Strattera, a non-stimulant medication recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of ADHD in Adults, has begun to hit the market.

I have been on Strattera for a month now, after having been on Ritalin for 11 years. The results have been great! :D The only temporary side effects I noticed was slight cotton mouth in the morning for the first couple of weeks.

You can find more information on Strattera at www.strattera.com

I had not even heard of this until just now, Big. Thanks for the info, I am on my way to check it out. I am pretty happy with Ritalin myself but am up for looking at other things.
How long does it last? Same time span as Ritalin or longer?

It lasts all day...on one dose. Much better than the other extended release versions of meds, and certainly better, IMHO than taking Ritalin 3-4 times a day.

Thank you for this information. I've been looking for a better working medication for my son and so will call his doctor in the morning about this.

Might call my doctor as well... would be nice not to have to take the Rit. 4 x a day.


Again... Thanks!

Ky

Let us know how it goes!! Good luck! :D

Include me in the new to Strattera club. Princess, my 8 year old started on it last week, and we love it here! She is so much more happy and loving and confident - in just a WEEK!!!!!!!

Cheers!

Webbie,

Am so glad things are working out for Princess!!! I know how hard it was for you to decide to put her on meds...so the fact that Strattera is working so well is a real victory!!!

Many Hugssss!

I picked up my sons prescription of Strattera this afternoon. Dr. wants us to wean off the Ritalin while starting the Strattera.. so he'll be taking both meds for 3 days. We are going to start this on Saturday so that he'll have the weekend and spring break to adjust. I'm hopeful... real hopeful..

Webbie... what was Princess on before switching to Strattera?? Did you have issues with moodiness and meloncholy?

Thanks again for the heads up on this.
Ky :o)

Hi Kylin-

Previously she was unmedicated with only a two week methylphenidate trial that produced some added focus, but lots of headaches and tummy aches. I know that perhaps some of that would have subsided, but at the time I was not convinced that she couldn't/shouldn't be allowed to compensate her way around it.

We have since (the test was at the holiday season this year and the results of her latest evals were delivered on Feb 19th) come to understand the importance of really giving the meds a chance, since the expectation or thought process of allowing her to compensate her way around her deficits is getting to be and almost always is a very frustrating defeating thing to do to anyone, especially a child.

And finally yes, she has since about the age of two had mood swings and melonchaly (sp? where is the spell checker?). That is part of why I am delighted by Strattera, I worried about triggering Bipolar in her with stimulants, Bipolar happens to run in my family.

Anyway, this morning she took it without any extra persuasion, we 13 days in this morning, and it has been a hard pill to swallow <VBG>

Oh Kylin-

I forgot to mention that some folks are finding the need to continue with a very small dose of ritalin because the receptors that strattera works on are not quite the same.

I don't have time currently to get all the scientific details but I can later if you need them. Just wanted to let you know that this is happening.

Cheers!

oh my, I am so sorry - Kylin - obviously I need to pay better attention.

Webbie,

In the future, you can just edit your post :)

Originally posted by webqueen62
oh my, I am so sorry - Kylin - obviously I need to pay better attention.

:confused: Sorry for what, Webbie?? I read both your posts twice and couldn't figure out where the problem was...lol So please whatever it was, don't worry about it.

:p "pay better attention..." **laughs** don't we all?

I wasn't aware that he may need to keep a sm. dosage of Rit as well as the Strattera... but I will keep that in mind. My main reason for asking about all this, is that my son is quite moody, gets melonchaly, mood swings, bout's of temper... the Rit has been helping with this some... but I wasn't sure how the Strattera would effect these things.

Feel free to get scientific with me anytime... I just can't guarentee that I'll understand it all.

I do understand your reluctance to medicate. When my daughter was first diagnosed after a nightmarish year and a half.. I was reluctant... but her Doc. convinced me to try it for a month... and if it didn't help... then we'd go another route. The next her teacher called to ask what I did to my daughter... where did we get this perfect copy?? **laughs** That hooked me.

( I do recognize that each child is different... and what works for one may not work for another. Sometimes meds are good.. sometimes not. )

Thanks,
Ky

I need info on strattera. I am an adult with add and havent used meds in 15 years. My phsyc thinks I should try this. I would like to know about dosing because I live in the sticks and not sure how much the local doc will know about it. Phsyc dr reffered to some docs but all no new patients. I am in collage at 27 yrs old and it would be nice to final find some help for the caos in my head. Any help would be greatly apperatiated.
( Sorry I cannot spell at all)

Big...I just had to join in here. I just started taking Straterra 3 days ago after 19 years on Ritalin[with annual one month drug holidays from it]. I am sure glad to hear something good about it after reading some critical things on another forum. I have a positive attitude about it and I hope I see good things like you have experienced.

Did you have in sleep problems? I haven't gone to the second 40mg tablet level yet and I already have some sleep problems but my typing and handwriting are better and those are things that I have noticed improvement in with other meds like Ritalin and Dex. Blood pressure seems ok...I am monitering it at Doc's request.

Have you had any appetite supressing effects? I was hoping for some of those...in fact that's why I'm trying it. I lost 37 pounds on Topamax but it quit helping...I am maintaining the loss tho.

I feel a bit slowed up...like I want a cup of coffee but I realy drink very little...just 1/2 cup in am.

I hope to find some guidance about Straterra here.

Best drug I've ever taken for ADD. Started on Straterra a month ago. Noticed so many improvements I can not list them all, with out writing an essay. I also need to maintain the Welbutrin I was taking, but was able to stop taking the Adderal. I have heard nothing but glowing positive remarks from friends, peers and professionals since starting on the Straterra. I have been able to function quite effectively, more effectivly than I can recall,and my thinking has been very clear. My handwriting and typing have improved significantly. People seem to see me differently now. I could go on and on, but enough. I am re-enrolling in a doctoral program in Clinical Psychology, now that I feel my ADD symptoms are under control, and my real personality is capable of being expressed. I'm not lost in ADD stalemate hell anymore. I can make up my mind now. And I made up my mind, and am going back in May of this year! to get the doctorate degree.

Straterra is at the top of my list of drugs for ADD! Nothing else comes close in my opinion, at least not for me. Second on my list would be Welbutrin for me, because I also have a component of mild depression. Third on my list would be Adderal. I've tried them all and a few others, and Straterra has by far amazed me with its ability to stop the ADD symptoms. I feel like a new person now or like I just got myself back from a long chaotic journey. Anyone who takes Straterra and gets the benefits I have, will undoubtedly understand that ADD has its origin in neoro chemicals.

Jon

YAY! Healthwiz I'm so glad to read posts like yours -- I just started on Strattera yesterday. I don't think two days is really enough to see an effect (they take a while to build up in your bloodstream, no?) but already I FEEL slightly clearer... It's just sort of... calm and focused. Not zombified like Paxil etc. made me feel, but very alert and focused.

Only negative effects are a slight headache about 30 minutes after taking it, and last night I had a minor panic attack about 7 hours after my first dose. That might well have been psychosomatic or coincidence, however.

I'm really hoping this will help. I SO want to be able to get on with my life!!

I know I'm also going to have to learn coping strategies and make some life changes, but I feel like with the meds I might at least have a fighting chance!

-- Tom

Good luck atomx. I hope it helps you clear your mind and feel able to get on with your life. If it doesn't do the trick, there are many other choices. I'm still doing well on the straterra about 6 weeks after starting it. I'm also keeping my fingers crossed. I want to keep doing this well with my life and want to keep improving, replacing bad habits with good ones. IT can be done!!!! Everyday is another new bit of experience that leads me to some way of improvement. I'm finally in the action stage, of taking my dreams and taking action on them.

Jon

How long did it take to kick in for you? I was all excited because today was the first day of full dose, and I was hoping for clarity and tranquility -- but I'm not... quite... there... yet.

Of course, I've only been on the drug two and a half days :)

Answered my own question -- I called Eli Lilly.

The guy on the other end of the phone said that in the studies, the average time from first dose to partial or full efficacy was two weeks.

He said that while it's not IMPOSSIBLE to experience results right away, it's more likely psychosomatic due to relief at being treated and hope for a better life.

Also, when you're still "ramping up" on the drug, the levels in your bloodstream may "see-saw" quite a bit at first, causing you to have intermittant "good days" and "bad days" -- and this should level out in time.

Hope that helps someone else :)

-- Tom

I think the adage "Results may vary from person to person" applies here as well. I was taking ritalin for 11 years, before switching to Strattera over 2 months ago. I noticed the difference the next day.

Glad things are working out for you!

hiya everyone!! it is the mouse lol anyhow my daughter also started strattera about a month ago, before strattera we were on dexedrine. so far the result have been a godsend to our family and at the school. the school nurse asked me about it also and sent information to district and is asking if i would possibly start a help group for parents of children with add/adhd in our area as there is no such group as of yet. i'll let you all know how it keep going ,but so far it is GREAT!! news for our family.

love and hugs,
mickeymouse (a.k.a. gina)

Hugs Mickey!

You can set up a local support forum RIGHT HERE in the ADD Forums!! If you're interested, let me know :)

Been a few days, still not seeing/feeling a difference. I think the first day was psychosomatic. *crossing my fingers* I'm going to give it a couple of weeks before I give up on Strattera...

-- Tom

Atomx,

The manufacturer's recommended daily amount of Strattera (according to my doctor) is 80mgs. I would talk to your doctor about upping the dose. If that doesnt work, you may be in the group of people that Strattera doesnt work with. But dont give up yet!!

I'm taking 40 mg 2xdaily for about 6-7 weeks now. I was doing great, excellent, fabulous, outstanding, outrageously good, and then I noticed I seem to be losing some of it. This seems to be a reported critical time, when some people lose the results they were getting. I feel like my wonderful results are slowly fading. I hope not. I'm thinking of upping the dose to a 100; I'm going to call the dr and suggest it. I thought I read that there is no clinical benefit documented in doses above 100 mg per day. Someone else told me that the brain compensates for the norepinephrine reuptate inhibitor action, by increasing dopamines....... as a general rule....so I'm cautious now. D**&&%% I hope to ##$%%% that this keeps working and that my observation is not correct. It would really hurt if I have to go back to the drawing board. I still think I'm getting a benefit, but not as much as before, and I feel it is receding......I don't know why. Why can't one solution be consistent!!!! This is what tends to drive me crazy about ADD is chasing down a successful combination of approaches that will work consistently long term. I don't like having to focus attention on the treatment regimen every day. I'd rather be focusing on other things in life.

grrrrrr
Jon

Thanks! Yeah, he started me on 40 for 2 days, then moved me to 80 (which is what I'm on now). He stated that I could take it all at once or split up. I chose to split it up because the full 80 mg all at once in the morning made me feel "fuzzy", tired, and almost depressed! So I've been taking 40 mg in the morning and 40 mg around noon. I'm frustrated with my doctor's cavalier "just experiment and see" attitude.

-- Tom

Originally posted by healthwiz
I'm taking 40 mg 2xdaily for about 6-7 weeks now. I was doing great, excellent, fabulous, outstanding, outrageously good, and then I noticed I seem to be losing some of it. This seems to be a reported critical time, when some people lose the results they were getting. I feel like my wonderful results are slowly fading. I hope not...

Jon,

Its amazing how one person's brain acts one way to meds, and someone else's works completely different. I sure hope you find your balance with Strattera, as I hope I do as well. I strarted on 40 mgs, and now have an 18mg bump in the afternoon. We'll see how it goes.

True Big..we are all different. I hope it works for both of us. I have a suspicion that my body chem adjusted to it, and maybe a little higher dose will replicate earlier results. But then the question will be, for how long...

AtomX --- I don't think the Doctors have much choice except to experiment. What else can they do? The luckier you are, the fewer medicines they have to trial you on to find a good one that works for you. But it is worth finding the best one. God luck on Straterra too.

It was "Good" luck but the former applies too.

Psst...you can edit your posts :)

Thanks for the good wishes :)

Yeah, when I was trying to get treated for my depression I went through... a BUNCH of antidepressants too. Finally settled on Wellbutrin, interestingly enough... I know Wellbutrin is sometimes prescribed for ADD, so it's interesting that it's also the ONLY AD that's put a dent in my depression.

However on reflection, I'm 99% sure that I have problems in my dopamine (DR2) system since I have ADD (I think it was Amen? who tied dopamine somewhat to ADD), depression that only responds to a dopaminergic drug, and a pituitary problem that only responds to ... a dopamine agonist. Too many arrows pointing at dopamine.

Which is why I wonder if blocking the reuptake of norepinepherine may be a blind alley. I want to get one of those spect analyses some day...

Ack, mind wandering... must... work...

-- Tom

Ok, sorry for spam postings :)

I think I'm going to stop with this drug -- for now. First of all, I didn't get a thorough psych workup before starting the drug, just a GP saying "oh yeah, sounds like ADD, hey let's try the hot new drug..."

Second of all, I'm not really seeing much effect besides unpleasant side effects.

Third, I'm seeing some REALLY REALLY unpleasant sexual side effects that are pretty much intolerable. I'm going to stop the Strattera and see if these go away.

I'm going to get a referral for a full psych workup and get a competent specialist to make sure I AM ADD first, then figure out what meds, and what titration, afterwards.

*sigh* -- I knew it would take patience!

-- Tom

A reliable evaluation sounds like an EXCELLENT idea, Tom. Also, many ADD meds do list some sexual side effects.

Let us know how things go!

Oddly enough., I have had some really really sexually beneficial side effects on Straterra...how odd.

I didnt say all the side effects were bad ;)

Well the side effects for me are... too graphic to discuss on a "family" board... but basically my sex life has "gone away" since being on this drug. I guess everyone will react differently...

Hopefully I can see a local adult ADD specialist within the next couple of weeks...

-- Tom

Just checking in here...I have been away and I like this forum!

I stayed on the starter dose of 40mg for 2 weeks cuz I was on vacation and didn't want to disturb my sleep any more than usual. I have been on the full 80mg...that's 40mg twice a day for 3 days now and my sleep is ok if I take Unisom...OTC sleep aid.

I have to get plenty of fiber and magnesium or I will have bad irregularity problems.

I feel ok except I feel a dizzy rush about 1-2 hours after a dose. Does this fade after a while? I don't notice much change in the ADHD symptoms yet except in my handwriting and typing and that's always been a measure of improvement before so I am hoping after 2 weeks on a full dose that I will notice some organizational improvement.

I still get some vivid dreams but that's ok!

Lexxy

I also saw improvement in my typing in the first few days. I did not have the dizziness and i don't know if others have. However, I know from taking other medicines, that there are initially a host of side effects that tend to reduce or go away completely after the body adjusts. I know that seems scary...but it is what I have found in myself and in my family members. I would still let your physician know what is going on, at least cal lhis office and tell him or his nurse what your experiencing, and let him determine how to respond.

I agree, the improved typing is a good sign. Its funny how even our daily tasks improve, like desterity, when that probably wasn't the main reason we requested the treatment.

I'm now almost two months on Straterra, and still getting a benefit. however, the difference is not as marked as it was early on. I am thinking an increase from 80/day to 100/day might be beneficial, as my body may have adjusted somewhat to the dose. Anyhow, keep us posted.!!!!

Take care

Jon

re..PSST

Andrew....thanks for the note on editing posts. I'll have to try that someday...lol

Jon

:D Go Strattera... Go! Go! Strattera!:D

So if you can't tell... I'm very happy with the two week trial of Strattera for my son... so much so, that we are going to continue it.

I had a conference with his teacher on Friday and she said that she's noticed that he's able to maintain control and that he really seems to "be there" more. His participation level is way up as well. Handwriting has always been a big issue for Gary and his teacher commented on that improvement as well.

I've also noticed that he seems... more confident... more sure of himself... than he's ever been. :p

The only "downside" that we've noticed is that he does seem a bit more moody.. and Gary has talked to me about it. He says that he feels like an emotional rollercoaster sometimes. This is one aspect that the Rit. had controlled... so I'm thinking a touch of Wellbutrin maybe? I don't know if kids can take that or not.

I will be talking to his ped. on Monday... so we'll see. Overall.. we are both pleased with the Strattera..VERY pleased. :)

I did want to comment ...

I was reading some of the posts.. and saw that even adults are taking 80mg of the Strattera. Gary is 10 and taking the same dose. Is the 80mg, like a universal dosage, regardless of weight or age?:confused:

AtomX - Hon.. you can ask anyone here who has gone through the trials of evaluations and diagnosis'.... EVERYTHING concerning the treatment of AD/HD is experimental. From meds, to time management, to tips on how to calm a chaotic life... what may work for one... probably won't work for another. But unless you try.. you'll never know if it helps YOU!

I'm still on my normal meds... not brave enough to fix something that ain't broke..LOL

I'll keep y'all informed, if ya like...

Ky

Kylin,

So glad to hear things are going well with your son! The emotional "dampening" was one of the reasons I decided to switch from Ritalin to Strattera. And yes, once the ritalin cleared my body and I was fully on strattera, the emotions flooded back. Things are starting to stabilize a bit for me, as I learn to cope with them again. I'm sure things will work out with your son as well :)

Jon...have you heard about how Strattera needs to be adjusted after we get tolerant of it? My Doc gave me some 60mg so he realized I may need to up the 80 to 100 in a while like you mention. But I don't want to spend all this time and energy getting used to something I can on take for a few months and then it doesn't have the same effects. I don't want to have to keep upping the dose and messing with my brain chemistry any more than I feel like I need to.

I would like to stableize on this and take it for a few years if it will work that way. It really takes a while for the body to get adjusted to it.

I keep thinking of the movie "Charly" about a retarded guy who took the drug that gave him his recovery but wore off in a few months and he went back to square one.

From what I have heard, 80 mgs seems to be the magic number for adults, although personal results may vary slightly.

I didn't hear about the adjustment requirement, but it is my observation that I have adjusted ot it a bit and could use an increase. However, clinical trials did not show any benefit over 100 mgs...so that may be the highest dose..I'm not sure.

Anyhow, this drug is very promising and worth a try at it.

Jon

Strattera oh dear.......I am not sure what to think.

One thing I do like is that I don't eat as much as I did on the stimulants. I am clamer but I seem to have lost my spunk as of lately. I also have lost my motivation to do things around the house. It is like I have to force myself to do somethng. The clean dishes in the dishwasher have been there a week now.

But I have noticed that I am not as anxious as I was on the Metadate CD or the Adderall and I believe my tics are better and I seem to be focusing pretty well at work.

But when I get home, I am ready for a nap. No motivation what so ever. I had actually wondered myself if I could take a small dose of metadate with it. But I need to talk to my doc about that.

Someone in the chat room told me the other day that I seemed sad and was not coming in the room as much.

But then I started taking it on March 13, started on 40 mgs for a week then upped it to 80 mgs, but on March 24th I was in a car wreck. So that has effected or is it affected? me as well. So along with the Strattera I was on muscle relaxers and pain meds, which I am now off of. But I can say that when I read the forum, I have a hard time reading everyones posts. I have to skim through everything fast looking for points of interests.

So I don't know what to make of it all.

Sherry

P.S. Edit. I just read the side effects and now I know why I am having problems urinating. It takes quite a bit of work and effort. I know TMI.

ummmmmmmmmm Big,

Editing makes having ADHD no fun. Saying ummmmmmmm and having an after thought is part of being ADHD.

lol Bunny.

I wonder if you could talk to your doc about taking a dose in the morning and a dose in the afternoon. Its what I'm doing.

Also, I too have noticed being a bit tired, but I am trying to exercise to counteract that.

I finaly saw my doc yesterday. He said that taking the Welbutrin with the Straterra was fine. He also said that achy feeling I was getting down under was from kidney retention, and that the combo of welbutrin with straterra might be making that even worse than just straterra alone. He reduced the Welbutrin by 25% (from 200 to 150/day). He said the reason why my initial response to Straterra was better than it is now was for 2 possibilites : 1) my metabolism started metabolizing it better and faster, which is a way the body adjusts, and/or 2) the welbutrin and straterra are cancelling out each other. He increased Straterra 25% from 80/day to 100/day. So essentially we are trying reducting welbutrin by 25% and increasing straterra by 25% to see if this combination decreases sleepiness, improves kidney retention, and increases the straterra effect on the norepinephrine. He felt sure the stratterra effect was not a temporary phenomenon, so that sounded hopeful to hear some assurance on that. In my first month on Straterra I felt terrific, better than I ever had in my life. I would like to return to that level of awareness again. My only concern now is that the kidney retention, which effects 8% of patients in clinical studies, be alleviated, because it causes pain and can be hard on the kidneys. Hopefully the lower welbutrin will alleviate that to some degree. We will see.

Jon

Its been about 3 days now, and I can already feel the difference. The Stratera is working better at 100 mg/day, and the welbutrin is reduced to 150/day. This is doing better, I can tell, because I actually felt like cooking a meal today, for breakfast. I made a wonderful combination vegetable fruit salad, finely chopped of course, over easy eggs, oven baked busquits thanks to my wife, and orange juice. This was a big deal, because if I don't feel like cooking a breakfast then we often have cereal. Also, the fact that I cooked something healthy - the salad - means I was not just hungry, but enjoying making food enough to make something nutritious not just something to fill everyone up. These are the small differences I notice about myself when everything seems to be working better. I do things that make more sense, that are less self-sabotaging, when I'm feeling good. If I'm feeling lousy, I can sabatage almost everything in my life - and that is scary. Anyhow, I digressed. The point is that the straterra effect was not temporary, it was probably being cancelled by the welbutrin combination or my metabolism speeded up its ability to metabolize it. The doc said the clinical trials have no indication of disappearing benefits over the long term, so I'm more hopeful now.

Jon

I'm waiting for this to come out in Canada.
I'm taking Ritalin 15mg plus about 1/4 of 5mg dexedrine right now. My hair is falling out... and my appetite is supressed a lot.
I am concerned though how I read a lot about people (mostly adults) getting tired from it...
the main reason I take Ritalin is to help me organize my thoughts for school... and the dexedrine helps with the "initiation" factor, but not so much the focus or retention.
I'm feeling a little down right now, still working on the paper...
I hope I feel better in the morning. I usually bounce back after a day... and feeling this down at night makes me hopeful that I won't "hurt" in the morning.
Cheers, y'all!
~M

Update.

For grins the last two days. I added a dosage of Metadate CD, 20 mgs to my Strattera. So for so good and much better. And I am not anxious like I was on the 40 mgs of Metadate. I was so happy went I got home last night because I actually cleaned off my patio, watered the plants, and cleaned the cat box, and spent about 1.5 hours in the forum.

I am trying to get hold of my doctor on this and see what he has to say. If they do not allow me to take both, I may end up switching back to the Metadate CD.

Sherry

Well Strattera update for me.

The doctor called me back....some associate doctor I have never talked to.....

The dude was trying to tell me to drink coffee or coke in the afternoon to wake me up with. Well, we had this big discussion on coke and weight and coffee which he wants me to drink with no sugar or cream, which I can't do because I don't drink coffee black. Why a doctor would have me self medicate, I have no idea. He also said it takes 2-3 weeks fo the strattera to kick in. I said well, I have been on it since 3-13-03. Apparently, he did not look at my chart very good.

Well, I finally said look. I had some left over Metadate Cd and I tried it the last 2 days and feel great. He said okay....but he wants me to take only 40mgs of strattera and 20 mgs of metadate Cd. So I agreed. But I am liking the 80 mgs of strattera and the 20 of metadate cd. It is working out really well for me. But I shall follow doctors orders. Maybe.....if I don't, does that mean I am ODD???????

Sherry

Sherry...what he said doen't jive with what I am interpreting the info on Strattera to mean...or maybe I am the only one who got it that way. I thought that working our way up to the maximum dose to give us the best results was the goal. Is this guy an ADHD specialist...sometimes the other doctors don't stay up on the recommendations in other info as much.

I have tried small doses of adderall a couple times, like 5 mg which is really small, with the welbutrin and the straterra, and had a pos effect.

I have also had pos effect from going to 60 mg of stratterra with 150 wb, but taking the wb only every other day. In other words, thats equal to 60mg straterra daily with 75 mg welbutrin daily. I feel depressed without the welbutrin, but dont need as much of it with the straterra. must discuss this with the dr again. the dr prescribed 100 mg strattera and 150 mg welbutrin daily. but i skip the 40 mg second dose of straterra, and only take the wb every other day. go figure!

Jon

Under severe stress, which I was under last week, the second dose of Strattera wasn't cutting it. I spoke with my doctor, who suggested trying Strattera in the morning and ritalin in the afternoon. After much deep soul searching, I decided to try it. It worked much better during the periods of heavy stress.

Now that my stress levels are back to "normal" (which is fairly high, but not nearly as high as last week) I am back on Strattera, twice a day.

I think this dose dependancy is interesting. I think we may be _overdosing_ on some of these meds; the natural tendency is to increase the dose if we're not getting the effect we want. However, I think that we may be getting paradoxical/rebound effects, and sometimes reducing the dose might be a better idea.

I find myself wondering if reducing my Wellbutrin dose (on 300mg total/day) might not be wise. Unfortunately I don't have and can't afford a psychiatrist, so basically my GP does all my dosing by guess and by golly.

-- Tom

I AM 41YRS OLD AND BEEN ON STRATTERA FOR 2-1/2 MONTHS..STARTED WITH 80MGS
WEEK 1 & WEEK2 -TIRED NAUSEA,LOSS OF APPETTITE..tired

WEEK 4,5,6,7 - WONDERFUL.FOCUSED,ALERT,ATTENTIVE, HAD A CONCEPT OF TIME,HAD BETTER MEMORY I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. its as if as was deaf and now i could hear..

WEEK 8- MOODY, DEPRESSED & OVERLY SENSITIVE..LACK OF MOTIVATION, weak ..IT STOPPED WORKING, ALL THE ABOVE GOT WORST THEN NORMAL (including my add)..WHAT REALLY MADE ME NOTICE IS I HAD SOME CLOSE CALLS WHILE DRIVING..

WENT TO DOCTORS..SHE UP MY MEDS TO 120 MEDS..AND TOLD ME ITS BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER IS WHY I AM DEPRESSED...(I HAVE BEEN TAKING THE HIGHEST DOSES OF ZOLOFT FOR 10YRS)

WEEK 9&10- I EVENTUALLY LOWERED THE DOSES TO 100MG
BECAUSE I DIDN'T LIKE HOW IT WAS MAKING ME FEEL....THE REAL SYMPTOMS BEGAN ...A BUZZING IN MY NERVES LIKE WHEN YOUR FOOT FALLS ASLEEP..WELL THIS IS HAPPENING ALL OVER MY BODY...THIS MORNING A NUMBING SENSATIONG ON THE CENTER OF MY TONGUE.. ..ITCHING SCALP..RESTLESS.PINS AND NEEDLES..TWITCHING IN MY HANDS..BUTTERFLIES IN MY STOMACH..ACHING IN MY MUSCLES..AFTER I WORKED OUT... hard time urinating...BUT WE MUST REMMEMBER THIS IS STILL A VERY NEW DRUG..THAT STILL NEEDS TRAIL AND ERRORS...donna

Donna: Are you taking all the Strattera at once? Perhaps you could try taking 80 mg in the am and 40 mg in the afternoon. Ask your doctor what they thing about this.

I would report all side effects as soon as possible to my physician. Its fine in my opinion to take the risk of side effects in order to obtain the benefit of trialing drugs that might help, but only if I report my side effects immediatly...otherwise the risk to benefit profile gets more serious.

As for the bladder issue, it can be serious according to my doctor, who told me that the drug is paralyzing the muscles around the bladder, making it difficult to urinate. This has a secondary effect of atrophy on the bladder muscles, which he said is not good, causes the loss of muscle tone around the bladder. So he lowered my Straterra dose. He also said it is beginning to show up that mixing Welbutrin and Straterra increases this bladder issue.

Also, I had the same effect of perfect response at first, like you said, as if you had been deaf, I experienced the same thing. Then it trailed off, and I can't even be sure anymore what the straterra does for me, but I know it does something, as I feel much better on it.

Today my doc decided to add small dose of adderal to the straterra nd welbutrin. We talked about how complex it can be sometimes to get just the right result. However, all 3 drugs target the same site, norepinephrine, in different ways.

Well, good luck to all on Straterra!

Jon

I just started taking a low starter-dose Strattera last month. Unfortunately, I missed my follow-up apt. with the Shrink, and now I'm kinda starting over again. My Shrink goes really slow on medication increases. I also take Effexor XR (fluoxetine), which I just read increases the level of Strattera. The following newsletter also mentioned 2 other drug interactions that increase Stattera levels: quinidine and paroxetine.
check out:
http://www.nacds.org/user-assets/PDF_files/010103cppm.pdf
I don't have a definite opinion as of yet, but after a couple years of dexedrine span., Strattera seems to have little effect on my brain... But then again, I'm on too low a dose and it's too soon to tell. I do sleep a LOT more now. Creative sleeping and dreaming as a hobby! I always could take dexedrine and sleep, so I guess I'm not very normal.
I'll let you guys know how it goes!
Be happy now and try to understand and appreciate the upside of ADD!
take Care,
Jodie

My 10yo son started Strattera and Buspirne 8/18/03 (one week before school started) The Dr. had him start with 20mg then 40...now he is taking 60mg of Strattera.

Before this my son was unmedicated.

I don't see a great change...he is less moody, but its hard to judge. New teacher doesn't know what he was like without meds, and I only get 3 hours a day with him. Dad is with him in mornings...but i think he expects too much ...says he does not think meds work.

Hi Carol.

You might want to try your son one weekend on Strattera, and a weekend off Strattera (after consulting with his doc, of course) This should hopefully give you a better sense of what impact Strattera is having.

What does your son say? Does he notice any difference?

Oh, and welcome to the ADD Forums, Carol :D

Patrick thinks the Meds should make it all better...Dr., Dad and I have all told him it helps...doesn't fix ADHD. He keeps telling me mom it isnt working...but then when I ask is it a little easier to stay on task he says yes it eaiser.

Teacher noticed differance the other day...Patrick woke up late and dad forgot to make sure he took his meds. Teacher called home, we counted meds and sure enough he had missed a dose.

Straterra at a low dose, for me, 40 mg per day, has been having a slow but steady improvement in my consistency, my organization, the organization of my thinking, and my ability to organize myself. I have noticed over the last several months, since the time I started Straterra, that I have grown immensely in the area of organiztion. I look at things I did pre-Straterra, and I fix them, like my website and my marketing materials for my company, and my whole business strategy. I have organized the way laundry is done, how grocery shopping is done, I have been on time almost everywhere, with an occassional oversight, but really on time, comparitively significant.

I am actually cleaning things when they get dirty, rather than delaying to clean them when there is more time.

No, not perfect, and still needing more grwoth in this area of my life. However, seeing the growth pattern tells me that the Straterra is doing something.

I have also begun a regular sleep pattern and wake up at 6 am now. There is a little trick to this for me; I take the Straterra before I go to bed, and I wake up very nicely at 6 am. Sometimes I forget and take it while trying to wake up at 6 am...in that case, my wife brings me some coffee and I swallow the Straterra with the coffee, and get up in a few minutes. But the nite time strategy works better, just before laying down to sleep.

However, my concentration is not necessarily any better. I've notice that school type of concentration is not improved. This is an organizational thinking and planning improvement, which is apparently not the same as a concentration improvement, in my personal observation and opinion.

Thus, as much as I don't like their lousy creepy irresponsible marketing commercials and ads, nor do I like being a guinea pig, and I defineitly do not like the effect on my prostate, which is mild at 40 mg, I must say this drug is having a benefit for me.

One final note; the benefit at 40 mg is subtle, but progressive, meaning it seems to build upon itself over time, resulting in larger gains than one might think possible from the subtlety of the effect.

Jonathan

Jon,

Thanks so much for posting this! I'm glad you're taking the time to recognize the benefits of Strattera, and its effects on you.

Glad to hear its working for you!

Hi Jonathin,

What sort of period of time are you comparing. Weeks, months, many months?

sleepz

Hi Big

Yes, it has just dawned on me that things are different. Its good to let others know, so they might not be too quick to decide its not helping. Little things, like enforcing a 30 minute daily house clean up when the kids get home (after their 5 minute break), before they get to watch a tv show. Making everyone make 2 trips to the car to empty it daily - kids mess up a car fast!!! Going to bed early, waking up early. Listing things on goal oriented software. Paying bills. Making more money. Marketing more. A refreshed interest in my business. Attending martial arts classes. Getting children to school on time, and picking them up daily. Organizing laundry duties and methods.

Areas I have not yet improved: Weight loss, exercise, diet, being on time for doctor appointments, cleaning my bedroom, reading books often enough to be a student.

Well, thats the short list and it helps me just to list these things. Gives me something to think about.

Jon

Sleepz

I am comparing the past few months. I started taking Straterra exactly when it came out, maybe two weeks after it was on the market..when was that??

I am comparing the improvement over that time period, versus all the years I have tried to improve in those areas. My improvements in organized planning behaviors has been challenging, but has really picked up speed lately.

There are a few other significant things I have done that I might attribute to these improvements:

Taking Body Balance Liquid Vitamin daily - but I ran out about 3 weeks ago - I have to refill.

Doing intense PsychoDrama therapy over the summer

Taking time release vitamin b complex daily (but lately it has been regular B Complex - not time release - have to refill the time release)

I don't know how much each of those had to do with my changes, but they all took place over the last 3 months. I know the psychodrama for sure had a huge impact, but was that enough to change my ability to think in an organized manner and begin planning? If so, the emotional component of psychodrama would be much greater than most people currently believe. I'm not suggesting it was the psychodrama, but I am saying it could have played a larger role than many might want to believe. I personally believe it did open the door for breakthroughs to occur. If the door is sealed shut with garbage from the past, how can the door be open to the newer and better possibilities?

Yet the Straterra, if I don't take it, I can notice a difference, so I know the Straterra plays a large role.

How much each of these play a role, I cannot say, but I also believe the Vitamin B complex, time release was significant, and I have the least evidence for the Body Balance Liquid Vitamin, but I know from Dr Amen's site, its important to take a multi vit and mineral, so there is the Body Balance role.

Well, long winded I am, so I shall let the wind die down a little.

Jonathan

I am taking Strattera at 120mg/day. My doc used the formula of 1.2mg/kg of body weight but I am also taking 50mg of Paxil CR (paroxetine) whichpotentates the serub levels of strattera in the 5X-10X range. Does any one know the formula for use with one of the SSRI's such as paroxetime?

Swede

If I confused you...I ment to say which potentates the SERUM levels of Steratta...

Swede

I started taking Straterra on Tuesday, and it is the first medication I've used for ADD (recently diagnosed - although I'm 53). I had tried Adderol about a month ago, and it was a terrible experience - very manic, paranoid and depressed: all symptoms disappeared when I stopped. The Straterra is much gentler on my psyche, and I feel a lot calmer. Today was the first day of going from the 25mg Blister to the full dose; but I did not take the 80, and kept it to one 40mg pill. My only negatives so far are a bit of drymouth; tingling sensations in my scalp (sometimes just sitting; but more when urinating); tiredness in the later afternoon and evening; and the real killer - naussea after heavy exercise in the AM. I'd like to know if anyone else experiences the stomach upset when working out (weights or tennis in the sun), and if anything helps overcome or avoid the upset.

Your side effects are not uncommon.

Try drinking a little more water. Aside from Straterra making it difficult to urinate, it is also a slight dyuretic (dry mouth) so you may actually be much more dehydrated than you expect.

I found different effects at different dose levels.

i'm nolonger on it. There are ohters here who are. Good luck to you!