Perception.

I think that is why I was not fully realizing the true benefit I was getting from Strattera.

Taking 80mg and it is finally noticeably working for me...jumping for joy here.

I began the drug early spring 2005 and tested it by going off for a couple of weeks during this time period. I thought that it was not working efficiently.

My, how the problems came back two-fold. I wondered if they were really worse or if it was the contrast because of being medicated early. I began to feel more focused and the drug seemed to be doing it's job much better.

My imagination.....the kick from a new start on meds.....or my perception of how it was working.

Who cares? :D


I work a heavy regular load during the summer months and having my own business, I am often scattered and spend endless hours back tracking and re-doing tasks because they were left incomplete.

But when I returned to my summer schedule after taking the Strattera......the difference is amazing!


I am able to finish up my work and get out within 30 min. and head for home, whereas I was spending literally hours to clean up and prepare for the following day.

I have never had such success during this period.


Other pluses I have noticed....
creativity was not diminished.... I depend on that in my profession

side effects are finally leaving me...before I had the expected dry mouth,
sleep disturbance, and weight loss

I am thinking before I speak now.

I am more self-assured now that I am having success

I am much more focused and efficient around the house and at work

Things don't bother me like they used to.

My personality still seems to be there, albeit less extreme

Still have a sense of humor


The negatives that I am feeling...
A mild sense of apathy. But I am not sure that is such a bad thing in my case because I tend to be very sensitive ordinarily.

I just wanted to tell in case this is something your doctor has suggested for you. A little patience may be the ticket to success. :)

I too have had great results. It's great to hear from others also. There are so many negative posts on Strattera that I was concerned that people may not give it a try.

Were you are on other treatments prior to taking Strattera the first time? I've read that when someone transitions from other meds, Strattera may take longer to kick in.

bravo... this gives me hope!

Hi MikeK. This is the first time I have been on ADD medication. So I have nothing to compare it to. All I know is that it has given me some dramatic results. And again, it may be perception and the change of activity that is contributing to my keener recognition of the positive effects.
I'm so glad that you are having good results also.

And good luck to you, addthink. :)


~gourmet~

My dose was just upped to 78mg and I am also now noticing a pretty big difference. Initially (at the beginning of the year) I was put on Adderall after I was diagnosed. That worked amazing for two months then slowly stopped working that well. Switched to Concerta and I went back to my unproductive self. Finally convinced my doctor to put me on adderall and Strattera and its working great so far. I started off in early May with 40 mgs and each month he's upped it 20 mgs. I'm taking 78mg because my doc said there wasnt a dose for 80mg and so he prescribed me 60 mg and gave me a few sample bottles of 18mg. He said if it makes a noticeable difference to give him a call and he'll prescribe it to me (I'm sure he'll just give me 60 capsules of 40mg). Probably don't really even need the Adderall anymore (I take about 3-5 mg a day when I feel like I really need it.

I think the key to Strattera is just waiting for it to work. Its really hard to find the right dosage cause you can't tell too well if its working or not and its not easy to tell if higher dosages really help either. The first month and a half I didn't notice too many positives. Now thirty minutes after taking strattera I can feel it working (not the feel it like you would stimulants but rather the fact that I just feel more motivated and focused).

Well things are working well right now, I really hope it doesn't just all of a sudden stop working as well like the Adderall did. ask away if you guys have questions

Met, Nice isn't it ! It only gets better if your into it. I don't have anything to compare it to either.

That's great Gourmet :)

Excellent Gourmet!! I am so happy for you!

Thank you....all you people up there :) I'm pretty happy for your support. Yep.


Happy wishes for all of you.

~gourmet~

Isn't Strattera just the greatest? It changed my life.

It is so good to hear all of this, i am no strattera and have been for some months. I have not heard of many people who are on it and those who were said it didnt work, and then there were lots of reports saying that ritalin was so much better.

this has made me feel so much better about being on strattera, and i have seen some good changes, which i truely thought would never come.

i have seen some good changes, which i truely thought would never come.
That was my experience too. It took about 6 months to reach full effect though.

And I'm really surprized to see so many negative comments about it. I never, ever want to be without Strattera again.

Now after 2 years I'm adding Adderall to the mix and that's worked out really well also, so life is good today.

I have to admit that Straterra has been helpful to me

It's like support hose for my frontal lobes- the dopamine based med fires them up, but the Strattera keeps them from melting down

My magic mix is 60 mgs Strattera and a 500mg capsule l-tyrosoine in the morning. I went without the l-tyrosine one day and was a zombie. I almost stayed on the couch and defaulted on my Saturday completely. It was such a struggle to start anything, and thegravity and comfdort ofthe couch was so great.

But if I just take the tyosine, then I spin out in doing things and then feel scattered and anxious. I end up being as bad as when I'm unmedicated,except neater and thinner.

The combination of the two is just perfect. I have the drive to do things, and once the wheels are set in motion by the dopamine, the Straterra helps me remain calm and persist doing things that used to drive me batty.

It becomes a one-thing- at- a- time life. I can do a multi step lengthy process , start and just stay focused on what I'm doing in the moment, rather than get overwhelmed by it .

I'm also doing better socially. I am relaxed and present. I can really listen to someone without my mind thinking three or four things at once. I don't interrupt much, go on fewer tangents and respond to the person in front of me rather than the chatter in my head.

Now I realize how self-absorbed I've been. Over the course of my life I've been so internally distracted by my non-stop brain static/chatter and these ever shifting antenna like emotional responses that I could never really engage easily with people. Sociable yes, but really being an aware, connecting person, well, I don't think so....

Just my two cents on a great combo.