Please discuss the details of any negative side effects you or your child/spouse experience(d) with Strattera.

This would be me: biggest thing was I could not pee....and so generalized pain in the overall pelvic area.....Increased sex drive to a point that it was not okay, tingling in my mouth, overall feeling of lethargy and malaise....The tingling, buzzing, itching, etc. as described above would be me too.....

So came off it....

I had...
~Tingling in the scalp, usually when urinating
~Nausea (never vomited)
~Lethargy after work
~Insomnia - woke up every night around 3:00 am for an hour or so
~Pain in genitals - this was by far the most annoying. It was not constant; it would come and go every few days. Sometimes it felt like I was kicked there, and other times it was mild.

I switched to Adderall after a month or so.

I also notice a change in percieved sound.

I already have a great sense of holophonic sound. i orient to sounds in space well.

But while on Straterra, especially, specific instruments in complex peices stood out with independence in recorded music that had blended into the background before.

also, everything i looked at had a "wow" difference to it for a while. just more dimesional somehow.

My scalp tinggled, i wondered if i were having a stroke. so did my arms sometimes. Intensely.

I coasted to a halt. If I got going on something i would perseverate until it was finished. But i had stereo typical difficulty CHANGING what I was doing. The differeence, under ADHD I didn't get "mundane" things done. Under Straterra I could only do mundane things. Then i'd grind to a halt. And sit. motionless. Disgusted that i couldn't get going again. by any means. No "passing interest' was enough to get me moving. I used that under ADHD to get motion started and hen divert myself to things i needed to do. that tool was GONE with straterra.

I came to beleive that I'd have to set my goals while off the drug and then take it to get them done.

But there were several levels of drug that produced severe dispondency and depression with suicidal ideation, while gong on the drug,

and severe crankiness when coming off, or maintaining at low levels to avoid sleepiness without sleep.

Once I'd getting going in "sexual activity" nothing was the time to quit. It was impossible to get satisfaction regardless of orgasm, need for food, sleep, etc. How FRUSTRATING! It was drug induced perseveration to the max.

neg effects - pain in groin, apparently called prostate; difficulty urinating, basically could not feel/sense when I needed to urinate, and had a difficult time starting.

solution: reduced dose to 40 mg / day, and taking sawgrass supplements.

result: very infrequent slight mild pain in prostate/groin, and considerable ease in urination - almost completely normal.

positive effects:
much improvement in planning,
waking at 630 am and getting to sleep comparitively early, on a predictable schedule, tonight being the exception, oddly enough,
thinking things through much better,
less sensation of panic or freaking out from disorder in life,
more orderly living,
better results on organizing my life,
feel comfortable in social setttings,
feeling comfortable about myself

how long have i been taking it? since it came on the market, I had it 2 weeks later.

Jonathan

Originally posted by healthwiz

how long have i been taking it? since it came on the market, I had it 2 weeks later.

Jonathan

Rather than a proportion of an unknow period, could you specify a date or number of standard unit? days, weeks, or months?

sorry...i dont do dates well...remember 'm ADD! :)

If you look at the date it came on the market, wasn't it around January, or was it longer ago? then you will be able to determine the exact months if that is necessary. It has been several months, not weeks. Hope that helps.

Jon

wheel...I'm not an expert, but it sounds like you were going through a manic depressive type of experience on the Straterra, and I recall reading that Straterra can have negative effects on people with bi-polar disorder. Its something to take or leave, because, as I said, I'm not well read in that area.

Jon

Originally posted by healthwiz
sorry...i dont do dates well...remember 'm ADD! :)

If you look at the date it came on the market, wasn't it around January, or was it longer ago? then you will be able to determine the exact months if that is necessary. It has been several months, not weeks. Hope that helps.

Jon

"I don't do dates well" I suspected as much. But, of course, none of your readers HERE do any better with dates than you do! : )

January 2003? Ok. Thanks.

lol... i just read this one....true...good response..

J

Met an ADD woman who was a pharma rep, and she informed me that Strattera actually has the MOST side effects of any of the ADD drugs, it's just that they're different side effects than the other drugs, so that somewhat explains why they use it.

Also she said it was kind of rushed to market to make a profit with without as much testing as usually happens. I believe the FDA is loosening up their standards, though I could be wrong about that...

Originally posted by healthwiz
wheel...I'm not an expert, but it sounds like you were going through a manic depressive type of experience on the Straterra, and I recall reading that Straterra can have negative effects on people with bi-polar disorder.
Jon

Thanks... actually, I didn't feel I had the manic half of that while on Strattera... but i sure got the short pointy end of the stick!

It could still relate.

i feel crazy the emotion is unexplainable this is the worst drug ive ever been prescribed and i feel like i could be having more of a life on a bad trip off a heavy dose of lsd. i have all the listed side effects except cotton mouth and hives from strattera.

i had been diagnosed with adhd in 7th grade and was started on ritalin which was pretty bad too but a friend of mine who was diagnosed was taking dexedrine and i talked to my doctor about getting that and it worked the best. i would take the medicine school year only and when i would go off it i would get into much trouble with the law, have horrible communication and basically just suffer from adhd all over again.

i am 22 and the same thing is still happening except i am more tired now. i was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and after 6-8 months of zoloft, ambien and ativan the same adhd symptoms were going on except i didnt care about them (panic) as much. my doctor is telling me its a spiritual issue and refuses to put me on dexedrine..what a fool...prescribe me the freaking bible, he should lose his job.

what is the deal i had dexedrine re-prescribed when i was in college and i was an adult then but there is all this damn hype out now about stimulants, my liver is fine, my thyroid has been tested, i have had a whole damn mri of my body done, ive been to a neruo surgeon, ive had hours and hours of blood tests done ITS JUST ADHD AND I WANT SOMETHING THAT WILL FREAKING WORK AND IM NOT GOING TO ABUSE THE DAMN DRUG IM GOING TO RESPECT IT AND HAVE A NORMAL LIFE I WANT IT BACKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

why have stimulants on the market when doctors can prescribe you such wonderous things as STRATTERA (INSANITY HCL), THE BIBLE, OH AND CAN I GET A MIRACLE AMEN. i am a damn adult and i work as a registered nurse with a license to pass controlled substances i think i can handle giving myself dexedrine, probably better off than a parent giving the meds to their child, who is to say the parent isnt stealing the kids meds some times and handing them an aspirin? mom has to get the chores done and dad has a big presentation at the end of the week....this is just foolish and i am going to stop rambling now but i just want to know if anyone else feels the way i do!!!

odiin

Strattera was very hard for me too...

And then it made me feel worse that useless and suicidal.

You know everything you need too...

wait until you adjust to this drug or it is well out of your system, then find different doctor.

I agree with Wheel...Sure sounds like you need to find a new doctor.

Welcome to the ADD Forums, odiin :)

I am now off strattera........

The itching was just to bad. It was a daily thing to the point that I scratched and bruised myself from scratchig so hard.

I also sweated while on strattera. I am not sure if anyone else had that problem or not.

And when I voted, I forgot to mention that I had trouble in urinating.....it was delayed and was something I had to work at.

Directly from a recent press release from Eli Lilly regarding Strattera...

"Most people in clinical studies who experienced side effects were not bothered enough to stop using Strattera. The most common side effects in children and adolescents in medical studies were upset stomach, decreased appetite, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, tiredness and mood swings. In adults, the most common side effects were constipation, dry mouth, nausea, decreased appetite, dizziness, problems sleeping, sexual side effects, problems urinating and menstrual cramps."

http://www.strattera.com/1_5_news/pr072203.pdf

How much were they (in the clinical studies) being paid for how long?!?!?

I think that's something you'll have to take up with the Eli Lilly Company. You can contact them at www.lilly.com. That information is not usually available to the general public.

I have lots of effects, just started the drug 2 weeks ago. I get sick to my stomache, I'm very achey, I am hot all the time, loss of appetite (good thing for me, I need to loose some weight). But my concentration has deffinately improved, so it's all worth it. I also have problems sleeping.

I quit the Strattera because I felt just plain crappy while I was on it.
I lost my normal responsiveness to people I usually love and enjoy because I'd be so wrapped up in work or the computer that I found real people kind of annoying. I knew I was doing it, and I didn't care, emotionally. Intellectually I realized I might be hurting my DH's feelings and it was not good for my marriage.

Once I started something, it was hard to stop, and once I stopped, it was very difficult to get going on anything else. This was more noticeable outside the work environment.

The constipation was unbelievable. I'll leave it at that. ;o)

The same problems with urination that other people describe.

Intense hot spots that would itch like the dickens for no good reason. I had the "pins and needles" feelings up my spine and on my scalp but that didn't really bother me.

My dreams weren't nightmares, exactly, but they were dark, sad, and very past-oriented, with a flavor of hopelessness. Waking moments , I lost my usual perky ADD cuteness. ;o)

I didn't have insomnia, exactly, but my sleep was light and I woke up easily.

And it took weeks for my dreams to get back to normal, so I think the effects of this drug linger on longer than it's "supposed" to.

This whole search for something that works is frustrating as hell.

On the other hand, ADD does make life kind of interesting.

Margaret.

Originally posted by BIG
I think that's something you'll have to take up with the Eli Lilly Company. You can contact them at www.lilly.com. That information is not usually available to the general public.

then I'm not going to try. It seems unlikely they'ed tell me on a lark.

At the same time, it seems like they "encouraged" their sample to stick with it more strongly than the general population is seemingly willing to do.

:)

Something very strange I'm noticing during the first week of treatment is
wierd sense of smell.

Its tike every breath I take the air seems sweet, and cigarettes have a sugary taste now! LOL!

Its almost like how when you go to the dentist and get the gas, breathing through the scented apparattus, except no gas.

Insomnia and heavy stomach were my
only other side affects.

Strattera seems to work well. I take 80 mg at night + 15 mg dexedrine in the a.m.

I was taking 15 mg dexedrine alone, but was having a problem with extreme irritability and so was looking to Strattera as an alternative. However, when I stopped the dexedrine and took the Strattera alone, I found myself chronically fatigued. When I started taking what was left of my dexedrine to stave off the fatigue, I found the combination was very effective -- high focus and no fatigue with none of the irritability I was getting from dexedrine alone. So this is what I've been taking the last 6 months and I'm happier with it than I've been with any other drug or combination I've used for my ADD.

Some minor side effects include insomnia (I sometimes wake up at 5:30 and can't fall back asleep), although the flip side of that is that I find it easier to get up in the a.m. than without the drug. Another minor problem is periodic erectile disfunction, but it's intermittent and not severe.

The worst problem though is withdrawal. If I miss a dose, I'm a complete mess the next day. It's impossible to get out of bed in the morning, I'm debilitatingly narcoleptic, irritable, headachy, "spacy" and unfocused in the extreme. Taking a full does in the a.m. doesn't really fix it and sometimes gives me a headache (and once triggered a migraine). Taking a half dose in the a.m. and a full dose at night restores me to normal the next day, though the day of the missed dose is not a good one.

I don't know how severe withdrawal would be, or how long it would last, if I stopped taking it altogether. I haven't tried to stop for any length of time, largely because I do find it to be effective. But I have to be VERY careful not to miss a dose, especially if I have anything planned the next day where I need to be anything other than brain-dead.

I'm very happy to here you report the effect of missing a dose.

I found very similar and very severe difficulties when I tried to get off strattera. There was a range of "blood level" that was emotionally and physiclly very difficult for me to endure, going down, or going up, but more so, going down.

I am happy to "hear" not "here"...

How long did withdrawal last when you went off Strattera?

Me? About a day I guess. That isn't very long, unless you are living through it, wishing to be productive at work or home, and finding it impossible and feeling - strung out or strung up, or both at once...

A day isn't bad. Like I say, I haven't tried to wean off it yet, but I know I'm completely narcoleptic, dazed, depressed and otherwise worthless for at least 24 hours after missing a dose.

Anyone else notice this?

I just switched from 80 mg strattera that I was on for a month to 18 mg concerta. I think the concerta works a bit better. I had horrible hot flashes with the strattera, and I don't like being soaked in my own sweat while everyone around me is freezing. I think a higher dose of concerta would work better, but my blood pressure is a little high so we're starting with a lower dose.

I have been on it a month now. I take 100mg in the AM. i was doing well, but have not been to focused the last 2 days. I am haveing pain when I urinate and trouble with it coming out. It is better today. Also have desire for sex but no response. Hope that is not grapic. It is a side effect right now. does anyone know if this gets better after time? Also anyone know the effects of caffine on Strattera.

Strattera is an incontenance drug too... no small wonder you may have trouble urinating.

Drink lots, try OFTEN, don't wait long between times.

Check with your doctor for better stimulants than caffine, which will constrict your kidneys and make them try to process out more water... sort of a chemical war...

Your Pharmacist is always available by phone, in short order, and will be glad to share good information about what interactions might be.

Straterra is very very good for me. However, it does cause my prostate to be a little enlarged which causes some minor difficutly. I say minor because if it was really major I would not continue taking the drug. Its more like an inconvenience. On the other hand, the straterra has helped me be more organized in my thinking and perceptions. I can walk in a room and see what has to be done to clean it. Thats a nice change for me. I can follow a schedule. Nice change. So I like the effect of Stratterra. I take such a low dose already, 40mg per day, along with my Welbutrin 150/day. It is the combination of the two that has the effect on the prostate, even at low doses, according to my dr. But he is also pleased with the psychological or nuerological effect it has for me. So he prescribed me to trial 25mg/day Straterra for two weeks to see if I could still get the organizational benefit and maybe get some relief from the prostate issue. I started today, and will see over the next two weeks what happens. I am hoping it works, because occassionally it causes me some pain, and it is an inconvenience anyway.

PS For those who don't know what enlarged prostate means - I had no clue - it is common in men over 40, and it makes it more difficult to pass urine. Men over the age of 40 are recommended to take supplements over the age of 40 to address this common concern, and some take medicine for it. It can become serious and be quite painful though, if it is not addressed.

My dr also said it is quite common for trycyclic drugs to cause this problem, and although Stratera is not a trycyclic it targets the same chemicals and therefore causes the same problem. He said they do not know why these drugs cause this problem though.

J
:)

Originally posted by healthwiz
Straterra is very very good for me. However, it does cause my prostate to be a little enlarged which causes some minor difficutly.

the straterra has helped me be more organized in my thinking and perceptions.

I can walk in a room and see what has to be done to clean it.

Thats a nice change for me. I can follow a schedule.

Nice change.

My dr also said it is quite common for trycyclic drugs to cause this problem, and although Stratera is not a trycyclic it targets the same chemicals and therefore causes the same problem. He said they do not know why these drugs cause this problem though.

J
:)

Quite so.

What change allows you to see what needs to be done? (I don't want to lead you here, but I am looking for an answer that would fit in a task analysys chart)

Equally, what enables schedule following. What is different?

NRIs cause urine retention. Why? ?? I don't know.

it made me have all those side effects plus i heard voices

As a male, I can be frank and tell you one thing about Strattera. It will constrict your "willy" and make it look like you just got out of a cold swimming pool. I am not kidding. If any women out there are reading this, please be understanding if your man is taking Strattera. It does things to the human body that we have no control over. lol!

Also, I agree that this medication does cause some problems with urination. It almost feels like the urethra is being constricted along with the prostate. It can sometimes be painful.

For these reasons, I'm not a big fan of Strattera.

I agree with the effect on sexual potency (though not really on libido). I haven't had problems peeing though. And I certainly haven't heard voices! I do find though that if I cut back to 40 mg a day over the weekend, it's hard to get out of bed Sat and Sun but if I take 80 mg Sun night, I need less sleep during the week to perform well at work.

To those of your experiencing lethargy with Strattera - how many of you were switching from Concerta, Adderall, or Ritalin?

Do you think that it was lethargy or were you used to a stimulation boost in the afternoon with the stimulant?

Have you noticed if the lethargy or perception of lethargy has increased, decreased, or remained the same?

Did your concentration levels, impulsivity levels, distractibility levels, and/or hyperactivity levels change?

How much of the lethargy do you think is due to lack of experience or training with long periods of focusing and/or concentration?

Any other comments or questions would be helpful.

Thanks

TomFNP

Yes, prior use of stimulants... ritalin, dexadrine, concerta, adderall...
Lethargy from Strattera, when stimulants were added I felt jittery, as if VERY over cafinated... distractingly "over stimulated" with no real impact on "willinginess to immitate catatonia." Strattera made me a complete NON-self starter. not distractible... even when I should be.

Others have written of having difficulty changing focus to someone standing at their desk when they were doing something at their desk. I found this also to be true in many settings... perverse single focus resistance to change. really, Strattera made many of the problems of ADHD so much worse that other problems of ADHD were impossible to express... It is like ONLY having the hyperfocus half of ADHD without the distractibility, at all.

Hyper focus, my friend, constitutes long periods of focusing and / or concentration...

You really must become accustomed to the difference between:
1) internal and external locus of real "activating responsible" control,
2) between inability to DO (at all) and inability to RELIABLY DO (on command,self or external) (choose and follow through.)

So far, i don't think you evidence a clear understanding of "why" ADHD have the trouble they have, and what these drugs do and do not do.

Good luck.

It is really nice to see someone "normal" trying to understand this, even if the vocabulary doesn't really exist yet to describe it.

Thank you for the response.

It is clear that ADHD is not understood, and is probably a spectrum of conditions.

I will think about the hyper-focus issue and perseveration.

A friend of mine did her Ph.D on children exposed in utero to illegal drugs and found that they had difficulty with "executive function".

I think that this meant difficulty with issues such as long term planning, perseveration, impulsivity, social skills, and such.

Some PET scan data seems to indicate that ADHD brains are different, as are bipolar brains.

Probably not a large enough sample to make any real conclusions, but interesting.

We have so much to learn. I think we are in the dark ages with ADHD still.

Personally, I think the ADHD brain must have had an adaptive for society to be so common, especially in males.

Perhaps in different cultural and environmental circumstances, the ADHD individual is the discoverer, the explorer, the fixer, the chief, the multi-tasking male, the creative force, etc. that was needed for survival.

And now we want individuals to sit still and listen and think all day.

Just a thought.

Tom

I have not had any undesirable side effects from straterra and I am taking 120mg of it. The only thing that I have had is suppressed appetite. My problem was that once the drug started working, I still had insomnia and hyperactivity for a week or so at a time due to my bipolar. Once that was under control, I have had nothing but good things to say about Straterra.

FOR WHEEL1975: What dose did you get up to and how long did you take it. I have been on 120mg for about 4 months now. No problems.:cool:

I was 1st placed on 40mg. That night I woke up and peed like an old man- urinary retention like prostate swelling. My wife told me that was a common side effect. The next day I felt pretty ok nothing stellar. The evening dose of 40mg weirded me out--aggitation,easily provoked,less focused easily frustrated.
No other physical symptoms. I feel I am taking a too high dose,and am trying to decrease by opening the capsules and redistrubuting them into other capsules. Does anyone feel jonesy?

please define "jonesy."

Originally posted by LongCommuter
I have not had any undesirable side effects from straterra and I am taking 120mg of it. The only thing that I have had is suppressed appetite. My problem was that once the drug started working, I still had insomnia and hyperactivity for a week or so at a time due to my bipolar. Once that was under control, I have had nothing but good things to say about Straterra.

FOR WHEEL1975: What dose did you get up to and how long did you take it. I have been on 120mg for about 4 months now. No problems.:cool:


Glad you have found something that works for you with no prolems.

Though I think our definitons of "no problems" are different. i had periods of lack of sleep and that effectively made me unable to function at work or at home. I found that unacceptable.

It was miserable time and dangerous, and after taking two several week runs at the drug, walking like i was on thorazine... the human zombie, ... I saw no point in continuing to "treat" my ADHD by becoming a non-entity.

Max dose was 80 mg /day, 40 bedtime 40 mid day.

Most prolonged dose was 50 mgs, 40 bedtime, 10 morning. three weeks.

I even tried a 36 hour pattern for a week alternating 40 mgs and 10 mgs on 18 hour intervals. It seemed promissing fo rthe side effects, but the "positive" effect of preventing my "uncomfortable for others behavior -- ie, objecting to the objectionable..." disappeared faster than the side effects.

Tiny amounts of Adderall were added to try to fight extreme lethargy... it did not work for me... I was sleepy and jittery. What a combination!

Wheel 1975: "JONESY"
def: slang for a feeling of anxiety associated with the need for more of an addicted medication. Comes from the cocaine addict without drug. In this case I just tried to describe a feeling of anxiety, irritability,and frustration.
arkmalone

Ya... I felt "jonesy" except I had NO DESIRE for any more of what made me feel that way... :)

I agree. I am finding that rather than abandoning the drug, there is room for leeway in the dosing-, interval,and dosage. I feel that initial dosage should be low with 3 divided doses, for a few days,then increase to desired effect. I'm still working on it.

I only took strattera for a month and a half..which is the required time to take it, still to no avail strattera only made me sick if I did not eat and very tired and a little edgy...not to mention it did not help my concentration at all.

Everyone body chemistry is different, this I all ready know. I think maybe my body is just used to stimulant medication to help me and that is why the non stimulant chemistry did not mix well with me..who knows?

I'm in my 4th week on Strattera (80mg/day; taken in AM).

Positives:

- Better focus and attentiveness; although I can still be distracted, just not as easily.

- MUCH better moods! I don't have the mercurial swings I used to have.

- More alert and awake; more energy. Overall, more "into" what's going on at the moment.

- Slightly better memory - things and thoughts don't "disappear" or "fly in/fly out" as much.

Negatives:

- All-day dry mouth; lots of water helps. (Related, I think - my sinuses are remarkably clear. A "positive"?)

- Appetite loss (although I've dropped a few pounds I could stand to lose, and I'm not hitting up the junk food - maybe this is another "positive"? ;)

Good News/Bad News:

OK, this is where it gets a little weird (Caveat: frank sexual discussion follows):

From a physical sexual performance standpoint, I've definitely felt a somewhat negative impact in that it's more difficult to maintain an erection (I had similar experiece with Paxil several years ago, although the Paxil's effect was much worse). Strangely enough, while orgasms now take longer to achieve (requires a lot of concentration) but they are also much more powerful!

Here's the paradox: my libido seems to have gone through the roof!!! Whereas before I was content with once/twice a week, now I want it every day (and not just once). The thought of sex crosses my mind a lot - sometimes to the point of distraction (yes, the average male thinks about it a lot, but this is getting ridiculous). I can't tell whether this is a side effect of the med or if it's a result of my feeling better overall.

Anybody else here have a similar experience?

Mark... You look better, feel better, and you're getting it everyday? >> can't complain about that "side-effect" my friend :D lol..

My results have been the same... I can't stop talking about the positives I've gained from kick'in Ritalin & switching to Straterra~ (Unfortuenetly my doctor said only 1/2 of her patients react this way).

Good luck to EVERYONE in your quest for the right combination of meds tweaked for your personal chemistry!

I've been taking it less than a week, and I noticed something--has anybody had an increase in anxiety? I feel lethargic and anxious at the same time--like I'm nervous, but too lazy to do anything about it!

I've worked my way up to 80 mg/day, taken at noon/11 pm so I can sleep, but last night I kept waking up and couldn't go back to sleep. Is this normal?

Stranger
The anxiety feeling was noticed in the evening for me followed by what I think is the feeling of being to lazy or ambivalent to do anything about it. I had to switch due to that and the prostate thing- I'm only 44 for pete's sake don't rush me- and the sexual, depression thing. Concerta is my drug (for now).I think if the drug is going to work you will know it pretty quickly.
Good luck

I've been on Strattera for 1.5 months. I take 60mg in the morning. I have had the sweating/hot flashes in the morning only that got better over time. Also constipation b/c I didn't eat enough fiber - started eating All Bran every day and that is gone (thank god!) Another weird one is horrible heartburn if I eat spicy food the night before. I had 2 really bad mornings with that but Pepto seemed to fix the problem. (And no spicy food before bed...) Other than that Strattera is wonderful - can't wait to switch to 80mg! I have heard that it is not for everyone. Supposedly, if it's going to work for you, you will know with one or two weeks. It's been exactly 38 days (wrote my start date in my new date planner...) and the only side effect I still get is a little hot in the morning right after I take it. But I just kick a blanket off the bed and I'm fine. So far Strattera works for me but it's the only med I've ever tried.

Hi Marc - just read your post - yes I have had similar effects as you. I thought it was in my mind when my sinuses cleared up. I have had CHRONIC sinus problems and since I started Strattera....my sinuses work now! I thought.... how could this be related to Strattera. But maybe it is. Other than that I have also had all of your "positive" side effects - including the increased libido (my boyfriend isn't complaining......)

My side effects with Strattera included:

Insomnia (early AM wakening a big problem)
Dry Mouth
Increased Sweating (don't all meds. do this?)
Slight temor

Found that it was:
Stimulating overall in it's effect, but not quite as intense or as 'fast acting' as the Ritalin & Adderall I had been on.

Seemed to work well at first, then it 'pooped out' (lost it's effectivness) after 2 months.

Out-of-pocket cost was outrageous, with no health ins. I had to quit.

Strattera is my first experience with ADD medication.
In my third week - side effects, or lack of, were as follows:

Dry Mouth
Minor constipation that comes and goes, mostly because I forget
to drink more water. I need more since starting.
Vivid dreams (Nightmares?) that I forgot about until I read
other people reporting them
No sweating
No unusual headaches
Slight buzzed feeling occasionally
Major change in plumbing/prostrate sensation/response
to any stimulation, physical or mental
Initially an increased libido - similar to Mark C above - less so now.
Quicker and more urgent need to go as my bladder fills.
Occasional tiredness - better now
Occasional waking up in the middle of the night, but
no problem falling back out.
Occasional tingly or "crawly"scalp, neck, shoulders.

I think my dosage is a little high - I'm 190 lbs / 2.2=86 Kg x 1.2 = 100 - 105 Mg/day - My doctor had me start at one 60 mg/day for 4 days and move up to 2 60 mg capsules a day as a standard dose. (Is this right, Big?)
I'd like to try closer to 100 mg, but I'm waiting to see him next week.

Overall I think I'm getting more benefit than negative. When I go on task now, I stay there. The sex thing is weird, but not exactly bad. I was hoping for a radical positive change in organization/productivity, but the changes are not drastic, at least not yet. We'll see.

Turbo,

I think you will see from the other posts, that if you're not having the untoward effects, then you are in the positve outlook group.

If however you continue to have effects that become undesirable, you should maybe speak with your p-doc for possible changes.

All in all I see good for you. Keep it up and return here often .

Mark M

Believe it or not I am only taking 10 mg a day. (I think my family dr. does not exactly know what to do with an ADD patient although he is trying....) Anyway I actually do feel many of the symptoms above.

The most amazing thing is that I am happy to get out of bed in the morning- something that has always been unbearable to me during my 33 years. (not even because of depression- just because I hated to wake up)

I am getting more done around the house and don't seem to dread doing things that bore me quite as much.

No change at all when it comes to remembering thing. I still made my daughter's lunch for school, put it on the kitchen table RIGHT BY THE DOOR and managed to forget about it until I arrived at school. However I can figure out how to organize things a little better.

I called my dr. and am waiting to hear back from him about increasing my dosage.

A lot of men have talked about sexual side affects- how about the women out there? I am not really noticed much- maybe an increase in libido not quite sure.

Lauren

M-D,

That is encouraging news of good effects on such a low dose. I think if you stick with it, and maybe increase slowly, you will notice more positive effects. A psychiatrist is probably the best to handle the fine adjustments. Look around in here for the direction for the SD area. Or have your Family doc or nurse come in here.
Can't help you with the Labido part. A womens post may be available in the Forums.
I also see a good outlook for you. There is light!
Mark

Thanks arkmalone,

I have now increased to 20 mm and still seem to be OK. Small problems like waking up in the middle of the night- but I am able to organize in a way I never remember being able to do. I walked in my messy room this afternoon and was not totally freaked out by what to do. Amazing.

Thanks again. I am so happy I found this place!

Lauren

Lauren,
You are more than welcome. I'm so glad someone else has at least glimpsed what normalcy can be. Better living through chemistry!
Try some night time tea- Chamomile say
By the way my son age 9 -named Mac - a handful.
Much luck,
now pass it forward.
Mark

I like that "better living through chemistry!" LOL I have been ridding on Strattera for 3.5 years now and the side effects are so minamal to the positives I can only praise the drug. The only lasting side effect is the uranation stream in week. other than that a few tingles on the skin.

Does anyone experience chills and cold sweats with Straterra? My husband has been taking it for about a month and he keeps having these side effects ( in addition to insomnia). He was previously taking Concerta but did not like the idea of taking a Methamphetamine, so he switched to Straterra. Other than the side effects I mentioned above, I have noticed a marked improvement in his temperment.

Shelby, In the study if the side effect was to strong the dosage was lowered. I still get a mild heart burn but it passes. I did get the chiles when the dosage was to high.

Yeah, I experience chills. Only started Strattera 3 days ago and so far I get the chills and sometimes difficulty urinating. Also feel somewhat foggy but that could be due to recently going off Effexor. I am only on 25mg as I am in the process of ramping up to 40mg which I will be at after two weeks. Have not had any heart burn, although I have never had heart burn.

Hey, welcome Mike.
I think you will find the effects of Effexor last a few days to weeks.
I believe conditioning of the brain has something to this, although I have no scientific support to this. Don't give up until really bad effects are noticed and you have given at least 1 month.

Mark

I was wayyy lethargic, to the point where I had more trouble getting things done....

I also had that pain in the genitals that Tiggwin described...

-The Admiral

I've got vivid dreams, that's about it. Don't know if the lethargy level is really the Strattera or my body adjusting to the lack of Adderall

I just started Straterra last night. Doctor said to take it at night. 25mg for 1st 4 days. 40 mg for next 21 days and shooting for around 80 mg per day.
Look forward to increased focus.
Paul :)

I broke out in sweat every time I worked outside (TX weather?).
Could not get myself to start any task .

Also sweat profusly and had chills.
I take 80 mg of Strattera at night.
20 mg of Ritalin in the morning and 10 mg in the afternoon.

By the way ,friends and coworkers always complain that I am not smiling like I used to...

:( I didn't vote just yet since Dakota will start his first dose tommorrow. 40mg for four days then up to 60 mg. Sounds like a whole lot of fun to me...NOT! :(

my son has been on staterra for about two months we have not had any side effects that i know of yet so far so good

Dr. said that srattera is a non stimulant for add.

Apparently I dont have the "H" in ad/hd.

He said I would be kicking the stool he

had in the waiting room if I had the "H".

It has been almost 28 days and

no real effects. Maybe I toss and turn

a bit at night. But I sleep ok.

Look forward to a higher dose.

Focus isn't there yet.

Paul :)

Dakota,

Is experiancing nausea, car sickness, dizziness but luckily it seems to be subsiding. The only lasting thing we're seeing now is a little car sickness, tiredness but he's got the H in AD/HD so maybe he's supposed to act this way and we just never noticed. Hopefully soon we will see some huge difference so we can start behavioural modification.

hi yall
its been a little less than a month &ive been taking 40 mg of strattera once/day.
my dr wants to wean me off the wellbuterin that ive been on (450 mg/day) thats been doing nothing for me. He also wants to up my dosage in stages he says to avoid the stomach problems so often reported with this stuff.
as i said its been just under 1 month but even with this small dose ive noticed that my frustration level has improved a good bit, got bad dry mouth--makes cigarettes taste really awful (a good thing:) ), but nothing i cant deal with, as thats what wrigleys is for.
i do wake very early (for me) & then go back to sleep, pee like an old man, & have minor scalp itching, but these are minor things for me. the trade-off is that my wife isnt happy with our sex life (but im told that this too shall pass), & if not than ill cross that bridge when i get to it (make a call to my dr).
on the whole, so far, im happy with the improvement in my concentration & my memory seems to have improved a bit also.
i guess it gets good marks from me so far. well see what happens over the next few months ;)

I finally gave up on the Straterra, went back to just Adderall. Everyone tells me I seem more rational, sane. The Straterra wasn't helping me enough in the right places, and caused me major motivational problems. I guess I should talk to my psych about all this but I seem less manic now, and much better.

I’m about to start Strattera 40 mg, once a day, up to 80 mg after a week. Kay just brought home two sample bottles of 24 from our dr.; I don’t know if it’s in our formulary yet.

I wanted to try it because it’s not classified as either a stimulant or an antidepressant. I’m curious about how it will work, and what the subjective effect will be like. Kay and I (and Bryan to a lesser extent) have a very definite sense of the effects of our drugs, and have developed a fairly succinct vocabulary to talk about them.

I’m currently taking Adderall 20 mg/10 mg /10mg or Ritalin 10mg x 4. The dr. told me to continue to take either while I got used to the Strattera, and after as well, if it seems right.

I’ll let you know how it’s progressing. I’ll probably start on Saturday ot Friday night.

I've been on Strattera for about two months. After reading the comments in this group, my experience doesn't seem to be that uncommon -- urinary troubles from the start, prostate pain after intercourse.

I started at 25 mg 1x/day, then increased it to 50 mg 1x/day. That's when the urinary retention started. After four days I dropped the dose back to 25 mg -- that seemed to help the urinary problems. Then I increased the dosage to 25 mg 2x/day without any recurrence of those problems. The frustrating part was that at 50 mg I could sense a significant clearing in my mind. I remember noticing at one point early on that my mind was totally clear -- I was thinking about nothing at that moment. Usually, it feels like an airport terminal or train station with a constant buzz or din going on. The 25 mg 2x/day helped me to maintain some, but not all, of that new-found clarity.

The part that hasn't improved, though, is the sexual side effects. I stuck it out for all this time, hoping that the last time I felt the discomfort would truly be the "last time." It hasn't gotten any better, only varying levels of intensity and duration. I really had hoped that Strattera would work for me -- I was only recently diagnosed, and I have strong reservations about going onto a stimulant medicine.

I'm going to try Wellbutrin XL next. It is supposed to effect the brain chemistry similarly to Strattera, and I have benefited from it in the past. My only reservation here, however, is that my previous experience with Wellbutrin led to some insomnia, which led to Ambien, which I had trouble getting off when I stopped the Wellbutrin. Hopefully, the XL formulation will result in a lower dosage in my system by the time I go to sleep.

I have been on Strattera for almost 2 months now. The only side effects I experienced were vivid dreams at first, and pain in the stomach if I didn't eat a large enough quantity of food fast enough to avoid the empty stomach. I found if I ate first and then took the 2 X 40mG, I was fine.

It has been a night and day difference. I wish terribly that this was around when I was a child. I have a focus and clarity differential that I can't perceive directly, as the effects took several weeks. I only understand analytically that there are major differences in how I respond to daily tasks.
My mind seldom wanders now, and when I do, after only 10 seconds or so a "watchdog timer" goes off and I instantly return to the place I left off mentally. No more "blinking" out for 5 minutes at a time. It takes me far less time to do routine things that I could never account for what I percieved as my effort vs. what I saw gone on the clock. I can make it out of the door in only one trip, as opposed to several trips for items I forgot to bring one at a time. I no longer get to the middle of the room and realize I don't know what I was on my way to get or do. When distracted, I can stack several things (up to 3 or 4 at this time) and return without notes to them in their attendant order. Before, making notes did no good, because I couldn't remember that I had written myself a note. I don't have two or three complete conversations from 5 to 15 years years ago pop into my head from the middle of nowhere, blowing any task I was working on out of the present. The only problem is, everything I learned before I took this medication is still misfiled somewhere. Everything I learned after I began taking it is perfectly filed in my head, and when I do recall things from before, they stay filed as I complete my thought about them.
The only problem that still nags at me is procrastination, but I think that is the result of bad habits forming from years of my being unable to focus and recall things. Now I will have to un-learn those habits and form new ones. That is difficult for a person of my age.

This stuff is God's way of saying sorry he made by brain useless the first 28 years of my life.

I too get abdominal pain if I don't keep something in my stomach while taking Strattera. It has been a challenge to find things that will settle the stomach problem while allowing me to continue with my diet - I used to be 100lbs overweight, now I'm down to 20lbs over. I'm not on a Low-Carb diet, but the Low-Carb shakes work best so far. When the pain starts I take one and usually am fine in about five minutes and good for a couple hours. I guess any good protien shake would work, but I try to avoid the sugar as it tends to worsen my symptoms. The pain gets less severe as time goes by.
Another side effect I had for my first six weeks on Strattera was unusual agitation about six or seven hours after taking it. This went away and now the Starttera actually calms me. I take it at bedtime.
Anti-depressants make me go crazy - literally. I would have to take an anti-psychotic in order to use them. I got wierd brain chemistry I guess. :rolleyes:
The Strattera has a good anti-depressant effect on me.
Jay Jay

I was prescribed 40mg Strattera, took first dose yesterday at 11am. Doc said it would take a few days to get enough into my system to work.

By noon I was feeling good, however, at about 4:30 i started getting all sorts of side effects -

-cotton mouth
-couldn't pee
-pain in groin area
-dizzy
-lethargic
-sweaty palms
-nausea, but no vomiting
-immediate constipation

So I drove home slowly, and during the drive my ears were ringing. I thought i was going crazy.

Not a good experience.

My son had a lot of horrible side effects and we were beginning to give up on the idea of meds again but the doctor suggested we give it before bedtime and his side effects have just disappeared. Apparantly, he's sleeping right thru them and he's been excelling. It's something to try it may not be your answer but it's an idea.

Well, we did our experiment, and it wasn't very successful…

I know it seems as if we dropped off the face of the planet, and partially it's been due to the fact that we are overloaded with work, and in the middle of that, we took a week long vacation to go visit my Dad.

But a big part of it has been the experience with Strattera. I took it for less than a week, 40 mg once a day in the morning, along with Ritalin (which I had already been taking). I experienced several of the common side effects, and we were able to sort out some of them.

For example, it probably isn't prostate enlargement that causes the urinary difficulty/old man syndrome/sexual pains that some report. We weren't aware that prostate enlargement had been reported, and our doctor confirms it isn't listed in the literature he's seen.

We notice that people usually don't report the typical complaint that's related to prostate enlargement, frequent urination of small volumes. What people report is more like forgetting to respond to the urge, perhaps by focusing more than would be prudent for a male.

That's the kiss of death for a male bladder, because men rely on the stimulation of fullness to cause the release of an involuntary sphincter, stimulating us to make a trip to the loo where we release a second, voluntary one.

But the human nervous system responds to differentials; stimulate a nerve constantly, and the initial response will decay to something like the unexcited state. Ignore the urge too long, and the involuntary response goes away, along with the release of its associated sphincter. Then, it can require tons of concentration to consciously release it.

There are other similar long boring bits about the other side effects, but it's not really all that important. Most of what I experienced shouldn't be too much of a worry, if we understand it so far. Much of it should subside after a period of adjustment, pretty much what the standard medical take seems to be.

BUT: I stopped taking it. I like to think that I would have stopped it myself after putting up with it for a few more weeks, but I'm not so sure. I stopped it because I regularly asked Kay if she was OK with the effect on me, and one morning she said no. She didn't like how it had changed me in those deeply subtle interior places that she and I find so familiar after almost 40 years together.

I knew that she was correct, but more by deduction than direct experience. The most obvious effect might have been on these forums: I stopped posting, put aside several letters and such that I had been working on, and – just – stopped – participating -.

I'm just now beginning to feel a return of the impulse to read through threads and post. Anyone who recognizes our posts has got to see some humor in a drug that makes me shut up, but it was too much of a good thing. Our pattern was that I hung around the forums and showed Kay anything that I thought was interesting. Then I wrote most of the posts, incorporating whatever she had to say about it.

Kay just doesn't hang around online much; she's too busy. She found herself in the unusual position of trying to get me motivated to log on and while away time neither of us can afford, if you take an uncharitable (and incorrect) view.

I'm not really sure what Strattera did that brought this about. We are extremely sensitive to the effects of drugs. We're often able to directly perceive their action on the brain, an ability we associate with ADD.

But I couldn't really see what Strattera was doing, and that was my first clue that it was affecting brain functions I'd rather not lose sight of. I got work done, but I didn't care, and I couldn't begin to tell you right now what it was. I'd have to go back and check.

I did see effects that were very similar to the few antidepressants with which we're familiar. But I can't really say that that would be much of a help to us; we're hard core stimulant people, and we tend to be proactive about the situations that affect us, rather than the effects of the situations after the fact.

Antidepressants are great for helping unbend stuff that's been bent before we find a way to fight the system, and they make perfect sense to us. One of the reasons I wanted to try Strattera was that it isn't classified as an antidepressant or a stimulant, and we were curious to see for ourselves how it acted.

At this point, I think we know. There is a question of whether the simultaneous Ritalin was not such a good idea, and it occurs to me that I might try it again if I get some free time. But Kay doesn't utter a word when I mention the possibility, and I know that means she's really unhappy with the idea.

I wasn't on it for nearly long enough to reach the equilibrium intended, but I'm fairly certain that the changes Kay and I saw in my self weren't going to even out or fade away like the side effects.

We think we were seeing the therapeutic effect; in a sense, the drug tried to make me normal. I'm pretty sure that's not what I want (grin), but we couldn't recommend that attitude to anyone else; it's personal.

And it's possible that's exactly what some of us need. If Kay and I are right, and ADD is truly an artifact of an ongoing speciation event, there are bound to be several major classes of how the process of change screws up our lives. Some of us may find the only possible path to peace is through normal territory, and why shouldn't that be as good a personal solution as any other?

Those of us who can embrace other paths (and choose to do so) probably won't have much use for Strattera, in our not so humble opinion. I would never recommend an ADD drug for my kids that I hadn't tried myself to understand the effect, and for now, I wouldn't give them this one.

I don't envy a parent making that call, either, but to put it in perspective, it's probably not as important as thousands of other issues we deal with daily.

And on the purely positive side, you can get a refillable prescription for it. So it's got that going for it…

Cheers. –Tom and Kay

Any decision made in the name of a child is hard whether it be allowing them to be medicated or something as simple as allowing them to play sports. It's always been my feeling that meds should be a last choice and the decision should include the child in question. While I'm uncomfortable with medicating Dakota he is insistant that he feels better medicated then not so for now we are going along with his decision since he is excelling again and at peace with himself. But, we are prepared to take over parental control should he start to show any diverce affects aside from occasional nausea and insomnia.

Yup, sounds good to us. And I'm certain that you're doing it right, Cherity, even if you hadn't said what you were doing with Dakota.

We were just a bit surprised to be face-to-face with how tough it can be all over again. Bryan (our youngest) has been out of here for several years, and he's been in control of his meds since he was in high school.

There isn't any way to see in a child the kinds of effects Kay and I are talking about, and I'm not certain from a technical standpoint that it's valid to say that a child could experience them. Certainly, the experience would be different, because the logical structures in the brain that were affected in me don't develop until at least the teen years.

Not coincidentally, that's when Bryan began to be able to describe his internal experience, the ability that we need to guide our use of the drugs. When he could describe the effects, we started to let him take control of when he wanted to be medicated.

After that, we only kept a check on his motives, like whether he was correctly evaluating his need for Ritalin or Adderall when finals came around. We never questioned his decisions.

The experience with Strattera was important for us, because we were able to clearly see for the first time just how those broad classes of personal experience are delineated. Some of us are bound to need a way to 'normalize' our selves, and the important parameter is exactly the thing you mention – how the drug affects Dakota's subjective quality of life.

No kid could ask a Mom for more.

--Tom and Kay

Your last comment made me laugh and laugh...Koda is very inventive on how he asks for things...last week we bought a new lizard for a science project at school only to find out it's not actually a school project but a Koda project to show off his cool, slimy critters. *shakes head* I have a feeling they will alway's be asking for more. lol

When I was on strattera:

it was difficult to urinate,
my face and arms kept tingling,
I had no appetite (not a bad thing in my case ;) )
everything seemed new/amazing to me
was tired

Cyndi

I felt like I had to pee urgently but I nothing was coming out or only a couple little drops. So bad was this feeling I could not leave the house because it felt like I had to go SO BAD that it would have made any other activity rather than sitting on the toliet unbearable.

(I saw that "trouble urinateing" was a side effect) I was only on it for two days, and on both days I was under circumstances where I would normally be arosed but I wasn't in the mood. (Very unusual for me).

I am not taking it anymore, after 2 days I'm done. Adderall gave me bad side affects, but I can't deal with that pee thing, I already have that problem sometimes (it's not an STI or an UTI, I have been checked for everything) but now and then I'll get the urge to pee but I can't, it's some kind of muscle twitchy thing that I found while researching in on the net I think.... but I would have to go through painful tests at a urologist (i went and they told me all this awful stuff they would have to do to me to find out what exactly was wrong.... and since they wouldn't knock me out and I'm a wuss....Nevermind...since it doesn't happen that often it's okay) but Stratta agrivates that badly.
No sir... I don't like it.

Dakota,

Seems better lately and hasn't really complained about any of the previous side effects. We did have to lay the law down and remind him that he decided to take meds for his ADHD and that he needs to follow thru. He was skipping doses or acting like he had taken the pill when in fact he would spit it out when I would turn my back. I was angry since he insisted on meds this year and I don't even know how much money I've wasted plus the hell he's gone thru going on and off the med.

bunny, have you asked your doctor about any meds to help with your urinary problem I used to take care of a lady on the side and you describe a lot of her symptoms. She was put on Pyridium one tab a day and it worked wonders for her.

Warning: Graphic Medical Post:
Nucking Futs,
The urologist gave me some kind of pills, they were samples, a very mild muscle relaxer to relax the muscle spasum that was making me feel like I had too pee but couldn't. Since it only happens occassionally (like every couple of months) or when I get really dehydrated (if I don't drink enough water or I drink more diet pop vs water in the day, after a night of drinking) it seems to trigger it as well. But since it happened only sometimes, I really couldn't tell if the pill was working or not. And because it was a "mild muscle relaxer" that didn't sit well with me either.
The urologist wanted to hook me up to a machine and where he could see my blatter in an X-Ray type setting, then he would have to stick this thing in my pee hole (which I was told would hurt like a mofo) and then it would fill my bladder to full copasity and monitor as I released it. Something along those line....
At first I was like, err, alrighty, lets do it, then I got to asking questions about the pain, and it's was described to be as "very uncomfortable", which to me means really painful ma'in! NO WAY. It wasn't worth all that for something that happens so infrequently although bothersome. The only reason I sought treatment was because when these little episodes occur I basically sit on the toliet for hours and then lay around or sleep until the feelings subsides. I know, I'm pretty lame for letting myself get so laid up over feeling like I have too pee.
I read that some people who get this as a side effect just deal with it! That amazes me. I just can't stand it!

It is amazing; but, keep in mind that everyone reacts to different stimuli or pain in different ways (another words your not a wuss, you just can't tolerate the urge to urinate with no relief, I can't either) while the urge to urinate is a normal body function there is nothing normal about it not subsiding once you go. If your anything like me you lay around because while not painful it's irritating as heck and puts me in the worst mood and it's a lot safer for the general population if they don't have to deal with me during these times.

There are a lot of meds out there for Bladder spasm's most that I know of can be taken on a PRN basis so you wouldn't have to take it unless you had symptoms and usually patients find relief within 30 minutes. It's a non-invasive alternative to surgery or grousome tests. It never hurts to be honest with your doctor and tell him your reasoning for not going thru with the test--he may suggest that you get it done at the hospital so they can put you under since it could be an early indicator for a much larger physical issue.

Yes, the test is painful and embarrassing from what I've heard. Ask about valium (I'm certain I have spelled that wrong lol). I recently had breast surgery were they did not put me under and while I'm sure it was unpleasant due to the bruising on my arms, legs, shoulders were they held me down (I get a little testy when people hurt me lol) I do not remember a thing and would do it again for that reason alone. I chose that method because my husband's insurance pays a 100% for out patient surgery and I work too hard for my money to hand it over for a simple tumor removal.

p.s. I'm not sure if this was embarrassing for you but it could become embarrassing for someone else reading this thread (you never know how people react to things) you can use my pm anytime I'm alway's open to helping and just getting to know people. Good luck!!! and big hugs
Cherity

Wow, That is a lot of really useful information Cherity. Thank you so much! I'll ask a doctor about those at-need type medications.

Thanks for the support as well, you are very kind =)

I hope you find the answer your looking for bunny and I'm not kind only repaying the time someone took to help me and support me during a health crisis. You'll find a lot of that here.

hugs

Right off the bat, I want to say "hi" to everyone. I couldn't believe all of the information I've already found just in this forum, and everyone seems like a really good bunch. I'm looking forward to talking more with everyone. Anyway, on with the show...

I started Strattera back in mid-June (40mg morning, 40mg night), after never being treated for this condition that I thought I'd outgrown many years ago. My mini-epiphany (hey, neat rhyme) was when I saw the commercial of the lady in the meeting, and the description of ADD being like watching TV with someone else controlling the remote and changing the channels completely at random...I saw that and thought, "DAMN, they're talking about ME!"

The only side effects I've had are one localized area of intense itching that still comes and goes on my left elbow, and temporary erectile dysfunction during the first couple of weeks. One strange effect that has continued is that for about an hour after I take my dose, my "thingie" appears as if it's been in a cold, cold pool or bath...major shrinkage. (I put in the proper term for "thingie", but didn't like the look of ***** in the message, so I just said "thingie" instead...LOL)

The positives have been many - I've calmed down quite a bit, I've gained a focus on the here and now that I can't recall ever having in my life, I can start and complete a project or task the first time in most cases, and I feel as if I've finally turned a corner...I can't believe that at 36, I'm looking at life as if I'm starting over, but I feel like I am. Here's hoping I'm right.

- Dana

BIG, thanks for the board, I'm glad I found it. I've been on Strattera for 3 months now and I feel like I need to get off of it ASAP. My worst side effect is mood swings. I've always been a pretty easy going person. I the past 2 months I've had periods of time where I just feel enraged and it's quickly followed by a feeling of despair.

I am not a suicidal person. Yes, I have depression, but suicide has never crossed my mind as an option. I've been feeling extremely hopeless recently and I've been having suicidal thoughts. I'm 32 and I've never felt suicidal despite my depression. I have to believe that it is the Straterra. My mood swings are killing my relationship with a girl I love more than anything.

I can feel perfectly happy and within a few minutes I feel like I'm going to explode with anger. I feel like I just need to stay away from friends and family at this point because of my attitude. I feel like poison.

hey, this board is great.. ok just started taken strattera today, this morning, 40mg..
I felt very "foggy" and semi-drugged feeling all day, loss of energy/weak feeling, but definetly a focus... like my mind is not wandering as much. I'm also ussually very chatty and upbeat, today I have felt more quiet and zombie-like. Anyways, its only been one day, so hopefully it'll level out and work better :)
hope everyone is doing well !
*andie

I am now off strattera........

The itching was just to bad. It was a daily thing to the point that I scratched and bruised myself from scratchig so hard.

I also sweated while on strattera. I am not sure if anyone else had that problem or not.

And when I voted, I forgot to mention that I had trouble in urinating.....it was delayed and was something I had to work at.OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I have been having itching, sweating, hot skin, and pimples all over my body. All these months and I thought i was going in to menopause. I have been scratching so much the last few days, my skin is red.

I've been on Strattera for 1.5 months. I take 60mg in the morning. I have had the sweating/hot flashes in the morning only that got better over time. Also constipation b/c I didn't eat enough fiber - started eating All Bran every day and that is gone (thank god!) Another weird one is horrible heartburn if I eat spicy food the night before. I had 2 really bad mornings with that but Pepto seemed to fix the problem. (And no spicy food before bed...) Other than that Strattera is wonderful - can't wait to switch to 80mg! I have heard that it is not for everyone. Supposedly, if it's going to work for you, you will know with one or two weeks. It's been exactly 38 days (wrote my start date in my new date planner...) and the only side effect I still get is a little hot in the morning right after I take it. But I just kick a blanket off the bed and I'm fine. So far Strattera works for me but it's the only med I've ever tried.I really can't believe what I am reading. I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE. I am laying in bed right now with fan blowing directly on me. My skin is so hot, I am not sure if i will be able to sleep tonight. Just like Dogpatch, I have been having a left elbow itch too. Wow! Now I am mad at my doctor. He did not tell me about any of this.

wow it has now been 2 weeks, and I am on 80 mg strattera- I am not a big fan of the rollercoaster of stimulants and I get very speedy feeling from then, with straterra, it is hard to place a finger on the change.. but there is one. It is subtle but there, like my mind is just more focused, and I have more control on when to space-out, and more motivation for little things, like hanging up my jacket, closing the cabinets... I feel like how I should I guess, like a cloud of chaos and disorganization has slowly been lifted from my brain and I feel like how I should feel, without feeling many side effects or personality changes at all, except for a slight stomach pain if taken on empty stomach and little bit itchy scalp. so cheers for strattera, hope it keeps working! goodnite :)

i dont know what my dosage is, but its getting stronger as the weeks go on with this study I am in...

the first few weeks...extreme constipation
now Ive had diarrea for 2 weeks strait.
stomach ache.
nasea, I threw up yester day.
smoking is making me sick.
hurts and burns when I pee. I am sure my prostate gland is swollen, I
I am super tired and sleepy at the end of the day...unusual for me.
I attribute this to the fact that the whole point of the study is to see how long the effects last thru out the day.. So I take one pill in the morning once a day .

epoch dreams that last for ( seems like) hours.
the dreams are really focused, stay on the subject and play out like some movie, instead of the usual quick dreams that are chaotic and unstructured.

A little while ago I was laying down for 10 minutes and went into a good dream before I even fell completely asleep.

My mind is focused, and my slight paranoia and anti socialness is gone..its worth all the side effects for sure.

I just feel the slighted bit speedy, maybe a blood pressure hike or a faster heart beat. Higher blood pressure may be related the hottness you all are feeling

oh ya,
dry mouth big time,
and wierd tingleing on my body,
and my man-thing feels funky wierd when I do the you know what with my wife

Okay, I've been on Strattera for 3 weeks now. Dr. had me start with 40 mg and then work my way up to 100 mg. The main side effects I have had are the dry mouth, loss of appetite (yay!) the funny tingles on the back of my neck and scalp,cold sweats and chills. And yet I'm starting to notice mood swings and irritability. I get angry, and I'm very aware that I'm angry and it's the pills and I need to put a smile on my face with the kids and the DH and as soon as I can, try to escape. My big escape is my computer. I visit my message boards and play my video games. I have been doing better with housework but still have challenges being motivated. And I have trouble waking up in the mornings and getting going.

Dakota did so well on Strattera that he's decided he's "normal" and threw his entire bottle of meds out into the snow and I didn't find them until 4 days later. Besides, being a little miffed at the clear waste of my money I'm dealing with teacher's calling about bad behaviours and dropping grades. Needless to say the "nice" mommy died in a snowbank and the "mean" mommy is here to stay until things start picking up for him.

Full blown crash. First couple days at half-dosage (40mg) thought I was just tired. 2 hour nap then slept 10 hours and couldn't hear alarm. (Late for work)

First day at full dosage I was a walking zombie...

Blurry vision, couldn't think, had to curl up under my desk for lunch. Almost fell asleep walking down halls. Completely unable to drive a vehicle.

Good thing for me I still had my Adderall...

Oh the joys of medications...

Totally frustrated, I cant tell if its working. Doesnt that mean its not? Im on 80 mg at night (125lbs) and it ONLY helps me sleep. My side effects are, dry mouth, (better with no coffee or alcohol) fatigue, and a carsickness feeling that is much worse with alcohol or moderate Tylenol intake. (liver?) Im pretty sure Ill be going off it

I only tried Strattera for about three days. My hands and feet were very cold throughout that period, but there were no other side effects. I am a 56 year old, in (otherwise) excellent health female. I called their 800 number and spoke to a representative who told me that no tests had yet been done on older persons. That frightened me and I discontinued.

I took my first dose yesterday (Fri. at 9 a.m.) and I've been spotting all day--have any other women had anything similar? I haven't seen this listed as a side effect in *any* of the literature I've found, so I was just wondering if this could be related to the drug, or if it might be an independent issue.

• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Strattera and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· irregular or fast heartbeats;
· chest pain or high blood pressure (blurred vision or severe headache); or
· difficult urination.

• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Strattera and talk to your doctor if you experience
· upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting;
· decreased appetite;
· constipation;
· dry mouth;
· insomnia;
· decreased libido or sexual side effects;
· menstrual cycle changes;
· hot flushes or sweating;
· fatigue;
· dizziness; or
· irritability or mood swings.

• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Source: Drugs.com

For those of you taking 40-80-100mgs pretty quickly, I would recommend cutting back, and doing a far more gradual buildup!

My MD wanted me at 80, but I was uselessly drowsy, so we tried half in the morning, half at night, then all at night, but no good.

So I cut back to just 25 in the morning, along with a 20mg Adderall XR, then when I ran out, began doing 40mgs Stattera. That has seemed to be fine. And I've heard that dosage is not dependent on body size, but more on brain requirements. I am 6'2" & 210lbs, so usually have a higher dosage requirement, but not here....

I don't have the urinary problems, drowsiness, & don't think the Strattera inhibits my appetite (the Adderall does that!). Plus, it actually increases my libido......

Oh My Gods... Okay, I think I'd like to go back to the spotting thing now. Lucky me, I've had a severe headache all day--so bad that I tried to sleep it off, but it's just not going away, and about 20 minutes ago, I was in the shower, and thought I was going to black out.

Am calling doctor tomorrow, but this is discouraging--I was told that this medication had the fewest side effects to it... I could handle the spotting and the carsick feeling, but this is making me want to crawl into a corner and die.

Ugh. Now I'm scared, though... If this one has the least side effects, what will happen with anything else?

I know, I know; everyone's physiology is different, and just because I have a bad experience/reaction to this one, doesn't mean the others will be the same, but I've never had a reaction like this to any medication. I didn't even have headaches like this when I went off of Effexor back in June.

• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Strattera and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· irregular or fast heartbeats;
· chest pain or high blood pressure (blurred vision or severe headache); or
· difficult urination.

• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Strattera and talk to your doctor if you experience
· upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting;
· decreased appetite;
· constipation;
· dry mouth;
· insomnia;
· decreased libido or sexual side effects;
· menstrual cycle changes;
· hot flushes or sweating;
· fatigue;
· dizziness; or
· irritability or mood swings.

• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Source: Drugs.com

I believe I'm going to talk Dakota's med over with his pediatrician instead of his therapist this time. He's been complaining of rapid heartbeat and chest pain since taking the med especially with strenous excercise but his therapist who prescribed the med said it's normal. I'm going to stop the med until we speak to his ped. luckily he has an appt. on Tuesday. I'll let you know how it goes.

I've just spoken to D's ped. We have to take a lot of things into consideration before looking at the med alone as the cause of his rapid heart rate and chest pains.

1.) D. is also a high strung and anxious child who has a hard time calming down..

2.) He has a heart murmmer that in most children grows shut; but, has not been investigated since he was an infant and something may need to be done.

3.) He is over-weight and has started on a regular excercise regime with the encouragment of his ADD coach who claims it's your bodies natural form of Ritilin. So, it would be completly natural for your heart rate to go up and your chest to hurt (which the pain is usually your lungs growing to accomodate more air supply...that's what I've been told anyways).

His ped wants him off his med for two weeks, then he'll run a full physical with chest x-rays and excercise to see how his body performs. Then if all looks clear they will have him back on his med for two weeks and repeat the physical. I feel that the med has worked really well for Koda and he is reluctant to give it up himself; but, if it is causing the rapid heart rate and chest pain we will look for other alternatives. We are not without hope. All it takes usually is a phone call.

Just started yesterday, and right away I experienced chills and dry mouth.

~~Rachael

OH WOW I see that brianadd had the same thing I had !!!!!!!!!!!!! My feet were always cold. To the point of interrupting sleep and that was wearing socks. My fingertips were cold and numb.I would have hot flashes and sweats but I would have ice blocks for extremities. I also had heart palpatations. Some itchiness but the cold fingers and toes were just too much to bear!! I couldn't touch anyone because they were so icy. Now on methylin and no sweats, and normal cold hands and toes for someone in Wisconsin in Dec ;)

Strattera, day 6. Will not take it today, b/c the side effects just are not worth the increased concentration to get through "boring" tasks and the decreased impulsivity I am already starting to see. 40mg for 4 days, 60 mgs yesterday. Yesterday I saw a *dramatic* increase in side/negative effects. Seems like the more I take, the worse the side effects get for me. Going to try stimulants! Strattera is not for me.

Side effects:
-Freezing cold chills alternating with sweating, boiling hot flashes (day and night).
-Slight headache, slight stomach issue.
-Buzzing kind of feeling-- jittery inside.
-Calm/zoned on the outside (husband asking "HELLO IN THERE??").
-Poor sleep- no racing thoughts, just waking a lot through the night, not a deep sleep, weird dreams, thinking a lot through the night.
-Blank mind-- empty of all thoughts but one (I guess this is the goal? But I don't like it. Does not feel like "me").
-Feel "funny" on it, not like me.
-No appetite/aversion to eating; have not eaten much in the past 6 days. Can drink water fine, though.
-Feel a bit "stoned"-- like I can only concentrate on one thing at a time. Driving AND looking at something I am driving by causes me to forget I am driving.
-Can't access a wide range of emotions- basically feeling jittery, sick, and FOCUSED on what I am doing. Not too many other emotions pop up (like excitement or happiness or peace).
-Feel docile and compliant, "whatever" attitude. Not chatty and happy, like usual, more like quiet and out of it.
-Constipated.
-Daydreaming a lot (but not thinking of anything, just zoning, husband said I seemed like I had a "lobotomy" at times yesterday).
-Dry mouth/bad breath.
-Jumpy, easily startled.
-Scalp itching.

Feel sleepy AND jittery at the same time, while feeling basically sick (hot/cold flashes, sweating, aversion to food, not thinking, etc)....


Helped:
-Can concentrate on tasks, can complete what I start.
-I can complete and not feel aggravated by boring tasks, just get them done.
-No fog behind my eyes (just everywhere else in my head, LOL!).
-Increased patience.
-Can follow and attend to conversation better, impulsivity decreased (I think b/c there are not many thoughts in my head).

I feel like the "active and busy" part of my brain, that was running the show before is now gone, or sleeping. The part that was hard to get started before is now active and running the show.

~~Rachael

WOW Rachael can't say that I blame you. Sounds like the irritable side effects far out weigh your benefits. I hope that you'll be able to find a med that works well for you without making you feel so awful.

Good luck,
Cherity

Thanks, Cherity.

I don't want to say much more, b/c it will get OT........but I don't know what to do next. Don't want to be on meds "forever," so maybe this is a good thing. Perhaps I can do behavior mod, coffee, and see what I can do from there. Maybe try a stimulant and see how it goes?? I was just diagnosed less than 2 months ago-- so I feel like I still have a lot of non-med options to bettering my life-- still such a newbie with tons to learn!!

xox<!-- / message --><!-- sig --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

New member, newly diagnosed with GAD, ADD, and OCPD.

Just started Strattera. 25mg for four days, 40mg for five days (should have been four), and now at 80mg. Slight tightness in chest after taking the 80mg for the first time this morning.

Side effects so far are:

Headaches beginning about 3-4 hours after dosing, feels like bad sinus headache

IBS is resolved (my nervous stomach must be helped by the constipation side effect)

Chills and low-grade fever for the first 4-5 days, but that could have been from the food poisoning/stomach virus I had a day before starting the drug

Nausea, but haven't hurled

Up all night the second night when I forgot to take the drug in the AM. Now sleep is fine (I'm also on CPAP) and I am not draggy in the morning despite not getting enough sleep.

Decent-to-normal appetite at meals, but I am not snacking the way I normally do (stress eating) between meals and late at night; some foods don't taste right; had a metallic taste in my mouth the first couple of days

No sex drive, but that's nothing different from normal, really

Had full, dull feeling in labia the first 4-5 days

Reduced fear response to stimuli (this is good) and seem a little more even with my mood

If I could get rid of these headaches, I'd be fine with the rest.

While my son was in his first two weeks of Stratterra we gave him tylenol with his med to help prevent the headaches from starting is this something you've tried?

In response to RAA above....



I recently stopped Starttera also.. but after months. The side effects and my anxiety oevr long term effects just did'nt oway my normal insanity. SO off all meds for now...back to coping mechanisms and hopefully taking things in stride. I have to admit though 6 days is not long enough for Straterra to give you any benefit. It takes weeks to build up, unlike stimulants which work day to day.

Headaches have stopped. Seems I might have been suffering with a sinus problem of some kind. I added Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) to the humidifier resevoir on my CPAP and that's knocked it out of me. As of today, I feel quite normal, except that I'm not as responsive to stimuli, which is a very good thing.

Wow, I thought something was wrong with me as I've developed a headache that has lasted four days now. I've been on Strattera 23 days and just started getting these headaches. Aside from that, I can't really report any differences for better or worse. At first, I perceived a bit clearer thought process, but now I think that was a self induced placebo affect. I still bounce off the walls, fire out of bed in the morning, and talk way too much. I can't really sit and read my self help books as yet either.
Larry-Dale

Zippy, you may want to lower the volume on The Instigators in an effort to combat the headache situation!!!!!

;) :D

I had the same experiences as "Guest" when I first started on Strattera a month ago. Not sure what halophonic is, but I did notice I was able to hear each instrument individually and enjoyed jazz for the first time in my life. My eye sight also changed. Things seemed to be more distinct. Everything seemed clearer. More focused.

I did notice that the urge to urinate was incredible. Not fun when skiing. Even if I could get my shrunken member beyond my ski gear it took me a few minutes to remember how to urinate. This side effect is diminished but still present after a month. On the plus side my desk is neater and I can get paperwork done without having a panic attack. I am still on it and feel it is helping.

I too take Strattera now. Years ago my parents gave me a banjo for Christmas - not exactly sure why - I have spent many hours trying to learn how to play the thing, and I can do chords quite well, but picking has always eluded me. The other day I picked it up again and practiced some picking for the first time in years. For the first time ever I could hear the effect each finger pluck would have on the sound. I could even anticipate the sound it would make. I'm certain the Strattera was allowing me to do this.

Same with me Jay Jay. I have always been interested in the guitar. Ever since 7th grade. While playing I would feel rushed and my fingers would not move the way my brain wanted them to. I would always have trouble with reading music too. The notes would get all jumbled and I had a hard time translating what finger plays what note.

Now that I am on Strattera and Adderall, I don't feel as rushed while playing and can actually pick. It all seems to make sense now.

My son seems to be experiencing very frequent urination - 20 times per day. It is getting in the way of his school day. He is 7.

Hello all. A newbie here to this forum . . . and now to the apparently mangled, convoluted, sometimes rewarding, but always confusing world of ADD treatment.

I was diagnosed with ADD about 4 weeks ago and was prescribed Adderall XR as an initial treatment. Well, after a single 20mg morning dose and a blood pressure reading of 146/108 two hours later, I immediately stopped taking it (I have a history of high BP - which I am currently taking medicine for - that my psych doctor was made aware of). On a follow-up visit, I told her about the BP issue, she agreed and gave me samples of Strattera to take.
She started me out with a 40mg dose at night for four nights, which stepped up to 80mg at night there after. I took the first 80mg dose last night.

So far I'd have to say that the cons are outweighing the pros at this point, but I'll give it a month or so at least.

Here's what I've noticed so far in the five short days that I've been taking the med:

The PROS
I do seem to be a bit more focused, despite the often talked about 2-3 week break-in period (as is evident by the length of the post!). So far I'm also resisting the impulses that before would dictate my day (although I could not fight the urge to respond to this post! ;)) . Actually, more accurately, I'm not really even having the impulses to begin with. Everything seems more linear or streamlined, not scattered - my thoughts, actions, interactions, etc. all seem to be more cohesive/coherent with my surroundings. I've also had good BP readings so far with Stattera. No nausea, no abnormal sweating (notice I said abnormal!), no headaches, no itching, no hives, no lethargy, and no nightmares.

The CONS (I'll bullet this section!)

I'll start with the MAJOR one (and I'll apologize in advance for speaking so candidly) - the urological dysfunction! Just a few hours after having taken the first 40mg dose, I had significant seminal fluid leakage following urination - no stimulation, no sensation, no orgasm - but seminal fluid nonetheless! That happened only once, but I was so freaked out by it that the next morning I masturbated (I warned you, candid!) just to see if all of my "functions" were still "funtioning" properly and when I did, quite possible the wierdest thing that's ever happened to me happened - I began ejaculating 20 or so seconds before I climaxed . . . and when I did finally climax it was painful. A dull pain persisted through my genitals, through what I'm guessing is my prostate, back to my anus for about two minutes. And that was all within the first 12 hours!!! I ejaculated again during the 40mg phase and although I still had "premature" ejaculate (less of it), there was no pain. As another test (yeah, we'll call it that), I masturbated again this morning following my first 80mg dose, and what do you know, premature ejaculate, but this time the pain returned again in the same places. It's almost as if I've lost contol over the mechanism (muscle?) responsible for discharging (or not discharging) semen/ejaculate from the *****. Prostate issues?! I have yet to have sex with my wife since being on Strattera, so I cannot comment on it's effect on performance per se, but I can say that I've had a slightly reduced libido and the orgasms I have had have been less intense than before (might have to do with the fact that I've already released some fluid!). I have also noticed the penial size shrinkage and non-responsiveness others have spoke of.


Although it comes and goes, I have also occassionally had difficulty urinating. Opposite from the aforementioned sexual dysfunctions, I can't get any urine to come out for what seems like 20 to 30 seconds. And when I do finally urinate, I get a slight burning sensation through my *****.


And the sleeplessness, my god the sleeplessness!!! It's been worst following the initial dosages - the night following the first 40mg dose and last night following the first 80mg dose. I awoke at 3am this morning and finally got up at 4:20 after almost an hour and half of tossing and turning and staring up at the ceiling. The ansomnia did subside considerably in the nights following that first 40mg dose.


Because my doc told me to take the pills at night, I go to sleep with a "wired" feeling - almost as if I took a stimulant - that carries over to the early morning (hence the ansomnia I guess?). And that first full day on Strattera my head felt foggy and otherwise "bleh" (or "blah"?) for lack of a better term.
Of course the dry mouth persists just about the entire day.
Anyway . . .

Sorry for the long post, but I felt it was important to share my story so that others - especially newbies to the ADD arena such as myself - who might be experiencing the same things that I am will realize they're not alone and will now be armed with even more info when speaking with their doctor about their treatment.


EDIT

hhmmm??? . . . why are they blanking out the word P - E - N - I - S ?
I would hope this is a professional enough forum that the use of the medically correct term for the male copulatory organ shouldn't require censorship. But I'm new here, what do I know?

I've been taking Stratterra for two weeks now. So far it's had no effect*, but I've had enough side effects that I think I have something to contribute. Here's the list:

* Insomnia (actually just getting up more frequently)
* Dizziness (one attack that lasted for about a minute)
* Decreased libido
* Blurry vision (once in a while and not very badly)
* The same weird male issues as kferro, without the pain
* Decreased appetite (more of a bonus than a side effect, actually...)
* For about 4-6 hours after I take it I feel different, like a caffeine buzz
* It seems to completely erase my nasal congestion (?!)
* Heartburn about 30 minutes after taking it in the morning

The good news is that all of the symptoms either went away or lessened after the first week. I'm not expecting to see any results at all until the end of February, so the fact that I don't seem any different isn't surprising.

* The placebo effect is strong in this pill. The first 2-3 days I took it I felt TOTALLY non-ADD. I felt compelled to do the most important things first. I was able to focus on tasks until they were finished. I wasn't distracted by anything, pretty much. But that went away after a few days, and from everything I've read about these sorts of drugs it was all placebo effect. (But I took advantage of it to get some things done around the house. Placebo or not I know an opportunity when I see it!)

I also assume (never having been on this or any similar drug before) that the effect is very gradual. I have a few tasks that I do regularly (like pay the bills) that I ALWAYS struggle with because of the ADD, so I have a sort of "control" that I can monitor to see if I'm getting better. But I'm expecting that I'm not going to wake up all different one morning. Rather I think that I'm going to be the last person to know if it's working. Anybody else's experience with this would be appreciated.

I hope it works for me.

I don't usually get pain in the genitals, but it happens on occasion.
but what bothers me more is that my genitals seem to be in a permanently shrunken state
it's hard to finish urinating

I've been on Strattera for 3 weeks now. Started out at 40mgs...then up to 60...just started 2 days ago on 80.

Positive

Able to control any and all impulsivity....including eating, shopping, talking out of turn, and anger issues.

Able to break away from the computer when something needs to be done (no more hyperfocusing).

Starting to remember things I have never remembered before...like where I put my car keys and when I have my next Dr. appt.

Feeling the motivation to start cleaning up my piles of junk in my office.

Negative

Felt a little blah when I first started it. Much better now.

Constipation from hell! Fiber pills and prayer cured that problem :o

Hot flashes at first...better now.

Tingeling, especially when I go to bed.

BP spikes if I don't take my BP meds with it.

Nausea and vommiting when I first started it....none since then.

Needless to say, right now the good outweighes the bad. I haven't had any urination problems or sexual side-effects. One of the previous posters said everyone's chemistry is different....this is true. Gotta find what works for you I guess.

Mary

* The same weird male issues as kferro, without the pain
.
"Same weird male issues"... uh, yeah. Shrinkage of my "asterisks" and leakage of that-which-is-not-urine... Libido itself is unchanged, but physical response to stimulus is lacking... I can't speak to the intercourse experience as I'm single and I'm certainly not going to introduce myself to anyone with this nonsense...

Just thought I'd add my voice here as I'd not read about the semen without actual arousal anywhere else, and it was a considerable relief to find I'm not the only one to get this "prize" with his Crackerjacks! I suppose some would be too embarrassed to report it. I'm not exactly at ease with reporting it myself... :o ... apologies to any who may be embarrassed reading about it. And the rest of you, quit laughing.:rolleyes:

Enough about THAT. Additional features, more frequently reported: nausea without vomiting, migraine headache, nonstop ringing in my ears, ADDed anxiety/panic --which is a problem for me anyway. It's just notably worse. Also lethargy and drowsiness starting about an hour or two after taking it. The sleepiness fades, but the extra confusion and physical weakness remain. Sorry if that doesn't quite make sense... Feel like a sleepwalker even moreso than usual. Itchiness. Dry mouth with an odd chemical taste. Occasianal dizziness when standing up.

No positive effects thus far. The ADD itself is worse. If it were improved, the negatives might actually be worth it.

Those are the main points. I think. I'm only five days on this @40mg. Your mileage may vary.

Sincere best wishes and respect to all who've had success with this drug. I'm giving it a month to turn around for me and move in the right direction... otherwise *phfhfhfhfhfht*!!!

I recently began taking Strattera (about 3 or 4 weeks). I'm not so sure if I've noticed any improvement in the attention area. I used to take Concerta, but once the seasonal affective disorder kicked in in late December, I got extremely irregular with it and started smoking a lot more pot. So, it stopped working. I was tired with feeling like I was going to throw up every morning and being so bland and lethargic.
Strattera hasn't made me feel lethargic yet, and I suppose that's something I find extremely important. I like to be alive to life. I do, however, get these tingles in my fingers while smoking a cigarette. I think it might have something to do with my hand being freezing, but maybe not. I cannot be trusted so much on the effects on my sexual functions because I am on Zoloft as well, which is quite bad sometimes in that zone. I feel nauseous sometimes. It's nothing compared to the Concerta, though. Also, I am finally able to eat normally. I still sometimes feel sick when I think about food, but atleast the Strattera hasn't made me drop 20lbs. like the Concerta did. I simply cannot wait, however, until I am off these drugs. Why must I put chemicals into my system just because I think a certain way? Until then, though, I believe I must conform to our societal setup of the education system and do what needs to be done to get by until I can change the world and be taken seriously.

Want to add that I'm still experiencing this side effect:

Sweating (head/face), similar to hot flashes

I posted in a earlyer page but thought I would post up again. I have had most all the side effects and most were from to high of a dose. Uranation; I still have a week flow but it come and goes, I drink allot of water so I can live with that. If you haveing allot of side effects try a lower dose, I went from 80 mils 2 times a day to 60 then 40 as I worked into to drug the side effects lessioned as the dosages were dropped, I still received the benifits form the drug. it's good to remember this is still a very experimental drug. You may need to see what your body can handle. I will take time to get aquanted with as you progress in you own understanding.

I was prescribed Strat 7 days ago. I'm 5'7", 125lbs. I have read everywhere that stimulants were basically the most successful in helping the treatment of ADHD, but my doctor said he wanted me to try something "easier". He said he is concerned because one of his patients tried to kill themselves "on" Ritalin and another patient was robbed of his Adderral. It sort of seemed out of place for him to say that.

He wasn't very specific on the Strat dosing either. Something like, "Take 40mg for a day or two, maybe a few days, then start taking 80mg a day. You can take them at the same time or seperate, whatever you want to do."

Day 1 I take 40mg. Get a headache
Day 2 I take 40mg in the morning, get a sick tummy, pretty tired throughout the day. Get home around 6 take the other 40mg for the day, the tiredness is gone, can't sleep.
Day 3 Didn't want the sick tummy worse, have basically the same day as before only a bit amplified (side effects).
Day 4 Same deal, but taking the second 40mg later since I didn't have to work the next day. Later night than I expected...
Day 5 I figure the (much worse) insomnia from taking the other 40mg later wouldn't go well with work so I take all 80mg in the morning. Harsh on the stomache, seem more physically tired during the day. However, the new sleep issues remained.
Day 6 80mg in the morning. Crap, I feel horrible, lay in bed till it gets a little better, 1.5 hours late to work. Feeling extremely drained, but not sleep dep drained. I was still able to manage 4 hours or so a night. Any increase in my focus would have been drowned by the side effects though. Nausea/ Difficult No. 2ing /Headaches seemed random.
Day 7 (Yesterday) 80mg in the morning again. Worse morning sickness in the tummy, really thought I was going to hork but it passed, 30mins late to work. Worse lethargy at work yet, same Nausea/ Difficult No. 2ing /Headaches throughout the day. Called the Docs office and left a message telling him I wasn't going to take it anymore cause it made me feel horrible. About 4pm a co-worker who has ADHD (he knows how things have been going the last couple months for me) finally tells me I look like a zombie. I tell him I feel like a zombie.

So he hands me a 30mg Adderall XR, it's my "only one". He's got ADHD as well and apparantly went through a few drugs before coming across Adderall. I think for a few minutes then quickly check around on the net to see if Strat and Adderall would mix ok, but unfortunately didn't look into dosage levels. I needed to get in gear, I'm in sales and the last few days hurt me, so I gave it a shot. 30mg XR at 4:30 was not a good idea as I've been up all night, however, it did work.

By 5:30 I was concentrated on work. When I was thinking about work, I didn't have the usual thoughts wizzing by constantly. I started working, made a good sale, resolved a customer issue. Just did my job. I had a slight headache, but I maintained focus on the things that required my focus with very little effort. I noticed that allowed me to put more of the energy I would normally be spending keeping track of everything around me into what I was actually doing at that moment. The rest of the night was a surprising experience for me, and one I'll probably elaborate on in another thread. I didn't have any "noticable" onset or come down from the XR.

What did I learn? Doctors don't know everything. I should have done better research for myself. Try to get a second opinion. When I get him on the phone, I'll tell him how the Strat and the XR affected me, what I've learned, etc and see what he says. Oh yeah, and Strattera makes me feel like crap. :)

apex and you eating a decent meal when taking Stra? Also, try not taking stra after 2 PM,

I started Strattera on Friday, one week ago. Since then have noticed nausea several times, and a marked lack of appetite (which is possibly a good side effect, since I weigh about 40-50 pounds more than I should).

Haven't really seen much in the way of positive effects yet... I do notice that I seem to yawn more. Apex's post seemed to hit home with me... I've noticed some similar effects (and I'm in sales too, for the record).

Dave,

I've never been good at eating breakfast consistantly. It used to not go well with the stomache if I ate too early in the day. I did try eating with the Strat, it helped but I was still sick only with a full stomache. I've stopped taken it all together now. It wasn't worth the side effects (I know it takes awhile to work), and after some thinking and reading I didn't want a reuptake inhibitor for meds.

unreal,

If you can fall asleep ok, you may want to try taking it before bed. That was suggested elsewhere on this forum and sounded like a good idea. My ADD energy seems to go well with sales, and Strat took that energy out back and put it down for me. :) Thing is though, some of it came back about 8-10 hours after taking it, so the bedtime thing might work for you.

I have been taking Strattera for 10 days now. 3 days @ 40mg, then 60mg per day. I have noticed slight improvement in orginization, but thats all so far. The side effects have been frequent waking up at night, LOTS of sweating, tingling/itching of the head & goosebumps, daytime lethargy and a general "disconnected" feeling. Im going to keep up with it for a while yet to see if the side effects lessen or go away.

The "other" things I experienced with Strattera:

Sexual side effects which were not temporary and a wierd restricted flow when I'd pee.

I also had constant tingling in my scalp (every time I sat down I was massaging my head, lol) and a couple others that are apparently common.

The biggest problem I had with Strattera was that after a while (about 8 months) it did jack for my ADD symptoms and actually made the hyperactivity waaaaayyyy worse.

I quit cold turkey with no ill effects a couple months ago (haven't told my doctor yet) and I'm now back to my normal self - a thousand channels in my head at once, etc etc etc.

Prescribed against label warning about heart problems. Despite doc being aware.

I have Mitral Valve Prolapse and a 40mg dose sent my heart rate over 100 for hours with chest pain etc, EKG is normal-but this was horribly painful and scary and should not have happened. It took 2 days after the last dose for everything to return to normal.

I took 10mg of strattera for 2 weeks, and it was a horrible experience. At first I got extremely sick, flu like symptoms, my entire body hurt for days. After about a week I got better, and then it started making me depressed. I had no motivation, I felt hopeless. Ive been getting irritated very easy.

Ive been off of it for about 4 days now, and am feeling better, but still feel the effects a little. Horrible drug for me.

The only side effect I've really noticed after 5 weeks of taking Strattera (up to 60 mg currently) is vivid dreams (no nightmares). Not all the time, but frequently enough that if they continue after finals are over I'd attribute them to Strattera. Coolest side effect ever! :cool:

The lethargic/drowsy feeling usually only lasts the day after I increase the dose, so it's bearable. I've had far fewer side effects on Strattera than I had with either Concerta/Ritalin or Adderall.

Strattera is so evil!!! Coming up on the third week and I've had basically ALL of the common side effects, including spontaneous ejaculation!

Dr. said that srattera is a non stimulant for add.

Apparently I dont have the "H" in ad/hd.

He said I would be kicking the stool he

had in the waiting room if I had the "H".

It has been almost 28 days and

no real effects. Maybe I toss and turn

a bit at night. But I sleep ok.

Look forward to a higher dose.

Focus isn't there yet.

Paul :)Paul I'm in the exact SAME situation; because my ADD is primarily the inattentive type (no H for me either:rolleyes:, and no impulsive behavior) my doc said that my ADD was too 'mild' for a stimulant, so he gave me Strattera to try out.

I HATE IT

I haven't noticed any thing better (no increased focus, motivation, etc.)
but GEEEZ have I noticed the side effects:


a general sense of boredom/irritability/etc.,


strange sleep patterns (the first night I absolutely COULD NOT SLEEP) and I ended up taking a huge nap the second day. Last night was better but I only got a couple of hours of sleep and woke up quite early (like at 6 something; I normally don't get up until about 8 at the earliest)
I'm a male, and by far the worst side effects have been the urological effects. Pretty much anything down there is not good - urinary flow is :( (I feel like an old man just standing there waiting...waiting...waiting) and the sexual side effects are HORRIBLE - erectile dysfunction/impotence, painful orgasm. Today I've started to notice a definite dull pain in my testicles:(
My appetite has decreased...not a big deal for me though since I need to lose a few pounds as it is:rolleyes:
I'm taking meds because I have difficultly paying attention in class, taking tests, etc. Thats the only place that ADD REALLY affects me in life (to a debilitating level anyway) and so it's at a point now where the side effects aren't even worth it IMHO (although I'll keep taking it for a month before I call it quits...just to make sure).

At thsi point I'm thinking it would probably just be better for me personally to take something like Adderall as needed (i.e. on the day of tests, classes, etc.) rather than take this 24-hr Strattera:(

With strattera I have irrational and obscure thoughts that I have never experienced with other drugs! Nothing suicidal or anything just fits of anger, worry, and paranoia? I really cannot explain it and it is most often when the last dose I took was wearing off!

N-E-explainations?! Do others feel this way?

I'm the opposite; it's made me very laid back and killed my anxiety.

I agree with all the above posts...

5 weeks and 2 day's In on Strattera at 40 mg

Bad Points

Sleep

For me i take 40mg a day, i have had to play around with the drug to see what time is suitable.

I first took it in the morning but it made me groggy and sometimes i'd end up back in bed.

Then i took it at night but ended up wide awake, so then i tried at about 6 pm and that also kept me awake.

So i went back to taking it at 8 am, now i fight the groggy feeling and still end up falling asleep at about 4am in the morning. I'm up at 8am with baby so i'm only getting 4 hours sleep.

Appetite

What appetite, i have to literally force food down me.

Nausea

Mainly in the mornings i feel sick but it doesn't last that long.

Bladder

Since taking the medication i have noticed i don't drink as much as i used to and when i do go to the toilet my urine is very dark.

Headaches

I have had a few extra headaches but nothing really bad

Trembleing

Most of the day's i can feel like my whole body trembles which i can't stand because that's how i normally feel without medication really hyper.

Emotions

Now this is funny because i get all goose bumpy when i feel happy for some-one not just a friend it can be something off the television. Which it doesn't happen off meds well actually yes it does but very rarely. But now it does it all the time and that can be pretty annoying because it feels like your having a rush of adrenalyn every time you watch something nice or like a good tune.

Now for the good points


Relationship

My private side of my relationship has improved as i can focus better!!! Yipppeeeeeeeee

Sorry guy's

Eye contact

I have noticed an improvement in my eye contact i can hold it alot longer now. Yipppppee
Because i used to think, that they think i'm being ignorant because i used to look away most of the time.

Focus

My focus has improved dramatically, i'm over the moon about that, before i couldn't read whole posts, i couldn't write a big full post like this one!!
and shopping i hated it, i don't love it now but i like it and that's an improvement.
My washing pile has stayed just at a pile instead off 5 bin bags full lol
My Bills are all getting sorted slowly one by one.


A few good points and a few bad, i haven't made my mind up yet about staying on the medication as with everything you have to give it a good chance.

Iv'e got till september before i see my psych, then when iv'e spoke to him about the medication, then will i decide if to stay on it.

Like so many people have said "everybody" is different and will deal with strattera in it's own way.

Not really "Temporary sexual performance impairment", but more like orgasm delay. Eventhough it takes longer to get to the big O, the sexual fantasies and sensations leading to it, are stronger. Orgasm itself is a bigger whopper than ever before :D.

Pitty I can now only climax once. 2nd time is too much of an effort, eventhough when reached is mind zilching ...

Okay, that's enough graphic details for 1 post :p ! Shows over.

i hate it

Bad effects:

- Nausea/feeling dizzy and lightheaded after exercise
- Nausea if I haven't eaten enough
- decreased sex drive
- sweating when it's cold and shivering when it's hot (at the same time)
- Frustrated more easily (this was only when I first started taking it)
- More calm, less hyperactive. Also, I have quicker reflexes (I think that's the word for it). For example, when a car beeps the horn, I immediately look over. I'm more jumpy, I guess.

Positive effects:

- I'm like a machine. When I work or go to school, I never stop working. I can actually complete tasks and work hard on things without getting distracted.

-My mind is more clear. I can understand things more easily without having to read it over and over. I comprehend situations more easily and remember things more easily. This is great when trying to study notes or when reading a book.

-I'm more productive and use my time more wisely rather than at random.

Bad Effects
- sleepy
- lethargy
- worsening of equilibrium, not able to walk in a straight line (like when drunk)
- worsening of inattention and brain fog

Good Effects
- none

Funny (neutral) Effects
- goosebumps

quit after 7 weeks

I have experienced all of the normal side effects from stomach pain to lethargy. I've gotten through each one except for the lethargy. Strattera is great for working through fatigue as long as you're on you're feet or have something driving you. But on my days off when there is nothing I HAVE to do I just sleep, and sleep, and sleep. Today I was off and slept an extra 7 hours. I'm on a 100mg once daily. Its the most frustrating thing because when i'm in the bed I feel like I don't care about anything else in the world. Has anyone else experienced this?

i hate it with a passion!!!

my psychatrist is making me take it for at least 4 weeks. I called him after the first week because i can't stay away in any class and I need to sleep more than i need to breathe. Today is the second week and i've had the worst nightmares, and the worst possible headaces and stomach pains. When i called my psychatrist to tell him all this and that i need a different medication, he simply told me to decrease from 80mgs to 60 and if its still bad to go to 40mgs. WTF!!! He says that its all symptoms of your body getting used to it and by the 4th week i shouldn't feel any significant side effects and just feel more focused.

Is this true? Has anyone one taken it for a while that knows? I'm really frustrated and i need ur help. thanx. :)

I found out that the pain in my genetals was not from the medication it was a kidney stone. for all you adders out there if you are having trouble with the medication in this way , have a ct scan done and make sure it is not a kidney stone. These things hurt , after you pass the stone , it is not over, you have to endure the after math of the stone reacking havic on your body, every time you pee it hurts

Yeah Doctors seem to see strattera as a the best thing since sliced bread for those whom it works for; even if it is temporary and laden with numerous side effects. The prevailing attitude seems to be "well at least its not a stimulant". Doctors are loathe to prescribe stims because of their more serious side effect profile (you already know this). I am having the same issue with my doc who when I tell her I'm tired all the time and that strattera does not help with my difficulty starting tasks AT ALL AND NEVER DID, her solution is to not add any stim but to continue raising my strattera dose. Now I'm so tired I can sleep up to 20 hours straight, wake up and still be tired enough to sleep more, my skin itches all the time, AND IM STILL DEPRESSED! granted Strattera is good for certain things (like working through fatigue, its amazzing for that) but who cares about finishing things if I can't get started? Plus the fact that Strattera makes me feel so dull mentally. I didn't have a thought in my head the first week taking it. Anyways sorry for the rant...hope this helps.

Hi there-

I am new to the boards. And new to being diagnosed with ADD. I am a 38 year old female. I have been on Strattera for just over a week. I started on 40mg for the first 3 days and now take 80mg in the morning. So far, I am not impressed.

Side effects that I've experienced:

dry mouth--VERY dry, guzzling water constantly
fatigue--especially in the afternoon
chills--even when it's hot out
headaches
tingly skin--especially the scalp
nausea--lessened by taking on full stomach
high feeling--hard to describe, but...
constipation
urinating a lot

I have only noticed a slight increase in my focus ability. When I do get started with something, it seems like I can get it done faster though. Oddly, I feel less motivated than before. Also...around 9:30 or 10:00 PM I feel like I could eat every thing in the house.

I will see my doc next Monday & will have been on Strattera for exactly 2 weeks. I am hoping she will be willing to try something else. So far the pros do not outweigh the cons. I would really like to try Adderall, as my doc first suggested, but my psychologist insisted on Strattera.

Unfortunately, I had to quit the Strattera after only about 2 weeks, because it made me get very high blood pressure. I was so disappointed, as I believe I was just beginning to feel some positive effects.

First day on Straterra, (expensive here NZ$200 month)
but it's a hell of a strong push. I'm reading posts of people starting on 40 mg and glad I talked my doctor into prescribing what I wanted...
25mg for 2 weeks, then up by 25mg every 2 weeks until I feel it's ok

Think you've really got to be in for the long slow haul with this one, take it easy and slow and allow your body time to deal with it cos it's definitely a wierd and rushydrug.

I feel tingly and numb mostly
(If anyone has seen the top of my head will they please return it.)

Quite nice really if it wasn't for the low grade nausea..

I am on week two of my 80mg in the morning dosage. Positive results overall.

-Cotton Mouth Bad
-First day I was sick to my stomache
-Trouble sleeping throughout the night and initally going to sleep
-Vivid Dreams but not nightmares
-pain when having an orgasm

Most of the symptoms that I have had have gone away except for this cotton mouth. It is terrible. I can deal with all of it for the benefits I just need something to curb this terrible taste in my mouth. It seems to get worse in the night time right before I go to bed.

Other: extremely paranoid

On 90mgs one day I broke out in a profuse sweat and got really really really angry for no reason - like I wanted to hurt someone badly for no reason at all. I had to leave the store I was in, and just sit in the car w/the AC on for about an hour. This scared the hell out of me. If I had a gun I would have likely used it. And the thing is - it was out of the blue. I stopped Straterra thereafter and never had these thoughts:confused: again.

Straterra made me constantly tired and zapped my energy, I just wanted to veg and not do anything. I'd liken it to taking ten benadryl concurrent and using all your energy to stay awake. I also felt my eyes starting to cross and consistently in the zombie zone. I believe Strattera was derived from PPA, which is the decongestant in the old dimetapp. Dimetapp was more like sleeping pill for me, so maybe this is why I was always so tired, letargic and in the zombie zone. Once I stwitched to Wellbutrin my energy came back and I again had vigor - perhaps as Straterra lacks Dopamine reuptake - it is not able to supply a broad stimulating effect.

Met an ADD woman who was a pharma rep, and she informed me that Strattera actually has the MOST side effects of any of the ADD drugs, it's just that they're different side effects than the other drugs, so that somewhat explains why they use it.

Also she said it was kind of rushed to market to make a profit with without as much testing as usually happens. I believe the FDA is loosening up their standards, though I could be wrong about that...

No doubt a pharma rep from a rival company. NEVER trust pharm. reps. their interests are not whats best for you but what's best for the company they work for.

anyway....

I started on Stratteraa a week ago. I'm still using my dex but much less, 5mg twice a day. The reason for trying it out is the benefit of having 24 hour coverage compared with the short acting stimulants.

I started on 10mg just went up to 25mg. I'm more calm, focused...I think it might have some potential for me. It made me sleepy at first but not so much the last couple days. No other side effects yet.

My psychiatrist seems to think the trick with strattera is starting at a low dose and increasing it slowly. Apparently their profit margins are much more 'healthy' on the higher dose tablets, so there's not many 10mg starter packs around.

I wanted the licence plate of the truck that ran me over:mad: I couldnt sit up , or eat , I kept vomiting, dizzy, and I couldnt sleep....ech:mad:

I wanted the licence plate of the truck that ran me over:mad: I couldnt sit up , or eat , I kept vomiting, dizzy, and I couldnt sleep....ech:mad:


My psychiatrist seems to think the trick with strattera is starting at a low dose and increasing it slowly

Eg. first week 10mg
18mg for a couple days
25mg for a week
etc.


what dose did you start on?

My psychiatrist seems to think the trick with strattera is starting at a low dose and increasing it slowly

Eg. first week 10mg
18mg for a couple days
25mg for a week
etc.


what dose did you start on? 20mg first week, then 25....never made it to 25...eech:(

I started taking 25mg 4 days ago, but last night I had a very disturbing nightmare. I woke up to a dream of me torturing a guy that I had burned down to almost a skeleton! I was like whoa, am some sort of closet case serial killer? It must be related to the medicine.

I'm finishing second week and take 10mg 3 times a day..Seems that when I eat I have vision problems.Very strange at times.Mostly when my food is digesting..Almost like I'm
dehydrated.But I am drinking a lot of water.Also I don't urinate very much...

suicidal thoughts, depression, and rage. oh yeah i definitely raged at one of my family members, i let something i normally brush off get to me.

My psychiatrist seems to think the trick with strattera is starting at a low dose and increasing it slowly

Eg. first week 10mg
18mg for a couple days
25mg for a week
etc.


what dose did you start on?


I started Strattera a few weeks ago. My doc gave me some kind of starter pack he probably got from a drug rep. 20mg for 5 days, 40mg for 5 days, 60mg for 5 days and then 80mg for 15 days. I just took the last dose of 60mg and so far, so good. It does really dry me out though, to the point that my scalp itches because my skin is so dry.

I started with a 60 and it really freaked me out..First week 20mg a day 2nd week 30mg a day.so far so good..

Loss of appetite.......I love this drug

I have been on Strattera for 4 +years. Clinically I have had amazing results. The SEs I experience are significant. Dry mouth, urinary urgency, hesitancy and increased frequency. Additionally, I have difficulty ejaculating and it takes me awhile to reach orgasm. I would love to change meds, but I have done extremely well clinically. I have thought about switching to Vyvanse. Any suggestions or comments would be apreciated.

I am on 140mg/day.

Have tolerated 25mg twice daily (50mg total daily) for three months or so--that is, without any notable side-effects, but without any benefits, really, either. The doctor suggested I up the dose to 60mg once a day (taking 2 pills a day was getting too expensive, too), and I've had the worst panic attacks I've ever had in my life. All day I've been pulled taut like a rubber band ready to snap. It's been frightening. Not sure what to do at this point, but sticking to the 25s till I next see my doctor.

just started on it the other day..... has made me feel like i need to simultaneously vomit and crap my pants (i didnt actually do either, but it felt like that). it makes me feel
"flat", like i'm disconnected from people. I don't get distracted, but i don't get particularly motivated. Has also given me the ED of an 80 year old man, after never having a problem in that department (even with alcohol).

Doc tells me to wait it out, but so far this is the worst medication i've ever been on.

I ended up being more focused & productive, but I feel like it also robbed me of simply enjoying life.

I was too serious & too focused all the time or something.

I started with one of those sample packs and got through the 20s and a couple of the 40s and was more productive after only a few days but then I found out it was what was causing my urination problems.....sudden overwhelming need to go and then not being able to...sort of like bhp only worse.
I quit taking it as I figured that could lead to serious problems.....haven't been able to see doc again yet.

I get so nauseous from Strattera. I was started on 40mg a day, and during the first week of starting I was vomiting.

I figured I wasn't eating enough in the morning, so I started taking it at dinner before bed. That led to some of the craziest, most vivid dreams! Googling that actually led me to this forum, I am so glad I'm not the only one that had that problem!

So now I'm trying to take it with my lunch, but I just feel so sleepy now... and kinda having hot flashes! Today was my 20th day, and I'm a little worried this just isn't working for me. :(

Oops! Already answered. Wonder why I forgot?

I have been on it for two and a half weeks only. I put "other" I think it is making me more irritable. I'm finding my kids really annoying. I really hope it makes me more organised. How long is it supposed to take to work? I've tried most other things available in my country. Ritalin and Dex were a disaster.
I've been crying a lot but I have reason to cry as my youngest son was just diagnosed with autism so that's probably not the meds.

The tingling/vibrating was constant, intense, and horrid for me. Lethargy. Extreme malaise. The worst thing by far though was the emotional side effects.

Normally I'm a very happy-go-lucky kind of person and slow to anger. On Strattera, I could feel NO emotion except for anger. It was more like a white-hot rage, really. There was no happiness - I felt no joy in anything. Everything made me angry. My roommate was in the kitchen and the floor made a small squeak when he walked across it. It was everything I could do to not get up and beat the living crap out of him.

That was terrifying. I'm not a violent person, ever...I've never really felt a TRUE want to hurt anyone. But suddenly, I wanted to cause physical harm to anyone...no matter how small the "infraction"... it was actually difficult to control myself...sometimes I just had to squeeze my fists, nails digging into my palm till it bled sometimes, to keep from slugging someone repeatedly and slamming their head into the floor....because, say, they asked me a question when I was doing something or made a small sound or something. Nothing was too tiny to make violent thoughts flash through my head.

After a week, I had to stop taking it. The nurse practitioner was all ****ed because I said I would not continue taking it... but that's just how it is. It was probably the worst week of my life. I took joy in nothing and had no interest in anything that I previously liked. I ignored my animals. And I felt angry from the moment I woke till when I went to sleep. It's the absolute opposite of who I am, and that change was scary.

I have been on Strattera for 10 weeks and can't wait to discontinue.
1-2 week : [25mg Strattera at night] no attention span + , stomach pains, middle insomnia, dry mouth, nausea
2-4 week : [40mg Strattera at night] middle insomnia (3 am wake up with nausea, dry mouth and chest/throat pain) decreased anxiety, relaxed attitude, headaches / foggy heavy feeling in head
4-7 week : [60mg in evening] initial insomnia, restless in the evenings though physically fatigued, craving sweets at night, snacking, poor quality of sleep & constantly fatigued, intermittent sense of swaying or rocking (poor balance?) improving my ability to keep my room clean - but not stay focused through a class. eye twitching, facial pain and numbness
8-9 week : [80 mg divided in 1 p.m & 1 a.m dose] initial insomnia (up till 3 a.m daily) feeling of rocking is now perpetual small circles, dizzy every time I stand or with quick movements, intermittent numbness in toes / feet / knees, heavy feeling in legs with pain, poor appetite, no desire to study; its exam week :)
10th week : (40 mg every day for 2 days , than 25mg for 4 days )
extreme lethagy anf fatigue, stomach pains, dizzy feeling in head, (like i have a flu) numb sensations / cold toes
ugh
what a nightmare. anyone ever had experience just jumping off of these things? without downtitration? (from 40mg /day)

i can't believe i'm messing up my exams this much (im graduating... hopefully)

I can hardly recognise it as the same drug I take from some peoples' descriptions.

Sleep disturbance, sleeping for a couple of hours and then waking then hopefully sleeping again. This doesnt seem to get much better.

Has anyone mentioned clumsiness?

Still worth it for me I have had very positive effects in attention and motivation.

I am on 60mg a day taken once in the early evening. Been taking it for about 4 months.

I'm getting the uncomfortable urination and ejaculation now that I'm on 60mg. No ED or drive problems. I felt OK in the previous dosages. A little tired, and somewhat less emotional, kind of like you feel when on Zoloft.

Stimulant like Foculin and Vyvance made me feel like I was doing cocaine gave me diarrhea of the mouth. Strattera seems to last all day and people don't think your "On something"

I'm going to tough it out to see if the side effects go away, if not I might try to decrease doseage.

Great poll, since it's been up for a while & has so many responses.

A choice of "no side effects" would have been good so we could see that some people had nothing unexpected happen.

Judging by these numbers, it looks like everyone has some side effects.

I like these polls.

On 25mg right now. Side effects are:

1) Pain in in genitals.
2) A little dry mouth, not that bad though.
3) The effects seemed to have worn off rather quickly. Not sure if I want to bump it up due to all the side effects others and myself have encountered.
4) Dizzy upon standing or sitting down.
5) Chest pain.

Bad side effects: extreme malaise, both sleepiness and insomnia, metallic taste, food tastes different, low tolerance to warm weather (after enduring the summer heat quite well), increased frequency of urination, wicked nausea, "spaciness" on increasing dosages (I titrated 25, 40, 60, 80)

The Good: Within a week it w MUCH MUCH quieter in my head. Obsessive thoughts/behaviors quelled considerably.

After 14 days called the doc because of the side effects. He said they usually subside after 3 weeks or so and would I try it one more week. I'm in that week right now and they are better, but still bad enough that I wonder if I can stick it out. Still not focused. Still generally feel bad. Do have a glimpse of what it could be like though-that's what's keeping me on it.

Strangely, despite having "jello" muscles, I had to perform a home repair that required considerable strength & despite the fact that I didn't feel like I had the strength, I was actually able to successfully make the repair. I wonder if the perception of weakness is just that?

I hate this stuff and I want off it. But I'll probably just tough it out and hope for the best like everything else. She titrated me up to 100mg last week and I have been a zombie ever since. I still can't focus on anything. I'm nauseous, weak, tired, can't eat. Next appt. I'm getting something else. I love her and all. My other meds work great and she has helped me tremendously but this one SUCKS. The first few days were great when I first started taking it a few months ago. I had energy to actually get around and get things done and I was focused on one thing not ten at one time.

This is Day 5 on 25mg of Strattera. I'm not feeling like quite the "zombie" I was on Days 2 - 4 and my head stopped being as quiet as it was. :( I'm assuming that this is because my body is getting used to the 25mg dosage.

I'm still getting the dry mouth. Any effects I thought I was experiencing in regards to a quieter mind, anxiety relief, and not feeling so much on "high alert", is pretty much gone.

I'm not discouraged by this because the doc says it'll take up to six weeks to really feel positive effects.

The side effects I was getting were:
* Relatively "speedy" feeling about 20 minutes after taking it.
* Dry mouth (still have that one)
* Massive lethargy about 3 hours after taking it (that has mostly gone away)
* "Empty Head" - My head felt empty, which was awesome, but not so much the case anymore.
* Feeling "out of it" - like a zombie.
* Tingling - goosebumpy feelings. On my skin and my scalp. That one is still there a tiny bit, but not nearly like it was.

So, most of those are gone, which is good. I'm still hopefully optimistic. I start on 40mg on Tuesday, so we'll see what happens.

For me my side effects were nausea, headache, heartburn, vivid dreams, and strangest of all was sleep paralysis. Thankfully these side effects were only during the titration period only.