Strattera 4 weeks

[Bluesbrother]

I'm note sure Strat is working for me. Been on 40Mg for the first week and went up to 80mg in the second. I also take 40mg of Paxil for depression...yeah I know...but my Pdoc reckoned I should continue taking it. My logic is that due to the interaction between the two the Strat might be more potent i.e. 80mg in combination with Paxil may be as effective as 120mg without. I'm over 210lb by the way. The problem is, now after 4 weeks I still can't see any improvement and the SE's are still bothersome. In fact, I feel the ADD symptoms are worse than before. More procrastination, more absent minded, more forgetful etc. I guess my disrupted sleep doesn't help either. Contrary to what others said, in the morning I'm anything else than awake and struggle to get/wake up. All in all not too impressed so far, especially when weighing in the persistent SE's. Has anyone here made a similar experience initially but got better all of a sudden?

[justtim]

I'm on my 3rd week of Strattera combined with Wellbutrin, I was taking Prozac+Wellbutrin but the Dr. dropped the Prozac when he put me on Strattera. I see some difference in my ability to focus and concentrate, I still struggle to get on task but once I do I seem to be doing better at staying focused. I did 25mg first week, 40 the second week, 60 this week and up to 80 next week - then I see my Dr. again. Also, I'm 6'3" and weigh 400 lbs.

My sleep is way off, and my doctor said since Straterra was non-stimulant that it shouldn't affect sleep. It takes me forever to fall asleep and then I wake up several times through the night. I take my dosage in the morning, right after breakfast.

I know this doesn't answer your question directly but just sharing my experience having just started Strattera as well.

[Bluesbrother]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Man, I wished they'd prescribe Wellbutrin here in UK. Most stories I've read talked positively about that combo but over here it's only used as a stop smoking aid. Not keen on picking up smoking in order to get what might help.

[Bluesbrother]

I guess I'd love to hear from someone who is on Strat and a SSRI and/or who has experienced something similar in the first 2 months?

BTW, justtim, I think your doc needs to read a little on Strat's effects on sleep. Of course it does affect it - the question is, when does it get better? From what people are saying, it should get better after two weeks or so...can't confirm that.

[justtim]

Originally Posted by Bluesbrother

I guess I'd love to hear from someone who is on Strat and a SSRI and/or who has experienced something similar in the first 2 months?

BTW, justtim, I think your doc needs to read a little on Strat's effects on sleep. Of course it does affect it - the question is, when does it get better? From what people are saying, it should get better after two weeks or so...can't confirm that.

Well I'm going into my 4th week now and I don't think me at Strattera are going to work together. Started at a 25 dose then 40, 60 and now 80. I haven't slept for **** in 3 weeks. My focus, motivation and concentration are worse than before and I'm very irritable - not sure if from meds or lack of sleep. I see my Doc on Tuesday. I'm wondering if he was thinking of a different medicine when he gave me this. He actually told me to take it right after dinner as it wouldn't have any effect on sleep.

[Bluesbrother]

Yep same here minus the irritability and I've been on it for 6 weeks by now.
Can't wait for my next appointment with the pdoc...which is probably 2 months away....

[alan1]

Strattera can take 6 - 8 weeks before it starts kicking in. The effects are also much more subtle. With the stimulants, 30 minutes after taking them you can feel a difference. That does not happen with Strattera. For me, I just started noticing that my symptoms slowly diminished. It was very faint at first then more till it became obvious.

Unfortunately, the side effects of Strattera can be unpleasant and are felt right away. Thankfully most of them either fully resolve or diminish to the point where they are just a mild, tolerable annoyance which I have learned to mostly ignore.

At 4 weeks I would not pass judgement on the effectiveness of Strattera one way or the other. As long as you are tolerating it, hang in there.

[Bluesbrother]

That's what I will do. Getting closer to 7 weeks now. I can't get rid of the feeling that it might me the Paxil preventing me from having the fog lifted.
A few days ago I started taking the meds in the evening rather than in the morning. I feel it makes my sleep even lighter but when it's time to get up I feel more awake. Not sure if I can see an advantage in the new regime but I will give it a full week or so to and then judge the situation.

[Bluesbrother]

Blimey, it's been over two months now and there is not much if anything going on apart from some stubborn SE's. Waiting for my next psych app.