Day. For more Info go to http://www.add.org

Also Check out the article about the 14 Free Teleclasses available tommorow:
http://adultaddstrengths.com/2005/09/09/14-free-adhd-teleclass-on-adhd-awareness-day-sept-14/

Hello Tara
This just came in on my comptuer thought you might like to read this alert.

Drug maker Eli Lilly issues warning about ADHD medication, Strattera
September 29, 2005 2:45ET
TORONTO (CP) - Strattera, a drug used for treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, will bear new warning labels cautioning that people taking the drug may experience suicidal thoughts, manufacturer Eli Lilly announced Thursday.
The new warnings were devised after discussions with Health Canada, which plans a review of all drugs used to treat the condition, a departmental spokesperson said. "Patients of all ages (on Strattera) should be closely monitored for signs of suicidal behavior," Jirina Vlk said from Ottawa.
Vlk said Health Canada has asked all the makers of drugs used for ADHD to submit data from all clinical trials and post-marketing reports by the end of 2005. The data will be reviewed in the new year.
Drugs to be reviewed are Concerta, Adderall XR, Dexadrine, Ritalin and Attenade.

The Strattera warnings stem from the fact recent analysis of the combined trials of the drug showed a small number of people - five out of 1,357 - taking the drug experienced suicidal thoughts, while none of the 850 trial participants who received placebos reported suicidal thoughts.
The warning will appear both on the information given to patients and the material provided to doctors.
A release from Eli Lilly said that especially in the first weeks of treatment patients may feel worse rather than better, experiencing unusual sentiments such as aggression, hostility, anxiety, or have impulsive or disturbing thoughts involving self harm.
It warned users of the drug that they should not discontinue their medications should these thoughts occur, but should consult their doctors.

Wow! This is a case where the side effects are worse than the actual condition the medication is trying to help.

This topic is near and dear to my heart. I have a 16 year old son who has struggled with this label since Kindergarden. My son is now in a commitment program through DJJ (Dept of Juv. Justice). For years I blamed myself for the thing that was happening and as he got older they got more intense. Right before he turned 15 he started doing stupid petty things (broke into a truck and set there waiting for the owner to return)wanting to get caught. I think it was his way of crying out for help. He has always had trouble with peer relations. Recently at this program (Which has done wonders for him) they said that he may have a form of Autism known as Aspbergers. I didn't know alot about it so I went digging on the internet. As I sat there and read, I was like "Oh this is Chris". We are still waiting for them to test him but he has such classic symptoms. All of these years of blaming myself, what could I have done better, hopefully I can get an answer and he will be diagnosed properly for a change and can lead a more productive life. Anyway I feel better to vent. It's been a long struggle.