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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by nmk on January 11, 2003, at 14:13:20
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by nmk on January 11, 2003, at 14:03:16
Thank you to the father who posted about your eight year old son. That is promising news for all of us and I appreciate your contribution.
Day 5 for me is much of the same, absolutely no depression and little anxiety. For the past few days, I have been feeling a little edgey and hyped up, but nothing intolerable. I am going to talk to my dr. about possibly lowering the dose to see if that takes care of it. Also, I am continuing to have some pretty vivid nightmares but did skip the early morning awakening today.
Please let me know if you have had enough of my updates....I just want to keep you all informed about the potential benefits of this med.
Nicole
Posted by Noa on January 11, 2003, at 15:31:08
In reply to Re: Straterra approval-Day 5, posted by nmk on January 11, 2003, at 14:13:20
I like the updates!
Posted by BekkaH on January 11, 2003, at 19:51:51
In reply to Re: Straterra approval-Day 5, posted by nmk on January 11, 2003, at 14:13:20
NMK, no I have not had enough of your updates. Please keep us informed. We really appreciate it. If you don't mind my asking, are you on any other medications besides Strattera? I noticed that Jim Boardman is on some other meds.
Posted by jodie on January 11, 2003, at 23:32:19
In reply to Straterra approval., posted by scoper on December 28, 2002, at 2:19:34
I'm a 27 female who has been diagnosed with bipolar in the past. My new pdoc believes I may have ADD. I've never been on a stimulant. I'm on day 2 of Strattera, I've noticed crying spells since I've started, and for no apparent reason, other than that, I've noticed nothing. Guess I am being a little inpatient. I'm going to give it a little longer. I increase my dose tomorrow to 80mg, maybe that will help.
Posted by Jim Boardman on January 12, 2003, at 8:44:54
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by jodie on January 11, 2003, at 23:32:19
It is very interesting listening to everyone talk about this drug. I have been on it for 10 days now, and I can tell you this so far is the answer for me. You can read my diagnosis and the other meds I take if you follow this thread. I am now functioning to a level I have never previously achieved.
It took my pdoc a lot of med "tweaking" to get the right combination of drugs. I think this is different for each person. But if you stick to a regimen for enough time to let it kick in, then you will have a better idea of the total effect of any med cocktail.
I'm sorry to hear someone say after one dose that he/she is quitting the med. GIVE YOUR MEDS A CHANCE!
The side effects I have with this med are few, including: reduced appetite (a good thing for me); dry mouth and throat; vivid dreams; less sleep needed.
I am a trial lawyer and a stage actor (some would say both are the same thing!). I am 59 years old, married with kids. I didn't get diagnosed until last Spring when I broke down. It has been a struggle getting back, but let me tell you, if I had been diagnosed earlier, I could have prevented a lot of depression and anger and hurt for/to myself and my family.
My 30 year old son has just been similarly diagnosed. He is getting help now. He's not found the right med combination yet, but the pdoc is working on it.
STICK WITH THE MEDS, and of course, the counselling. And as long as you don't get bored with them, I'll stick with the updates.
FYI, I'm also taking lexapro, remeron and gabitrol.
Jim
Posted by RAR on January 12, 2003, at 9:46:15
In reply to Re: Straterra updates - PeterS., posted by BekkaH on January 6, 2003, at 19:35:14
Hi Jim and everyone...
I jumped onto this board in the hope of staying in touch re: Straterra. Was just diagnosed with ADD, began meds Friday. Having never taken other meds for anything, I don't have a basis for comparison. I'm wondering about a couple of side-effects I'm experiencing (the dry mouth I can handle, ditto the decreased urination ...but it's the burning sensation in my eyes - especially at the end of the day - that's bothering me most...) Thanks to you that are posting updates about how you're doing. It's helpful. I have to say this medication has been interesting --- I can work on a project for an hour without once looking at the clock (very unusual for me). I also feel more calm though I'd be hard-pressed to explain how or why.
Ruth
Posted by Jim Boardman on January 12, 2003, at 11:36:51
In reply to Re: Straterra updates - PeterS., posted by RAR on January 12, 2003, at 9:46:15
Damn, Peter, I forgot to mention the burning in my eyes at night. Kind of an itching at the outer corners. Actually, I didn't even attribute it to the Straterra, but now that you mention it... This is also a side effect I can live with! Stay with the med, Pete, and tell us how it goes!
Jim
Posted by Noa on January 12, 2003, at 11:46:41
In reply to Re: Straterra updates - PeterS., posted by Jim Boardman on January 12, 2003, at 11:36:51
I wonder--several of you mentioned the dry mouth and throat and decreased urination. Is that "anticholinergic" effects? If so, could the burning eyes be due to dryiness, as well? Maybe it could help to put in some artificial tears earlier in the day, to prevent the burning later. Just a thought.
Posted by nmk on January 12, 2003, at 15:57:25
In reply to Re: Straterra approval-Day 5- nmk, posted by BekkaH on January 11, 2003, at 19:51:51
> NMK, no I have not had enough of your updates. Please keep us informed. We really appreciate it. If you don't mind my asking, are you on any other medications besides Strattera? I noticed that Jim Boardman is on some other meds.
Yep, I am on Trileptal, 150 mg x 2 per day, and 25mg of seroquel 15 mg at night for sleep. I am weaning off zoloft and am currently down to 50 mg.
Posted by nmk on January 12, 2003, at 16:08:08
In reply to Re: Straterra approval-Day 5- nmk, posted by nmk on January 12, 2003, at 15:57:25
Day 6- I am not experiencing any dry mouth or throat, nor are my eyes burning. This is probably due to being on 18mg per day. Still doing well, no depression but today noticed that the dizziness that I had on day two came back. I can't figure that one out. Also, am feeling a bit more agitated today than I have in the past few days. Not enough to be too bothersome, but still there.
Posted by BekkaH on January 12, 2003, at 21:19:02
In reply to Re: Straterra approval-Day 5- nmk, posted by nmk on January 12, 2003, at 15:57:25
Hi nmk. Thank you for the information. I'm not familiar with Trileptal or Seroquel. I'll look them up.
Posted by BekkaH on January 12, 2003, at 21:37:15
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by Jim Boardman on January 12, 2003, at 8:44:54
> It took my pdoc a lot of med "tweaking" to get the right combination of drugs. I think this is different for each person. But if you stick to a regimen for enough time to let it kick in, then you will have a better idea of the total effect of any med cocktail.
>
> I'm sorry to hear someone say after one dose that he/she is quitting the med. GIVE YOUR MEDS A CHANCE!
>
> STICK WITH THE MEDS, and of course, the counselling. And as long as you don't get bored with them, I'll stick with the updates.
>
**************************************************Hi Jim. You gave us some excellent advice.
Congratulations on your progress! Please continue to give us updates.Bekka
Posted by BekkaH on January 13, 2003, at 7:21:34
In reply to Re: Straterra updates - PeterS., posted by RAR on January 12, 2003, at 9:46:15
> Hi Jim and everyone...>
> I jumped onto this board in the hope of staying in touch re: Straterra.> RuthJumped? Hmmm. . . must be all that extra norepinephrine.
Posted by jrbecker on January 13, 2003, at 13:29:36
In reply to Re: Straterra updates - RAR, posted by BekkaH on January 13, 2003, at 7:22:13
Although there already seems to be a lot of positive feedback for Straterra, it seems some are already having some problems on it as well.
My psychiatrist is on the Lilly advisory board for this med and she told me a few things to keep in mind in starting this drug:
1) Strattera does not work right away like a stimulant. Just like in starting an AD, be patient. It takes a full 5-6 days to feel the full noradrenergic effects in the CNS.
2) A lot of the side effects, especially involved with the peripheral nervous system, including dry eyes, heart rate increase, sweating, tiredness, and the like, start to fade at around a week. It can take anywhere from 10-30 days to subside. In most cases, the SEs are minimized by this period.
3) It takes some time to reach biochemical efficacy for affecting the noradrenergic activity in the forebrain. Peak NE brain levels aren't reached usually at the starting dose. And so your starting dose won't probably be the effective dose you will need a few weeks down the line.
So all in all, it takes some patience on two fronts: waiting for the effectiveness to kick in about a week, and secondly, waiting for the side effects to subside slowly in the days thereafter.
If there is no effect after a week and the side effects are tolerable, then consider a dosage increase.
I'm starting at a low dose of 18mg today. I'll keep you posted on how it's going.JB
Posted by Optimistic on January 13, 2003, at 16:35:04
In reply to Re: Straterra - patience involved, posted by jrbecker on January 13, 2003, at 13:29:36
Does anyone know if it is likley that Straterra would cause an increase in tics? Every time I tried a stimulant my tics would get worse. (Tourette's) I would like to try Straterra but am afraid of the tics worsening.
Posted by Noa on January 13, 2003, at 17:57:09
In reply to Re: Straterra - patience involved, posted by Optimistic on January 13, 2003, at 16:35:04
I don't know but Straterra is not a general stimulant, it is supposed to be quite selective on certian norepinephrine receptors, so I guess it would depend on whether those were involved in producing the tics. But I would think it is less likely to do so than psychostims that are not specific at all.
Posted by ZeeZee on January 13, 2003, at 17:58:46
In reply to Re: Straterra - patience involved, posted by jrbecker on January 13, 2003, at 13:29:36
If you don't mind, I'd like to pick your brain. My son who has ADD has been using Dex since age 9, he is now 19. We just got back from seeing my internist (he's in from college) because his blood pressure has been running high normal to high (mid 130-'s to high 130's sometimes low 140's over mid 70's to high 80's). The doc says this is a result of his 10 years of stimulant use and recommends a change in medication. My son has an appt. with his pdoc in a few weeks (he never took his b/p). Do you happen to know if Straterra avoids this type of internal stimulation or is it basically doing the same thing?
Thanks
Posted by zenclear on January 13, 2003, at 19:21:27
In reply to Re: Straterra - patience involved, posted by jrbecker on January 13, 2003, at 13:29:36
Well, that makes sense, to a degree. I am concerned that according to the PI, water retention, consitpation, etc, were much more prevalent than placebo. And I assume these side effects were not merely ones that disappeared after treatment initiation.
During my brief exposure, I did indeed experience terrible water retention, urinary hestiancy, and constipation-like symtoms. If those go away after 3-4 weeks, I would be impressed. And I hope you report back, saying they do go away!
Meanwhile, I'm just not up for a month of that, with no promise that they will indeed disappear. Or the fear that it would decrease my desire to do rigourous daily cardio exercise, which I am currently doing.
I was pleased with the results -- alertness, etc -- but I would not be able to tolerate the AEs for long. And I do worry about the potential sexual AEs, as the PI indicates. At least Wellbutrin improves sexual function, rather than dampening it.
I do hope you consistently report good news and prove me wrong! I look forward to daily reports. :)
Posted by jodie on January 13, 2003, at 19:43:26
In reply to Re: Straterra - patience involved (nm), posted by jodie on January 13, 2003, at 19:26:53
I'm now on day 4 of Strattera. I'm now on 80 mg's. I still feel I could cry for no reason at any minute. I have the " typical side effects" dry eyes, dry mouth. I have been really lethargic the past couple of days. I'm still waiting to feel the benefits, I know its still a little early, but I've noticed nothing. I'm also wondering why my pdoc took me off my lexapro. She said she wanted to see what med is doing what. Since I have problems with depression shouldn't I still be taking something. She also took me off Klonopin, which I have been on for quite a while to control my severe aggitation that I get. I was taking .5 mg's everyday. I'm wondering if I should have been tapered off it a little, instead of quitting cold turkey. So now, I'm just on the Strattera, thats it. Yes, I can do w/o the klonopin, but still wonder if its normal that I was taken off my A/D. Any ideas, suggestions?
Posted by zenclear on January 13, 2003, at 19:46:11
In reply to Re: Straterra - patience involved, posted by jodie on January 13, 2003, at 19:43:26
That's a bit too high, 80 mg, for starters. Why not try less in the beginning?
I was on 10 mg, and THAT was certainly enough for me!
Posted by zenclear on January 13, 2003, at 21:19:08
In reply to Re: Straterra - patience involved » jrbecker, posted by zenclear on January 13, 2003, at 19:21:27
Oh yes, I also had nightmares. I dreamed -- incredibly vividly -- that I subjected my little dog to medical experimentation. They cut him open, put tubes in him, and then placed him in a plastic bag. When I saw the plastic bag I was horified, and only then realized the enormity of my mistake in letting that happen. It was a very disturbing dream! No kidding.
Posted by jodie on January 14, 2003, at 9:24:20
In reply to Re: Straterra - patience involved » jodie, posted by zenclear on January 13, 2003, at 19:46:11
> That's a bit too high, 80 mg, for starters. Why not try less in the beginning?
>
> I was on 10 mg, and THAT was certainly enough for me!
My pdoc took the paper out that came with the sample bottle of Strattera 40 mg. It stated for adults or adolescents over 70 kg: "dose should be initiated at 40 mg and increased after a minimum of 3 days to a target total daily dose of 80mg administered either as a single daily dose in the morning or as evenly divided doses in the morning and late afternoon." That is what my pdoc went by. I also looked up on Strattera website, which gave me the same info. I still thought it sounded high. I went as far as to call a Pharmacist, he said Strattera is still very new, but the dose was not unusual for my age and weight (27...120lbs), even for beginners. The dose I'm taking now hasn't benefited me yet (now on my 5th day). I'm just still concerned as to why she took me off of my antiD. I know she likes to try one med at a time, but I thought that was a little strange. Oh well, maybe I just need to shut up and keep giving it a chance. I have a problem with finding the negative in everything.
Posted by jrbecker on January 14, 2003, at 10:29:08
In reply to Re: Straterra - patience involved » jrbecker, posted by ZeeZee on January 13, 2003, at 17:58:46
ZeeZee,
Strattera is a quite potent NARI (noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor). Meaning it works both on the the CNS and peripheral nervous system of epinephrine receptors. This would indeed mean that it causes rapid heart rate and the like amongst its core effects on the body.
I am somewhat like your son in his situation. I am only 26 but suffer from slightly elevated blood pressure. I believe this is due more to the stress of my atypical depression than anything else. In trying stimulants in the past, they had a very acute effect on my heartrate, blood pressure, as well as other effects such as sweating, muscle tension. Moreover, they usually worsened my depressive symptoms and made me quite irritable.
My psychiatrist mentioned that Strattera only causes a moderate increase in heart rate (an average of 3-4 beats more per minute above normal). This would of course mean a rise in blood pressure as well. Unfortunately, I do not have any data handy for comparison about the heart rate effects of dex and methylphenidate. I tend to believe they would be quite comparable though. Stimulants work on both dopamine and norepinephrine receptors, but it is now believed that they work more on NE than on dopamine itself. So biochemically, Strattera is not extremely different.
Here's the real difference with Strattera, however, by exerting its affects over a longer duration it is much more smooth than the stimulants. Similarly, by only affecting NE, it has been shown to cause much less behavioral issues and irritability than the stimulants. This can mean that the onset and rebound effects are much less jarring, mentally, as well as physically.
This is only my second day on Strattera. 1st day I was a little spacy as expected, with bouts of tiredness at the end of the day (all as expected). Today, so far so good. Expecting a logarithic improvement of efficacy and a lessesing of side effects throughout the week. I feel much more "calmer," focused, and even more cheery, than I ever did on a stim. As for the physical effects, I noticed that my heart rate is a little elevated -- just as it was on the stims -- but I am definitely not sweating as much and it causes a lot less muscle tension.
I never make early conclusions though, so stay tuned to hear how it's working by the week's end.
If the peripheral effects turn out to be a problem, my doc and I have already discussed adding a beta-blocker to the mix to control heart rate. I don't know if this will be necessary at this point.
I would suggest you discuss the same options with your son's doctor.
Good luck and let me know how it goes.
Posted by nmk on January 14, 2003, at 11:47:50
In reply to Re: Straterra - patience involved » zenclear, posted by jodie on January 14, 2003, at 9:24:20
>
> My pdoc took the paper out that came with the sample bottle of Strattera 40 mg. It stated for adults or adolescents over 70 kg: "dose should be initiated at 40 mg and increased after a minimum of 3 days to a target total daily dose of 80mg administered either as a single daily dose in the morning or as evenly divided doses in the morning and late afternoon." That is what my pdoc went by. I also looked up on Strattera website, which gave me the same info. I still thought it sounded high. I went as far as to call a Pharmacist, he said Strattera is still very new, but the dose was not unusual for my age and weight (27...120lbs), even for beginners. The dose I'm taking now hasn't benefited me yet (now on my 5th day). I'm just still concerned as to why she took me off of my antiD. I know she likes to try one med at a time, but I thought that was a little strange. Oh well, maybe I just need to shut up and keep giving it a chance. I have a problem with finding the negative in everything.Jodie,
I would question a doctor who has to read the prescribing info. out of the sample bottle. Like you, I do not have ADD but have been diagnosed with postpartum depression/anxiety. I am on day 7 of Strattera 18 mg and have not felt this good in 8 months. I had some dizziness and spaceyness the first few days, which eventually subsided. I can't imagine starting at a dose of 80 mgs...I don't think I would be able to walk. If you read Jim Boardman's posts, he started at a lower dose and titrated up. I also read in another post that although Strattera is being marketed as an ADD med, it is used as an antidepressant. The dosages listed on the prescribing information may not reflect accurate dosages for those with depression only. Maybe someone out there has some answers about therapeutic dosage recommendations for various diagnoses.
Posted by jrbecker on January 14, 2003, at 12:42:09
In reply to Re: Straterra - patience involved-JODIE, posted by nmk on January 14, 2003, at 11:47:50
I agree with Nicole. Start low and the side effects won't be so overwhelming. I am a 6'1'' 180 lb male and I have started at 18mg dosing. I am already feeling an effect. I plan on titrating up only every 3-4 days to find the window that's appropriate for me.
If you have a mood disorder dx and take other meds along with the Strattera, it's more likley you're going to be all the more susceptible to all the SEs involved. Equally, having a borderline ADHD diagnosis means that you might not need the 80 mg as your final dosage level.
Too many doctors are too eagar to get you up there too fast. Start low, take it slow, and reserve making any conclusions until a week or two down the line.
Good luck
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