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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Msanjelpie on March 26, 2003, at 3:52:07
In reply to Re: Straterra - Back to Ritalin SR for me, posted by cybercafe on March 26, 2003, at 1:35:56
My son Stephen is 13. Started on 18mg Straterra 1 day ago. He is currently also taking 200mg Dilantin and 50mg Seroquel. Have decided to add Straterra to the mix.
First hour after taking pill - eyes looked very glassy, swooned a bit while walking, fell into bed and snoozed.
He woke up 8 hours later. Very odd - usually sleeps between 10 and 12 hours. He was wide awake and went right to work on the computer. Stayed there the entire day. Didn't speak to anyone, very absorbed in whatever he was doing.
He still had not eaten as of 20 hours after taking the pill. Then he seemed to return to his 'old self' - ate dinner, acted goofy and childish, no other side effects to report.
Took second pill. Have to open the pills and mix them with honey. Can't swallow pills. Did not have the spacey drugged look as like the first night. Seemed normal and even sat playing trivial pursuit with his younger brother. (An unusual occurrence.)
Will keep you posted on the side effects versus any mental improvements etc...
HISTORY:
He was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and PDD at a young age. Started on Zyprexa at the age of 9. It helped with socialization and paying more attention in class. (Most of the time he is in his own world and unaware of what the 'rest of the class' is doing.)
Stopped the Zyprexa 2 years later due to 2 side effects we didn't like. Excessive weight gain due to binging and excessive sleepiness. (Required a minimum of 12 hours sleep each night and would still be groggy throughout the day.)
Tried Risperdal, that only lasted 1 week. Had horrible night terrors and stomach cramping. Will never try that one again.
Switched to Dilantin, (to reduce hyperexcitability); an older medication that is chewable. Only side effect of that is that at 13 he has a moustache.
Added Seroquel to the mix to replace the Zyprexa. It helped with the outbursts of anger and depression.
About me: I'm 40 with Bipolar/OCD and currently on 40mg Prozac, 200mg Lamictal and .5 mg Ativan. The mix works well for me. Klonopin makes me suicidal and Xanax had too much rebound. I'm happy with my current cocktail and if I could ever sleep all the way through the night that would be great.
My father has schizophrenia and is currently on Haldol, Buspar, Elavil and Wellbutrin.
I'll keep you posted on the Straterra front.
Jeannie
Posted by LibbyH on March 26, 2003, at 5:22:12
In reply to Re: Straterra - Back to Ritalin SR for me, posted by cybercafe on March 26, 2003, at 1:35:56
I take 40-60 mg of Ritalin SR per day, which I'm told is a fairly high dose, so I'd say your dose is about typical for and adult SR dose. Just my 2 cents...
L.
Posted by blondegirl47 on March 26, 2003, at 7:34:57
In reply to Med Change Dexidrine to Straterra, posted by BrettMan on March 25, 2003, at 18:03:31
According t my doc, the two can be taken together. He said, that he hadn't had a lot of success with switching to just strattera. If you go off your medication cold turkey you will crash Strattera isn't a stimulant.
Posted by Spinning on March 26, 2003, at 11:45:53
In reply to Straterra - Back to Ritalin SR for me cybercafe, posted by LibbyH on March 26, 2003, at 5:22:12
Hi! I think I am going to go back to Ritalin...although it has been about 3 years since I have taken it. Strattera is just made me way to irritable and I just don't have the patience to wait and see if it works. Can I ask you about your Ritalin experience? I took the extended release kind and did not care for it as much as the short release kind...made me to tired. But, I also need it to function for about 12 hours a day. How often do you take the Ritalin? Thanks!
Posted by cybercafe on March 26, 2003, at 23:34:39
In reply to Straterra - Back to Ritalin SR for me cybercafe, posted by LibbyH on March 26, 2003, at 5:22:12
> I take 40-60 mg of Ritalin SR per day, which I'm told is a fairly high dose, so I'd say your dose is about typical for and adult SR dose. Just my 2 cents...
> L.
>
>do you mind if i ask how many times a day ? and do you get a mood elevating effect?
thanks :)
Posted by blondegirl47 on March 27, 2003, at 8:57:52
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by teacherkris on March 21, 2003, at 16:37:53
Just wanted to see how your Strattera is doing. I'm not doing very good. I was really dizzy yesterday, still feel out of it today. When I can concentrate its really good, but I am hyperfocusing on stuff I shouldn't. This is my 10th day on Stattera, 6th day of 25 ml. I am still taking my adderall xr in the morning. I started taking strattera before bed. It seems I am feeling worse since doing that, but it makes me sleepy during the day. thanks for letting my vent...feeling very grumpy :)
Posted by teacherkris on March 27, 2003, at 13:11:06
In reply to Re: Straterra approval. » teacherkris, posted by blondegirl47 on March 27, 2003, at 8:57:52
I can fully sympathize with the grumpy feeling. At the time I was wondering if it was PMS, if it was the strattera, if it was the people around me or what it was. In hindsight I truly believe it was the Strattera and I have great sympathy for my students who had to put up with me for a couple weeks of grumpiness :-) as I'm a middle school teacher! Other than the irritability the dizziness was by far the most frustrating side effect for me, I even had to put on a movie one class period as I felt I was going to pass out. But along with the irritability, the dizziness passed. After I got up to 30 mg (my doc raised me 10 mg per day) I only had the dizziness on the first day that I would raise the dose then it would pass. I'm now up to 60 mg, 40 mg am and 20 in the afternoon and am having no side effects that I can tell. I'm waiting to even begin trying to test the Strattera for effectiveness until I'm up to at least 80 so I can't give you any info on that.
Someone had asked me about Libido. I think it may have lowered it slightly but as I'm not in a relationship right now it's hard to tell ;-).
All I can say is hang in there, I was miserable in the beginning but am still optimistic that it will be worth it. And for people who don't feel it is a time release, you need to remember that it's not like a stimulant it's more like an anti-depressant. Once it's built up in your system it's a constant it's not in and out of your system like a stimulant is so it shouldn't be wearing off at the end of the day if you have been on it for some time. This is also why it can't be given with "weekend holidays" as some parents do with stimulant medications.
Posted by blondegirl47 on March 27, 2003, at 13:28:16
In reply to Re: Straterra approval. » blondegirl47, posted by teacherkris on March 27, 2003, at 13:11:06
Thanks for the info...It was me asking about libido :) Have you been hungry too? I can probably take the dizzy's and being tired if I know it will get better, but I don't know if I can take being hungry all the time. Thanks again your reply, it helped alot.
Posted by kashusha on March 27, 2003, at 14:43:58
In reply to Re: Straterra approval. » teacherkris, posted by blondegirl47 on March 27, 2003, at 13:28:16
I'm curious about the constant hunger. I had heard it's more common to have a decreased appetite. I tried Wellbutrin and was hungry all the time, and I don't want repeat of that. Also, libido is a bit of a problem for me on Effexor.
Posted by teacherkris on March 27, 2003, at 14:47:17
In reply to Hunger » blondegirl47, posted by kashusha on March 27, 2003, at 14:43:58
Hunger has definitely not been a problem for me! I've lost more than 10 pounds since starting Strattera 6 weeks ago and I haven't changed anything else in my life. So I've definitely had a decrease in appetite, which I'm not complaining about! :-) However, I am still on Concerta too so that may have something to do with it.
Posted by blondegirl47 on March 27, 2003, at 14:52:55
In reply to Re: Hunger, posted by teacherkris on March 27, 2003, at 14:47:17
How strong of dose are you on? Did you have dizzy's and grumpy's in the beginning?
Thanks for your reply :)
Posted by blondegirl47 on March 27, 2003, at 14:57:27
In reply to Re: Hunger » teacherkris, posted by blondegirl47 on March 27, 2003, at 14:52:55
sorry, teacherkris, the message above was supposed to be to kasha...the one about dosage. :)
Posted by blondegirl47 on March 27, 2003, at 15:02:19
In reply to Re: Hunger » blondegirl47, posted by blondegirl47 on March 27, 2003, at 14:57:27
Man, I'm having blond moments in rapid succession. You are the one that lost 10 lbs, but I'm pretty sure you have listed your dosage. I have been craving carbs all day. Which has not been a problem in over a year. I had my blood sugar pretty stable. I have been eating only protein and low carb veggies. I had lost 25 lbs. which is probably at 20 now.
Posted by moosh on March 27, 2003, at 19:01:51
In reply to Re: Hunger » blondegirl47, posted by blondegirl47 on March 27, 2003, at 15:02:19
Hi, I just wanted to add my experience with Strattera and the whole eating thing, maybe it will help....I can totally understand what your going through. I have been on Strattera for 3 weeks now and I started off with 40mg once a day. I had the cravings so bad for fried greasy food I swear I would start to practically drool thinking about it...(I know, gross). I was not prepared for that side effect at all. I continued anyway and after 7 days on 40mg I went up to 80mg...the food cravings have completely subsided, and I don't have much interest in food at all actually...which is not common for me in general. However, I did get extremely irritable and moody and I seriously thought I was going to physically hurt my husband. That has also passed. As a whole Strattera has had the least amount of side effects so far than any other med I have been on. I feel good enough about it to stick it out and see what happens. I hope I could help. Good Luck
Posted by Proud2B-ADD on March 27, 2003, at 20:49:50
In reply to Re: Straterra - Back to Ritalin SR-Libby, posted by Spinning on March 26, 2003, at 11:45:53
Libby... you took the words right out of my mouth! I was told docs can't give adults Ritalin... I miss Ritalin so much. I'm on Strattera now...
My needs are the same as yours. I'm looking forward to reading an adults perspective on Ritalin vs. the Strattera experience....Thanks!
Posted by Proud2B-ADD on March 27, 2003, at 20:58:42
In reply to Re: Straterra approval. » teacherkris, posted by blondegirl47 on March 27, 2003, at 13:28:16
I've had a much stronger libido since I've started taking Strattera--! My husband is thankful.. :o}
Anybody else have this experience??
One "side effect" I can really live with..! LOL
Posted by Hattree on March 28, 2003, at 10:29:49
In reply to Re: Hunger » teacherkris, posted by blondegirl47 on March 27, 2003, at 14:52:55
I noticed that some of the people who had success much earlier in this thread were starting on much smaller doses (where did they go?). Maybe the starting dose recommended by the "experts" is too high. I have found that to be true in my case with a number of meds.
Posted by Patt on March 28, 2003, at 10:42:16
In reply to Re: Straterra - Starting this new drug with my son, posted by Msanjelpie on March 26, 2003, at 3:52:07
I am sure the doctor has addressed this, but there is a specific warning against opening the capsules of Straterra and sprinkling over food. Just wanted to be sure you were aware of this. I read this last night in the information with a sample package.
Posted by paulk on March 28, 2003, at 11:11:27
In reply to Re: Straterra - Starting this new drug with my son, posted by Patt on March 28, 2003, at 10:42:16
> I am sure the doctor has addressed this, but there is a specific warning against opening the capsules of Straterra and sprinkling over food. Just wanted to be sure you were aware of this. I read this last night in the information with a sample package.
The warning is just FUD(Fear Uncertainty and Doubt) so you will give them more money. The inside powder tastes bad, so I put them in empty capsules.
Update – I’ve been taking 12mg/day all at once in the morning (I’m 200lbs be aware that there is quite a range (5:1) of blood level depending on your individual metabolism.). Seems to be working quite well at this low dosage – only I notice that I crave food in the evening – so I am going to try taking 10mg morning and 10 mg afternoon.
No roller-coaster compared to Ritalin and it keeps working as opposed to the amphetamines I tried.
Posted by Patt on March 28, 2003, at 11:30:29
In reply to Atomoxetine (Straterra) splitting capsuls , posted by paulk on March 28, 2003, at 11:11:27
> > I am sure the doctor has addressed this, but there is a specific warning against opening the capsules of Straterra and sprinkling over food. Just wanted to be sure you were aware of this. I read this last night in the information with a sample package.
>
> The warning is just FUD(Fear Uncertainty and Doubt) so you will give them more money. The inside powder tastes bad, so I put them in empty capsules.
>
> Update – I’ve been taking 12mg/day all at once in the morning (I’m 200lbs be aware that there is quite a range (5:1) of blood level depending on your individual metabolism.). Seems to be working quite well at this low dosage – only I notice that I crave food in the evening – so I am going to try taking 10mg morning and 10 mg afternoon.
>
> No roller-coaster compared to Ritalin and it keeps working as opposed to the amphetamines I tried.
>I'm very new to this, so can you explain why a warning against splitting capsules would cause a patient to give them more money? I don't understand. Sorry for my confusion!
Posted by paulk on March 28, 2003, at 12:05:32
In reply to Re: Atomoxetine (Straterra) splitting capsuls , posted by Patt on March 28, 2003, at 11:30:29
> I'm very new to this, so can you explain why a warning against splitting capsules would cause a patient to give them more money? I don't understand. Sorry for my confusion!
>
Pricing of new meds is usually about $3 a pill and the price changes very little with the dosage. So if you can buy 40mg pills and split them it is much cheaper than buying 20mg pills.
Posted by Patt on March 28, 2003, at 12:09:51
In reply to Atomoxetine (Straterra) splitting capsuls » Patt, posted by paulk on March 28, 2003, at 12:05:32
Now, I understand. We do this with some of the "scored" medications that we have taken. However, how do you split capsules? Since we were given an adult sample package, they came in capsules, so I was not aware of the pill form. Thanks for explaining!!!!!
Posted by Rachel2 on March 29, 2003, at 2:07:27
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by Proud2B-ADD on March 27, 2003, at 20:58:42
I'm wondering what the success rate is with straterra and depression. Could anyone who's specifically taking it for that give us an update?
Posted by LibbyH on March 29, 2003, at 12:37:31
In reply to Re: Straterra - Back to Ritalin SR-Libby, posted by Spinning on March 26, 2003, at 11:45:53
Spinning, YES! Made me very impuslisive & irritable. "Aggitated" (SP?) was the word my pdoc used. I actually had to be hospitalized for a week because I was having suicidal impulses that really scared me. I have Major Depression in addition to ADD but I was never the suicidal type...
After 3-4 days back on the Ritalin SR (20 mg 2X/day) I feel great. So I guess the Wellbutrin "poop out" was all that needed to be addressed. He replaced my Wellbutrin SR (300 mg/day)& Prozac (20mg/day) with Lexapro at just 20 mg/day & I feel great. I am also adding Topamax for migraines & it also seems to be helping with mood. I'm currently at 75 mg/day titrating up to 100.
Good luck to all...
L.
Posted by AS Mom on March 29, 2003, at 17:46:23
In reply to Re: Straterra - Starting this new drug with my son, posted by Msanjelpie on March 26, 2003, at 3:52:07
My son also has AS and ADHD. He just started Strattera. He took 25mg for 4 days and today he took 40mg, which the doc said would be his therapeutic dose. He's 11 y/o, 75lbs.
I SEE NO CHANGE! He's hyper and out of control! Nothing like ritalin! Does this med take time to kick in? I don't know how long I can wait!!!
AS Mom
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