Today was my first day on strattera. I used to use adderal and concerter when i was in middle/highschool (about 2 years ago), but only off and on. I am now 20 years old and have decided that i need to get back on ADD medication because my ADD is driving me, and the people around me nuts.

I started today with a 40mg dose. I have noticed that I am a lot calmer, and that i can focus more, but I seem to be really sluggish and have caught myself laying down a lot and feeling like taking a nap.

Starting next week my doctor wants me to take a 40mg twice a day. Im afraid that this will knock me out. I did hear that you get adjusted to the medication after a couple weeks.

My question to strattera users:
Will I be able to still live with a decent amount of energy or will I be a tired zombie for as long as I am on this drug?

I want to me be focused and less careless at what I do, but I still want to have fun with friends. I was excited about strattera at first, but after reading online I am a little dissapointed.

EDIT: Another question I wanted to ask was about the dosage. I just went to a normal doctor to get the prescription and is 40mg twice a day excessive for strattera on the second week on the drug?

EDIT: Another question I wanted to ask was about the dosage. I just went to a normal doctor to get the prescription and is 40mg twice a day excessive for strattera on the second week on the drug?
Welcome to the forums. The medication is going to act differently with everyone. Some people on the forums have reported handling the starting dose of 40mg and then moving to 80mg in a couple weeks. Other people have quit taking it after the first week because the side effects were to much. Tell your doctor what you are experiencing. They do offer a wide range of dosing (10mg, 18mg, 25mg, 40mg, 60mg). I am at 60mg right now and started June 18th at 10mg. My side effects were very minimal (upset stomach, sweating, tired about 8 hours after taking). The medication takes awhile to become affective, around 2+ months. So try to stick it out. A lot of people have posted that the day comes when they realize it really is working.

Good luck with your trial and keep us posted.

Strattera just made me sleepy like you say and I did not see any positive impact on my ability to focus. It is supposed to take a while to work - I heard it could take up to 3 months for it to make a difference. I didn't want to wait that long, so my doctor switched me to what he wanted to try in the first place, an amphetamine -Adderall. Still experimenting with dosage. I may be overfocusing. Aggghhh!
Best Wishes!

Thanks for the replies. Second day went by faster than the first. I feel like i am concentrating better, but i don't know if that is the medication, or if it is just psychosomatic. I will keep doing it, just a little nervous about taking 80mg next week.

You have to be especially patient with Strattera if you aren't taking a stimulant to modulate it's effects. It can really maul you with side effects. I've taken it for a week so far. I started at 25mg, and today moved to 25mg BID (50mg). For me the first day or two I felt more alert and focused, and it declined greatly after several days. I feel agitated when it wears off (has a half-life of 5 hours). But yesterday and today I have noticed some small but noticeable changes in the way I think and do things. I can tell this is going to be a very slow process that ratchets me up, so to speak.

I have taken it in the past at more robust doses without a stimulant and it was miserable. But so far, things are really good. I am looking forward to adjusting to this medication and reaping its full benefits.

Oh yeah, I have also been recording my progress daily on my blog. This was a fantastic idea that I believe started with Lipz' "strattera study" thread.

I'm on my 11th Day of one 40mg of Strattera and i've not noticed much change at all, in my concentration... Though i did do some shopping without being distracted and i got want i needed and left the shop, instead of being there for ages and looking at loads of things LOL

I have got the side-effects of Sweating and dry mouth and feeling tired and less of an appetite... but i can handle it so far ; I'm led to believe,the side-effects are only temporary.

Next week i'm taking 2 X 40mg and looking forward to the updose... The sooner i can concentrate the sooner i can get my life in order!

My Psychiatrist did say, that the medication can take up to 3 months to see any full effect of the medication... Hooray!

Karen

Today is day 16 on Strattera and i phoned up the Doctors secretary ; The Doctor is on a 3 week holiday, but after explaining the side-effects of Stattera, i've been advised to go back down to one 40mg capsule and if the side-effects are still unbearable, to wean myself off Stattera gradually ; Take one, miss one...etc

So what caused me to phone the Doctor, you ask...

Well the heavy sweating, dry mouth, tiredness throughout the day,Unable to sleep properly through the night and anxiety got much worse on the first day of updose and today, being the third day of updose.. I am sitting here an emotional wreck, in tears.. with the shakes like you wouldn't believe and feeling quite depressed ;Crying very easily!! My head feels on hyper-drive and Scrambled... worse than being on No medication!...
My 14 year old Son, who has ADHD and on Concerta, said, that He heard, that If you don't really suffer with ADHD, the medications will make you feel ill!!!
I can't believe that!! ; As i know i have ADHD and so does my Psychiatrist...otherwise, he wouldn't of diagnosed me with ADHD.
So why don't i get any good effects with Stattera?.. Why just side-effects? :( I feel so let-down... i knew there was going to be side-effects, but the side-effects are outweighing any advantages, that i can't recognise for feeling so crappy :(

When the Psychiatrist diagnosed me.. He chose Stattera, as the Medication... WHY?... Is it the cheapest medication?
He said, that if Stattera didn't help, he would try me with another medication, like concerta... until i benefit from medication...

So, is Stattera, cheaper than Concerta and that's why i was given Stattera first?.. Do the drugs do the same thing? or are there differences, in which the drugs work?... Why am i feeling so ill?

I can't seem to control my stupid thoughts and find myself accusing people of things... because 'Things don't look right to me'.. everything people do, seems to have a hidden reason... well not really(i hope), but that's how i'm seeing things!!

Anyway... i'm down to 40mg capsule tomorrow.. i can't handle feeling like this anymore!!
So sorry you are having a rough time. Good idea in calling the doctor's office. Moving back to 40mg sounds like an excellent idea, because you did not have the side-effects.

When I went from 40mg to 60mg the side-effects were like night and day. Every dosage up to 40mg (10/18/36) did not produce side-effects. When I went to 60mg it came full force. Sweats, upset stomach, extreme tiredness around 3:00pm. I went back to 40mg and the side-effects went away. I think my body didn't like the 60mg at one time. I am going to try 40mg in the AM and 40mg in the PM to see if the side-effects come back.

Hope you feel better. Keep us posted.

:confused: erm...
Am i seeing things?

I didn't post that last message.....Honestly :faint:

Can someone tell me how that happened?.. Please...

Oops ... sorry about that. I'm one of the moderators and I accidentally clicked
"Edit" instead of "Quote" to reply to your message. :o The buttons are right next to each other.

Sorry if I freaked you out. :D

I was on straterra for a month. It helped me alot but also made me tired. Many I talked to said the sleepyness started to pass and by a month were not feeling as tired over all. It didn't w/ me though. I would do Ok if I was busy doing something. But I had a hard time w/ things like driving. I stopped when I was fighting so hard to keep my eyes open while driving. I alomst had an accident cause I dozed a moment and started going into the ditch so I jerked the wheel and my minivan went into swerve and I did a complete circle. Almost rolled it. That was my wake up call that Straterra wasn't right for me. So, becareful it does get better for some but not all. Good Luck

Oops ... sorry about that. I'm one of the moderators and I accidentally clicked
"Edit" instead of "Quote" to reply to your message. :o The buttons are right next to each other.

Sorry if I freaked you out. :D
erm.... I was very Freaked out (i was in tears)...
I really thought i was going around the twist..
what, with feeling so poorly and emotional.

I realize accidents happen... All is Ok, now i know, i'm not losing all my marbles:eyebrow:

Karen:)

I was on straterra for a month. It helped me alot but also made me tired. Many I talked to said the sleepyness started to pass and by a month were not feeling as tired over all. It didn't w/ me though. I would do Ok if I was busy doing something. But I had a hard time w/ things like driving. I stopped when I was fighting so hard to keep my eyes open while driving. I alomst had an accident cause I dozed a moment and started going into the ditch so I jerked the wheel and my minivan went into swerve and I did a complete circle. Almost rolled it. That was my wake up call that Straterra wasn't right for me. So, becareful it does get better for some but not all. Good Luck
Wow... You are Lucky to be alive! (((Hugs)))

Well with 5 Children, i can't carry on feeling like this... 40mg tomorrow!

Can anyone explain, Why the Doctor chose Stattera first?

Karen:eyebrow:

I know the feeling 3 kids here. I am playing w/ meds as well. My Dr. chose straterra 1st as well even though I had a history w/ ritalin. She said cause it is non stimulant and less risk of side effects. Basicaly they are trying to push as many to non stimulant as possible cause of all the side effects on stimulant meds is my belief. (((hugs)))):eyebrow:

Karen, I know that Strattera is sometimes prescribed to help with depression and ADHD; two birds with one stone, sort of thing.

Karen, I know that Strattera is sometimes prescribed to help with depression and ADHD; two birds with one stone, sort of thing.I didn't realize that Strattera can help with Depression...

But i already take an anti-depressant called 'Sertraline' for Chronic Depression... which the Doc' told me to keep taking them as usual... aswell as Strattera.

So Strattera isn't a stimulant?
Can anyone explain, how a stimulant and a non stimulant medication works?
In the simplest way, for me a mere blonde to understand :eyebrow:

Karen :)

It was my first day on this medication today and my tummy is killing me. I am feeling quite a bit of pain and I vomited earlier today (few hours after taking my first pill of 25 gr). I just can't get rid of neasua and the pain. And when I slept I had the weardest dream, which was full of contradictions. I have very vivid dreams usually but this was just plain odd as if my mind didn't know what do make of things. Something like I was in the building but really outside, it was my bf's bday yet it was in the summer, there was a person in my dream but we couldn't see them...and etc etc...it was just weird, FREAKED ME out. the only thing that wasn't any different was the fact that my bf was the same person. I hate feeling like this :(
My doc told me it's going to take up to 6 weeks to see results, and that's because it needs to build up in your system. He said that this medication takes some time to leave your body so after a while you have high enough concentration in your blood to see the results.
When i Took retalin, I was VERY concentrated while it was lasting except that I felt lonely. I had one thought that I could finish till the end and the next one wouldn't come giving me time to think and rethink the first one. And that made me feel odd as i am not used to that. And then after it's effects were done i was NASTY, I mean was NOT a nice person, I was complaining, nagging...man you name it..I would never want to go on that again :(

Immortality,

I would call your doctor and explain what is happening. It sounds like the 25mg is just to strong of a dose. The do have 10mg sample packs that contain 7 capsules. They have 18mg, 25mg, 40mg and 60mg. Ask your doc to start on a lower dose. It might take a little longer to get to the desired dosage, but it's worth it. You shouldn't have to feel terrible. My dreams became more detailed and were almost like a movie.

I started on 10 and moved up through the dosing and have found that 60mg at one time is just too much for me. The 40 mg seems to be a good single dose. I might try to go to 40 in the AM and 40 in the afternoon.

Good luck and I hope you feel better.

So it's been a few days since i've been taking STraterra and none of the days were as violent as the first one. I don't see any changes yet in my behaviour as i am still as forgetful and hard to motivate as before. But hopefully it's going ot get improved. My heart beat increases and I get very hot. My body temperature definintely raises. If i take it in th emorning I always need to take a nap to get rid of the yucky feeling in my tummy. But sometimes I can't fall asleep if i take it before bed. So i am just goign to wear myself down during the day and then will take it at night. hopefully that helps :)

Glad to hear that your major symptoms have gone. The tiredness should go away. Give it a couple months and do a quick mental check on the "motivation/concentration" feelings.

Your doing all of the right things by experimenting with the times.

When do you move up your dose? Should you try 36mg (2 - 18mg) next? The medicine is perscribed based on body weight? There is a nice dosage to weight chart on the Strattera website.

I am going to start taking 25 in the morning and 25 in the afternoon to see if it helps me with the issues of taking 60 all at one time.

Good luck and keep us updated.

I am curious,,, I keep seeing that people are starting on one dose and then going up in a couple weeks. My Dr. upped my dose of prozac and started me out on straterra 40 mg today and I do not go back for 2 months. The only side effects I have felt so far is dry mouth, tiredness but restless at the same time (not too bad) and tingling on my skin and head (which I haven't heard mentioned,,, is that normal?). No nausea or nothing like that thankfully (yet,,, knock on wood). I do not get why some doctors use it first except that you do not have to keep coming back each month for a refill (which for them, makes them more money if you do have to come back). My Dr. is useing it as almost a last choice thing. I have tried adderall, welbutrin, ritalin (was going on effexor but insurance wouldn't cover), mixtures of stuff and even thought maybe prozac but that was a laugh,,, made it worse. So now Straterra and prozac.

Who knows if it will or will not work but we will see.

You start with Strattera first because taking a stimulant before trying Strattera somehow reduces the chances of Strattera working like it should. Or so I've been told.

The only side effects I have felt so far is dry mouth, tiredness but restless at the same time (not too bad) and tingling on my skin and head (which I haven't heard mentioned,,, is that normal?). No nausea or nothing like that thankfully (yet,,, knock on wood).
I have had the tingling skin and head. It happens about 1 hour after I take the dose. Very weird.

Glad to hear you're not experiencing the nausea. You probably would have felt it on the first day. Strattera is prescribed based on weight. There is a chart the tells the dosages based on weight on the Strattera site. Maximum recommmended dosage is 80 mg. to 120 mg. Your doc may increase the amount when you have your follow up visit.

Ok...
UPDATE time for My Strattera Medication...

After two weeks on one 40mg tablet a day...
Then 3 days on the updose of 80mg (2 x 40mg) ...
I rang the Shrinks Secretary...(Doc' was on his 3 week holiday)...
I told her in tears, that i couldn't handle the side-effects of Strattera any longer ;


Sweating
Dry Mouth
Heart palpatations
Tiredness
Depression
Insomnia
Shakes
Anxiety attacks
Feeling really Poorly/Ill
Tingling in scalp and skin
Confusion
More Impulsive than usual
There was the side-effect, of suppressed appetite ; It caused me to lose half a stone in less than one week! (I need to lose a couple of stones) lol.

The secretary talked to another Shrink and phoned me back, advising me to wean myself off the Strattera gradually...though Not to take another 80mg dosage!

It's been a just over a week, since my last stattera 40mg dose, which i weaned off to take one miss one and then none there-after!...
It was awful weaning off the Strattera...but the side-effects eventually went a few days after no Strattera.

I'm glad that Strattera works for some people...It certainly didn't do an awful lot for me, other than cause My Depression to get worse and all my ADHD traits to get more pronounced!!
I have an appointment with My Shrinks junior on Wednesday this week and hopefully the appointment will be a success, with another form of medication, for me to try.

I still don't figure, why i was offered Strattera first?... Is it because people are offered non-Stimulant medication, before Stimulant Medication? or because the Medication is the Cheapest?

Karen:)