Hi everyone,

Long story short, I'm trying to ramp up my Strattera over the last 2 1/2 weeks. Started with 20 mg for 4 days, then 25 for 2 days, then 40 for 7 days. I just started taking a second dose each day this past Friday. Been taking 40 mg in the morning which my body seemed to adjust to and I wasn't getting a lot of benefit anymore. So then I went to a second dose of 10 mg for a couple days. Now I'm at 40 mg in the morning and 25 in the afternoon. Well, actually yesterday was first day of a 25 mg second dose.

Took my 40 mg this morning. I'm feeling very sad and "weepy." I wanna curl up and cry somewhere. Somewhat cranky too. Like I could easily snap at someone for no apparent reason right now.

Am I taking too much?

Thing is, 40 mg, like I said, after a week I wasn't seeing much benefit.

Any words of wisdom and/or experience would be greatly appreciated as I don't really know what to try next. Maybe 25 mg a.m. and then 25 p.m.? Heck, I don't know.

I should also add that when I first started ramping up I was feeling great for awhile. Even at 20mg, but then it seemed to wear off after a few days. Same thing when I ramped up to 40, felt great for a couple days, then just seemed to feel like my "normal" self after a few days.

Thanks!

. . . Kim

Hi Kim,
The dose is based on your body weight. I am 5'6/135 lbs and 100mg is the maximum I can take. (per my doc). I started on 40 mg for a week - jumped to 60 mg for 2 months then it started to wear off a bit. I am on 80 mg now for almost 2 months and I feel good. So I wouldn't worry about taking too much. I can't say I felt weepy - are you getting your period? The one thing I found that sucked it that Strattera did NOT work at all the week of my period. I am trying something new now per my gyno - I am on the pill (Lo/Voral) and I only get my period every 3 months. I skip the sugar pills in my pill pack for 2 months and then the 3rd month I take them and get it. I actually haven't had it yet since March - I will have it in June and I'm a little nervous that it may be bad. But my doc says it should be pretty normal. Anyway, I am rambling - but if you are getting it or have it - that might be why you're not feeling so great. Stick with it though - I am so happy I tried Strattera - it's done wonders for me!

No, it wasn't PMS. Although it sure sounds the same!

I don't know. I'm just not able to find the right dose for me. I really had high hopes for this med. The absolute most I can take in a 24 hour period is 25 mg which has very little benefit. Anymore than that and I get really depressed, very cranky and short tempered, almost "rage" like.

I tried taking 25 mg in the a.m. then in the p.m. but got the bad effects. Tried going back to 40 mg once in the morning . . . same thing. 25 mg only this morning . . . feel a bit down and a bit cranky but not too much. But then again, it does nothing for the ADD. Sigh . . . . . .

I don't know what to tell you kimo - definitely talk to your doctor. I know they even say in the disclaimer that Strattera doesn't work for everyone. But maybe you should be on a low dose for a longer time and then moved up to a higher level. I've heard doctors will do this for people who have bad side effects in the beginning - it's gets your body adjusted better to take it slowly. But definitely talk to your doc about it. If it's not working for you then he/she should make some adjustment so you feel better!

Good Luck!
Vero

Hi Vero - I ended up getting off of the Strattera. By the 4th week I was extremely depressed, irratible, angry, etc. I sure tried but I just couldn't make it work for me. Now I'm on Wellbutrin. Been on it for 2 weeks. Not much in the way of side effects, but I'm not feeling any benefits either.

So doc says if the Wellbutrin doesn't work then she'll put me on Adderall.

If at first you don't succeed, try try again. :D