Hello folks. I'm new to this board. I have a pretty good case of ADHD. I have taken Concerta and Strattera in the past. Both times only lasted for a few months tops. I always assumed I could somehow manage to get by without meds. After all, I did make it to 36 years...right? Well, wrong..lol. I have just gotten a very good job with good pay and want to maximize the opportunity that I have. Soooo, I went to the Dr on Friday and thought I would give drugs another go. I'm going to start Strattera on Monday. Concerta just didn't seem to do much for me. I'm sure it did but on the same note I may not have given it enough time. My heart rate was elevated and I always felt a little high on the anxiety scale. Again, I may not have given it enough time. My Dr did give me ritalin once for the morning when I first got up to compensate for the time it took for the Concerta to get in my system. I'm one of those people that takes 3 hours zto get out of the house in the morning. On Concerta I still seemed to have an over alert feeling in my head...if that makes sense. Strattera made me feel calm. Focused. Mentally sharp. I really enjoyed feeling on top of things. On the bad side I lost lots of weight because of the terrible stomach pain. I also did not function well sexually. BUT, I chose Strattera again. I got some herbal stuff for my stomach. Two kinds of aloa vera concentrate that you take orally. One is a detox formula for the morning to flush my liver and kidneys....these drugs make me a litte nervous. The other aloa vera concentrate is a stomach and GI tack formula to keep your stomach "happy". I will eat a meal before I take Strattera and I'm also starting at a very low dose. 10mg.

I know I just typed a sh*tload of stuff...hope you guys don't mind. I just have the feeling that I'm all alone on this little experiment and wanted to share my experience with ADHD with others. I'm also worried I have chosen the wrong drug and will just have to switch because I can't tolerate the side effects of Strattera. I hope I am wrong! I really want to get my brain "right" so I can focus on work and actually get ahead...

Please share any thoughts on meds and how to make Strattera work. I'll keep you guys posted on my progress if ya don't mind. :)

Hey there, and welcome to the forum. Try and give Strattera a chance, it takes a couple weeks for the side effects to go away.
I just started about 10 days ago, with 25mg, doubled it this past Saturday to 50, and this Saturday to 60. The side effects were not fun, but today I don't feel so bad, after being on the couch for nearly 2 straight days.
Let me know what happens!
Donna

Thanks Donna. I had no side effect yesterday but I assume that is because the dose was so low. I'm not sure. I took it this morning also and no side effects yet. It's been around half an hour. Fingers crossed. I'm starting on low dosages to try and keep side effects away.

Thanks Donna. I had no side effect yesterday but I assume that is because the dose was so low. I'm not sure. I took it this morning also and no side effects yet. It's been around half an hour. Fingers crossed. I'm starting on low dosages to try and keep side effects away.
This is an excellent idea. This is the path that my doctor takes. With all of the reports of bad side effects, why should someone follow the manufactures dosing of 40mg for 1 week then 80mg. :eek: This needs to be changed.

I started with 10mg for a week then 18mg for a week, 25mg for a week, 36mg for a week, 40mg for a week and then 50mg. I added another 25mg in the afternoon for a total of 75mg per day. No side effects. I remember during my first run of Strattera when I took two 40mg in the morning, the side-effects were nasty.

Good luck with your medication. Let us know if you have any questions.

I'm glad to hear about no side effects Tim. Is the medication working for you as far as ADHD?

Hi again, this is my second full week on Strattera. The side effects were near debilitating for me the first day, and I nearly stopped taking them. It terrified me! But I also realized that if I don't take them, I may never "get better". My first week was 25mg, then this week its up to 50mg. I feel that the side effects are weakening, but I'm still waiting for the meds to work! I've heard that this can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks....Saturday starts 60mg, but tomorrow I go back and see the doc and tell him about all the nastiness that I experienced. Let us know how you're doing!
Donna

Donna,

Hang in there! :eek:

When you move to 60mg give it a couple days for your body to adjust. 50mg to 60mg should not be noticable. You will probably be taking the single 60mg capsule. Will you stop at 60mg or move to 80mg? If you move to 80mg, then you will take two 40mg. I have found splitting the dose really helps, due to Strattera's 5 - 6 hour half life. Even though it is sold as a "once a day" medicine, a lot of people are having good results with splitting the dose and taking it two times a day. Ask your doctor about it?
Let us know about your DR visit.

I got some herbal stuff for my stomach. Two kinds of aloa vera concentrate that you take orally. One is a detox formula for the morning to flush my liver and kidneys....these drugs make me a litte nervous. The other aloa vera concentrate is a stomach and GI tack formula to keep your stomach "happy". I will eat a meal before I take Strattera and I'm also starting at a very low dose. 10mg.
I would be careful with any herbal supplement. Especially something that flushes liver and kidneys. It has been reported that people taking Strattera have experienced liver issues. Ask your doctor before you add this to your treatment. Ask if you could have a CBC done once you reach the target dose of Strattera. This will give you a piece of mind, while taking the medication.


You asked if I notice any improvement. I would say Yes. The medicine is only going to calm you mind. The rest is up to you. If you haven't already, you will need to establish processes to start tasks and effectively communicate. It's going to be hard work for anyone.

I am the moderator for this forum and will be putting together a "sticky" thread that lists successful Strattera techniques reported by forums members.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Yes, I told the Doc about the aloe vera concentrate. She didn't object. Because of flushing the kidneys and liver is the very reason I am taking them. One is a stomach formula. The other is a detox formula...or liver tonic. My reasons being the last time I took strattera it tore my stomach up and I lost 20 lbs. Also, urination was a problem. Again, the reason for the aloe vera detox formula. My mind felt good though. This is day four and so far no side effects. I took 20mg today. I was suppose to stay on 10 till tomorrow but decided to do it a day early since I was not having side effects. I'll stay on 20 for five days...was originally suppose to be four but with taking 20 a day early.....
Oh, I also started taking 4000mg of Omega 3 capsules two days ago. I'm also going to add l-tyrosin. I read on another board that they are helpful.
Hope everyone is well!

Hi everyone! Today I have felt better than ever. Don't know if the meds are working yet, can't tell really, but today is one of the first ever without any of the side effects I've experienced the past 2 weeks. But let's see what tomorrow brings, as every single day seemed different on Strattera for me.

Tim, I think that would be a fantastic idea to post a sticky thread about Strattera and what other people have done that was successful.

Also, have you ever heard something about a percentile when having ADD/ADHD? Such as a top 1 percentile or something? Thanks!
Donna

YEAH! for no side effects!!

that is fantastic!! lucky you, so far, every day has been different for me.
Donna

How are things so far Donna?? I took 60 today and I didn't freak out! LOL. Felt a little bit of a....well, sensation. Like when you take Niacin and you get that faint flush feeling. No stomach ache. No problems with energy or sleep. I'm shocked. We will see if this continues however. Don't want to be to optimisitic or I'll screw it up! Best of luck for you. So far I don't have an epiphany <sp ck> in reference to ADHD. Perhaps some lessened anxiety.

Hey, well today is my third full day at 60 and am feeling less and less side effects. No more nausea, flu-like feelings are gone, goosebumps are going away and pupils are less dialated. So I assume this means that the med is getting into my system more and more.
I am having some wild and crazy dreams which are fun, and for some reason my sleep is interrupted after a few hours, but fall back to sleep anyway.
Can't wait to start feeling some positive effects like being able to focus more. I am also on Zoloft and haven't felt happier in a long, long time. I am also afraid to be too optimistic!!
So anything new with you with this yet?? Very glad to know that you haven't experienced too much of these side effects, you're lucky!! Iwas considering giving up til I realized I wouldn't get better unless I tried...so we gotta hang in there!
Donna

Good job Donna. Today was my second day on 60. Everything went fine. I do notice that I flush and sweat more for around 2 hours after taking the drug. Then it goes away. Today was much less noticable. I hope tomorrow is not noticable. Fingers crossed. Today was one week on Strattera so I know it is to early to expect results. Keep me posted on how you are feeling...

I just started at 40mg on Monday. Monday evening was pretty bad, with headaches, dizzyness, and a wave of depression. I also felt very tired, but when I laid down I felt like I could hardly keep my eyes closed. When I finally went to sleep it was fitful at best. Yesterday was better, but I had a few moments of confusion and disorentation. I didn't get much more sleep than the night before. This morning I woke up with mild nausea, but it got better after half an hour or so. In class this morning I felt even less able to concentrate than normal, and felt very confused even about concepts we'd covered previously. I also keep getting a strange tingly feeling in my head, followed by goosebumps. My eyes have felt dry since last night, and my throat is bothering me today.

Overall, it's not as bad as it could be, and I have to stick with it, but I'll be happy when some of these issues go away and I actually start seeing benefits.

ask your doc if you can start at a lower dose. I started with 10 because I didn't want to deal with side effects.

Hi there again, not to change the subject, but i noticed that you are in key west. I hope you are making arrangements to get the heck out of town. I am sure we will all be worrying about you out there and hope you will be safe. Don't forget your meds, you are doing wonderfully at this point!
The only thing I've been noticing lately is that I wake up with a headache on the top of my head. Don't know if this is a side effect, but I'm also taking Zoloft.
Please be safe out there....we will keep our fingers crossed for you. Hopefully the hurrincane will just dissipate into thin air.

Hi Pink Panther, just to let you know from what I've experienced with Strattera, is that these side effects do go away and lessen with time. I also experienced the same side effects as you. So hang in there!!! I just started Strattera myself just 3 weeks ago, and every day seems a bit better and brighter.
I also can't wait to see some benefits of Strattera, but I have heard that it can take 4-6 weeks to start noticing a difference, but it is worth it to find out, at least I think so!
Donna

I started strattera today. My Doc. has me taking 40 mg. for 4 days then jumping to 80 mg. a day. Fortunately, I am off work for now, so I can deal with adverse side-effects in the comfort of my own home. I can definitely feel the drug in my body.

I'll keep you all posted on any tribulations that may ensue.

Regards,
Larry

Hey Donna, we are waiting to see what the hurricane is doing on Friday. If it looks like it is going to smack us we will leave. We are over the hurricanes at this point. Four this season!!
To you guys starting on 40mg, that is a lot. As long as you can tolerate the side effects I guess it's all good. I can't tolerate the side effects at 40mg. I had to start at 10 and work my way up. I hate feeling nasty!!!! Ask your doc if the side effects are just to much to deal with and see if you can start at a lower dose.

oh, ps, I took 80mg today. I feel fine. I'll do the same tomorrow. I took 30mg in the morning, 20 in the afternoon and 30 more this evening. It does not effect my sleep so I am lucky.....

Hey that's great that you feel fine so far on 80...my side effects have just about disappeared at this point...good luck with the hurricane, we'll be thinking of you!
Donna

Hi Larry., 40 seems to be a bit much to start...I did the same when I started, took a week off to see what would happen. Each day seemed different to me. This was 3 weeks ago and now I'm up to 60...let us know what happens to you...I'll keep my fingers crossed that it's not too bad. Each day seems to get better, and hopefully will be worth it all in the end.
Donna

When are you guys taking it? I'm taking it at night right now, but it's really messing with my sleep. I'm a little afraid to take it in the morning because I don't know if that might make other side effects worse, but I may try that tomorrow since I won't really have to go anywhere.

I'm on 40 in the morning and 40 in the evening. So far the side effects are pretty much nill. I feel calmer. I don't seem to be getting any better with focus however. It hasn't been two weeks yet so I think I'm perhaps expecting to much to soon. I don't know. I'm really hoping that the focus part kicks in soon. Hey Donna, do you feel better focused or anything??

Hi Donna,

I was absolutely miserable on my first 40 mg. dose. I took my first dose Wednesday and skipped yesterday. I just took my second dose about a half-hour ago. My Doctor wants me to jump to 80 mg. in 4 days?? If I get as sick from this pill as I did my last, I will call the Doc. and see If he can adjust my dosage or prescribe something else.

Warm regards,
Larry

Hi everyone!! I was also very miserable the very first day. I called my doc the next day and decided to stop taking it until I could take a week off of school. When I started it again every day seemed different. I had nausea, goosebumps, couldn't eat, felt like I had the flu, very tired. This is my third week now and I'm up to 60. The effects have nearly gone away, but I'm still waking up in the middle of the night and pass out again. I've been having some wild and crazy dreams which have been fun.
At this point I don't feel any different just yet. I do feel more "awake" in the mornings as I'm going through my day...don't see my doc again til November 11. So I'm still waiting for the magic to kick in...and can't wait til it does! I really don't know what to expect, either...
Pink Panther, I take it in the mornings, since when I first took it, I couldn't sleep also.
I have heard that you should be careful when you take it...don't take it at night, and then again the next morning. Skip a day and then take it in the morning, or it would be like a double-dose...does that make sense?? Hope so...
I'm just glad that most of those nasty side effects went away...
Donna

I take it in the mornings, since when I first took it, I couldn't sleep also.
I have heard that you should be careful when you take it...don't take it at night, and then again the next morning. Skip a day and then take it in the morning, or it would be like a double-dose...does that make sense?? Hope so... Started taking it in the mornings yesterday, after skipping Friday so I wouldn't double-dose myself. Unfortunately I didn't eat breakfast until an hour or so after I took it. That didn't go so well. I'm eating breakfast first today in hopes that the nausea won't be too much of a problem. I have been sleeping much better the last couple of nights.

This is an excellent idea. This is the path that my doctor takes. With all of the reports of bad side effects, why should someone follow the manufactures dosing of 40mg for 1 week then 80mg. :eek: This needs to be changed.

I started with 10mg for a week then 18mg for a week, 25mg for a week, 36mg for a week, 40mg for a week and then 50mg. I added another 25mg in the afternoon for a total of 75mg per day. No side effects. I remember during my first run of Strattera when I took two 40mg in the morning, the side-effects were nasty.

Good luck with your medication. Let us know if you have any questions.
I believe in this kind of stratagy too. A few days ago when I went to the dr., he asked me my weight before determining the dose to start w/. I just started 3 day's ago and am on 18mg/day. I've had some 'mood swings' just like it says in the leaflet. Is there any way to control them? Let me know how things work out.

Hey Pink Panther, sorry about the nausea, I also experienced this, big time, but with time it does go away. I'm on my third week now...most side effects have disappeared, hooray!! I noticed for myself, even if I took it with breakfast on a full stomach, the nausea was there anyway.
Yes, Strattera is supposed to be dosed on weight...
Donna

I didn't have any nausea today, and I really don't feel like I've had any other side effects, either. I've been sleeping really well, and remembering my dreams more. Looking forward to some positive effects on focus, etc., but at least the bad stuff seems to be gone.

Thanks for your help, Donna. I appreciate it.

Hey, its funny you mentioned dreams, I had the same experience, and they were pretty wild! I was actually looking forward to going to sleep to continue the "show". It's still happening, although not as intense. Let us know how you progress!
Donna

I've had an absolute laundry list of side effects:

-Headache.

-Nausea.

-Tingling hair. (like eating too many Ephedrine)

-Chills.

-My body can't seem to decide what temperature it wants to be at.

-Seeing weird, random shadows in my peripheral vision. (This doesn't happen often)
-Ringing ears.

-Sensitive hearing.

.....and that is it. All the aforementioned side-effects are getting better with every day, though. Tomorrow will round out a full week on Strattera. I am presently taking 80 mg. a day. I think I feel mellowed out a bit, yet I sort of feel like a shell of myself.

I'll keep ya'll posted........

Regards,
Larry

Oh yeah, my dreams have been quite lucid and bizarre, also.

Hey Larry, I also experienced most of the same side-effects as you. Still experiencing the goosebumps all over, and my vision also seems to be off, like my pupils are very dilated. I also have astigmatism in my eyes, and I noticed this got worse. Also have headaches every day on the top of my head.
But the other effects have packed up and left, that is the nausea and flu-like symptoms. The dreams are also very vivid and life-like, but I'm enjoying this side effect so far. Keep us posted!
Donna

I've had an absolute laundry list of side effects:
-Headache.
-My body can't seem to decide what temperature it wants to be at.
-Seeing weird, random shadows in my peripheral vision.
I did get the psychosis(wierd shadows) on the first day, but that should stop fast. If it happens when you are tired thats different. The headache can be anywhere in your head except where your "horns" would go if humans had horns. If the headache is painful and constant thats a bad sign of deficiency indicating you should tell your doctor immediately. the temperature thing, lasted 2 days for me. I'm not sure how long its been fluctuating for you. but if these three side/symptoms continue or get worse you might be norepinephrin deficient, in which case strattera would work opposite than desired. Especially if you eat turkley or dairy which contain l-tryptophan which turns into noradrenaline(norepinephrin) which is the 'N' in SNRI. like putting too much chlorine in a pool when its empty and then dumping in some water and watching the fireworks.


I've been on 160mg strattera for a week now(dose is double) , the benefits were obvious after the first 3 days. Basicly all the benefits of a stimulant without the stimulant. So it works good if I have to go somewhere where the stims wouldn't be good to have. Kind of like a back-up plan that never disappears. I could do without the nausea though, I stopped smokin herb cus mixed with strattera it made me straight-up half-tarded. I mean just delerious, like if you eat too many brownies, just dumb dumb dumb.

When I started Strattera, I had none of the Nausea like symptoms, none of the throwing up, or urinating side effects.

The only side effect is that my sleep gets interrupted after a few hours, but in the morning I feel bright and awake.

With Adderall (Barr) I Rarely got any sleep.

My concentration level as for the 5th day on the med still hasn'tr improved. I'm waiting for a sign.

I'm still waiting for concentration and focusing to improve too. Still also waiting for a sign. I also am the same about the morning, that is, til after I have a shower. I just feel more aware and more awake, but no jitters or anything like that.
If this is all there is, to me it's not worth it. I go back to the doctor on 11/11 for the med check-up.
I'd much rather have help with making decisions, not getting distracted, remebering things, etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc.