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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Viridis on July 9, 2003, at 1:53:26
In reply to re-starting strattera-- Day 1 , posted by bookgurl99 on July 8, 2003, at 14:55:57
The free sample packs that I got from my pdoc each had several 25 mg pills to start with, plus 14 40 mg pills. So, that's made it pretty easy for me to try 25, 40, 50, and 65 mg. It took me a short time to get used to it, but I really like it now (I've only been on it about 3 1/2 weeks). I just asked for a prescription for 60 mg/day, and will see how that goes.
The "target dose" for the average person is supposed to be 80 mg, according to the manufacturer . Interestingly, they don't make that dose, so you'd have to get two expensive prescriptions, or a "double" prescription for the 40 mg version, to achieve that. I can't imagine why...($$$$$???). But individual responses seem to vary tremendously, and around 50-60 mg seems about right for me so far.
Based on my experience and that of some others here, I'd be cautious with dosing and go up in increments -- I had no side effects at 25 mg but noticeable (though not severe) ones at 40 mg. These subsided in about a week though.
Good luck!
Posted by bookgurl99 on July 9, 2003, at 21:58:32
In reply to re-starting strattera-- Day 1 , posted by bookgurl99 on July 8, 2003, at 14:55:57
Does it get any better than this?
Today, took my 40 mgs. Felt totally f'in' depressed. Brain feels slower than usual. The work day, in which I would normally be playing mind games and fooling around to get through the day, went by quickly -- but I feel 'too' calm. Not like myself. I think I may prefer being ADD and having fun to being calm and sad like this.
Also, got a major HEADACHE! Any worries?
Posted by fallsfall on July 10, 2003, at 7:49:59
In reply to Re: re-starting strattera-- Day2, posted by bookgurl99 on July 9, 2003, at 21:58:32
I get headaches sometimes (still - I've been taking it since February). The headaches aren't all the time, but when they occur they are often bad enough that Tylenol isn't enough. I have a prescription pain reliever that is strong enough. Take the Tylenol/whatever when you FIRST feel the headache - don't wait.
It sounds like you are feeling a big mood adjustment. Give it a little time to get used to it before you decide you don't like it. Changes are always weird.
Good luck. The beginning is hard with Strattera, but it can be a really good drug.
Posted by WorryMom on July 10, 2003, at 8:50:20
In reply to Re: Straterra at night ? Other questions..... » froggyanna, posted by zeugma on June 2, 2003, at 22:03:41
I have 2 kids on Strattera for ADHD. I makes them nauseous if not taken with alot of food. Problem is neither of them are very hungry in the morning. Questions is -- have those of you who have switched to taking the med at night found that it decreased the daytime benefits for focusing. Pediatrician says it might be a little more effective for school (daytime) focusing if taken in the morning. He is not sure though drug is so new. Can anyone give advice on this?
Posted by KRM123 on July 10, 2003, at 10:25:34
In reply to Re: re-starting strattera-- Day2, posted by bookgurl99 on July 9, 2003, at 21:58:32
Was this your first day taking the 40mg?? Up it to 60mg or better yet 80mg. I was first taking 25mg but upped it to 80mg and felt much better. I had to stop it because of severe menstrual cramps.
Posted by Lasagne on July 10, 2003, at 11:34:45
In reply to Re: re-starting strattera-- Day2, posted by bookgurl99 on July 9, 2003, at 21:58:32
Reply to below post:
I experienced the same thing. It was a bit alarming because I was so used to always thinking about something (my mind always moving from one thought to another). I told my doctor about it and he said it is normal. When you live a lifetime with your brain in hyper mode it's difficult at first to adjust to experiencing life at normal speed. Also, now that I am at the 9th or 10th week I have found that my body has adjusted to the medicine and that initial response has balanced out, meaning that I don't feel as sedated as when I first began the Strattera, yet I still have more calm in my life now. I am able to relax when I want to and not have the urge to always be moving. It hasn't cured all of my ADD symptoms but I do function and feel better. There has been an overall improvement in many areas, so I am pleased with the results. Around the 6th week is when I noticed that most of the side effects of the medicine went away. All I can say is be patient with the Strattera.
Lasagna> Does it get any better than this?
>
> Today, took my 40 mgs. Felt totally f'in' depressed. Brain feels slower than usual. The work day, in which I would normally be playing mind games and fooling around to get through the day, went by quickly -- but I feel 'too' calm. Not like myself. I think I may prefer being ADD and having fun to being calm and sad like this.
>
>
> Also, got a major HEADACHE! Any worries?
>
Posted by Lasagne on July 10, 2003, at 12:01:15
In reply to Re: Straterra at night ? Other questions....., posted by WorryMom on July 10, 2003, at 8:50:20
Reply to below post: My almost 11 year old son takes the Strattera 40 mgs in the morning before he eats. He hasn't complained of any stomach problems. He also takes Adderall XR 60 mgs. each morning too. We tried the Strattera alone and we could never get a good enough effectiveness.
I have been taking Strattera 80 mgs. at night and I find that I am able to focus fine during the day.
Since it is summer, it is a good time to experiement with your childrens' med's. So you might want to see how giving it to them at nighttime works.
LasagnaI have 2 kids on Strattera for ADHD. I makes them nauseous if not taken with alot of food. Problem is neither of them are very hungry in the morning. Questions is -- have those of you who have switched to taking the med at night found that it decreased the daytime benefits for focusing. Pediatrician says it might be a little more effective for school (daytime) focusing if taken in the morning. He is not sure though drug is so new. Can anyone give advice on this?
Posted by bookgurl99 on July 10, 2003, at 22:47:41
In reply to re-starting strattera-- Day 1 , posted by bookgurl99 on July 8, 2003, at 14:55:57
hmm. another severe headache and slow brain. not sure if i'll continue.
i'm thinking i will discontinue the strattera until i have a chance to see my MD and get more insight into what is causing my severe migraines, or whether i am in fact epileptic.
Posted by Winsled on July 12, 2003, at 20:49:01
In reply to Straterra approval., posted by scoper on December 28, 2002, at 2:19:34
I have been taking Strattera for about a month and am noticing significant scalp hair loss. Anyone else experience this as a side effect?
Posted by Lasagne on July 12, 2003, at 20:53:05
In reply to Re:Strattera hair loss, posted by Winsled on July 12, 2003, at 20:49:01
> I have been taking Strattera for about a month and am noticing significant scalp hair loss. Anyone else experience this as a side effect?
Response: I didn't lose hair, but I had extreme scalp itch with no apparent scalp condition (like dandruff) for about the first 5 or 6 weeks. Since then it has calmed down. I still get a bit of a tingling sensation on my scalp now but it isn't so bothersome that I need to itch it like I was in the beginning.
Lasagna
Posted by Lis on July 13, 2003, at 20:18:29
In reply to Re:Strattera hair loss » Winsled, posted by Lasagne on July 12, 2003, at 20:53:05
Hey,
I'm 21 years old. I just got diagnosed with ADD a few days ago, and this is my third day taking Strattera. I'm not familiar with any other meds, so this is kind of a strange experience. The first day I felt pretty alert and I felt a rush for a couple hours. The second and third days I've been dizzy and slightly nauseated. Today I have a headache. On the upside, my ability to concentrate and my mood have improved. I feel less anxiety and sadness. I've also lost my appetite.I hope that the dizziness goes away. I'm also worried about long term effects this might have on my brain chemistry.
Posted by Lasagne on July 14, 2003, at 14:03:00
In reply to Strattera for 3 days, posted by Lis on July 13, 2003, at 20:18:29
******RESPONSE TO BELOW POST********
Hi:
It sounds like you are having the same kind of experience I had when I first began the Strattera. I can totally relate with the nausea and loss of appetite. In the beginning I especially had the dizziness, mostly if I stood up too fast. I am now into my 10th week with the Strattera. I feel great and all the obnoxious side effects have diminshed or gone away completely. My mood has greatly improved. I am much more calm than I used to be. I also find I am getting more things done and not procrastinating as much. I don't need to take naps for as long as I used to. In fact I skipped my nap the last two days and did just fine. You just need to stick in out for a while and hopefully by the 5th or 6th week the side effects will start going away like they did for me.
Lasagna
> Hey,
> I'm 21 years old. I just got diagnosed with ADD a few days ago, and this is my third day taking Strattera. I'm not familiar with any other meds, so this is kind of a strange experience. The first day I felt pretty alert and I felt a rush for a couple hours. The second and third days I've been dizzy and slightly nauseated. Today I have a headache. On the upside, my ability to concentrate and my mood have improved. I feel less anxiety and sadness. I've also lost my appetite.
>
> I hope that the dizziness goes away. I'm also worried about long term effects this might have on my brain chemistry.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Posted by Viridis on July 15, 2003, at 1:39:33
In reply to Strattera for 3 days, posted by Lis on July 13, 2003, at 20:18:29
It could be that you started at too high a dose. I was fine with 25 mg, then moved to 40 and had some side effects, including loss of appetite and nausea, plus stiff neck and dry mouth. That went away in about a week. Then I tried 65 mg and felt a bit dizzy and spacey, but that went away pretty fast too. Now I'm feeling better and more focused, and all that remains of the side effects is a slightly dry mouth.
I've taken a fair number of psychiatric meds, and I always ease up the dose slowly. They can take a while to get used to, and some I could never get used to. But if Strattera is already showing benefits for you (as it has for me) then I'd stick with it and just be cautious about the dosing. A lot of doctors don't seem to get this, and will push a high dose from the start, when a gradual approach would work better and minimize the side effects.
No one knows for sure about the long-term effects of these meds, but very few (except some of the antipsychotics) seem harmful so far. The flip side is that anxiety and depression can be very hard on your mental and physical health, and there's good evidence that those can have negative long-term consequences. We don't know the long-term effects of the newer cholesterol-lowering drugs either, but we certainly understand the dangers of having high cholesterol in the long term.
Posted by easily distracted on July 15, 2003, at 14:08:30
In reply to Re: Strattera for 3 days » Lis, posted by Lasagne on July 14, 2003, at 14:03:00
Has anyone noticed terrible heart-burn on Straterra or is it just me?? I think my doc has me on a way high dose...120mg. Today I dropped back down to sixty...hopefully this will help.
Posted by Lis on July 15, 2003, at 17:12:54
In reply to Re: Strattera for 3 days, posted by easily distracted on July 15, 2003, at 14:08:30
Thanks Lasagne and Viridis. I really appretiate your responses. The dizziness is starting to subside, but my body still hasn't completely adjusted.
Does anyone know any good books on adult ADD? Or on Women with ADD?
Posted by Lasagne on July 16, 2003, at 0:15:53
In reply to Re: Strattera for 3 days, posted by easily distracted on July 15, 2003, at 14:08:30
> Has anyone noticed terrible heart-burn on Straterra or is it just me?? I think my doc has me on a way high dose...120mg. Today I dropped back down to sixty...hopefully this will help.
*********RESPONSE*************
Hi:
I think the most recommended adult dose is 80 mgs. daily. 120 mgs. sounds like a high dose to me. Has the Strattera given you good control of your ADHD/ADD symptoms?
I didn't have heartburn problem with the Strattera, but I did have a lot of nausea in the first 5 weeks.
Lasagna
Posted by Lasagne on July 16, 2003, at 0:19:22
In reply to Re: Strattera for 3 days, posted by Lis on July 15, 2003, at 17:12:54
Hi:
I recently read "Women With Attention Deficit Disorder" by Sari Solden
It is an easy read and very informational.
Another good book is:
"Driven to Distraction" by Drs. Hallowell & Ratey. It was a best-seller
Lasagna
Posted by Viridis on July 16, 2003, at 7:34:41
In reply to Re: Strattera for 3 days, posted by easily distracted on July 15, 2003, at 14:08:30
120 mg??? That's a very high dose, unless you've built up to it very gradually. Definitely take it slow -- some doctors are incredibly dense about these things, and I almost never trust their recommendations. I generally start with 1/4 of what the doctor recommends (except my psychiatrist, who will actually prescribe the amounts I want and allow me to determine the dosing schedule -- he's great that way).
I don't know if this applies, but I've noticed that some meds cause severe heartburn for me if taken with coffee. Are you, by any chance, taking Strattera within an hour or two of coffee? If so, try taking it at least an hour before or after coffee (or tea, or cola, or whatever). Just a thought, but when I was on Prozac and some other meds, the caffeine combo definitely triggered heartburn until I figured out the connection.
Posted by frustratedwife on July 16, 2003, at 9:07:33
In reply to Re: Strattera side effects, posted by fallsfall on June 25, 2003, at 8:45:45
My husband began taking strattera about a month and half ago. within the past 2 weeks,his dose has been upped to 80 mg. a day and i have noticed in the past week a large increase in mood swings. mostly he goes from calm to instant anger. has anyone else experienced this and does it go away?? i am about to give up.
frustratedwife
Posted by AJY on July 17, 2003, at 9:47:57
In reply to Re: Strattera for 3 days » easily distracted, posted by Viridis on July 16, 2003, at 7:34:41
About coffee - It was my drug of choice for ADD until is caused high blood pressure and big headaches coming off! I'd be real careful about taking it with Straterra or anything else. Coffee was my medication from birth to 45 yrs, which went through the time of my masters degress in education.
Then went serious with Wellbutrin, until I didn't want to deal with shakinga nd constipation after 5 successful year with that medication.
I've tried to start Stratterra three times. I can't get past the 3rd day because I have to drive somewhere and shouldn't fall asleep, or have a f amily reunion and need to visit...I can't go back to school in september with 4th graders and be foggy or need to nap!
Have a great day!
I started at 60 mg. Asked for lower and got 40, what a really want is 25 for about a month - maybe two weeks will do. Would love to start and feel nothing (side effects...) and go up until I get my ADD results.
> 120 mg??? That's a very high dose, unless you've built up to it very gradually. Definitely take it slow -- some doctors are incredibly dense about these things, and I almost never trust their recommendations. I generally start with 1/4 of what the doctor recommends (except my psychiatrist, who will actually prescribe the amounts I want and allow me to determine the dosing schedule -- he's great that way).
>
> I don't know if this applies, but I've noticed that some meds cause severe heartburn for me if taken with coffee. Are you, by any chance, taking Strattera within an hour or two of coffee? If so, try taking it at least an hour before or after coffee (or tea, or cola, or whatever). Just a thought, but when I was on Prozac and some other meds, the caffeine combo definitely triggered heartburn until I figured out the connection.
Posted by blondegirl47 on July 17, 2003, at 12:06:41
In reply to Re: Strattera day 3- Coffee w/ meds, posted by AJY on July 17, 2003, at 9:47:57
Ajy...your pdoc should have a sample starter kit that starts at 18mg. I had to take mine at bed time, cuz it knocked me out. I also stayed on adderall while taking it. I had to quit after a month, I was one of the few that it made hungry.
Blondegirl
Posted by Viridis on July 18, 2003, at 1:41:20
In reply to Re: Strattera day 3- Coffee w/ meds » AJY, posted by blondegirl47 on July 17, 2003, at 12:06:41
The starter kits of Strattera that I got contained 25 and 40 mg pills. My pdoc gave me a handful of them, and 25 mg was a good starting dose for me. At 40 mg, I had some side effects for a week or so, then I tried 50, and 65...now I seem best at about 60 mg/day, so have a prescription for that.
Each dosage increase caused some side effects, but they subsided fast (except dry mouth, which isn't serious -- I just drink more water).
I don't understand why so many doctors want to start off with a high dose of this or other meds, since side effects are so common. My pdoc is the first doctor I've met who actually acknowledges the existence of side effects (probably because he's actually taken some of these drugs himself).
Posted by blondegirl47 on July 18, 2003, at 7:48:26
In reply to Re: Strattera day 3- Coffee w/ meds » blondegirl47, posted by Viridis on July 18, 2003, at 1:41:20
Thanks, Great...sometimes I think I have done more research on my meds than my pdoc.
Have a great day!
Posted by gouda on July 18, 2003, at 10:26:25
In reply to Re: Strattera side effects, posted by frustratedwife on July 16, 2003, at 9:07:33
Hello frustrated wife ... I have a frustrated boyfriend too, you are not alone.
Strattera makes me a whipper snapper, and I am now a very vocal advocate of anything that bothers me. This mood swing thing is very normal for Strattera takers, check out older posts.
We'll say mean things with no regrets. Kinda strange, so hopefully you'll develop thick skin.
My pdoc reduced my dosage to 25 mg, and I am less irritable than my 40 mg days.
I hope these words are of some comfort! Hang in there!
As for whether it goes away ... I don't think it goes away completely, but I noticed that I got less irritable as I adjusted to the dosage. So maybe some time will help your husband adjust, and he too might become "less" irritated. It's definitely the meds working on his brain.
Gouda
> My husband began taking strattera about a month and half ago. within the past 2 weeks,his dose has been upped to 80 mg. a day and i have noticed in the past week a large increase in mood swings. mostly he goes from calm to instant anger. has anyone else experienced this and does it go away?? i am about to give up.
>
> frustratedwife
Posted by blondegirl47 on July 18, 2003, at 10:45:26
In reply to Re: Strattera side effects, posted by gouda on July 18, 2003, at 10:26:25
That one of the reasons I went off, when the dosage went up, I would be very grumpy. Not to mention tired and hungry. I hope it helps in other areas.
Blondegirl
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