Well I stopped taking stratterra. It took about a while to return to my usual behavior.

Tough transition to go in the other direction. But interestingly enough I'm now more aware of my thoughts straying. Having been on the meds and seeing the universe from other side so to speak - I've a new perspective.

Was it worth it to try? Yes. With perspective comes wisdom.

Looking forward to seeing what comes next.

Whoop whoop!

Just curious -- why did you stop the Straterra?

I know what you mean about being more aware of your thought -- even when I'm between stimulent doses, I notice my thoughts in a different kind of way than before meds.

Scattered

Just curious -- why did you stop the Straterra?

I know what you mean about being more aware of your thought -- even when I'm between stimulent doses, I notice my thoughts in a different kind of way than before meds.

Scattered


That's a tough one. I could say that it was the tummy aches, or the potential liver damage or a million other things. Sure, I just didn't feel like me or as least felt a distance between myself and the immediacy I've always enjoyed. Then again, that wasn't the main reason.

The original goal for me was to try to help out my son as he exhibits the same behavior that I did as a youngster. I had hoped that the medications would even me out so I could respond better to him. Turns out that I need to be in his state of mind to be a better mentor than the other way around. So we sort of get to help each other along speaking a language that really not many understand.

Thankfully the boy has a great mom that is extremely understanding and really listens to what he says and she also sees situationally what I don't. Together we make a pretty good team for the kid.

Guess that pretty much sums it up.

Really good answer -- I related to ever bit of it. I asked mostly because I've been toying with quitting my meds. Part of me misses just being myself and working out my own accomodations. I mostly started meds so I could be a bigger help to my kids too -- so I don't know. Hope it goes well for you!

Scattered

Hi Motorbrain. I hope you come back to this thread. I have a couple of questions for you. I've been taking strattera for about 5mths.

"Sure, I just didn't feel like me or as least felt a distance between myself and the immediacy I've always enjoyed." ~quote motorbrain

Are you saying that the drug killed your impulsiveness to the point of causing you to lack motivation...to have a sort of flatness? Because I am concerned about my lack of gumption. My "fun" has kind of disappeared..and I like to have fun.

I had hoped to use the strattera as a tool ......temporarily to learn by.. and to settle me down to learn some appropriate behavioral changes.

But oh my goodness...going off, the trouble came back with a vengence. The racing thoughts returned and I am more impulsive and scattered than ever. Once again I had to go back on in order to function. I've tried this twice. I had not planned on becoming dependent on the drug permanently.

Did you experience a surge of symptoms after discontinuing the strattera?

Do you think you may try something different in the future?

thanks :)

~gourmet~

Really good answer -- I related to ever bit of it. I asked mostly because I've been toying with quitting my meds. Part of me misses just being myself and working out my own accomodations. I mostly started meds so I could be a bigger help to my kids too -- so I don't know. Hope it goes well for you!

Scattered


Thanks Scattered! I really appreciate your kind wishes.

mb

Hi Motorbrain. I hope you come back to this thread. I have a couple of questions for you. I've been taking strattera for about 5mths.

"Sure, I just didn't feel like me or as least felt a distance between myself and the immediacy I've always enjoyed." ~quote motorbrain

Are you saying that the drug killed your impulsiveness to the point of causing you to lack motivation...to have a sort of flatness? Because I am concerned about my lack of gumption. My "fun" has kind of disappeared..and I like to have fun.

I had hoped to use the strattera as a tool ......temporarily to learn by.. and to settle me down to learn some appropriate behavioral changes.

But oh my goodness...going off, the trouble came back with a vengence. The racing thoughts returned and I am more impulsive and scattered than ever. Once again I had to go back on in order to function. I've tried this twice. I had not planned on becoming dependent on the drug permanently.

Did you experience a surge of symptoms after discontinuing the strattera?

Do you think you may try something different in the future?

thanks :)

~gourmet~


G,
Yes, there is a surge in symptoms. My guess it that your brain has to reset itself so you get to live for awhile without compensation mechanisms.

The interesting thing for me was realizing I was starting from a clean slate.
So if I got distracted I would easily recognize it - and take steps to re-engage. So I feel like I'm actually better for having been on Strattera. Mostly because now I know "how I'm supposed to act" - and while I don't want to be that way all the time. For my kid I'm willing to go there as needed - and can.

It's was struggle getting back to normal (at least for me) and there is no easy way around the transition.

Great to be back here. I'm sure that you'll notice that my typing has gotten worse... Oh well, you can't win them all!

:)

I am so glad you are back and doing well.
I'm kind of tripping over my lip, though. Going back to see the doctor on Wed. so we can talk about it.

I have no idea what comes next...stay the same, start something new, or toss it all like you were able to do successfully.

I never liked the idea of taking a pill but I have too many people depending on me to not get myself together. They want me back the way I was and I don't want to go there.

Thanks for responding :)

The guy I went to suggested ritilan as needed.

He said the some of his patients will go days without it. I thought that was good. You may want to consider that.

If you feel extra ADDish it might help you get through that phase.


mb

I've considered asking my doctor about Ritalin too for an as needed thing. If there's nothing super boring that needs doing and the stress level isn't too high, I'd just as soon fly solo! I know what you mean though about being better for having been on meds. I didn't know what I was missing and definately didn't do a very good job of self observation (though I thought I did!:rolleyes: ). Carrying that knowledge with you give you a tool for modifying your behavior and at least knowing where the places you're likely to trip are located.

Scattered

Thanks. I'll check it out.


~gourmet~

I would think there might be some more bounce going on and off a med. But with ritalin I don't know if it's really an issue - not having taken it myself. My doc said the effects would be minimal

I thought Strattera was a pretty good fit. I liked it overall. Few side affects but nothing that wasn't all that manageable.

I only have one warning about it. And it's kind of embarrassing! :o

If you dry swallow and then run across the house to get a glass of water...
don't burp until you know that the water has washed that pill all the way down. Stratterra burns like fire on the way up and if you do what I did... which was gasp from pain then breath out... there is a good chance you might get that burning feeling all the way up the back of your throat where it travels to the sinuses. And believe me it hurts. I ran into the shower and squirted water up my nose to no avail. It felt like someone had put out a Lucky Strike in each nostril and a stubbed out a cigar in my throat. Big owie!

After that it was pills followed by 2 glasses of water. Hope this advice helps you. Make sure that the pills get washed as far down the pipe as possible.
:)

Best,
MB