Hey guys,

Let me give you some background on myself first.

I've got ADHD, was diagnosed when I was a child. My mom first put me on an atkins diet where I couldn't eat any sugars, and I avoided preservatives and white bread. That was effective, but I often cheated (I was a child, ice cream was good and I was a brat).

She then tried putting me on caffiene pills. I can't say whether or not that was effective, but she says that caffiene had a calming effect on me. I don't have that experience now when I drink caffiene.

She then tried putting me on ritalin, which I was extremely resistant to. I tried it once, got really doped up, and refused to take it again. I would hide it in my mouth and spit it out when I got to the bus stop.

Eventually she gave up and I went into ADHD denial. I refused to admit that I had it, or if I would admit it, I would insist that I could control it but shear force of will.

I'm now self-employed, and I've finally accepted that I have ADHD. I have trouble concentrating on one thing for more than a little while. When I sit down to work, I can't play for more than an hour without getting bored and wanting to do something else.

I decided to do something about it, and I've heard great success stories with Strattera. I went to the doctor 2 days ago and he prescribed me 60mg of Strattera, taken once a day.

So this is the morning after taking my second pill, and I'm having some nasty side effects. Here's my journal for those days:

Day1: Took it around 1pm. Dizziness, sleepiness, no noticable gains in focus, edginess. Strange feelings (tingles, slight trippy visuals) while trying to sleep and while sleeping. Appetite diminished, queezy feeling at the thought of food.

Day 2: Took it at 12:45pm. Slight headache/diziness at 3:00. Tired, sleepiness came on in around 2:30-3:00. From 4:00 - 5:30 I was very dizzy, felt sick, was driving when the diziness really kicked in and didn't feel comfortable doing so. Had to lay down when I arrived where I was going. No appetite -- forcing myself to eat. Mellow feeling. When I woke up in the morning I was able to eat some french toast sticks and OJ. Sweet food is alot more appetizing than salty/fried food (which is strange for me, I usually love salty foods). Pain in my prostate when I ejaculate.

I'm going to speak with my doctor today, but I was wondering if anyone has had these sorts of side effects and then went on to have success with strattera. Can I expect these to subside?

Really anyone who has had similiar experiences, I would really appreciate some input. It was really hard for me to get myself onto a drug in the first place -- I've been very wary of them since my experience with ritalin -- and I want to have as much info as possible so I can continue to convince myself to try medication.

Thanks!

--Josh

I think it may be possible your initial dose is too high. I have the same effects on 25mg a day taken in PM, but to a lesser degree. I have been only taking these for a week but the side effects subside within that time.

Bill

JoshuaD,

Welcome to the forums. You have found a great resource for those with ADHD and those that have family/friends with ADHD.

I would call your doctor and see it they can get you some samples of a lower dose. Wow! 60mg would be a bear to start out on. I'm at 60 mg and it's been 3 months. Start out with a sample pack (qty of 7 capsules) of 10 mg or 18 mg. Then move up to a sample pack of 25 mg and then maybe a script of 40 mg for awhile.

It takes sometime for the medicine to function in your system. Maybe 2 months.

This is not meant to go against your doctor's orders, but if you read a lot of posts in the Strattera forum, you will see that the majority of people starting out get prescribed to large of a dose. They get nasty side effects and discontinue the medication. This medication takes time to become effective. I think Lilly will change the prescribed dosages to do the slow ramp up method. In talking with my pdoc, we discussed the possibility of introducing a type of Strattera "XR", which will slowly release the dose and help reduce the side effects.

Good luck and ask for your doctors opinion. Keep us updated.

Hey Tim, Thanks for the response.

I would call your doctor and see it they can get you some samples of a lower dose. Wow! 60mg would be a bear to start out on. I'm at 60 mg and it's been 3 months. Start out with a sample pack (qty of 7 capsules) of 10 mg or 18 mg. Then move up to a sample pack of 25 mg and then maybe a script of 40 mg for awhile.Sadly, they were out of samples when I went in there a few days ago. :(

It takes sometime for the medicine to function in your system. Maybe 2 months.What do you mean exactly? I won't see any of the positive effects for 2 months?

This is not meant to go against your doctor's orders, but if you read a lot of posts in the Strattera forum, you will see that the majority of people starting out get prescribed to large of a dose. They get nasty side effects and discontinue the medication. This medication takes time to become effective. I think Lilly will change the prescribed dosages to do the slow ramp up method. In talking with my pdoc, we discussed the possibility of introducing a type of Strattera "XR", which will slowly release the dose and help reduce the side effects.I'm not overly impressed with my doctor. I like a doctor who will talk to me and explain what he/she's thinking, and explain what I should expect. This guy came in, talked to me for a few minutes to find out what I wanted, rushed over my questions, and scribbled out a prescription. I plan on finding a new doctor ASAP.

Good luck and ask for your doctors opinion. Keep us updated.Thanks, I will.

Also: Does anyone know if these pills are solid? That is, can I cut them in half?

What do you mean exactly? I won't see any of the positive effects for 2 months?
Yep, unfortunately this medicine takes awhile to build up in your body.

I'm not overly impressed with my doctor. I like a doctor who will talk to me and explain what he/she's thinking, and explain what I should expect. This guy came in, talked to me for a few minutes to find out what I wanted, rushed over my questions, and scribbled out a prescription. I plan on finding a new doctor ASAP.
Maybe you could ask for a referal to a psychiatrist (maybe one that specializes in ADHD).

so is it better than concerta

i don't know how about your eating habits and sleep patterns are those effected by it

Also: Does anyone know if these pills are solid? That is, can I cut them in half?
It is a capsule with powder. I don't think you can cut the dose by opening the capsule and dumping out the powder.

I just got in contact with my doctor. He suggested that I start taking it before I go to bed to reduce the diziness. Anyone else taking it at that time?

I am, but only 25mg after dinner and I never had any dizziness. Also it was easier to wake up in the morning.

Bill

I just got in contact with my doctor. He suggested that I start taking it before I go to bed to reduce the diziness. Anyone else taking it at that time?
When I took it right before bed, I had the most vivid dreams. Almost like a movie was playing in my head. It was really believable too. The plot made perfect sense. I would also sweat a lot during the night and wake up a bunch of times. But I would go right back to sleep.

I had the same side effects you are experiencing. My target dosage was 80mg. So, my doctor wanted me to take 40mg daily for 2 weeks and then jump to 80mg. Well, since I had the side effects, I waited until the side effects were not too uncomfortable (after about 4 weeks). I then started on 80mg and side effects returned...and then subsided after about 4 weeks. I then experimented with 40, 60, and 80 and discovered 80 was the best for me.

After a few months, my side effects are pretty much non-existent. I feel much better. But, I've been exercising more, eating better, drink a lot more water, and have eliminated caffeine and soda from my diet. In my opinion the increased water intake has helped with the side effects. When I feel a slight return of side effects, I realized I didn't drink much water the day before.