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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 833 to 857 of 1242. Go back in thread:
Posted by reba on July 30, 2003, at 17:22:16
In reply to Re: Side effects » reba, posted by Lasagne on July 30, 2003, at 14:59:57
Thanks!! it is nice to hear that im not the ONLY one having gross sweating/hot flash problem! Just to let others know that I have been on Strattera since the begining of February and they have not gone away, but im glad to hear some people tapper off of this! I am actually going off strattera now so i wont have to deal with this anymore!!!
Posted by reba on July 30, 2003, at 17:34:27
In reply to Re: strattera WITHDRAWL? » reba, posted by Lasagne on July 30, 2003, at 14:54:34
Ok I was the original one to ask about the withdrawal, so i though I would come back and say more about it to help those who have problems with it in the future.
Ok, so I looked for ever on the internet about people experiencing strattera withdrawal symptoms and found NOTHING except on the lily website about strattera stating that there was no withdrawal effect.. haha THANKS! so I have been doing a little reasearch on other anti-depressant withdrawal symptoms becuase this is the first kind of med i have taken for anything. My symptoms seem to be alot like other anti-depressant withdrawal symptoms. I did do a little tappereing off; I was originally taking 80mlg, and for a week a went to 40, then after o week on 40 I stopped. I had flu like symptoms such as feeling very tired for no reason, feeling very achy, including very sore muscles, also had bad head aches on and off. I also went through periods of mood swings, like crying over nothing, and having a very short fuse. I aslo seemed to be very sensative to light and sounds. I wasnt hungry and was naushous alot. For me these didnt last that long but long enough... I have been off strattera now for 3 days, and today wok eup feeling a little better. so since messing with my dose ive felt yucky about a week and a half, which isnt so long consedering some of the other things i have read about other anti-depressants! lol. I feel lucky that it is summer and I can allow myself to just lay down and do nothing.. Some of the other things I felt were not being able to wake up for a couple hours after getting out of bed, and also my head feels very weird, almost like i get dizzy, but more like i have soup sloshing around in my head. haha Just very spacy in a bad way i guess. Hopefully this will help some of you! Oh and i was on Strattera for 6 months before going off it. good luck to everyone and thanks for responding!
Posted by fallsfall on July 30, 2003, at 22:23:19
In reply to Re: strattera WITHDRAWL?, posted by reba on July 30, 2003, at 17:34:27
Thanks for the summary! Some time in my life I'll go off it, too.
Posted by Trena on August 1, 2003, at 6:19:12
In reply to Re: Straterra approval-Day 5- nmk, posted by BekkaH on January 12, 2003, at 21:19:02
have a question for neone willing to answer. my son is on the adderol xr and experiences very bad emotional outburst with this medication. would like to try the strattera but as he is only 4 i don't know if it would work for him. just to give you some history. he is severe adhd with mild autism. he is very aggresive and hyper without medication but the adderol i feel makes him more aggresive but less hyper.would like to find a comfortable medium. please help. thanks
Posted by reba on August 1, 2003, at 7:34:05
In reply to Re: Straterra approval-Day 5- nmk, posted by Trena on August 1, 2003, at 6:19:12
TRINA:
I found this book "Healing ADD, the breakthrough program that allows you to see and heal the 6 types of add" by Daniel G. Amen, M.D. to be sooooooooo helpful, and it sounds like you could benafit from reading parts if not all of the book. It really backs up the theory that there are 6 diff types of ADD all with certain characteristics, needing somewhat different types of meds to help. It was such a great book and i remember reading just last night about one of the 6 types, and probems that usually arise, just like yours! i strongly recommend this book, i think it just gives such a great insight on ADD and it actually explains the theories and gives good eplanations on why different meds help the different type. It talks about brain chemestry and stuff. I have ready many books on ADD and i just found this one to be by far is the most helpful, and i think more people with different ADD issues can really relate to the theories. Goodluck hope this maybe helps you and others out, cause i swear this is an awsome book!>OLD MESSAGE>>> have a question for neone willing to answer. my son is on the adderol xr and experiences very bad emotional outburst with this medication. would like to try the strattera but as he is only 4 i don't know if it would work for him. just to give you some history. he is severe adhd with mild autism. he is very aggresive and hyper without medication but the adderol i feel makes him more aggresive but less hyper.would like to find a comfortable medium. please help. thanks
>
Posted by Trena on August 1, 2003, at 8:57:28
In reply to Re: Straterra approval-Day 5- nmk, posted by reba on August 1, 2003, at 7:34:05
thanks i will go to the book store this weekend.i want so much to understand what he is going through and ways to help him deal with it so that he can have a normal life.
Posted by blondegirl47 on August 1, 2003, at 10:18:52
In reply to Re: Straterra approval-Day 5- nmk, posted by Trena on August 1, 2003, at 6:19:12
Some find that if adderall doesn't work, then the drugs like ritalin are better. Focalin and concerta are a form of ritalin. Some Dr's are using Strattera and a stimulant together.
Good luck!
Blondegirl
Posted by Lasagne on August 1, 2003, at 12:42:55
In reply to Re: Straterra approval-Day 5- nmk, posted by Trena on August 1, 2003, at 6:19:12
*********REPLY TO BELOW POST***********
Hi:
My son is almost 11 and he has severe ADHD with a mood component and sensory defensiveness (aka Sensory Integration Dysfunction,something that is also common amongst autistic children.) Anyway when we first went to our doctor with our son's difficulties he first started him on Celexa, an anti-depressant. This initially improved his mood dramatically and then there was a tapering off. That is when we began stimulant treatment. The combination gave him good control through most of the day and then in the late afternoon and early evening he would start having meltdowns/emotional outbursts sometimes combined with aggressive behavior. The doctor says this is something that is common as the stimulant meds (even the slow/time release versions) wear off at the end of the day. So that is when he began our son on Clondine. It is a blood pressure med that is used in very small doses to help calm these emotional outbursts down. My son is usually asleep within an hour of taking it and we don't hear again from him till the morning. He gets a good nights rest and has a better handle on himself because of it. His insomnia was causing a behavioral vicious cycle. Recently we also tried the Strattera. At first it had good results and then it tapered off at which point we had to combine the Strattera with stimulant treatment. Overall,it has had good results on his behavior. The Strattera makes him more tolerable to handle in the morning until his stimulant med kicks in. Because of your son's age I am not sure if the FDA will allow your doctor to prescribe the Strattera. If your doctor says he will give you a prescription for it, then I definitely think it is worth a try. If his outbursts seem to be mostly in the evening I would I also consider asking if your doctor will let you give your son Clonidine. If your son's outbursts are sporatic during the day and evening then you might want to consider an antidepressant or Strattera(if permitted) in combination with the Adderall XR. I hope this isn't too confusing. It is very difficult keeping these children stabilized. It seems like we are in to see our doctor every single month. All together my son takes the following meds:
Celexa 30 mgs. daily
Strattera 50 mgs. daily
Adderall XR 60 mgs. daily
Clonidine .03 mgs. daily
Also, another thing that I have noticed with my two oldest sons (that have ADHD) is that the Adderall seems to cause a more emotional response as it wears off than the time release ritalin formulas. Yet the Adderall seems to give the best control during it's effective hours. These things just aren't easy. I too have a 4 year old son that my doctor wants to wait to treat until he is in school.> have a question for neone willing to answer. my son is on the adderol xr and experiences very bad emotional outburst with this medication. would like to try the strattera but as he is only 4 i don't know if it would work for him. just to give you some history. he is severe adhd with mild autism. he is very aggresive and hyper without medication but the adderol i feel makes him more aggresive but less hyper.would like to find a comfortable medium. please help. thanks
>
Posted by Dr. Bob on August 1, 2003, at 17:28:23
In reply to Re: Straterra approval-Day 5- nmk, posted by reba on August 1, 2003, at 7:34:05
> I found this book "Healing ADD, the breakthrough program that allows you to see and heal the 6 types of add" by Daniel G. Amen, M.D. to be sooooooooo helpful
I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
Posted by james_schmidt on August 2, 2003, at 8:35:11
In reply to Re: Help! It has been weeks on Straterra!, posted by dancingdp on March 6, 2003, at 8:47:45
I have been on strat for a few months and the drug has helped tremendously. The higher dose put me into a confused and mild depressed state 40mg 1 x day. What I have found is that original treatment on the eli's site was trials at twice a day. I switched to 25mg 2x day and I feel great it has helped me tremendously. You should notice a difference with your child within a few weeks. If you do not then maybe the drug is the wrong choice.
Good luck.
Posted by Shel Swartz on August 2, 2003, at 15:54:08
In reply to Straterra approval., posted by scoper on December 28, 2002, at 2:19:34
This product, like most others, was created by a chemical company hoping to make enough profits than the cost of lawsuits. Takng chemicals for ADHD (another disease made up by money-hungry pyschiatrists) is DANGEROUS. What you are feeling is a placebo effect. PERIOD!
If the supposed doctors are sio learned, how come they get just as sick as everyone else, and die off just as we do?
The motivation: MONEY.
Posted by Lasagne on August 2, 2003, at 17:47:42
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by Shel Swartz on August 2, 2003, at 15:54:08
> This product, like most others, was created by a chemical company hoping to make enough profits than the cost of lawsuits. Takng chemicals for ADHD (another disease made up by money-hungry pyschiatrists) is DANGEROUS. What you are feeling is a placebo effect. PERIOD!
>
> If the supposed doctors are sio learned, how come they get just as sick as everyone else, and die off just as we do?
>
> The motivation: MONEY.
Yes, I agree that companies are out to make money. That's the way our country is ran. Some people develop new technoligies out of greed and some don't, yet you can't discount the overall benefit many of these various drugs/chemicals have given to many people. I am one of those people who would not be able to function well without these prescription drugs. Before I take any prescription medicine I learn about it and make an educated decision as to whether it is the right decision for me. I don't just take medicine on a whim from a pharmaceutical advertisement or through pressure from my doctor or psychiatrist.I don't agree that ADHD is a made up disease/condition. People with this shortsided opinion just aren't educated well enough on this topic. I can see how somebody can have issue with the label that has been given to this disorder because it over simplifies the struggles that people with ADHD experience, but to discount true symptoms that people experience is plain uncompasionate. Hopefully you will never suffer from any kind of mental illness/disorder. And to say that the benefits received from these drugs is purely the placebo effect is another sign of your ignorance. They run various trials on drugs and take statistics on their results to determine if the drug is statistically more beneficial than the placebo. These results are then scrutinized by the FDA before they can be released for prescription use by the public.
Posted by Viridis on August 2, 2003, at 18:22:48
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by Shel Swartz on August 2, 2003, at 15:54:08
I don't think that ADD/ADHD is a "made up" illness, although I suspect that it encompasses a variety of disorders. That's probably part of the reason why it (and many other mental illnesses) require a trial-and-error approach to medication, and frankly, I'm glad to see a range of meds available.
I have very mixed feelings about the pharmaceutical industry -- it is a business, and obviously they're out to make money, yet that provides the incentive to test new drugs and offer a wider range of options to patients. I remain very skeptical about their marketing techniques, however, and always try to educate myself as best I can.
I happen to benefit from Strattera and some other psychiatric meds and no, it isn't just placebo effect, any more than improvement with insulin could be labeled "placebo effect" for a diabetic. It really puzzles me how some people continue to make a distinction between "physical" ailments (heart disease, cancer, etc.) and "mental" ailments like ADD and depression, which are simply the result of the brain malfunctioning instead of some other part of the body. By this logic, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's syndrome, epilepsy, and so on must also be bogus, since they too originate within the brain.
There's a lot more that I could say, but I think that nearly everyone here is sufficiently experienced and open-minded to see the flaws in this argument.
By the way (to address the second point) a large study just released shows that doctors live longer on average than people in most other professions.
Posted by Shel Swartz on August 2, 2003, at 18:48:07
In reply to Re: Straterra approval. » Shel Swartz, posted by Viridis on August 2, 2003, at 18:22:48
With all due respect, you should look at the Stratera information provided with the product. It states information shown in tests Lilly (the chemical manufacturer) conducted. See for yourself that many if the stated results are often not too far away from the "placebo" numbers.
If other countries watch our TV ads, they would see what a bunch of hypochondriacs we are!
My wife takes pills for her diabetes, and yes, they seem to work. But this ADHD nonsense started in the 1980s when teachers and parents wanted to make naturally-feisty kids growing up, calm down. Just make 'em shut up and sit down, 'cause the parents wpn't bother to discipine them, and the teachers cannot by law. And there were no other new diseases to treat.
My son was diagnosed with ADHD and drugs greatly affected him; at one point, the prescribed chemicals turned his face a bit yellow, and he developed stomach problems. I immediately stopped the chemical invasion, and he grew up from an 8-yaer-old with ADHD to a mature, smart, working young man. Just amazing!
I have ADHD and, being out of denial, recognize when my symptoms flare up. It is at that point when I need to concentrate and deal with them.. and I do so without the use of drugs.
My parents survuved the depression. Our generation is the finest crop of hypochondriacs and whiners so far.. and I admit to being just as bad some times.
For all the medications and so-called advances in science and technology, we ought to be living to the age of 100, regularly! My own physician - a friend of mine - still comes down with common colds. Other problems as well. How come with all our brilliant scientists and drug manufacturers?
Yes, some drugs work for many of us. but not all of us. We are the guinea pigs. People who do not live in inside the Land of Oz realize tat as long as the cost of lawsuits is less than the net profits of a company, then that company considers its products to be successful.
Let's not forget the highly-paid lobbyists those companies use to push their products onto the market as well.
The costs of development are part of the game. Any business has costs of developing an expansion. But the drug companies use that excuse to charge unprecedented amounts of money to patients or their insurance companies..... and in America, we tolerate that.
Ask your doctor how many gorgeous-looking sales reps keep pressing the doctor to recommend their products...
That, my friend, is reality. But I am very glad you pereceive that Stratera is working for you. All I suffered were negative side-effects.
Posted by reba on August 3, 2003, at 0:26:59
In reply to Re: Straterra approval. » Shel Swartz, posted by Viridis on August 2, 2003, at 18:22:48
Ok ok, I read all about what you had to say shel swartz and I find it to be so rediculous that there is no reason to waste my time to defend myself, and many many others reading these replys who disagree with you. But I just had a little question, if you think that ADD is so made up, then why did you try to take strattera?
It's funny cause this makes me think of my old boyfriend who refused to see himself having ADD, although anyone educated on the topic could see that ADD was an issue for him right away, loved to argue the most rediculous points! He would take the most wrong idea and argue with anyone till he was right. This whole discussion quickly made me think of the proven theory that many people who have ADD unconsciously, based on brain-driven (not will-driven) mechanisms, play these types of ADD games as a way to boost their Adenaline and stimulate their frontal lobes. So, I just thought I'd give the readers another reason to laugh at how rediculous you sound. But hey youre entitled to your opinion just like the next guy, I'm just glad your not my dad, cause I actually am quite enjoying living up to my own potential! But goodluck to all my open minded friends who are still struggeling trying to figure out what works for them. I'd rather be a "guinea pig", who struggles through trial an error till their goal is met, than be the emotional mess that years of untreated ADD leads to.
I'd just love to say that if anyone is getting frustrated with figuring out how to best help an ADDer, or they are just plain skeptics to seriously purchase and read this book. I have recomended it before because I have read a number of books so as to get different viewpoints on the subject. It's amazingly helpful weather youre the ADDer yourself, or the parent, friend, or anyone else. It's called "Healing ADD The Breakthrough Program That Allows You to See and Heal the 6 Types of ADD" Daniel G. Amen, M.D.
Posted by Viridis on August 3, 2003, at 1:43:26
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by Shel Swartz on August 2, 2003, at 18:48:07
There's still a tremendous amount to learn about how the brain works, so psychiatrists are pretty much stuck with trial and error (combined with intuition) when it comes to meds. Eventually, most people find the right one, or combination, but it's really not so different from the stage that cancer treatment is at. Things keep improving, diagnoses become more reliable, and more targeted approaches are being developed. We just don't have the "magic treatment" yet.
It's great that you can get past ADD without meds, but like a lot of problems, there are varying degrees of severity. If I get a headache, it's usually mild and goes away on its own. But for some people I know, a migraine can be serious enough to shut them down for a day or more. They need drugs for this; my headaches are mild enough that drugs (beyond the occasional aspirin) aren't necessary. ADD and other mental disorders probably follow a similar pattern, and not everyone can just wish their way out of them.
I doubt that most mental problems are anything new; in the old days, people just suffered with them, had miserable lives, and often didn't reach their potential. Now there are ways around that, with medications -- just like with diabetes. If you were a diabetic in the 1920s you probably didn't live that long; now people can live a long time with that and many other chronic illnesses. Medical treatment isn't all a scam, and this applies to psychiatry as well.
I don't think it's realistic to criticize the entire medical establishment just because there isn't a cure for everything. Viruses (like the common cold example you cite) are especially tricky, and it will take a lot of work to find ways to subdue them. But how many people do you see these days with polio, smallpox, tetanus, etc, compared to 50 or 100 years ago? And, before antibiotics, a simple infection could be fatal.
Things are improving on many fronts, but it's a bit much to expect perfection, then criticize all medical professionals because perfection hasn't been achieved.
Posted by Kacy on August 3, 2003, at 11:56:09
In reply to Re: Straterra approval. » Shel Swartz, posted by Viridis on August 3, 2003, at 1:43:26
One of the Adhd profiles described my whole life. A sister brought me an article she had seen on it and said "This is you."
If I say I'm Adhd, am I triggering a lot of judgement? Is Adhd a disrespected condition?
Does anyone here have experience with that? Is it best to keep my mouth shut?
Posted by CC67 on August 3, 2003, at 16:25:36
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by Kacy on August 3, 2003, at 11:56:09
Kacy,Hi, I find it better for me to use discretion
with who I tell anything.
I dont know if "adhd" is frowned upon,I believe from what I have picked up on that some of the "stims" are frowned upon.
I believe that if you can benifit from the use of medication and nutritional ect.. Then go for it and dont concern yourself ,if someone judges you.
I will add that strattera did not work for me ,however I have heard several posters who are happy with it.I think my personal decision to medicate has helped me considerably,along with lifestyle adjustments.
Yes it is a ongoing process . we must move forward in the right thinking process.When we stumble we recognize it and make the proper adjustment. Take care!! CC67
Posted by Viridis on August 3, 2003, at 18:22:25
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by Kacy on August 3, 2003, at 11:56:09
All "mental illnesses", ranging from ADD to depression to panic disorder etc. are frowned upon by some people. Some think they aren't real and just reflect character weaknesses, and others believe they're real but feel you're somehow flawed because of it. ADD/ADHD is a particularly sensitive one because many people are skeptical that such a condition exists, or think that it only applies to children.
So, the amount of discretion you exercise is really a matter of choice. Since (with a few exceptions) it's not anyone else's business, you can just choose not to say anything. Or, you can limit the information to a few trusted friends and family. I don't really care what people think about my ADD etc. -- the ones who judge me negatively probably aren't the type I'd want to socialize with anyway, and their opinions don't mean much to me. So, I'm pretty open about my condition, the meds I take, etc. if the subject comes up, although I don't see any reason to advertise it.
I think there is a rapidly-growing awareness of mental illness as real and treatable, and the stigma definitely is lessening. When I first took Prozac for depression about 12 years ago, I discovered a "secret society" of Prozac users who were extremely close-mouthed about it except with other users. Now, many of the people I work or socialize with talk openly about the antidepressants, antianxiety meds, and even ADD drugs they use. Sometimes this leads others to say things like "you don't need drugs to make you feel better" and so on, but that can be an opportunity to educate them. I ask what medications they take, and whether they could just wish their medical conditions away. Sometimes this has an impact, sometimes not. But by being open, I think it contributes to the growing awareness that mental illness and psychiatric meds aren't limited to crazy people.
This is just my choice -- again, you're not obligated to discuss your mental condition any more than your religious beliefs, political views, sexual orientation, etc. All of these are likely to lead to disapproval from someone. It just comes down to your comfort level, and how much you worry about other people's opinions.
Posted by CC67 on August 3, 2003, at 20:34:46
In reply to Re: Straterra approval. » Kacy, posted by Viridis on August 3, 2003, at 18:22:25
Posted by Dr. Bob on August 4, 2003, at 2:00:50
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by reba on August 3, 2003, at 0:26:59
> This product, like most others, was created by a chemical company hoping to make enough profits than the cost of lawsuits.
First, I'd like follow-ups regarding the pharmaceutical industry in general to be redirected to Psycho-Social-Babble.
> What you are feeling is a placebo effect. PERIOD!
>
> Shel SwartzAlso, please don't exaggerate or overgeneralize:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
> Ok ok, I read all about what you had to say shel swartz and I find it to be so rediculous that there is no reason to waste my time to defend myself...
>
> rebaPlease respect the views of others and be sensitive to their feelings. Please don't post anything that could lead them to feel accused or put down. Thanks,
Bob
PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies, and complaints about posts, should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration; otherwise, they may be deleted.
Posted by KimberlyDi on August 5, 2003, at 12:31:12
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by Shel Swartz on August 2, 2003, at 15:54:08
Try being a parent to an ADHD child. The disease is definately not made up. My son takes Ritilin only while in school. Without it, he's unable to concentrate. With it, he's a straight-A student. The only gift Ritilin gives my son is the ability to Focus instead of being distracted by his surroundings. I don't like that it takes a Stimulant to help him Focus. If Straterra does the same and isn't a stimulant, I'll be grateful to those *money hungry* people.
Sincerely,
KDi in Texas> This product, like most others, was created by a chemical company hoping to make enough profits than the cost of lawsuits. Takng chemicals for ADHD (another disease made up by money-hungry pyschiatrists) is DANGEROUS. What you are feeling is a placebo effect. PERIOD!
>
> If the supposed doctors are sio learned, how come they get just as sick as everyone else, and die off just as we do?
>
> The motivation: MONEY.
Posted by KimberlyDi on August 5, 2003, at 13:00:33
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by Shel Swartz on August 2, 2003, at 18:48:07
There is no cure for the *common* cold because there are hundreds-thousands mutated versions of it.
What in the world would provoke you to come into Psycho-Babble and tell us that our illnesses are perceived?
Your family came from the Depression era? Wow, so did mine! Ever heard of something called Evolution? We adapt to our ever-changing environment. Though once we struggled with manual labor, our hard work is now within our minds. Computers, electronics, requesting and providing information. It's an intellectual world out there. I know when something hampers my brain, it isn't perceived. I know when something fixes the problem too.
KDi in Texas
Posted by KimberlyDi on August 5, 2003, at 13:07:51
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by Kacy on August 3, 2003, at 11:56:09
kacy
My new boss asked me if I had ADHD. He thought it was great if I did. I'm a problem solver at work for a new computer system. I work best attacking problems from many different angles. My hyperactive thought process has me finding solutions every day. Some are discarded, but only when I think up of a better way.It's nothing to be ashamed of.
KDi in Texas
Posted by Kacy on August 5, 2003, at 13:30:23
In reply to Re: Straterra approval. » Kacy, posted by KimberlyDi on August 5, 2003, at 13:07:51
Thanks for your comments. I have been pretty open, but am going to be a little more careful since most people don't know what to say. Since they say little or nothing, I am not sure what they have been thinking.
I don't bring it up out of nowhere, but on occasion, it's the right thing to say. When your life is in flux, it's kind of hard to say who you are when you can't say what you do. I'll be glad when I'm working, again.
Hey, Kimberly, that's great. I know some of the issues are assets.
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