I have started this semester and have been taking 40mg of Strattera every day. Never did realize how it is not working now. Could this be where it was originally working, and now since my brain is having to go into overdrive its not enough to help?

I am going to the doctor tommorrow, I am tempted to ask him to put me on Concerta instead since I watched my daughter take it and noticed a HUGE change in her ability to focus.

Any suggestions? I am at my wits end and frustrated. I am trying to get a job on top of going to college and managing 3 kids at once to help cover my education costs, and just frustrated at life in general right now.

I notice that strattera seems to mellow my moods out, makes me apathetic. Does Concerta do that?

Nervous about changing medications....

If this isn't in the right forum let me know. (And my apologies in advance lol)

From what I've read, I'm not sure that Strattera is all that helpful for some people with ADHD. I would try something else.

Thats what I have been reading as well. I don't want to ask for an increase, because the side effects of starting out are not all that pleasant.

Kinda wondering something else too....Those who have the inattentive type, are they more responsive to the stimulant or non stimulant medication?

I am inattentive through and through. I am figuring that non stimulant doesn't work as well for inattentive, based on me it seems. Would you have any reference points?

I am inattentive through and through. I am figuring that non stimulant doesn't work as well for inattentive, based on me it seems. Would you have any reference points?I'm curious what reference points you have. What stimulant meds have you already tried?

I know this sounds wierd, but it seems like when I intake alot of caffiene it seems that I get more done.

Past stuff that I have tried with helping me get focused or "on track":

Ephedra: used to take it when I was working as a secretary before it became outlawed due to abuse (caused people to have heart attacks) Worked wonders, I was able to get stuff done easily.

Phentermine: (Adipex) Kind of a legal version of ephedrine. Used mainly for appetite control, again this stimulant for some reason "get things done". I was able to remain on one task.

Daughter was given Daytrana and Concerta samples before being perscribed Concerta for sure.

I tried out her samples (what she didn't use) and both, yet again, seemed to help tremendously. (didn't use the daytrana and concerta together, different instances is when I tried them).

I don't know why it does what it does, but it just does. Its frustrating because I REALLY wanted Strattera to work, but I just feel extremely apathetic alot of the times, and not "with it". My husband has even commented that I seemed more together when I was on the samples or Adipex. :(

Thats my reference so far. Just personal reference really, and I have also watched my daughter (who suffers the same ADD I do) turn completely around as well. Hince why I want to give it a shot and get off of Strattera.

It sure sounds like you would do well on a stimulant med. Talk to your doctor.

I'm innattentive type, and was put on Strattera about 4 weeks ago. It's completely clobbered my motivation and left me feeling extremely apathetic about everything, as well as generally slowing me right down and making me tired. Great for those who need to slow down, but I need the opposite; I need to speed up. It seems stratterra would be good for people with severe hyperactivity problems, but worse than useless for naturally lethargic inattentive types, judging by my experience with it.

So far I've not noticed a single benefit from it. If anything, my concentration is worse than it was before I started on it, and my sleep pattern's become completely messed up in the last couple of weeks.

I do far better on stimulants, and like you, I've self-medicated with caffeine, ephedra (legal in herb form here, don't know about pure ephredrine), ginkgo, ginseng etc, and found them to be a partial solution. At the moment, all they can manage is to attenuate the effects of the atomoxetine and help me retain some semblance of functionality while on it. I'm hoping the psychiatrist will give me a stimulant med next time I see her.

Thats how my sleep patterns are, I was given ambien to counter act it. Now my sleep patterns are worse. I get sleepy for about an hour, then am wide awake. Had to take two slimply sleeps last nigt around 3am to get fully asleep. Mind was going in a thousand directions.

That and I couldn't get that dog gone song out of my head.....

I never have any problem staying asleep once I'm asleep. It's getting to sleep and then waking up again that give me trouble. I can easily sleep for 10-12 hours at a stretch, and still feel tired afterwards, and struggle to get to sleep unless I wait until I'm really tired first. I've been taking mirtazapine for a couple of months, which helped me get to sleep and let me stabilise my pattern somewhat by allowing me to chose when to sleep, but the Straterra messed that up by making me so tired that I couldn't make it through a day without sleeping for a few hours in the afternoon, which lead to staying up later that night and so on.

That stinks Peter. See I am having the opposite reaction, not getting sleepy enough lol.

Welp the verdict is in. He wanted to bump up my dosage. Said that if this didn't work he would try other options. Said that is more than likely related to my insanely high stress level right now. So going from 40 to 60mg. (I still have half a bottle left of 40 mgs, so going to have to finish them up first...don't see the point in paying over $100 bucks for a bottle I won't use...)

That and hes taking me off Ambien, and putting me on Sonata. Completely refused to put me on Ambien CR. And after hearing the reasoning, I agree with him lol.

So guess I'll find out if it helps in about a month eh?