I've had some of the side-effects mentioned and then some not mentioned. Started at 20mg for about a week and then moved up to 40mg for 3 more weeks. Mostly I had the dry mouth and was VERY tired (which subsided over time). I've also experienced the itchy scalp and the genital "pain", which for me felt more like a dull arousal sensation. I've had no issues with sleep, libido or urination thankfully, but.....

What I didn't have was improved focus. I had improved memory, which is positive, but not the focus that I am seeking (which has been the most problematic adhd issue for me).

After discussing things with my doc I moved up to 80mg. I figured that since I didn't notice much of a difference between 25 and 40 that maybe going to 60 would be more of the same and I should just go right to 80. I asked her what the danger would be and she said that the side effects might be more intolerable.

Well, the side effects have been really horrible. I am sweating profusely, really exhausted all the time, and I have periods of feeling jittery, strung out and almost crazed. It's like I've been taking caffeine through an IV. I have noticed that when I drink caffeinated beverages these feelings are extreme. This has been really disturbing for me. I thought Strattera was a non-stimulant? Usually caffeine has a calming effect on me. I can drink a pot before bed and sleep like a baby. I can't find any information about this side effect. Anyone else whose experienced this or has any information I would appreciate the feedback. I'm ready to give up.
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I took Strattera myself for a little over 5 weeks at 80mgs. I had very similar side-effects to the ones you described.
Strattera is indeed a non-stimulant but over time it builds up and acts very closely related to stimulants.
Basically, Strattera is a NRI (norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor), meaning it blocks norepinephrine from being trasported back into storage and keeps it active. Norepinephrine is one of the chemicals that adds more energy, increased focus, sweating...etc, so the more you have, the better for active tasks.
Stimulants act on dopamine instantly instead of norepinephrine over time. Dopamine is the chemical that is used to synthesize Norepinephrine and serotonin.
Stims like adderall (amphetamine) are dopamine agonists and they significantly increase dopamine levels in a short period. Ritalin (methylphenidate) type stimulants are dopamine uptake inhibitors, and it keeps the currently used dopamine active longer and blocks it from returning to storage.

So Strattera does act like a stimulant over time, although it doesn't do it directly. It takes time for the norepinephrine to build up without increasing dopamine. Stattera is a great medication, but unfortunately it has side-effects that are difficult to tolerate in the first few weeks.

After the 4th week i was on it, i noticed more focus and energy, but by the 5th i was switched to Ritalin because of the horrible nightmares i was having.

Hope it works out for you. :)

Thanks for the detailed explanation and validation of what I was feeling. I dropped down to 40mg for a week and now back up to 60mg...things seem much better. Are side-effects typically permanent, meaning, do they remain the entire time you are on the drug? Also, if the Strattera is acting like a stimulant "indirectly" and I'm responding to that would it mean that I'm not ADHD? I thought that the stimulant medication would have the opposite effect on persons with ADHD.

Thanks for the detailed explanation and validation of what I was feeling. I dropped down to 40mg for a week and now back up to 60mg...things seem much better. Are side-effects typically permanent, meaning, do they remain the entire time you are on the drug? Also, if the Strattera is acting like a stimulant "indirectly" and I'm responding to that would it mean that I'm not ADHD? I thought that the stimulant medication would have the opposite effect on persons with ADHD.

Honestly, i thought the same thing, and still do. I think that the way a person reacts to a certain medication is merely an indication to the way their mind/body works, not a confirmation of them having or not having a certain condition like ad/hd.

It is said that if a person isn't add or ad/hd, then he/she would react in an opposite way than a true add person. Basically a stimulant to a ''normal'' person is supposed to make them all hyper and feeling "high" in a sense, while to a add person it would make them sedated and focused because the stimulants would fill the void of the lack of dopamine, as opposed to the stable and normal dopamine levels of non-adders.

Even with true stimulants it is difficult to truly confirm whether or not one has add, so with Strattera i assume it would be to vague and difficult to draw any conclusions, given all the variables that come from that medication. On top of that, stimulants at first can make even a true add person "high" and hyper since their body isn't used to the increased levels of dopamine. It takes time to adjust, usually 1-2 weeks, with strattera its about 5 or 6 weeks.

So give it some time and talk to your doctor about all your concerns, he should know better than any of use here at the forums about your situation and whats best. :)

Thanks for the detailed explanation and validation of what I was feeling. I dropped down to 40mg for a week and now back up to 60mg...things seem much better. Are side-effects typically permanent, meaning, do they remain the entire time you are on the drug? Also, if the Strattera is acting like a stimulant "indirectly" and I'm responding to that would it mean that I'm not ADHD? I thought that the stimulant medication would have the opposite effect on persons with ADHD.

Typically, stimulant medications do have an opposite effect for those with ADHD. When I was on Adderall, it seemed to give me more time to react and think before I acted. The same effect is happening with Strattera. It gives me this relaxing feeling that calms me and gives me more control over myself. As for side effects, I have been on the drug for just over a week and it seems that my side effects have gone down. They haven't been as bad as the first day couple days. I don't feel so drugged up and actually feel more able to move around and do stuff compared to the first day. I think it helps a ton with hyperactivity and that sluggish and lethargic feeling that people get is actually the drug working on hyperactivity. Hope this helps.

I just began my second week on Straterra. I started on 18mg and went up to 25mg on sunday. The first week I was REALLY tired. I wake up a few times in the middle of the night, and experienced headaches. Total drymouth all the time and I just felt numb emotionally.

Over time, the side effects began to subside. But I also had to take the straterra at night, instead of the morning. This helped TREMENDOUSLY. I feel like a new person. Instead of feeling doped up, I felt rested when I woke up and able to start my day. Since making these changes, Straterra has so far been good with me. I was really nervous about increasing the dose, but I think the dose increase along with taking it at night was a major life saver.

I'm a 41 year old male and just curious when or if sexual side effects ever go away? I just finished week 2. 1st week was 40 mg. and second 60 mg. I am staying at 60 mg for awhile.