switching from Adderall XR to Strattera

[spindle]

I am seeing my psychiatrist today about switching the medicine I am on for my ADD/ADHD. I'd been on Adderall XR for a month and a half but I decided to go off of it after the first good results began to fade away and the negative side effects came out. Mainly the negatives I saw were:

- mood swings
- lack of appetite
- insomnia
- crankiness
- anxiety/speediness

I am really concerned about the new meds I will be placed on. I don't know what he is going to put me on, and I am afraid that it won't work as well as the Adderall XR did at first. I don't even know if he is putting me on Strattera but that is the one I am going to be inquiring about.

[Gregster]

Strattera may give you side effects, but not the same side effects that the Adderal gave you, as it is not a stimulant. It may well help with any mood swings you have (Strattera is more of an antidepressant, really) and the crankiness.
Strattera doesn't work for everyone, but if it does work you should notice a difference with the first two weeks.
Your Dr may also try you on a different stimulant, as one may work better than another depending on the person.
Good Luck,
Greg

[spindle]

Okay, well...

After the appointment he gave me the two Strattera starter packs... the ones that go from 18mg->25mg and then 40mg->60mg. He said we may even need to go higher with the dosage. I take the first dose tonight.

[kimo]

Let us know how you do on it!

[Gregster]

Keep in mind that 18mg is a low dose of Strattera. In Children the optimal dose is about 1.2mg/kg/day. So unless you are a lightweight, you might not notice much at 18mg/day. It's always a good idea to ramp up and down with this type of drug, so that's what your Dr is doing. Strattera will start to work in less than two weeks at the theraputic dose, so you should start to notice a difference once you get to 60mg - but of course your actual "mileage" may vary!
Regards,
Greg

[spindle]

Well, it seems to make me quite tired at night, although not as bad last night as the first night's dosage. I'm not sure if it works yet but that's only b/c I am on the second day. It made my stomach hurt the first night though, despite taking it with dinner.