I started taking strattera almost 2 weeks ago. 25mg 1 week, 40 this week. Tuesday I move up to 60mg.

Now I notice some sorta vague difference, but I can't put my finger on it. I'm curious as to how this drug facilitates itself in alleviating symptoms. Mainly... Why do you stop procrastinating while on this drug?

I noticed my procrastination problem bothers me more than ever. Is this the drug? or is it just me? Maybe since I'm focusing better I notice it more? I dunno i just cant see it working and I'm wondering what to look for or what I should notice.

I just started taking Strattera a week ago today and I have just noticed the difference. They started me off with 25mgs, then after 5 days I moved to 40 mgs. After, 5 days of 40mgs I will move to 60mgs, then I'll have an appointment. At first all I felt was the side effects, so I started taking it at night. Around the 3rd/4th doses the side effects mellowed out. So when I started on 40mgs I tried 2 days at night just to see if any side effects would re-appear. They did not so today I took it this morning at the beginning of work.

The way I just noticed that it has helped is prior to taking it today, things at work were hectic. I was all over the place and it felt uncomfortable. I was like why am I forgetting, and messing up so much this morning. I thought man that medication sucks! Oh wait, I was going to take one this morning. So I took it. Also yesterday I had the same issue but I never took the meds until I got off

Just now I wrote up a request leave sheet for an appointment next week and it dawned on me. I wasn't procrastinating and I was completeing stuff much easier.

So i think, when things seem hectic now, that could most likely be me in my normal state...and it actually surprised me. I can now feel when I'm not functioning smoothly. Also, my girlfriend was on the phone with me the other night and she commented on how I hadn't switched topics yet.

Another thing is I'm sitting still right here typing this up when it is my lunch and I haven't jumped up to run off or gotten distracted by other things. I acknowledge them and turn right back to typing....LOL This is Cool.....I think... kinda looking forward to see what happens when I move up.

I'm not sure if I'm noticing changes or not. I've been whacked out the last couple of days after my jump from 40mg to 80mg. I'm back down to 40mg now, so I should be able to judge a little better. :) At this point, I've been on Strattera for about two and a half weeks.

I have noticed a few things, though - my procrastination is bugging me more than it typically did, although leading up to my diagnosis and getting on meds, it was driving me nuts.

I have noticed that I'm able to rein myself in a little bit easier when I am procrastinating. It's easier for me to turn off all of the distractions and do what I need to be doing. (ie, I can recognize if an IM is bugging me and it's easier for me not to get lost into the IM and just turn it off.)

I feel a bit more calm. Last night I had to work late and I didn't really want to, but I still was able to sit down and go methodically through some work for a few hours without wanting to run away screaming.

From what I've read on these forums, the changes are subtle. I'm looking forward to the six week mark when it supposedly will completely kick in.

I'm glad this discussion has been started already. I've been taking the starter pack of Strattera for the past 2 weeks and I've been turning into a zombie on and off. I have a humongous linear circuitry homework due tomorrow and two exams on Friday, one in Physics and the other in Differential Equations, and I haven't had the energy nor the interest in getting any of it done/prepared for. All I want to do is sleep all day and my thoughts are so scattered it takes me twice the time to get out of my house in the morning. Ordinarily I'm an extreme hard-worker with passion for completing my assignments, but all of it has been zapped since I've started on strattera. Could it be that it'll take more time for the Strattera to start helping, or that it's a bad combination with Lamictal? Or perhaps is it not going to work at all? I don't want to fail and I'm heading down that horrid road as we speak.

I was taking immediate release generic Adderall and it was just too hard on my body and mind (it got me a nice ativan addiction, which is the last thing I need to deal with right now)....I decided to give Strattera a try. My doctor started me off straightaway at 60 mg. I just took the first one an hour ago.

Adderall made me stupid. The more I took, the more I needed it. Whenever I stop taking adderall, I'm way worse off than I was before I started taking it. That's why I couldn't stop taking it. I was in school and couldn't afford to take days off. I imagine it would take about 2-4 weeks for my brain to readjust. The problem is, I can't wait that long. I have a couple incredibly demanding classes.

Now I'm coming to realize that it could take several weeks for Strattera to work, and that's a real concern. A friend of mine takes it, and he made it sound as if it starts to work right away, at least within a couple days. My doctor also made it seem that way.

Does it take a long time for most people? Does anyone feel any benefit after only a few days?

I'm glad this discussion has been started already. I've been taking the starter pack of Strattera for the past 2 weeks and I've been turning into a zombie on and off. I have a humongous linear circuitry homework due tomorrow and two exams on Friday, one in Physics and the other in Differential Equations, and I haven't had the energy nor the interest in getting any of it done/prepared for. All I want to do is sleep all day and my thoughts are so scattered it takes me twice the time to get out of my house in the morning. Ordinarily I'm an extreme hard-worker with passion for completing my assignments, but all of it has been zapped since I've started on strattera. Could it be that it'll take more time for the Strattera to start helping, or that it's a bad combination with Lamictal? Or perhaps is it not going to work at all? I don't want to fail and I'm heading down that horrid road as we speak.

First off - disclaimer: I am not an expert. I've posted several question posts on Strattera in the last few weeks. :)

I can tell you a few things, though:



I've been on Strattera for 3 weeks now. I started at 25 for a week, went to 40 for a week, went to 80 for two days, then back to 40. So, I've been on 40 for two weeks at this point and I'm about to dose up to 60 tonight. (all these are mg).
The first few days of each dosage, I felt like a zombie on and off. I felt like I did better once I got used to taking it at night (around 8:30pm) - at least I'd sleep through most of the zombie feelings, even if I slept a little more restless than usual and had some very vivid dreams. (Which were usually kinda cool.)
I will tell you what my Psychologist told me - stuff is working on your brain chemistry. So, it can be expected it'll take a while to adjust.
I will tell you what my Psychiatrist told me - It takes around 6 weeks to really see the benefits of Strattera. I've noticed some improvements after 3 weeks, but honestly, I'm hoping I see a lot more.
As for the zombie thing, another thing I just remembered - If I drink a lot of water and make sure I'm eating enough (it kinda zapped my appetite a little), it seemed to make it better. I noticed around dinnertime I was really foggy/hazy and after eating dinner, I felt that go away.

So, not a ton of useful stuff and by all means, I'm no expert. :)

Good luck!

Btw, what was your dosage schedule? Just curious. :)

I was taking immediate release generic Adderall and it was just too hard on my body and mind (it got me a nice ativan addiction, which is the last thing I need to deal with right now)....I decided to give Strattera a try. My doctor started me off straightaway at 60 mg. I just took the first one an hour ago.

I'm not an expert and I've only been on Strattera for 3 weeks, but when I posted my dosage schedule of 1 week 25, 1 week 40, and 1 week 80, I had a lot of people on the forums mention that it seemed to be a really quick jump from 40 - 80. I can't even imagine starting off on 60mg! I'm just gonna start 60mg tonight after a week on 25mg and 2 weeks on 40mg. 80 was just too much for me even coming from 40!

Adderall made me stupid. The more I took, the more I needed it. Whenever I stop taking adderall, I'm way worse off than I was before I started taking it. That's why I couldn't stop taking it. I was in school and couldn't afford to take days off. I imagine it would take about 2-4 weeks for my brain to readjust. The problem is, I can't wait that long. I have a couple incredibly demanding classes.

That's exactly why I'm hoping that Strattera continues to improve things for me.

Now I'm coming to realize that it could take several weeks for Strattera to work, and that's a real concern. A friend of mine takes it, and he made it sound as if it starts to work right away, at least within a couple days. My doctor also made it seem that way.

My psychiatrist told me it would take about 6 weeks for the full effects to happen. After 3 weeks, I'm feeling some mild improvements. A friend of mine started on a dosage schedule like I was supposed to and he felt results after 2 weeks. Someone in this forum posted that Strattera definitely requires patience. That's been a hard one for me since I was already impatient with myself and my symptoms before getting diagnosed and put on medication.

Does it take a long time for most people? Does anyone feel any benefit after only a few days?

I felt lots of SIDE EFFECTS after a few days, one of which was a completely empty mind which was absolutely fantastic. Like a vacation from my brain. I enjoyed the quiet for a day or two, but then it got loud again. :) Finally after 3 weeks I'm starting to notice some subtle differences. I hope they improve, because even these little improvements are amazing.

Good luck!

I started taking strattera almost 2 weeks ago. 25mg 1 week, 40 this week. Tuesday I move up to 60mg.

Now I notice some sorta vague difference, but I can't put my finger on it. I'm curious as to how this drug facilitates itself in alleviating symptoms. Mainly... Why do you stop procrastinating while on this drug?

I noticed my procrastination problem bothers me more than ever. Is this the drug? or is it just me? Maybe since I'm focusing better I notice it more? I dunno i just cant see it working and I'm wondering what to look for or what I should notice.


I've been taking Strattera for almost a year now. I noticed it seems to work more in the background as opposed to something like Adderall where it works immediately for us ADD'ers

(I think adderall is supposed to work extremely well at lower doses for those who have ADD but Im not quite positive.)

Anyway back to Strattera. I just think that Strattera just helps more with focus and not having my mind so clouded up but I also notice smaller details more now than when I did over a year ago before I was diagnosed.

Basically Strattera improves focus and everything else that Strattera doesn't take care of takes willpower.

i am 39 and was diagnosed with severe adhd combined type 3 years ago. my doctor is putting me on strattera.. anyone know anything about that? what can i expect? i'm on 25mg- been on it for a week. no difference really.

my adhd makes me not able to sit still for 5 mins.. i forget evertything cant focus. ecven writing this post is difficukl

just give it some time. maybe a couple of months and if you don't notice any positive changes then ask your doctor you want to try something else.

well i have bigger issues- the strattera is under cutting the effectiveness of the lamictal that i am on for bipolar

Then take care of the bigger stuff ;)

I am on Strattera, I was on adderoll for a few years and my doctor wanted to take me off it because of my alcohol problems I had years back. I haven't drank alcohol since March of 2006 and have never had any issues with abusing or wanting to abuse the adderoll, but my doctor said she would feel better just knowing strattera is not an option, and without trying it she won't know.
My problem is now I am up to 50mg and still I don't feel anything. I am nearly half way thru my first quarter at UC San Diego and this **** is really ****ing with me.
I have complained to my doctor and she told me to go to the Office of Students with Disabilities to get accommodations. I am really getting impatient.
The adderoll worked great but I hated the sweating. I also am diagnosed social anxiety, PTSD, and depression. I am taking prozac and wellbutrin as well.
I guess I am just upset because I am in the middle of school and really need my medication and feel like I am getting screwed because my doctor wants to check something out. I know it is for my benefit and to make sure I don't get into trouble but I just don't think this is the right time to mess with my medication.
I have not felt anything in the way of concentration, attention, memory retention, etc. What are the first symptoms I should see?
Sorry for rambling.

I am on Strattera, I was on adderoll for a few years and my doctor wanted to take me off it because of my alcohol problems I had years back. I haven't drank alcohol since March of 2006 and have never had any issues with abusing or wanting to abuse the adderoll, but my doctor said she would feel better just knowing strattera is not an option, and without trying it she won't know.
My problem is now I am up to 50mg and still I don't feel anything. I am nearly half way thru my first quarter at UC San Diego and this **** is really ****ing with me.


I've been on Strattera for about a month and a half. I'm finally up to 80mg, which is the "optimal" dosage. My doctor told me it takes up to six weeks to for it to really start working, and that in some people, he's seen it take a few months. On my last med check, I told him I wasn't sure if I felt it doing much, although when I stopped and really thought about it, it was doing some. He told me it just mutes the symptoms. It doesn't take everything away.

I understand about the concern for abuse - I am doing my 10000% best to stick with Strattera even though I have wanted REALLY GOOD IMMEDIATE RELIEF. :) I don't want to take stimulants unless I absolutely HAVE to take stimulants, so I'm telling myself to be patient.

The adderoll worked great but I hated the sweating. I also am diagnosed social anxiety, PTSD, and depression. I am taking prozac and wellbutrin as well.

I'm not a doctor, but I've read several things saying that Wellbutrin and Strattera really should not be taken together.


I guess I am just upset because I am in the middle of school and really need my medication and feel like I am getting screwed because my doctor wants to check something out. I know it is for my benefit and to make sure I don't get into trouble but I just don't think this is the right time to mess with my medication.
I have not felt anything in the way of concentration, attention, memory retention, etc. What are the first symptoms I should see?
Sorry for rambling.

Well, a couple of people who know I'm on meds told me that I seem "calmer" even though I dont' really *feel* calmer. But I wanted to ask the people I told if they've noticed changes in me, so I could report back to my doctor. Sometimes outside people are a better guage of things than I can be.

The other day I actually cleaned the stove, microwave, and did some cleaning around the house without wanting to tear my eyeballs out. It still took effort, but from what I understand, Strattera isn't going to make me *want* to do these things. It's just going to make it less annoying. :)

I'm able to complete some tasks (at home and work) with better ease than I was before. I'd just get in my own way, and now I seem to have stepped out of my own way. At least most of the time.

I'm also trying to "fool the reward center of my brain" into acting like I'm really happy and excited about the end result of the cleaning or task that I don't want to do. Maybe if I consistently do that, it'll associate doing these mind-numbing things with excitement and fun.

I have noticed that my anxiety is less and that I'm able to pull myself out of hyperfocus easier. But, it takes me recognizing that I'm doing it, then it's a little easier.

I was having problems getting started and doing things I wanted to do, and with the Strattera, I still procrastinate, but not nearly as long. (I may find I let myself procrastinate for ten minutes instead of an hour.) It's just easier for me to actually *do stuff*. Not always, but more than it was.

Good luck. Like I said, 80mg is the optimal dosage, and it can take up to 6 weeks (or longer) to see the results. (per my doc.) It took me longer to get up to 80mg, because I was sensitive to some side effects, but going at a slower rate made it so I'm feeling no side effects except for the dry mouth, up at 80mg.

How long have you been on Strattera?

Good luck!

-i

I started taking strattera almost 2 weeks ago. 25mg 1 week, 40 this week. Tuesday I move up to 60mg.

Now I notice some sorta vague difference, but I can't put my finger on it. I'm curious as to how this drug facilitates itself in alleviating symptoms. Mainly... Why do you stop procrastinating while on this drug?

I noticed my procrastination problem bothers me more than ever. Is this the drug? or is it just me? Maybe since I'm focusing better I notice it more? I dunno i just cant see it working and I'm wondering what to look for or what I should notice.


Hey Bob.

The question of how one starts noticing changes is going to bring a lot of very subjective responses, because those symptoms it's supposed to alleviate are not the same for all of us and even when we share them, they may manifest differently too.

Additionally, I've read that ADHDers are not very good at objective self observation.

Furthermore... there's the issue of "procrastination".
As ADHDers we have more distinguishable types/styles of procrastination. There's the procrastination caused by lack of motivation.
There's the procrastination caused by de-motivators.
And then, there's laziness (whether it's just your nature that you don't like things involving effort, or that you never learned any kind of discipline).

Strattera, like other ADHD meds, will only help with those first two types (and mostly only the first). The meds make it so that less arousal is required to motivate.
Personally, I have real issues with internal (as opposed to external) motivation. I can do work stuf, but home stuff... So I'm not really going to speak to that in my response.


To give you a bit of a background on how I came to my observations,
I was previously on Dexedrine (45mg) and started taking Strattera as part of a drug trial.

I knew that dex alleviated the following symptoms: irritability/short temper, impatience, general moodiness, my ability to stay on task (tedious crap kills me).
Having been diagnosed as an adult in his 30s, this was a revelation. I had no clue how much of my symptoms were really symptoms and not being buffeted around by moods and constantly reigning in on anger flashes made me realise that my quality of life was changing.

First, I had to go off the stims. That sucked.

My strattera dosage, IIRC, ramped up from 40mg, to 60mg, to 80mg and finally 100mg. Over a period of 3 months, I think.
It took about 2 weeks for the drug to have clearly noticeable effects with each increase.

At 40-60mg it did very little for me, but at 60mg my moods were swinging less. (I got ****ed and walked off my job just at the end of this period; something I hadn't done since I'd started ADHD meds.)

At 80mg, my moods were more even, but there was still a danger of flaring up. I was staying on ask better, but I was still very impatient (supermarket line-ups, need I say more? :mad: )

At 100mg, my moods were better still, my organisational skills were improving. I thought there might be some improvement with my impatience, but still not as good as on the Dex.


At this point I left the drug trial and the Doc told me that it just wasn't done to increase past 100mg (the why for that gives me an idea for another thread).
So he added Adderall and I'm now at 100mg Atomoxetine and 20mg Adderall.

With the inclusion of Adderall:
My moods are even better (but not as generally good as they were with the Dex).
My impatience is lessened (again not as good as with the Dex - I gave a woman crap last week for bringing 23 items into the 15 item or less express checkout).
My ability to stay on (tedious) task(s) is again improved.



With this current combo, I find that my organisational skills have improved. I work as a construction safety officer and when not doing safety stuff, I do all kinds of skilled labour tasks and am finding that when I put together the tools/materials needed for a task I manage to get it right the first time more often than usual and I'm misplacing things less.

Also lessened is a feeling of permanent low grade hyperfocus. Ritalyn made me sleepy/dopey and capable of doing the most tedious tasks without pause like a robot. Dex made me focus too much on one thing, so I'd lose track of time and multi-tasking was difficult (quite often I'd notice that things were quiet, look around and realise I'd worked half way through lunch). So... better focus without impeding multitasking or time management.


I think I should also mention some of the growing pains (I can't think of the proper turn of phrase). Like me, some people might feel headachey, or like there's a few cotton balls packed in up there. But that's just because of the fact that Strattera's a re-uptake inhibitor. Unlike stims, it alters the brain chemistry more significantly and longer term. So there will be a "period of adjustment."


I hope this is of use to anyone.

I'm glad this discussion has been started already. I've been taking the starter pack of Strattera for the past 2 weeks and I've been turning into a zombie on and off. I have a humongous linear circuitry homework due tomorrow and two exams on Friday, one in Physics and the other in Differential Equations, and I haven't had the energy nor the interest in getting any of it done/prepared for. All I want to do is sleep all day and my thoughts are so scattered it takes me twice the time to get out of my house in the morning. Ordinarily I'm an extreme hard-worker with passion for completing my assignments, but all of it has been zapped since I've started on strattera. Could it be that it'll take more time for the Strattera to start helping, or that it's a bad combination with Lamictal? Or perhaps is it not going to work at all? I don't want to fail and I'm heading down that horrid road as we speak.

THIS is exactly why I am afraid to start taking this drug. I simply can not afford to be sleepy all the time ( HELL, I already AM sleepy all the time!!!)

I can not jeopardize my grades, I have enough trouble making sure I get everything done without the added hassle.

I've been on 36 mg now for three weeks and I'm still not sure I'm changing. I'm definitely less fidgety and I can control my physical impulsivities better(like resist grabbing things from people). But attention wise, the only difference I've felt is that now I suddenly get these urges to fall asleep, even while studying classes which previously kept me awake. I still stare out the window and tune in/out of conversations. Most of these things I noticed by chance- all of a sudden I would realize something was different. Has anyone else had the same kind of response? Any advice?

Whoa, I forgot that I even started this thread. I just came across it while searching for wellbutrin side effects. So thanks for all your responses

As an update. I've been increased to 100mg strattera, 150mg wellbutrin. First month was 60 strat, second was 80strat + welb, and now I'm at 10 weeks. Against my confidence with stattera my doc wanted me to give it another month

Someone mentioned people with ADD are not very great at objective self-observation... I would put myself in that category quite easily. Its why this whole diagnosis process worries me. The doc is basing his treatment plan based off what I say. I guess I tend to neglect the things that I still think are My fault, like I'm afraid thats what hell say or something. But I did conquer that fear a couple of times.. its just something that holds me back when im spontaneously asked a question.

Brings me to Strattera side effects. Well the past 2-3 days I've been feeling sick... and I'm pretty sure its my medication. I get like this wave of a different kind of nausea, my heart beats harder, and i start sweating, and then i get a headache. I had to lie down for a couple of minutes to make it go away. I've had this happen a few times in the past, but now its gotten worse. I never brought this up to the doc because I thought it was related to my awful sleep habits. I'll give it another week I guess

I can't deal with changing medications either.. I basically threw this semester away. constant procrastination and cramming, skipping classes, not doing homework... Why the **** havent i learned my lesson. :sigh:

Positive effects. I'm able to write a lot more, but I think thats because I've focused on this ADD business more than anything... ever.
I'm a bit more social, slight mood lift... and I do get distracted a little less in class. That was never really a big concern for me though.. and its only slightly improved (yesterday I slowly boared a very nice hole through my eraser throughout the class period)

I'm going to re-start my strattera again. I keep falling off the strattera wagon.

The last time I was on it consistently, the effects were so so on my ADHD. My doc said wellbrutin works better, but I'm allergic to it.

For me the Strattera had an immediate effect -- I quit caffeine and chocolate right after my first pill. This was completely unexpected!

2009 was my first candy-free Halloween ever (I'm 59) and chocolate still holds not interest for me. Now before this I had been BINGING on chocolates after starting Pristiq (still on it) and gained 8 pounds in 2 months. Ugh.

I'm about 6 weeks in on Strattera -- at 80mg for the past 4 -- and just today I noticed a surprising and very welcome difference in my attitude.

I made a short list with 12 things to do and I actually did 6 of them. I decided that my usual list -- which I won't even look at since it has nearly 100 items on it -- was just so overwhelming that I would give myself just a little structure for the day and see how it went.

Personally I am thrilled at getting 6 of 12 done in a day. I can do the remainder tomorrow and am actually looking forward to handling these things.

I've had dry mouth, headache, sexual side effects, some nausea (reading on the bus is a no go for me now). These side effects are all waning (or I'm getting more used to them). Either way, I will happily put up with them for the increased focus and a wonderfully quieted mind.

Not perfect, not a cure, but definitely a huge improvement over where I was even 2 weeks ago!

A while back in Nov I said I was through with Stattera. After about 3 weeks, I could definitely feel the LACK of the Strattera. A lot of the issues I had a while back with dex, they re-appeared with Adderall alone. I started Strattera-only, then Stattera/Add XR, just Adderall XR and now back to both.

The effects seem different with Adderall XR already and getting back on Strattera. And the sides effects don't seem nearly as bad. I don't seem to have the "swing" I had before and taking Strattera around dinner time seems to help with the midday sleepiness.

I concluded that the rapid succession of medications and dosing changes, holidays, and work-related stress (I hate company re-organizations in recessions!!!), made an objective comparison next to impossible. So I decided to give another crack at the medication.

Right now it's 20mg of Adderall XR in the AM, with 80MG at around 5pm with dinner. I find if I don't eat something with Strattera, I get a really sick, nauseous feeling, that almost feels like bad indigestion. With food, that's not an issue. I also found it has to be substantial, like a full meal. A cereal bar didn't cut it, but a whole sandwich from Subway today was enough.

Hope this helps...
Oh yean and I forgot about this forum for a few weeks. go figure...:D

PS - Michiko74: You don't have that minor issue with seizures while on Wellbutrin do you? I did! It's definitely a nice surprise to give your co-workers by seizing mid-day and ending up in the ER with numerous abrasions all over your body! A small dosing mixup which lead to an overdose that particular day. Boy, that was a costly mistake..

It was probably 6 weeks after I started taking it before the effects were in full swing and within that was about a week where my anger just hit the roof. For me though, the additional tiredness and procrastination never went away even though I've been taken it for aaaages.