Hello, I have been recently diagnosed with ADD and have realized that I have had this all my life. I'm now 47. This is my first time on this forum posting a thread. My psych put me on Strattera and I took it for the fist time last night. I felt the effects immediately, and felt like a zombie all day. I experienced, what I guess to be, every side effect that it has, such as dry mouth, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, nausea and upset stomach.
Has anyone else had these symptoms taking Strattera? If so, how did you deal with it just trying to get through the day?
I just hope I remember to check back on this message board for any replies.
I guess I could say a lot more, but most of our symptoms are the same I guess.
Thanks...

Hi mymind!!!!

I was recently diagnosed with ADD & believe I have had it all my life.....I started on Strattera 40mg last nite & felt some of the same side effects you did....I had muscle aches in my legs & ringing in my ears last evening.....I had a very fitful nite of sleep....tossing & turning alot....it seems like every time I was waking up I was reading one of the posts here on this site:confused: .......today I'm still restless & have had a decreased appetite.....

I realize that the medicine takes time to get in the bloodstream to obtain a therapeutic effect.....I will be taking 40mg for the first week & then increase to 80mg/day.....I have an appointment on 10/03 with a psychiatrist to discuss my meds & ADD......

Nick

Hi, Nick,

I'm not sure if I'm going about this the right way, that is to reply to you. I did a quick reply and it seemed to disappear. Anyway, I hope I'm not repeating myself, and trying to remember what Ijust wrote is a task in itself.
I decided to stop taking the Strattera right now. The side effects were more than I could handle, maybe the dosage is too strong for me, at 25mg, but I could barely function taking it.:(
So if you feel that way, how are you supposed to function if you can't even see straight? I felt like I had the flu or something, couldn't sleep, or eat. The thought of food made me feel sick and I love food! The weirdest thing was that I had goosebumps all over, and it was warm outside, I wasn't cold at all.
I wonder why they say that these side effects usually don't affect that many people, and on this forum, it seems like a lot of people had the same symptoms.
So I will contact my psych tomorrow and see what he suggests to do.
I mean, if you can't seem to function, how good is this for you?? I did feel much better yesterday, but it took almost 24 hours to make the feelings go away.
Thanks for writing back, my name is Donna....I'm glad I found this forum, and at least you feel that you're not alone....:)

Hi Donna,

I'm starting day 4 on Strattera....I've felt some of the same type symptoms that you are describing.....the flu like sx.....lethargy & fuzziness in my head have been bothering me the most......

I'm gonna keep taking it until my appt next week with a psychiatrist.....it will be my first visit with him......I want to give the medicine a little longer to work since it does take awhile to establish a therapeutic level in your bloodstream....I read on one of the other posts that the Strattera is calming us down & our body is just not used to that feeling....it does make sense to me when I look at it that way.....

Good luck to you when you talk to your doctor.....I hope you get the right combination of meds to work for you.....it can take time & alot of trial & error til you reach the right ones:D


Nick

Hi Nick,
Sorry it took me a couple days to get back. I am in school full time, and realized i will not be able to continue school without stopping and getting on with the meds. I just hope it doesnt' take too long and I can get back into life. I actually called the makers of Strattera, a company called Lily, to find out more. They did tell me that two weeks is an average time for the effects to go away. I just hope they're right. So I meet with the social worker on Thursday and will have to discuss school. I will have to take a leave of absense for awhile.
How are you feeling now, when you wrote you said you were on day 4...let me know how its going for you. These are strange side effects, aren't they??
Donna