I was diagnosed in September, 2005, with ADD and started to take Strattera the next day (been on it five weeks now). I have had several side effects, but nothing that really bothered me all that much. However, I haven't really seen any real positive pluses on the drug, so am I missing something or is Strattera missing me. I have been a little less edgy and a little less upset at everyday things, but haven't seen the results that I expected. Shouldn't something more positive have taken place by now? I am taking about 100mg of Strattera daily right now.

My wife feels that I haven't changed in any way yet, although she is my harshest critic. If I do not feel that I have improved after another couple of weeks on Strattera then should I seek to change my medication? What have others done after not seeing improvement?

I can see that all ADD people are different, because my son was on Strattera and he couldn't stand it, as it made him feel like a zombie with other problems thrown in to boot.

give it some time...maybe up to another month. The change isn't that you can all of a sudden sit down and focus, it's that you can CHOOSE to to so if you want. And one of the other ones is getting less upset, less annoyed, and generally being more "relaxed".

I wasn't sure my strattera was doing anything at 100 mg either..until they dropped me down to 25...and things went to from "good" to "just like before I knew I was ADHD".

This isn't to argue with the reply posted, because I appreciate any replys and the person taking the time to answer my questions, but it just seems as though there is more to ADD meds than chooing to just do something, as I can choose to do anything anytime, this is my decision and my choice. I am not belittling the answer given, but there just seems to be more involved and hope to hear more.

My life has always been one big struggle with everything! I have procrastinated, not finished most projects started, ad infinitum! Enough is enough! If I am not getting the proper help from the meds, then what is the use of taking them? It would seem that the connections to my brain are not being met as they should, per the meds. It is my understanding that the meds have to provide the right connections to the brains neurotransmitters and if not, then other meds have to be tried. Is this correct? Or am I overlooking something in regards to the meds?

Who has been down this road that can answer these questions? Thanks everyone for your help and for reading this!

ADDled,

Sounds like you're having a pretty frustrating time with finding the right treatment. If that med isn't working for you, and your wife doesn't notice any changes at all, then you may need to change to another med.

You are absolutely right in that all ADD folks are not alike. There are several different areas of the brain that contribute to the function of attention. If any one area or a combination of areas are deficient or dysfunctional, then that affects attention.

So, what part(s) of your brain are not working properly? Who knows, unless you've got an MRI station in your laundry room. So, that explains why we ADDers are not all the same -- kind of like snowflakes. :p

Anyhow, hang in there, buddy, you will find a solution! Don't give up...:)

Take care,
Banana

Banana, thanks for the comments and encouragement! I will talk to my doctor next visit, as my postive effects are not really showing up as I thought that they would, especially being able to focus, starting and finishing projects. I just do not think that those effects are there at all and they should be. I have had some positive results that I can see from the Strattera, mostly better mood and far less anger, so those are good.

I just have lived too long, with all of the ADD problems one has, to not get some postive relief from the medication now that I know what has caused the problems that I have struggled with all these years.

I'm on Strattera as well and my doc started me on 25mg. I took that for a month but didn't really notice any difference so we've upped it to 40mg. Still, I'm not finding any difference except the side-effects are becomming more apparent with me. I'll try this for another month and see if an increase will help. If not, then time to switch to something else.

I don't expect the meds to be the magic pill and neither should you. I have noticed that it has kept my impulsivness in check to a point, which is really what it's all about. I used to be very chatty at work and always the life of the party but lately I've really toned it down. That, and my Amazon.com bill is way lower. :)

Kirk,
You mean that there is actually no magic pill after all, shucks! No, just kidding! I do realize that there is no magic pill, but I think that some ADDers probably overlook the positive benefits that they could possibly have in their lives. And I do think with the right meds, that much more is possible, but the BIG question is, how do you find the right meds, except through trail and error, I would guess. Like I said before, if all that I get out of taking ADD meds is to feel slightly better, then what is the use of taking them? So I will try Strattera until my next physician's appointment and then will see if the doc will change things if no more improvements. Thanks for the comments!

I would think that being at 100mg and having been taking Strattera for 5 weeks, that you would notice more of a difference by now, beyond the few benefits you are experiencing. (A little background: I took Strattera, and it worked great, but then was taken off of it and put back on way too many times to count, that it just stopped working.) When I was on it, I noticed that my concentration was a lot better. It still took some work to get initially focused, but once I got there, I could stay there, which I couldn't do before taking it.

You may need to try a different med, or maybe add something to the Strattera (I've read that some people here take both Strattera and a stimulant). Good luck!

Dana,

Thank you for sharing your experience with Strattera, it must have been hard to go on and off the medication. Hope all is well with your meds now.

I may just stay on the Strattera because of the change in my mood and the anger that I had, now at least I am more mellow, although I would sure like to have a little less procrastination and get up and go when it comes to my projects. Maybe that will come to me with a little more time on the Strattera.

The best to you and I hope that your experiences are all positive!

I have taken Strattera since the middle of September and have only seen improvement of mood, nothing else really. I started taking Wellbutrin 300mg along with the Strattera, but have not noticed any improvement over just the Strattera. I wanted to give both a chance to work, but have been on the Wellbutrin for almost five weeks now, so I don't expect any improvement.

The doctor said that we would try something else next time if the Wellbutrin did not take hold with improvements. Looks like I may go to a stimulant next visit to the doctor.

I have been on Wellbutrin, Lexapro and Effexor XR, along with the Stattera at one time or another since September 2005, but basically only remain on the Stattera, which helps my mood. I found today that my doctor doesn't prescribe stimulant drugs, so I will have to find another doctor in order to try the stimulants. Although my primary physician wants me to try a higher dose of Effexor XR with the Stattera.

The Wellbutrin and Effexor XR, help about 5 or 10% with my attention and focus, but not enough to say that it is a big help. The Lexapro was the worst, as it created a case of hemorrhoids like you wouldn't believe. Yes, Lexapro can do that to you! So if you have that problem beware!

I have read where the Stattera and Adderall XR are the best for inattentive ADD and I have read that Adderal XR and Effexor XR are considered the best for this particular type of ADD, any comments on those two combinations! Or is it primarily an individual thing when it comes right down to it?

One interesting observation is that my blood pressure and pulse were normal today for me, but have been elevated in the past months on the combined drugs.

My ADD was confirmed by accident. I had suspected it for years, but I guess I was too afraid to be accused of making excuses. But then I had to changed from Effexor (which I had been on five years) and the doctor put me on Wellbutrin. I did a week of 150mg, then started on 300mg. On the third day the fog cleared and I was like this new person. It was incredible and empowering. I felt in charge for the first time in my life. Unfortunately it only lasted six weeks. We are working on finding what WILL work. I've been on Strattera 15mg (?) for about three days. At one week I'm to take 25mg for a week, and then up to 40mg. We'll see, but so far no effects good or bad.

Wow! Do I ever feel bad today! My primary physician will not prescribe stimulant meds, says he doesn't have the experience with stimulants. I have been trying to find a psychiatrist who would prescribe the meds, but one today said that he would not prescribe stimulants because he is afraid it might create heart problems for me.

This is very disheartening and makes me feel like I will never know what it is like to be out from under the shadow of ADD. It is like giving someone a glimmer of hope and then yanking it away!

So, I will probably stay with the Stattera for now and hope for the best.

Strattera will be a part of my life for a while yet, as I went to a hospital psychiatric clinic today and the doctors didn't put me on a stimulant yet, maybe in the near future, however in the meantime they took me off of Effexor XR.

I do not like that they are reassessing me to see if I do "have" ADD, although I can understand the need to do this, as they want to be absolutely sure before they give out other meds. Also, they want to know which kind of ADD I have before deciding on the meds.

I'll see how it is on Strattera only for awhile!

Strattera will be a part of my life for a while yet, as I went to a hospital psychiatric clinic today and the doctors didn't put me on a stimulant yet, maybe in the near future, however in the meantime they took me off of Effexor XR.

I do not like that they are reassessing me to see if I do "have" ADD, although I can understand the need to do this, as they want to be absolutely sure before they give out other meds. Also, they want to know which kind of ADD I have before deciding on the meds.

I'll see how it is on Strattera only for awhile!
Congrats on getting through the start up period of Strattera.

Even though it can be frustrating to draw out the assessment process, I think it says something for the medical staff in doing a detailed evaluation. A lot of people don't get this level of attention. :(

It took me over 1 year to find the correct medication and dosage. :faint:

Well, I just got a swift kick in my posterior anatomy by Strattera! I am a Senior citizen on Medicare now and just found out today that it will cost me $120.00 a month to buy Strattera through the new "lovely" Medicare prescription plan.

That is a big chunk of change for someone with a fixed income! So, I may have to go through the Veteran's Administration for my pills, which can take months to acquire the pills because of the slow process involved.

What to do, what to do? Isn't it great to have ADD! :(

Funny, I just got an email as I was writing this that said, "Aging isn't all bad!"

I found out that I make too much money (LMAO), to qualify for the VA medical plan, so it looks like getting the Strattera through them is out of the question and I will have to either not take Strattera or try to get someother kind of medication. I go to the LA medical clinic again this coming Tuesday, so I will see what the clinic says about a different medication.

The medical clinic took me off of Effexor XR, as they said that I didn't need it, however I feel that I was a little too angry without the Effexor XR. I thought that it was the Strattera that helped me less angry, but it is possible that it is the combo of the two meds that helps, anyone have any thoughts on that question?

Strattera seemed to help me at first, but now I seem to have lost that loving feeling. I started last year at 60mg, then went to 80. I feel like the drug is now making me emotionally detached and sluggish during the day. Good luck

I found out that I make too much money (LMAO), to qualify for the VA medical plan, so it looks like getting the Strattera through them is out of the question and I will have to either not take Strattera or try to get someother kind of medication. I go to the LA medical clinic again this coming Tuesday, so I will see what the clinic says about a different medication.

The medical clinic took me off of Effexor XR, as they said that I didn't need it, however I feel that I was a little too angry without the Effexor XR. I thought that it was the Strattera that helped me less angry, but it is possible that it is the combo of the two meds that helps, anyone have any thoughts on that question?
Sorry to hear about your situation. :( You might want to contact Lilly and explain your situation. They have special programs that might benefit you, either no or reduced cost for Strattera.

Lilly: 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979)

or

Lilly Cares™

Lilly Cares is a patient assistance program provided by Lilly through the Lilly Cares Foundation. As part of the company's efforts to provide access to our products for legal U.S. residents regardless of their ability to pay, we created a program to offer free medication, through physicians, to patients who are otherwise unable to obtain our products. Lilly Cares assists patients who are uninsured and whose income is less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. In 2004, the Lilly Cares program responded to 275,000 requests, valued at $167 million, for Lilly products. Most Lilly products are available through the program.

Eligibility is based on the patient's inability to pay and lack of third-party drug payment assistance, including insurance, Medicaid and government, community, or private programs and cannot be eligible for Medicare. Applications are available to anyone and must be completed and signed by the patient and the physician. Patients can download a blank application from the Lilly Cares website (http://www.lillycares.com/index.jsp) or applications can be faxed to you by calling 1-800-545-6962.

Good luck and keep us posted.

I went to the medical clinic the other day and the doctor is trying me on Ritalin 10mg a day, along with the Stattera 100mg, and the Effexor XR 75mg. Today was my first day on this regimen, with no noticible improvements with ADD symptoms.

I have to go back and take an 8-hour neuropsychological test in a week. Apparently this is to see if I actually do have ADD. Has anyone else had a test like this for ADD?

The neuropsychological test was given to me yesterday and the preliminary results confirms what I had felt all along, that I definitely have the inattentive type ADD.

The test eliminated dementia, brain injuries, and other similiar disorders. I am still taking Strattera at this time and may continue to do so in the future

Dear ADDled Brain...

I know exactly how you feel. I'm kind of an oldie too, recently diagnosed after a lifetime of trying so hard to keep up and hide that I was 'different'. As a result I have yet to enjoy my life and experience real 'Contentment'.

The 'Inattentive' type of ADD is the hardest to get diagnosed. Sadly. we are often treated for everything except ADD for years and years before we run into the right diagnostician and we learn that ADD does have a non-hyperactive component!

I hope your Meds will be made available to you. It's hard to think that after a life suffering from ADD a person would finally get diagnosed and then not be able to get the needed meds.

Hoping you have only good news re/ your ADD Treatment from now on.

Sincerely; Addeline

ADDELINE,

Thank you for your comments and all others who have read these posts, blessings and best wishes to those who are seeking the right medications for their ADD, as I certainly understand the problems involved.

The neuropsychologist made an interesting comment the other day, stating that it is harder for older people with ADD to get the meds work as well as younger people. I feel that older people have coped and compensated for their ADD symptoms, so when they look for the meds to work and correct a problem that they may not see a correction or help because of previously having had somehow compensated for a problem. I am thinking of focus, for instance, when I read a book, I use hilighters to mark some of the most important parts of the book and helps me to go back to where I last read in the book. Just one of the things that I use for focus and concentration.

One psychiatrist that I had called while trying to get help, just wrote me off because I was older, he thought that older people with ADD didn't need to improve their way of life. Glad that I didn't go to him! The neuropsychologist that I went to the other day however did feel that it was important for older people to improve the quality of their lives. Nice to have medical professionals on one's side for a change!