Update on a Start Over - Strattera & Side Effects

[Edgejumpr]

Hey to all.

If you saw from past post's, I started out at 25mg but had to stop due to S/E's either from the Strattera or Lexapro, or both.

I started over after a few weeks break and am now into day 3 at 18 mg. The first day I had the same S/E's as last time. Cotton Mouth, Hot Flashes and Fuzzy head. It was not a 24/4 type of thing, or unbearable, but when they hit, it was noticeable.

Day 2 it was really reduced. I didnt notice unless I tried to. I did notice it was a bit harder to go #1.

Day 3 was nothing to speak of, just a chill once and awhile. The #1 problem is lighter also.

I have 1 more day at 18 mg then I jump to 25mg. Im really not worried about the S/E's this time because I feel like it was right for me to start over at a lower dose. Im not saying my experience so far is typical or not, but it has been ALOT more pleasant this time around.

I expect (instead of dread or trying to invent) S/E's to pick up again for a day or 2 once I increase.

As far as if its working or not, I cant tell. Im not dissapointed by this, I actually think its good that I cant tell or feel any effects at such a low dose. It makes me think my body is getting used to the re-programming of the brain and not going into freak out mode

The reason Its such a long post is that during my first try I was scared and needed all the detail I could get.

I'm not an expert at all, but a word to anyone just starting. Dont read my S/E's and try to invent them in you. That was one of my problems the first time. I read something bad and talked myself into the same feeling. What I felt so far was VERY mild.

Ok,,Im off my soap box now. Just trying to pass it on.

"Edge"

[Edgejumpr]

Back at 25mg.

Some cotton mouth but not as bad as before. Some tingle on my skin and hot flashes. Not near as bad as when I started at 25mg the last time. All in all, less than what I expected.

[Gregster]

Your body is getting used to it. Side effects usually diminish - the trick is getting past the initial effects!

[Edgejumpr]

3rd day @ 25mg. The cotton mouth has gone away, but a plus affect has happened. My sinus have dried up alot. When I lay down to sleep, I usually get kinda stuffy. Not anymore. I feel kinda dried out. I still get a hot flash once and awhile, but its no biggy. The foggy head feeling of being on a med is about gone.

I still cant tell an affect yet, but I really dont know what I am looking for. My first trip thru, I confused the disconnected feeling of starting a new drug with it working. I felt kinda like a zombie.

I have not had any stomach problems, sleep problems or eating problems this go round. I was taking it around 2 PM but today I started at 8 AM to see if it would make a difference at work.

For tho's who say you cant sleep, I took mine at 2 PM cause around 9 or 10 I would be real sleepy.


Oh, for anyone starting Lexapro. One of the draw backs of it is a loss of well, the happy ending during mating season.

Mine came back after week 4:bowl: Peace is at hand!

Film at 11

"Edge"

[kimo]

FWIW, the Lexapro has less sexual side effects than any of the other SSRI's. When I was on Celexa, er, um, sex? No thank you. With Lexapro, well, lets just say I had a good weekend. The first in a long long time.

[Edgejumpr]

4th day at 25mg. S/E's are all but gone again. No cotton mouth, hot flashes, etc. Eating and sleeping fine.

I go up to 40mg in the morning. I expect the same as last time. A day or 2 with the S/E's as my body adjusts to the new level.

I feel like maybe its staring to kick in. At times I catch myself really focused on things. It could just be my imagination or the slight fuzzy head drifiting in and out.

From what I have read here and other places, I expect 40mg will be a watershead barrier to break. It seems like this is enough concentration of the med for S/E's to really act up and a positive effect to start to take effect.

Once again, Im not worried about S/E's. My body seems to adjust after 2 days at each dose. The first day is not bad, its just the S/E's are more pronounced. I repeat, its not a 24/7 battle with them, they just drift in and out.

I hope I start to see more effect at 40mg. Did anyone else see it kick in at this level?


Thanks for letting me post!

"Edge"

[kimo]

Actually, I even felt some benefits from 25 mg! Only lasted for a couple days though.

At 40 mg I really felt the benefits kicking in. Unfortunately at 40 mg that is when the depression kicked in too but not until week 4. But I would say you will definitely start noticing benefits now.

[Edgejumpr]

1st day @ 40mg

No S/E's to speak of. I felt a tad warm for about an hour, but that was it. I may have had a bit of cotton mouth. No problems eating and I feel nice and sleepy. I also take my first dose when I increase at 2 pm. For some reason im usually tired at bedtime when I do that.

Ok,, I did notice some effects at 40mg. I went to a minor league ball game tonight and I could notice that as I was watching the game, random thoughts were not running thru my head. I was able to recall what I had just watched a few innings earlier.

I think I was looking for some kind of euphoric or buzzed feeling when it started working. Instead, it looks like it does what they say. The channels in my head dont seem to flip as much as they used to and I was able to sit still thru the game. Its still only the first day at 40mg, so it could be the normal fuzzy head I get the first day. I will let you know for sure tommr night.

"Edge"

[Edgejumpr]

Day 2 @ 40mg.

Just a little dry mouth from time to time. Thats it. Eating & Sleeping fine. Bathroom work is fine

Positive Effects:
Someone asked me what was wrong today. I was like,,huh? They said a was quiet and not as yappy I can really feel the focus starting to get sharper. When I go to sleep, I dont have the million thoughts running thru my head. I didint seem to day dreams as much today. Maybe it starting to kick in.

All in all, I would give it a High B so far.


"Edge"

[kimo]

Good for you! That's great to hear. Keep us posted!

[Edgejumpr]

Day 3 40mg.

The hot flashes came back today, but it was no big deal cause Im used to them. Also, I noticed I was not as hungry, but again, I expected that so its no biggy. Or actually, I dont think I am hungry until I eat. The im hungry. I think the drug effects the sensory dept some way. Very neat how all this works

The S/E's today were no bad or unbearable at all, I just noticed them from time to time.

Pros:
I can really tell a the change from 25 to 40 mg's. No real plus effects to add since yesterday.

Hey,,when does the eating thing straighten out?

"edge"

[da89165]

I had a similar experience with Strattera the first time I started on it. I think the initial dose was 25 to 40 mgs and I had allot of heartburn with it. The doctor then suggested taking it at night, but then I couldn't sleep. I tried a second time at the lowest dose and titrated up without any side effects.

I also had the same effect of feeling like each new dose level it would work really well for a few days, then taper off. I mentioned this to my doctor and he said that was a sign of fast metabolism and an indicator that it was working, just needed to keep upping the dose till the positive effects were lasting.

I'm so glad we tried it a second time because it's really helping. I also found on the package insert that you should drink a full glass of water when you take it. That has taken care of any heartburn problems for me as well.

I think everybody is learning allot about the best way to use this since it's so new. Hope this helps.

[Edgejumpr]

Day 4 - 40mg

Eating back to normal. Seems like the S/E's have settled down. Looks like at a higer jump, it takes me about 4 days to get used to it. I will know for sure in the morning cause I will start taking it in the AM now that I feel back to normal. Eating and sleeping fine, sleeping great. I only have the pee'ing problem the first day I increase.

Pro's:
Im starting to really notice the improved concentration. I jump to 60mg in a day, so it should really kick in. So far im liking it fine. The S/E's are not as bad as I have read. Seems like it last for about 8 or 10 hrs tho. Maybe it will stretch out when I get closer to the right dose.

"Edge"

[Andrew]

When I first started taking Strattera, one 18 mg capsule lasted all day, then within the first week, I was taking one in the morning, and another in the afternoon.

Am currently on 36 mgs (2 x 18) at around 11am and 40 mgs right before bed (usually around midnight).

[Edgejumpr]

Day 5 & 6 - 40mg

Everything back to normal. No S/E's.

I go up to 60 mg in the morning, so I expect them to pick up again.

So far so good


"Edge"