This past Saturday I started Strattera. It was prescribed to me by my psychiatrist. He broke up the dosage plan as follows:

1st week - 25 mg
2nd week - 40 mg
3rd week - 40 mg
4th week - 60 mg

Now compared to others who have started right out at 40mg, 25 seems sort of low. Especially when considering that I am usually on the high end of the starting dosage ranks when I begin a new medicine because of my size. I am 6'1 and 280 lbs.

My feelings so far:

I was told Strattera does not work like Adderall. That it takes a few months to get started for real. However, I have started to feel some effects of the medicine. For one, I have been having big time insomnia!! As I right this, it is currently <st1:time minute="45" hour="4">4:45 am</st1:time>. I feel lethargic, but not very tired.

I also feel sort of blank minded. For example, I have 2 lab reports due today at <st1:time minute="0" hour="13">1 pm</st1:time>. It's <st1:time minute="45" hour="4">4:45am</st1:time> and I haven't started them yet. They will be fairly simple and I could finish them in two hours or so -- yet I find myself not being able to begin. I hope my motivation picks up soon...

As for the physical effects, well, I've been experiencing urinary hesitation -- somewhat. However, at times, I urinate around 6 times an hour!! And I don't drink very much water. It's odd; I urinate much more after taking this medicine. (I should note that I am not taking any other medications right now).

I do feel somewhat overheated -- so I will start drinking much more water.

I have been taking it at night. The first two nights I took it at <st1:time minute="0" hour="20">8pm.</st1:time> Tonight, I was so tired when I got home from class at <st1:time minute="0" hour="18">6pm</st1:time> that I slept until <st1:time minute="30" hour="22">10:30pm</st1:time>. I then forgot (!!) to take the medicine and I took it at <st1:time minute="0" hour="2">2am</st1:time>.

That's my report for right now.

I will update this in 4 more days when I move up to 40mg.

Hi Maxwell!

Maybe we can track our progress together. I took my first dose of Strattera yesterday afternoon, after seeing a psychiatrist for the first time (at age 42). He started me on 40 mg for first 4 days, then goes to 60mg. So, that is more aggressive than what your doc did. This dr. strikes me as somewhat aggressive with drugs overall. I am 6'2" and 205 lbs, if that matters. I immediately became sleepy and had to take a 2 hour nap. But then I woke up this morning at 4am. Been piddling for about 2-1/2 hours - reading the paper, surfing the net - putting off a work project (as usual). The only other effect I feel is an elevated heart rate. I created a spreadsheet to record my observations and track progress on a daily basis. I plan to take the pill first thing each morning - which fits my schedule. Why would you take it just before bedtime?

My son took his dose at bedtime just because he had so many side effects such as nausea, stomach aches, headaches, etc. He was able to sleep thru the side effects but then he only has to worry about being functional at school so that made all the difference in the world. He doesn't have to come home from work and make sure his house is clean, his bills are paid, his errands ran, etc ,etc.

Good luck guys!! But be patient. I've been on Strattera for 2 years and I never want to be without it agian, BUT it took a good 6 months for it to get to full effect for me.

Good luck with the strattera! I am on strattera and have been for some months, i started on 20mg and at first i really didnt feel any difference and other people didnt see much. Gradually after time it has been working really well, i now feel that i can concentrate much better and i think before i act more.

there are alot of things being said about this medication and not all good but dont necessarly may that much attension just see how it works for you. You will find that it works gradually over the next few months rather than right away.

I didnt find that i had many symptoms, i had: loss of appitite and felt tierd.

Good Luck