I was wondering if anyone felt they became obsessive or had severe mood swings? this is my 3rd time taking straterra at 40mg, ive been on it about 1.5 months and ive had a completely different reaction to it i think...i cry all the time, have crazy mood swings, and have become obessed with thinking i should have married my ex boyfriend..this is all very unlike me, i feel completely out of control emotionally..anyone else experience this?:confused: :confused: :(

Yes, I'm also in the middle of this same problem right now, seemingly set off by a bad paper rejection... I don't know if it's to be expected or unusual for strattera or not. I will see my pdoc on Wednesday and will ask her then.

On my two Strattera tries, I became, hmmm, "overly interested" in the question of the meaning of life and the futility of action. And I kept thinking that I needed to change my mother's life. Fascinating topics, I'm sure you'll agree, but not ones that I wanted to think about quite so much. Otherwise, the Strattera was great, in that it let me understand what it was like to be less ADD. But at the time, its negatives seemed to outweigh its positives. And I take other meds that might have interactions and I just didn't want to deal with figuring it all out at that point. But I am in no way denigrating Strattera, which I might try again someday.

Yes, I've noticed lately that I get teary-eyed over some pretty insignificant things which is out of the ordinary for me! In fact, I was watching "Leave it to beaver" on TV today and almost started to bawl because it was so touching! LMAO :D How weird is that??? LMAO :D

Your statement about thinking about your ex-boyfriend really hit home. I've been divorced for 10 years and lately I've found myself re-hashing it all over again simply because I had a very vivid dream about her a few nights ago.

Everything seems much more intense to me (both physical and mental) while I have been on Strattera. Even my dreams are vivid and intense and effect me more emotionally than they ever have. It's almost like I'm not use to being able to focus this deeply on things and when I think about something that is upsetting the clarity is so intense that I'm blown away by it. I then start analyzing whether I truly feel this strongly about the feelings I just had, which causes me to relive all those old feelings once again.

I think maybe because I have gone all my life not being able to focus so intently on things that my mind still tries to hyper-focus even though it doesn't need to anymore. I often feel like Pavlov's dog now days when I start hyper-focusing on certain topics. I catch myself doing it automatically and if I allow myself to stay with these thoughts for very long I can get much more upset about them than I ever have in the past!

I hope what I wrote makes sense! It's very difficult to describe these reactions (Feelings?) when you have never felt like this before.

Peace! :)

P.S. Oh, and welcome to the forums me123! :)

I hope this isn't the case with me. I have to get my perscription for Strattera next week (having to wean my body off of Phetermine before I can take Strattera).

I already get upset alot and don't have anyone to talk to. I don't want to get more emotional!

How do you all get through the emotional part? (so I will know beforehand on what to do lol)

Everything seems much more intense to me (both physical and mental) while I have been on Strattera. Even my dreams are vivid and intense and effect me more emotionally than they ever have.
Maybe this is why I've recently started having very intense dreams about the "LOST" plotlines.... in each, I swear I've figured out the whole conspiracy! It's Strattera's fault, not my crush on Sawyer! :)

I promise I will ask my pdoc about this tomorrow and will post her answer. Or at least I will try really hard to remember to ask her tomorrow. It should be hard to forget to ask, considering that I also keep getting teary while trying to keep myself on task while working. Little things just feel bigger than they probably are, and it's entirely destroying my sense of competence. It just feels hopeless. There's just so much going on in all aspects of my life that I'm still feeling entirely overwhelmed despite the medication, which appears to only be semi-working.

I hope this isn't the case with me. I have to get my perscription for Strattera next week (having to wean my body off of Phetermine before I can take Strattera).

I already get upset alot and don't have anyone to talk to. I don't want to get more emotional!

How do you all get through the emotional part? (so I will know beforehand on what to do lol)It might depend upon what upsets you and what's going on in your life. It might just be easiest to find somebody to talk to about it all.

If Strattera works for you, you might not feel as frustrated or overwhelmed, which can help you feel less upset by proxy.

The other thing to keep in mind is to cut yourself some slack and be realistic about your life and your emotionality. Everybody gets upset sometimes. Don't necessarily try to stifle it completely, but let it out when you can and need to.

Scuter Puter,

I always sound like 2 people when I talk about Strattera. It didn't make me more emotional, but rather apathetic and "obsessed" with certain dreary thoughts. It definitely helped with ADD. I liked it; I didn't like it.

Anyway, as others have said, reactions to it vary. I don't think you can start it knowing exactly how it will affect you -- but it could be great for you. Honestly.


PS Oh irritability is a fairly common side effect, but it's usually mild and goes away.

I have been feeling alot like this lately.

I am on Ritalin, and lately I have been so overwhelmed with hours upon hours of homework and studying, and test after tests, and it feels like the Ritalin is not helping at all.

I have been feeling some serious rebound lately. Very depressed, and overwhelmed. I almost feel like there is just too much, and I cant handle all the work, but, at the same time I am wasting hour after hour by procrastinating and feeling frustrated with the amount that needs to be done, so I am not eager to even begin it.

Plus, I seem to want to jump head first into all the details while I am on ritalin, but there are just too many details.. and I feel overwhelmed with trying to put everything together. (In college projects)

So I get frustrated.

I dont know what to.. how can I tell if this is the Ritalin.. or just stress from school? Should I try a different medication?

<TABLE border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>What are the possible side effects of Strattera?
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=1></TD><TD vAlign=top>• </TD><TD nd="33">If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Strattera and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=40></TD><TD vAlign=top>·</TD><TD nd="34">an allergic reaction (http://www.drugs.com/strattera.html#) (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=40></TD><TD vAlign=top>·</TD><TD>irregular or fast heartbeats;</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=40></TD><TD vAlign=top>·</TD><TD nd="35">chest pain (http://www.drugs.com/strattera.html#) or high blood pressure (blurred vision or severe headache); or</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=40></TD><TD vAlign=top>·</TD><TD>difficult urination.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=1></TD><TD vAlign=top>• </TD><TD nd="36">Strattera can cause liver damage in rare cases. Call your doctor right away if you have itching, dark urine, yellow skin/eyes, upper right-sided abdominal tenderness, or unexplained "flu-like" symptoms.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=1></TD><TD vAlign=top>• </TD><TD nd="37">Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Strattera and talk to your doctor if you experience</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=40></TD><TD vAlign=top>·</TD><TD nd="38">upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting;</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=40></TD><TD vAlign=top>·</TD><TD>decreased appetite;</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=40></TD><TD vAlign=top>·</TD><TD>constipation;</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=40></TD><TD vAlign=top>·</TD><TD>dry mouth;</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=40></TD><TD vAlign=top>·</TD><TD>insomnia;</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=40></TD><TD vAlign=top>·</TD><TD nd="39">decreased libido or sexual side effects;</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=40></TD><TD vAlign=top>·</TD><TD>menstrual cycle changes;</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=40></TD><TD vAlign=top>·</TD><TD>hot flushes or sweating;</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=40></TD><TD vAlign=top>·</TD><TD>fatigue;</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=40></TD><TD vAlign=top>·</TD><TD>dizziness; </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=40></TD><TD vAlign=top>·</TD><TD>irritability or mood swings.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle width=1></TD><TD vAlign=top>• </TD><TD nd="40">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.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

From: http://www.drugs.com/strattera.html

...

thanks so much for all your responces! Its good to hear others are feeling the same way..I guess its hard cuz u cant tell if you really feel this way or the drug is making you...Hopefully the obessive tendencey will lessen, or else ill have to go off...and to the person who wrote "i have no one to talk to" have you considered therapy? its terrible to feel so alone...

I asked my pdoc about this today when I met with her. Consistent with the "side effects of strattera" posting (above), she said it's not unusual for people to have mood swings or irritability. She also said that they should go away after a while. In my case, she thinks my mood swings have been due to stress, not strattera-related side effects. So, if you're stressed about things related or unrelated to your ADD/ADHD, the stress could be the cause of moodiness, not the medication.

i dont know, i think its an influence, but i have never been obessive in my life- until now..and especially over my ex- who i broke up with and never felt i was in love with until begining these meds- now i feel i need him to be happy- which sucks cuz he has someone...in any case i do think meds effect peopole differently and drs arent always accurate..i think i may need to go off these damn pills

This may be a fluke, I'd be interested to know if it works for anyone else, but I tried L-tyrosine this week when I had started to feel AWFUL and I did a total turnaround.

Let me just say I'm no supplement-worshipper. I take magnesium and flaxseed oil but they don't do anything super-dramatic for me. I also take a multivitamin because it just seems like a good idea. I bought the l-tyrosine after I started to suspect I was ADD and before I went to see the pdoc. I read about it in Dr Amen's book and thought it was worth a shot. At the time I took it for a couple of weeks-- 500mg twice a day-- and didn't really notice anything. So I quit.

I started strattera a little over a month ago, and when I got to my full 80mg dose I had a GREAT week. Everything seemed clearer, I was calm, able to focus for hours, and remembered so well I could go to the grocery store without a list and not miss a thing. The next week was totally hit-and-miss. For the last week I've been so exhausted, bummed out, teary and headache-y it was horrible. I got some bad news at work, but nothing that should cause this reaction to go on for days. Finally two days ago I came home at 6:30pm and just wanted to crawl in bed. No dinner, clothes on and everything. I finally decided to try some l-tyrosine. I took a 1000mg tablet, waited half an hour, took 40mg of strattera, and went to sleep. I woke up a couple of hours later feeling a TON better. Understand I hadn't felt even half-decent for a week. Everything had seemed like a disaster. I've started taking 500mg of l-tyrosine three times a day. The things that sucked so bad before are a lot more in perspective and I have way more energy. I went back to working out today.

This was all so crazy. I've never been really depressed (like medically) in my life, but I started to feel that way this time. It's made me believe in the theory you can run low on epinephrine and dopamine. Without the chemicals in your brain, there's nothing for the strattera to work on. L-tyrosine is supposed to help you produce more. At least for now it seems to be working.

Anyone else get the same result?

thanks so much for all your responses! Its good to hear others are feeling the same way..I guess its hard cuz u cant tell if you really feel this way or the drug is making you...Hopefully the obsessive tendency will lessen, or else ill have to go off. Are you taking anything else beside Strattera??

I am only taking Strattera right now, but if my mood suddenly got worse (Bad like yours has been) I would likely ask for an Antidepressant rather than stopping Strattera. I'm getting to many benefits from Strattera to just drop it because I've been emotional lately.

Anyway, I think of obsessive behaviors and teary eyed emotional behaviors as more associated with low Serotonin, which an Antidepressants would likely help with. Therefore, I will likely try taking an Antidepressant rather than just dropping Strattera.

If you think about it, Strattera stops the Re-uptake of Norepinephrine, correct? So basically this means our brains are soaking in Norepinephrine.

Norepinephrine.is "Adrenalin" and we all certainly know what Adrenalin does to our bodies. Have you ever been scared out of your wits bad enough that it made your heart beat hard?? Well, afterward how did you feel? After my heart rate returns to normal I don't necessarily feel teary eyed. In fact, I don't think I feel anything afterward. I think I just feel normal! This is why I'm starting to think that perhaps Strattera has knocked my Serotonin temporally out of whack.

Since trying Strattera I now view my particular type of ADD as more of a chemical imbalance! So my focus has turned into getting these different neurotransmitters at there proper levels in all parts of my brain. It's then that I believe I will function properly or normally! (Whatever that means! LOL :D )

However, everyone's ADD might be completely different than mine, and as you said, everyone's medication experiences are often quite different. Therefore some of us might not wish to hang in there with the Strattera (Or feel up to it) long enough to try some additional medications.

Anyway, I just wanted to share some of my thoughts about Strattera and discuss what could be causing these mood issue we are having to get some feedback and find out what you all thought in case I am mistaken or missing something with my current thinking!

Peace! :)

Norepinephrine.is "Adrenalin" and we all certainly know what Adrenalin does to our bodies. Have you ever been scared out of your wits bad enough that it made your heart beat hard?? Well, afterward how did you feel? After my heart rate returns to normal I don't necessarily feel teary eyed. In fact, I don't think I feel anything afterward. I think I just feel normal! This is why I'm starting to think that perhaps Strattera has knocked my Serotonin temporally out of whack.Actually, it's not *quite* adrenaline. I was reading about it on Wikipedia and it turns out norepinephrine is "noradrenaline". Actual adrenaline is epinephrine. So they're close, but not quite the same. However, both are released by the adrenal glands, and both are involved in the "fight or flight" response that comes to mind when we think of adrenaline.

Actually, it's not *quite* adrenaline. I was reading about it on Wikipedia and it turns out norepinephrine is "noradrenaline". Actual adrenaline is epinephrine. So they're close, but not quite the same. However, both are released by the adrenal glands, and both are involved in the "fight or flight" response that comes to mind when we think of adrenaline. This is true.

However, the problem with using precise medical terminology is that often the lay person will have no idea what you are talking about if you don't use a term that they know and understand from there general science classes in high school.

But thanks for the clarification. I had forgotten most of that! :)

Anyway, I think of obsessive behaviors and teary eyed emotional behaviors as more associated with low Serotonin, which an Antidepressants would likely help with. Therefore, I will likely try taking an Antidepressant rather than just dropping Strattera.


Don't forget dopamine-dependent depression (also known as atypical depression). Serotonin imbalances cause the typical depression that most antidepressants treat. But if dopamine is low, a person will also have low moods, lack of motivation, sleep a lot, etc.

If a person has had depression before and it got better with antidepressants, well, you probably have the answer. But if they haven't had this before AND they're taking a drug that can affect dopamine as well as norepinephrine (i.e. Strattera), that could be a factor. Especially since a lot of people on these forums are mixing their Strattera with antidepressants like Wellbutrin and still say they don't feel right. That's the reason I haven't jumped to asking for a traditional antidepressant-- I never needed one before. Why should I have to start when the one thing that's changed is I started taking Strattera?

We're all probably playing the home biochemist game a little too much. But since Eli Lilly admits that how Strattera works isn't completely known, we have to listen to the signals we're getting from our bodies, and try to look for solutions (as long as what we're trying is safe and our docs are aware).

For my part, I feel best on Strattera when I exercise, eat carefully (high protein and a lot of fruits and vegetables), and add L-tyrosine (helps the body produce norepinephrine and dopamine). It's kind of some extra trouble, but it keeps me from thinking about ditching Strattera.

I am on dexedrine and always trying to figure out the appropriate solution and response to things seems to be my downfall (which being a hyper scatter-brain makes it seem obsessive but it isn't quite that) and as for strattera I developed the "hypomanic switch" that I get from SSRI drugs as well as Effexor Cymbalta etc... I cannot explain why I get like that considering I am not depressed I don't meet criteria for bipolar spectrum disorders but to be safe I elect not to take those types of drugs... the stimulant calms me down significantly...

Don't forget dopamine-dependent depression (also known as atypical depression). Serotonin imbalances cause the typical depression that most antidepressants treat. But if dopamine is low, a person will also have low moods, lack of motivation, sleep a lot, etc. Well, it's called atypical for a reason, right? Meaning that it's not the typical cause for depression in most people!

But, I appreciate you pointing it out! :) I never even heard of "low dopamine related depression" until today.

If a person has had depression before and it got better with antidepressants, well, you probably have the answer. But if they haven't had this before AND they're taking a drug that can affect dopamine as well as norepinephrine (i.e. Strattera), that could be a factor. The only problem I see with this theory is that if anything Strattera will most likely raise the level of dopamine in the brain, not lower it.

Especially since a lot of people on these forums are mixing their Strattera with antidepressants like Wellbutrin and still say they don't feel right.Well, that may be because of the following:

From --> http://www.ijmt.net/ijmt/7_1/7_1_6.html

The Pharmacology and Toxicology of Atomoxetine (Strattera)

Although no warning or contraindication is listed with respect to other sympathomimetics, there is potential for a serious interaction if atomoxetine were combined with other drugs that increase synaptic NE (Norepinephrine) concentrations (e.g., TCAs, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), cocaine, amphetamines, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, dopamine).And this...

From --> http://www.crazymeds.org/wellbutrin.html

You can't mix Strattera (atomoxetine) and Wellbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride) because they don't play well together in your brain. They both want to grab the same precursors to activate the reuptake inhibition of norepinephrine. And as it turns out that Wellbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride) does norepinephrine reuptake in its own right adding Strattera (atomoxetine) might be tweaking the norepinephrine just a bit too much.I just recently discovered the above information and was very surprised since I had read (As you have Miriam) that some of my fellow ADDers here on ADDF take both Strattera and Wellbutrin.

I imagine that you can take two SNRI's together, but it probably requires reducing the dose levels of each medication you are taking since they both act on norepinephrine, and it's also likely that you would have to be carefully monitored by your physician in case any bad side effects started occuring.

I never needed one before. Why should I have to start when the one thing that's changed is I started taking Strattera?Well I can see why you would feel that way, and in a perfect world you could take one medication and it would solve whatever the problem is. Unfortunately, when we start talking about medications that alter neurotransmitters in the brain it still isn't an exact science.

To be perfectly honest with you, I don't normally like stating unproven facts that I can't personally verify, and I haven't been able to find any scientific studies supporting this theory, but I have read on our ADD forums about a possible neurotransmitter "See-Saw" effect happening in the brains of people who take medications that raise certain neurotransmitters.

According to the people that posted this, when one neurotransmitter goes up, it can cause other neurotransmitters to go down!

Is this true? I don't really know for sure yet! As I said, I haven't been able to find any scientific studies to support this theory!

But it's this theory that started me wondering if my Serotonin levels might have dropped when I started taking Strattera and found that I was much more emotional than I have been in the past.

As I said, I haven't been able to verify if this really occurs or not, so please if you repeat this, be sure to point out that it's just a theory for right now. Unless of course you find some studies to verify that this really occurs, then please come back here and tell me where I can read about it too, ok? :)

...

...i cry all the time, have crazy mood swings, and have become obessed with thinking i should have married my ex boyfriend..this is all very unlike me, i feel completely out of control emotionally..anyone else experience this?:confused: :confused: :(

That's EXACTLY what happened to me. I became obsessed with thinking this girl was gonna marry her current boyfriend but we should be getting married and I lost my oppurtunity. And cried all the time cuz of it.