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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Viridis on April 4, 2003, at 20:01:32
In reply to Re: Going To Start Straterra This Week, posted by blondegirl47 on April 4, 2003, at 15:34:27
I think this question has been asked here before, but has anyone had success (or problems) with Strattera plus a stimulant? I take Adderall for ADD (and also as an antidepressant) and am quite happy with it, except for the inconvenience of its Schedule II status. I'd like to try Strattera, and my pdoc is quite enthusiastic about it. However, if it takes a while to kick in, I'd rather not discontinue the Adderall, at least not at first. And, I'm curious about whether the combination might provide better focus.
I don't see anything in the prescribing info that contraindicates stimulants such as Adderall while taking Strattera, and have seen reports on other boards of people combining both types of meds. I'd be interested in the experiences of those here.
Thanks in advance!
Posted by Hyperactiveone on April 4, 2003, at 20:16:25
In reply to Re: Going To Start Straterra This Week, posted by blondegirl47 on April 4, 2003, at 15:34:27
Well let me introduce myself my name is Dave and I was one of the ones in the clinical trails that made this drug in the testing faze but could not handle the ups and downs of placebo. So I got off them and went back to treatment and was put back on ritalin. Day one of the straterra this week I will keep you posted on how I feel I have been taking ritalin four about 10 years and wanted to come of stimulants trying to see how atomoxophine is going to work with ritalin.---I will let you know. Does anyone have weird dreams?
Posted by Hyperactiveone on April 4, 2003, at 20:19:25
In reply to Strattera plus stimulant?, posted by Viridis on April 4, 2003, at 20:01:32
> I think this question has been asked here before, but has anyone had success (or problems) with Strattera plus a stimulant? I take Adderall for ADD (and also as an antidepressant) and am quite happy with it, except for the inconvenience of its Schedule II status. I'd like to try Strattera, and my pdoc is quite enthusiastic about it. However, if it takes a while to kick in, I'd rather not discontinue the Adderall, at least not at first. And, I'm curious about whether the combination might provide better focus.
>
> I don't see anything in the prescribing info that contraindicates stimulants such as Adderall while taking Strattera, and have seen reports on other boards of people combining both types of meds. I'd be interested in the experiences of those here.
>
> Thanks in advance!I'll let you know day 1 of stattera 60mg and ritalin 10mg three times a day.
Posted by PuraVida on April 4, 2003, at 22:31:16
In reply to Re: Strattera plus stimulant?, posted by Hyperactiveone on April 4, 2003, at 20:19:25
Can anyone please describe how a stim makes you feel different/better?
I am pretty sure I am ADD, but my doc says no - I'm still depressed, so I'm going to get another opinion. I think the effexor has lifted my depression, and now I am seeing the ADD symptoms that I haven't been aware existed. Either I can't sit still, or I can't get going. Someone suggested I take epherdra-free Metabolift to see if it helped. When I take it, I feel more physically relaxed, and more mentally energized. Today I didn't take any, and feel mentally cloudy and physically tense - just want to escape.
Can anyone help me make some sense out of this? Are there other physical clues - like I tend to feel great mentally when I take antihistines..
Thanks
PV
Posted by babs on April 5, 2003, at 9:15:19
In reply to Re: Going To Start Straterra This Week, posted by Hyperactiveone on April 4, 2003, at 20:16:25
Dave- I am currently on Adderall and my doc wants to switch me to Straterra. He told me that since straterra takes awhile to kick in I would be on both initially. Then after about two weeks, once the straterra had time to work, I would taper off the adderall. I don't know about staying ob oth long-term though.
Posted by Lexxey on April 5, 2003, at 9:37:39
In reply to Re: Going To Start Straterra This Week, posted by blondegirl47 on April 4, 2003, at 15:34:27
I'm starting my second week at the full dose and just waiting to be wowed!!! So far I'm not impressed but I did sleep all the way thru the night for the forst time in 3 weeks....guess that means I'm getting used to it.
Posted by Lexxey on April 5, 2003, at 9:52:13
In reply to Re: Going To Start Straterra This Week, posted by Hyperactiveone on April 4, 2003, at 20:16:25
I have had really fun dreams...I look forward to them but I'm an artist and I sometimes have musical comedy dreams.
In fact just last night I woke up with the best idea for a new pottery design that I will definitely use...I think something creative is going on. Maybe if there is tension in your life you might have nightmares but I have only had really good ones.
Lexxy the potter in ga
Posted by Lexxey on April 5, 2003, at 9:55:06
In reply to ADD meds - , posted by PuraVida on April 4, 2003, at 22:31:16
If I were you I would call doctors until I found one that specialized in treating ADHD addults....all you have to do is ask the office.
Posted by Female Exec on April 5, 2003, at 11:51:03
In reply to Re: ADD meds - , posted by Lexxey on April 5, 2003, at 9:55:06
Was diagnosed classic ADHD one month ago and suggested to take Strattera. I'm struggling to get the dosage right...started with 40 mg for three days then up to 80 mg which felt really bad. Over the past two weeks have split the doses into one around 7 am, the other around 1 pm and that's working pretty well. My doc suggested I start pushing them closer together and might reach a point of being able to take 80 mg in one dose. Today was 8 am and 11:30 and so far..so good.
The 'cloud of chos' I've been carrying around in my brain my whole life seems to have dissipated. On a scale of 1-10, I would rate around 7-8, which would be pretty significant improvement. I seem to be more focused, with less tangents in conversation. I'm able to sit at my desk for longer periods of time, without traveling through the office with various excuses (bathroom, coffee, visits etc). I am down to one legal pad of to dos...rather than a stack of notes and multiple legal pads going. I've cleared files that I seemed incapable of removing prior to meds. Mostly threw things away.
Anyway...will keep you posted, but we may be on to something here.
Posted by cybercafe on April 5, 2003, at 18:21:56
In reply to Re: ADD meds - , posted by Female Exec on April 5, 2003, at 11:51:03
> Was diagnosed classic ADHD one month ago and suggested to take Strattera. I'm struggling to get the dosage right...started with 40 mg for three days then up to 80 mg which felt really bad. Over the past two weeks have split the doses into one around 7 am, the other around 1 pm and that's working pretty well. My doc suggested I start pushing them closer together and might reach a point of being able to take 80 mg in one dose. Today was 8 am and 11:30 and so far..so good.
>
> The 'cloud of chos' I've been carrying around in my brain my whole life seems to have dissipated. On a scale of 1-10, I would rate around 7-8, which would be pretty significant improvement. I seem to be more focused, with less tangents in conversation. I'm able to sit at my desk for longer periods of time, without traveling through the office with various excuses (bathroom, coffee, visits etc). I am down to one legal pad of to dos...rather than a stack of notes and multiple legal pads going. I've cleared files that I seemed incapable of removing prior to meds. Mostly threw things away.
>
> Anyway...will keep you posted, but we may be on to something here.is it common for an ADD adult to be able to hold down fulltime work (prior to diagnosis/treatment)?
i found i just couldn't work because it took too much effort to focus... like, it just wasn't worth the effort ... ummm... after the first two hours, it started to become a big effort to concentrate, i felt wiped out, wanted to fall asleep (and did sometimes)
the first hour or two were okay though...... i think i probably hyper focused during the first 2 hours
Posted by Hyperactiveone on April 5, 2003, at 19:19:53
In reply to Re: Going To Start Straterra This Week, posted by Lexxey on April 4, 2003, at 15:02:39
Ok now this is weird I have had the shivers really bad when I take the initial dose. I dont know about the focus part.I pee weird. I am not sure this is for me we shall see what happens. I seem to be a little short fused. I will give this a week and see. ----Hoping
Posted by Hyperactiveone on April 5, 2003, at 19:22:36
In reply to Straterra -dreams, posted by Lexxey on April 5, 2003, at 9:52:13
> I have had really fun dreams...I look forward to them but I'm an artist and I sometimes have musical comedy dreams.
>
> In fact just last night I woke up with the best idea for a new pottery design that I will definitely use...I think something creative is going on. Maybe if there is tension in your life you might have nightmares but I have only had really good ones.
>
> Lexxy the potter in gaDreams are definitly real like a "new life." I wake up all weirded out and have to grip on reality then go back to sleep. I am hoping this going to get better----- hyper
Posted by Lexxey on April 6, 2003, at 17:28:59
In reply to Re: Straterra -dreams, posted by Hyperactiveone on April 5, 2003, at 19:22:36
I really think we can have troublesome dreams when we are having to deal with stress. Maybe you can try to workout some stressful stuff.
I'm in the best time of my life but I had some mean stressful times when I was younger. Nobody told me that my 50's would be the best time!!! It must be some secret!!!! It's the only time I've had money, energy and freedom!!! But, alas, I turn 60 this year and it's just downhill physically!!! DRAT!!!
Posted by blondegirl47 on April 7, 2003, at 8:51:53
In reply to ADD meds - , posted by PuraVida on April 4, 2003, at 22:31:16
Hi PV
Do a search on the internet for ADD test. That should give you some amunition for your next pdoc.
Posted by blondegirl47 on April 7, 2003, at 8:58:23
In reply to Re: ADD meds - , posted by Female Exec on April 5, 2003, at 11:51:03
Thats, great I hope to get those results. Thanks for info and hope :)
Posted by blondegirl47 on April 7, 2003, at 9:02:49
In reply to Re: Going To Start Straterra This Week, posted by Hyperactiveone on April 5, 2003, at 19:19:53
The first couple weeks are weird, lots of grumpys and some dizzy's. Dizzy's are starting to go away. This is 3rd week.
Posted by rickgee on April 7, 2003, at 9:27:55
In reply to Re: Going To Start Straterra This Week, posted by blondegirl47 on April 7, 2003, at 9:02:49
Well, I have started and started low, 18mg once a day for five days then 18 and 18 and will. This is the third day and I haven't really noticed anything yet, but I do see to be able to concentrate a little better, but that could be psychosymatic.
Will post again in a couple of days.
Posted by blondegirl47 on April 7, 2003, at 9:30:36
In reply to Started Straterra, posted by rickgee on April 7, 2003, at 9:27:55
good luck, Rickgee. I was started out on 18ml too. I found a site that recommends starting out at 40ml, if you weigh between 70 and 160 or so. I will see if I can find that site again. I think slow is the way to go with this stuff.
Posted by Lexxey on April 7, 2003, at 12:04:35
In reply to Re: Going To Start Straterra This Week, posted by blondegirl47 on April 7, 2003, at 9:02:49
About an hour or 2 after I take a dose I get a throbbing, stuffy feeling in my head and ears...almost like my ears are blocked with a cold or driving in the mountains when you go up in altitude and I have to hold my nose and blow to unblock them. And then it goes away.
Has anyone had this? Weird!!!
Posted by Magpie on April 7, 2003, at 12:12:10
In reply to Re: Straterra- anyone using as stimulant?, posted by Lexxey on April 4, 2003, at 15:07:29
> I don't see any way this could be a stimulant!!!
>
> It's supposed to effect brain chemistry with norepinephirine and dopamine by suppressing the pump or something like that.
>
> But it does cause the heart rate to increase and can cause the bp to also....maybe that's what he means. It sure doesn't stimulate me. I'm still waiting for the foggy slow motion feeling to fade.
Thank you Lexxy and BlondeGirl for your replies. I didn't really think, from reading the PI, that this was a stimulating drug, and that is what I am seeing here and also on asdm. I will argue this with my docs this week. I think the drug company shrills sold them a line of shit and that my docs didn't even read the PDR on this drug. I know a drug company rep visited them because they have a huge supply of free samples stocked away. Very sad how medicine is being applied nowadays. Thanks again,Magpie
Posted by PuraVida on April 7, 2003, at 15:57:12
In reply to Re: Straterra- anyone using as stimulant? » Lexxey, posted by Magpie on April 7, 2003, at 12:12:10
Thanks to all who answered me. I did take the test at mindfixers.com and came up w/ types 2 and 5 ADD, plus depression. I am hoping fixing the ADD - which I see now but didn't before - will solve the depression. I probably got depressed cuz I couldn't keep up with things with the ADD.
Cybercafe - back in the days when I worked in an office I was diagnosed w/ chronic fatigue, because like you, by noon I felt I needed to sleep. Since then I have held slaes jobs where I have worked from home, but have always struggled with either hyperfocusing or not working at all.
My PD now discounted my question about ADD, so I am looking for another doctor as I type.
I'm so sick of spinning my wheels. I really need to get a job - and also I am having a really hard time with my diet and exercise. In the past I have been able to motivate, but it seems impossible currently.
Thanks again all,
PV
PS Strattera isn't a stim - as you know - it works like Prozac, but targets Dopamine instead of Seretonin. I'm already on Effexor which is also supposed to help, but it seems to have just helped the depression so far.
Posted by paulk on April 7, 2003, at 16:48:06
In reply to Re: Add Meds - thanks, posted by PuraVida on April 7, 2003, at 15:57:12
> PS Strattera isn't a stim - as you know - it works like Prozac, but targets Dopamine instead of Seretonin. I'm already on Effexor which is also supposed to help, but it seems to have just helped the depression so far.
Atomoxetine (Straterra) CAN be thought of as a stimulant. What needs to be understood is that stimulation is the result of neurotransmitters levels in the brain – dopamine and norephranephrine. Amphetamines work by enabling the release of both transmitters with Dexadrine being more selective for dopamine.
Ritalin works by increasing norephranephrine by a nonunderstood process.
Atomoxetine (Straterra), Webutin, and Reboxitine work by blocking the reuptake – that is the reabsorption of the transmitter into the end of the sending nureon. This results in higher brain levels.
To say that Atomoxetine (Straterra) is not a transmitter is more of a political or marketing statement, as the FDA didn’t classify it with the other stimulants allowing it to be prescribed under more relaxed constraints.
Atomoxetine (Straterra) also has a slight seritonin reuptake effect (like the Prozac like drugs).
What seems the most important thing to know about Atomoxetine, is that the dosage can vary quite a lot from one person to the other. Too high a dose seems to cause sleepiness, and for me makes things worse instead of better. If I get the correct dose adjusted it seems to work well. The biggest problem I have is that in the evening, when it is waning in its effects, I get REALY hungry and am gaining weight. I’m going to try splitting the dose to twice a day or slowly increasing the dosage.
BTW I first noticed it's effects on day 2.
Posted by Caleb462 on April 7, 2003, at 17:04:29
In reply to Atomoxetine (Straterra) as a stimulant , posted by paulk on April 7, 2003, at 16:48:06
>
> Ritalin works by increasing norephranephrine by a nonunderstood process.
>Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a dopamine/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.
Posted by paulk on April 7, 2003, at 17:40:13
In reply to Re: Atomoxetine (Straterra) as a stimulant , posted by Caleb462 on April 7, 2003, at 17:04:29
>
> >
> > Ritalin works by increasing norephranephrine by a nonunderstood process.
> >
>
> Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a dopamine/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.From a Monograph:
"Methylphenidate is thought to block the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine into the presynaptic neuron and increase the release of these monoamines into the extraneuronal space. "
Note the word "thought". It means they don't know.
Anyway, I find Atomoxetine (Straterra) similar to Methylphenidate, but with out as much of a rollar coster.
Posted by RunRedRun on April 7, 2003, at 18:51:59
In reply to Re: ADD meds - » PuraVida, posted by blondegirl47 on April 7, 2003, at 8:51:53
it's actually pretty common for ADD symptoms to become noticable after depression problems are cleared up. that's exactly what happened to me. good luck!!
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