I am a 44 y/o male recently dx'ed w/ add.
I have been placed on Strattera(at my request) I have had some problems with recommended dosge of 40mgs, so I have opened the capsules and am decreasing the dose that way. Still experimenting.
I have noted as well as one other here that this forum is all about the negative effects of the drug, but are there any good stories to tell or tips to avoid the side effects?
:confused:

No, not at all...In fact, there are some, like me, that have very good experiences with Strattera. Keep in mind, people are more apt to complain about a med than sing its praises...its just human nature :)

Welcome to the ADD Forums, by the way :)

Andrew, could you elaborate? Just what has been your positve efects and what tips might you have?

Well...here's the first thread where I discuss it:
http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=62

It helps me focus on task(s), accomplish what needs to get done, not just what I want to get done, doesnt keep me up at night, isn't a stimulant med (which I was on previously), and no long-term side effects. All in all, a good med for me.

Keep in mind, like all ADD Meds...results will vary, based on individual, medication and dosage.

I am a 29yr/old male with bi-polar BPD. My rapid cycling / manic episodes for 10+ years were caused by "throwing gas on the fire" AKA: taking Ritalin/stimulants to treat Attention Deficit symtoms that were really just bipolar mood swings.

I recently started taking STRATERRA 40mg and have had ZERO side effects (1 wk in). My memory is clear and my attention is constant. There is no roller-coaster affect like the ride you get on Ritalin. Stimulant abuse is a life wrecker… Straterra offers an awesome alternative solution.

Wonderful news! It's a kick to hear of someone receiving the clarity he/she deserves. You must be the type of person this med was made for, ie norepinephrine challenged. The drugs mechanism of action is to block the removal of any norepi not immediately used in the connection of certain higher level thought processes. Mostly the ones responsible for working memory. Working memory being the moment to moment memory used to complete multi-step processes.
Sorry for the detail.
Are you also on Lithium or the like for the BPD?

Yes, sir. (600mg Lithobid /night).

Ritalin was a catch 22 for me. At certain points of the month I couldn't sit still or concentrate without it.. but every other week (2weeks) it caused enough anxiety / chemical build up that the top would come off the pressure cooker :D IE: binge drinking, pill popping, manic "episodes". It truly was hell... extended. I know that Ritalin was the catalyst in driving the manic behavior but I was unwilling to change the habit because I had to stay focused at work. (+ I had to use xanex semi-regularly to get a full night of sleep).

(I was just recently laid off.) Stattera has enabled me to work on the computer for 4+ hrs, interview, and do the bump & grind daily without any crutch (coffee, Ritalin), it hasn't interfered with going to sleep (unlike stimulants), and I feel no need to drain a few beers with the boys to "take the edge off".

For me: STRATTERA has worked big time!

Footnote: I was NOT prescribed STRATTERA. I was picking up another Rx of xanex and for an unknown reason they put a full bottle of Strattera (40mg) in with my other prescription. I think the Lord works in mysterious ways~

I haven’t needed the Ritalin or xanex since…

Pretty cool, keep it up.
Hope you can continue to get the med from your doc.
Better living through chemistry!!

Wow.
It's good to get all this info on Strattera. I just went through some testing for add, and was recommended to see a psychiatrist for diagnosis and meds. I'll go next month for that. But the person I saw recommended Strattera, saying it also helps with anxiety. I'm also being tested for inattentive add, and it sounds like this might not be good for that?
Anyway, I guess I'll have to talk with the psychiatrist. It's good to hear what it's been like for other people, especially that it's helped! I'm a little scared right now about all those side effects mentioned in another post..
So has anybody experienced Strattera helping with anxiety? I have particular issues with being quiet/anxious in social situations, letting myself be known.
Gracias.. :)

Hey Laura Amy, you're lucky to have someone helping you in your quest to help. After posting I have recently switched to Concerta, as the Strattera was not for me. I have heard many a good thing about it though.
For many, the stimulant class of med is the first line of treatment if failure is noted then other classes are then explored. The stimulants often allow the person to focus on specific tasks while also holding on to other tasks in working memory. All this helps the anxiety elements as you are completing the things you told yourself (and others) you would do. Thus less anxiety.

I just went off Straterra after having taken it for 6 months (40mg twice, and sometimes once per day) and went back to ritalin (a 20mg SR in the morning and a 10mg later in the day). With the Straterra I had side effects that included interference with my sexual functioning and an elevated blood pressure (even though I also take blood pressure medication).

I'm about to start a new job in two weeks and wanted to experiment now, so I put myself off Straterra and back on ritalin two weeks ago (I have my Dr's OK with this). My blood pressure has come back down, and the sexual side effects seem to be reversing. However, I don't feel that "attentive" any more on ritalin, which is why I went off it in the first place. (I've taken it for around 8 years) I noticed that I feel "dumber" on it than on straterra (I can watch someone talk, and nod my head, but don't necessarily hear what they're saying). On strat I felt more attentive, but kind of "flattened out" emotionally. I can't really describe it: when my wife asked me how the straterra worked I would say I like it and I don't like it. It was kind of wierd, but I couldn't narrow down my feeling on it any better than that.

So now I'm wondering what I should do. Of course I'll consult with my Dr. but I am wondering if anyone else has gone through this same sort of thing. I'm also wondering if people have also felt like their ritalin stopped working for them as well, and if so, did they find something else to replace it with (besides Straterra). Maybe Adderal or Concerta (even though they're variations on ritalin)

FYI, I also take Lexapro, mainly for anxiety control (it works well).

I'm frustrated that the Straterra gave me the side effects it did, because I think that I would have stayed with it otherwise.

Thanks.

PH,

How long before your first symptoms? (on Straterra)

I'm 3 weeks in and haven't had ANY bad side effects. I'm crossing my fingers... because Ritalin did NOT work for me.

Good luck finding the right cocktail that works!

See my experience here:

http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2321&perpage=15&pagenumber=4