Stimulant Addict turned Strattera user?

[saskman]

Have any stimulant addicts out there found help with their ADD symptoms with the non-stimulant Strattera? As a bona-fide stimulant addict, meaning the drug controls my intake, I know I'm finished with these standard ADD meds.

[sehrita]

I started taking Strattera about a month and a half ago and have actually seen a much better improvement in my behavior than I did with Ritalin or other such substances. I too am a recovering addict which also influenced my switch to the Strattera. I couldn't handle the Ritilan and the rage it caused in me.

For information on Strattera check out: http://www.strattera.com/1_1_about_s.../1_1_about.jsp

Take care and good luck

[saskman]

Thanks for the reply. Do you still get the urge to go on a "run" with stimulants? After a "run" and the inevitable crash it takes me a couple of days to feel good again. As soon as I start feeling good again, I start thinking about another "run". Have you had that feeling diminished with the help of Strattera?

[sehrita]

No I don't actually. The Ritilan did create energy in me, but it was more of a nervous energy and caused alot of rage. I found myself angry all the time. Also, I never did notice an increase in concentration. The doctor told me that he could increase my dosage to increase concentration, but there would be a chance of even more rage... I told them to forget it and get me on a non stimulant.

[saskman]

I just made an appointment with my Doc to see about a Strattera prescription so I'll find out if I'm craving a stimulant high or just noticing my add symptoms. I'll follow-up.

[saskman]

Just to follow up. I'm on day 6 of a Strattera trial. So far little or no stimulant cravings. If my cravings were ADD related not just stimulant related it makes sense that Strattera could fill the void. We'll see.

[rehaber]

My addiction was opiates, my doc 's theory is that being add I was chasing dopamine and since I don't have sports or business any more to increase my dopamine, I continued to use pain meds after the pain had faded. The adderal xr seems to keep me where I need to be, but sleeping is an issue and my bp is higher. my weight is holding at 200, where it needs to be. I am wondering if strattera would work for me? I'm taking 20mg. a.m. and 15mg. at lunch.

[saskman]

Dopamine reuptake by norepinephrine terminals can occur in brain areas such as the prefrontal cortex, the nucleus accumbens shell, and the bed nucleus of stria terminalis that are innervated, although unevenly, by both dopamine and norepinephrine neurons. Therefore the antidepressants that bind selectively the norepinephrine transporter might produce their therapeutic effect by raising the extracellular concentration of dopamine besides that of norepinephrine.

This info was found at www.biopsychiatry.com/noradrenaline-dopamine.htm

It seems Strattera works on both norepinephrine and dopamine

[mctavish23]

I had an allergic reaction to Straterra and ended up in the ER for 4-5 hrs.

Therefore, I can't take it. I did give it a try before considering stimulants.

Taking Adderall now and it makes me sleepy. No cravings or feeeling "wired."

[Matt S.]

I have bipolar also and I am a benzo addict with the adhd yet the only thing i can safely take is adderall xr... did i also mention an addiction to ritalin... dexedrine was never addicting either for me strange