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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by MamaB on November 19, 2003, at 10:23:30
In reply to Re: Strattera- Anyone else feel weak on it?, posted by Viridis on November 18, 2003, at 23:26:51
Virdis et al.
I heartly agree about the slow titration, ditto if you are coming OFF a med. Your body needs a chance to adjust to one change before you throw another one at it! MamaB> I've said this here before, but Strattera seems to be a med that has to be titrated gradually. The side effects do go away (they did for me, anyway) and my pdoc has found the same thing with many other patients. It can be a very helpful drug, but may be intolerable if you go to a high dosage quickly. Try moving up slowly from 25 mg/day or so.
Posted by Nica on November 19, 2003, at 23:30:07
In reply to Re: Straterra - No other takers?, posted by Stavros on November 18, 2003, at 0:15:06
I take it for ADD. I'm a stay at home mom of 2 (32 years old) and a part time student who needs to get a lot done but have a lot of problems with Time management, prioritization, and short term memory loss. I just can't seem to get it together. Typical no doubt. I've been taking Straterra for 1 and a half weeks now. The first week I took 40mg. Now I'm taking 80. I take it in the morning at 8:00. My heart beats faster my mouth is dry, the tip of my togue is a little numb, I'm working fast and breaking a sweat and at the same time feel anxious. By around 3:00 I'm so completely tired I can't go further and have to take a nap. Not because I'm working like crazy because even if I'm not, I'll still feel very fatigued. Last night 11:30 I decided to try taking it at night. When I layed down I could feel my heart beating faster. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to sleep, but I was able to. I woke right up at 5am and was wide awake (I only wake up at 5am 3 days out of the week)I had all of the symptoms that I described above and it wasn't over until 2pm and by 3:30pm I was sleepwalking my way to bed and woke again at 4:45. The fatigue may not be caused by the Straterra because even before I was taking it, I was tired, but now it's even worse. I am also taking 10mg of Lexapro (depression)and 200mg of Lamictal (Bi-polar depressive) I have no depression any more becuase those medications work great. I know that these meds also have the side affect of drowsyness. I was taking 20mg of Lexapro and my dr. brought me down by half in order to see if I am less drowsy. So anyway, I don't think the positives are out-weighing the negatives at this point. I did find that I was able to concentrate better when reading a chapter of text. In the morning I get a lot done. After the nap at 4:30 I'm back to working in the house or with the kids, but I don't have the motivation like I had in the morning. I remain pretty sluggish for the rest of the day. Anyway, I just wanted to let people know what my symptoms are. Reading others information in this forum has been informative for me. --Nica
Posted by MamaB on November 20, 2003, at 12:23:08
In reply to Re: Straterra - No other takers?, posted by Nica on November 19, 2003, at 23:30:07
Nica,
Have you tried splitting your dose (40 in the am and 40 in the mid-afternoon? I just came from seeing my physician (I have been on 80 a day for a month) and I seem to be unique in that I do not get fatigued at all. But then caffine calms me too! Neither do I have many autonomic nervous system symptoms. (BP elevation, racing pulse etc) I do get the sweating, but if i just sit down for a few minutes that goes away.
Keep us posted . MamaBI take it for ADD. I'm a stay at home mom of 2 (32 years old) and a part time student who needs to get a lot done but have a lot of problems with Time management, prioritization, and short term memory loss. I just can't seem to get it together. Typical no doubt. I've been taking Straterra for 1 and a half weeks now. The first week I took 40mg. Now I'm taking 80. I take it in the morning at 8:00. My heart beats faster my mouth is dry, the tip of my togue is a little numb, I'm working fast and breaking a sweat and at the same time feel anxious. By around 3:00 I'm so completely tired I can't go further and have to take a nap. Not because I'm working like crazy because even if I'm not, I'll still feel very fatigued. Last night 11:30 I decided to try taking it at night. When I layed down I could feel my heart beating faster. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to sleep, but I was able to. I woke right up at 5am and was wide awake (I only wake up at 5am 3 days out of the week)I had all of the symptoms that I described above and it wasn't over until 2pm and by 3:30pm I was sleepwalking my way to bed and woke again at 4:45. The fatigue may not be caused by the Straterra because even before I was taking it, I was tired, but now it's even worse. I am also taking 10mg of Lexapro (depression)and 200mg of Lamictal (Bi-polar depressive) I have no depression any more becuase those medications work great. I know that these meds also have the side affect of drowsyness. I was taking 20mg of Lexapro and my dr. brought me down by half in order to see if I am less drowsy. So anyway, I don't think the positives are out-weighing the negatives at this point. I did find that I was able to concentrate better when reading a chapter of text. In the morning I get a lot done. After the nap at 4:30 I'm back to working in the house or with the kids, but I don't have the motivation like I had in the morning. I remain pretty sluggish for the rest of the day. Anyway, I just wanted to let people know what my symptoms are. Reading others information in this forum has been informative for me. --Nica
Posted by lostinspace on November 20, 2003, at 12:40:00
In reply to Re: strattera side effects, posted by bcabare on November 13, 2003, at 12:45:13
ok I've been taking strattera for the past three weeks so far. The first three days started with 40mg then moved up to 80mg. So far I'm Having a lot of side effects. always tired, itchy scalp, dry-mouth,headheache at times and not sleeping to well. I feel a bit more agitated and angery and a sort fuse. I still daydream, have difficulty focusing and can't remeber anything. some possitive things I can sit still for a long period of time, I look more relaxed. did anyone have the same simtomes? I go back to the Doc next week, should I increase, decrease or stay the same?
Posted by MamaB on November 20, 2003, at 12:50:22
In reply to Re: strattera side effects, posted by lostinspace on November 20, 2003, at 12:40:00
>This is just a suggestion of course, but I would stay on the current dose until the worst of the side effects decrease in severity. I am only now (after one month) really able to say that there is a noticable difference, and even that is very subtle. IIMHO because this medication's action IS so smooth in compareson to the CNS stimulants, I can see how the side effects might mane one stop it, That is what I did the first time, and believe me, am I ever glad that I took my docs suggestion to try again at a slower titration. Hang in there, it should get better. MamaB
ok I've been taking strattera for the past three weeks so far. The first three days started with 40mg then moved up to 80mg. So far I'm Having a lot of side effects. always tired, itchy scalp, dry-mouth,headheache at times and not sleeping to well. I feel a bit more agitated and angery and a sort fuse. I still daydream, have difficulty focusing and can't remeber anything. some possitive things I can sit still for a long period of time, I look more relaxed. did anyone have the same simtomes? I go back to the Doc next week, should I increase, decrease or stay the same?
Posted by Nica on November 21, 2003, at 18:16:21
In reply to Re: strattera side effects, posted by MamaB on November 20, 2003, at 12:50:22
After today, I am so ready to quit this straterra. I felt so messed up but only after I drank coffee. My heart was racing I felt very unbalanced. I felt dehydrated. I Had to drink a lot of water. I had dry mouth and a numb tongue. At one point I was dizzy and had to sit and recuperate. From experience of 12 years ago, I feel like I'm on Cocaine. I took 80mg last night before bed. I'm going to take the advice of taking 40 at night and 40 at noon. I guess I won't drink coffee tomorrow either. (which I'm not happy about!) I really do want to get to the point where my body has become used to the medicine and the side affects subside. That's why I've decided that I'll go another day.
What's really disturbing is that my 7-year-old son takes this too. He takes 25mg. He was taking it before me. I've asked him if he feels different when he takes it and he says a little, but has no major complaints except that he hates swallowing the pill. But from what I've read in this forum, the drug really does affect each person differently. I'll let you know what I decide. Again, it's been beneficial reading everyone's experience. Thanks.
Posted by zeugma on November 21, 2003, at 18:48:36
In reply to Re: strattera side effects, posted by Nica on November 21, 2003, at 18:16:21
There should be a warning on the Strattera packaging saying to use caution in drinking caffeinated beverages.
The first time I drank coffee after taking Strattrea I felt like I was going to have a heart attack. My heart raced and I felt out of breath. The experience taught me to be VERY cautious in taking the Strat with caffeine. I've gotten to the point 5 mos. later where I can have a pot or two in the morning, and I use half-caffeinated coffee or add a dash of caffeinated to my afternoon decaf if I feel I need the late-afternoon lift.
On the plus side I no longer need eight cups a day to feel human.
Posted by Nica on November 23, 2003, at 9:24:04
In reply to Re: strattera side effects » Nica, posted by zeugma on November 21, 2003, at 18:48:36
Zeugma - Oh my gosh, when I read that you drink a POT or TWO in the morning I was wondering if you meant a CUP or two. But then you said you no longer need 8 cups to feel human! Man, that's a relief! That's just a sin to treat your body that way. I'm glad to hear that you've cut back to 2 cups a day. Thanks for the input. Precautions on the label? Gee, maybe I should have read the label! Duh! LOL
Posted by zeugma on November 23, 2003, at 9:40:06
In reply to Re: strattera side effects » zeugma, posted by Nica on November 23, 2003, at 9:24:04
I have a small coffeemaker- a pot equals two cups. The second pot in the morning, if I have time for it, is always decaf.
Posted by MamaB on November 23, 2003, at 16:04:06
In reply to Re: strattera side effects » Nica, posted by zeugma on November 23, 2003, at 9:40:06
Coffee is my lifeline! Two cups in the morning, one or two during the day, and one after supper. Unfortunatly, I have expensive taste -- Blue Mountain coffee is what I really go for. As I have said here before though is that calms me.
MamaB> I have a small coffeemaker- a pot equals two cups. The second pot in the morning, if I have time for it, is always decaf.
Posted by Snowie on November 23, 2003, at 22:31:29
In reply to Re: strattera side effects, posted by Nica on November 21, 2003, at 18:16:21
Nica,
I'm sorry you're having so many problems on Strattera. I was warned about side effects when I started taking it, but I haven't had too many negative side effects. I've been on Strattera for over a month. I started out with the 25 mg. dose from my pdoc, and now I'm taking 40 mg. a day. I mentioned to my pdoc during a session certain things about myself and he seemed to think I might have ADD, so "we" tried Adderall XR first and then Ritalin XR. They both made me very nervous and spacey. Now I'm on Strattera. I'm not so sure I have ADD, or maybe if I had it I've outgrown it. The side effects that come to mind are a lack of sex drive, which is okay since I don't have a boyfriend, but at this rate I'll never have one, occasional headaches, and constipation. I sleep well when I sleep, but I seem to need less sleep than usual, which is good. I've never thought of myself as depressed, yet I seem to be more content with my life lately and I've lost a few pounds. Maybe this med is so subtle you don't notice when it's working. I'm not poor, but I had a house project that took nearly every cent I had, and now I'm trying to decorate it. At $50 a month for Strattera, I'm waiting until the end of the month to decide whether it's worth continuing.
Snowie
Posted by sadmom on November 24, 2003, at 13:49:04
In reply to Re: strattera side effects » Nica, posted by Snowie on November 23, 2003, at 22:31:29
I no longer drink anything with caffeine. Even a Diet Coke at lunch will make me extremely hyperactive, since I started taking Strattera.
Posted by narnett on November 30, 2003, at 1:26:59
In reply to Re: strattera WITHDRAWL?, posted by reba on July 30, 2003, at 17:34:27
> 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!I finally got around to looking for anyone else who has withdrawl symptoms... and your sentence above is a pretty good description of what I've felt each time I've missed a couple of doses or actually stopped taking it. I had to stop for a week or so in the spring, due to severe food poisoning, and thought that the head sensation (which also reminds me of a hangover!) was from E. coli. But since then, I've made the connection to not taking the Strattera. I've been off it for a week now, to see what happens, mostly, and that sensation is still happening, especially when I'm tired. I was taking 160 mg a day starting more than a year ago (I was in the clinical trial), then dropped to 80 a day about six months ago. It's not a pleasant feeling and I sure hope it passes soon, even though it's getting less severe and happening less often with each day.
Nick
Posted by Mid- Life Crisis on November 30, 2003, at 9:20:25
In reply to Re: strattera WITHDRAWL?, posted by narnett on November 30, 2003, at 1:26:59
Narnet, I am just curious...why are you trying to get off the Strattera?? Is it not working anymore??
As to the "hangover" effect, perhaps you can help this with drinking coffee until the Strattera side effects go away. (I'm on 75 mg. of Strattera per day but STILL like to drink tons of coffee.) I hope you get rid of this symptom completely.
Posted by narnett on November 30, 2003, at 11:21:19
In reply to Re: strattera WITHDRAWL?, posted by Mid- Life Crisis on November 30, 2003, at 9:20:25
The main reason I'm not taking Strattera right now is Kaiser's ridiculous shortage of psychiatrists. I called for an appointment in mid-September and it is scheduled for mid-January! I only have a couple of weeks of Strattera, so I figured I'd see how I do with out it, since there's not much change of seeing a doctor sooner. And I'm not even sure if Kaiser will prescribe it -- they tend not to make new meds available unless there's solid evidence that the older, less expensive ones aren't as good.
In other words, I'm preparing myself to do battle with the HMO... ;-)
If I were certain that Strattera made a big difference for me, I'd be saying "bad faith" to someone at Kaiser right now. I think I need to see how things are without it for a while in order to convince myself that it's really helping enough to be worth it. I'm doing other things that are lowering my overall anxiety, etc., which I'm thinking probably reduce my need for it.
Or I'll have to just go full-goose bozo so that Kaiser will see something serious in me... ;-)
We'll see.
Nick
Posted by dms777smd on November 30, 2003, at 23:57:56
In reply to Re: strattera WITHDRAWL?, posted by reba on July 30, 2003, at 17:34:27
Ya know, any kind of drug is going to make you feel weird when you get off of it.Your body gets used to whatever you're taking and it can't handle it when you stop.Just hang in there,,,the withdrawals can last a while,but you can get through it.
Posted by Palbella on December 5, 2003, at 19:53:30
In reply to Re: strattera WITHDRAWL? » reba, posted by dms777smd on November 30, 2003, at 23:57:56
Where do i start..My son starting taking Strattera Oct 1st at 40 mill. then 60..then 80 milligrams.He had previously taken Adderall and was having horrible mood swings that he couldn't control.All i know is i wanted him off of it!We then switched to Strattera. He also became very depressed with the Adderall. I was told Strattera is not an overnight process to help ADD.He is not hyper.. but the opposite, spacey, unable to focus and drifts away during classes unable to complete assignments. While on the 80 milligrams of Strattera he became violent again with the mood swings. I lowered the strattera back to 40 cuz frankly..it scared the heck out of me how he was acting.At the same time he was diagnosed with depression and place on Zoloft which he started at 25 milligrams and is now at 50.He's only been on Zoloft for 2 weeks. I can't give it to him at night cuz he can't sleep. The zoloft has the same effect on him so he takes both in the A.M. before school. Honestly, i think he is doing worse on Strattera. The only improvement his teachers and i have seen is that he is more social at school but still unable to do his classwork and still unorganized. Still spacing out as well just as if he wasnt taking anything. I just don't know what to do now. Does anyone have the same situation or in the past with their child? BTW he weighs 180 lbs so i know according to the charts for dosing..he should take the 80 milligrams of Strattera but i'm afraid to raise it because of the reaction we had before and he is now on Zoloft.. HELP !
Posted by frustratedmom on December 5, 2003, at 20:10:15
In reply to Strattera- My 12 year olds experience so far, posted by Palbella on December 5, 2003, at 19:53:30
I have a 15 year old son who weighs almost 170. He is presently taking Adderall for ADD and lexapro for depression. He also has the spacey/can't stay focused type of ADD, not hyper at all. We had him on 30mg of ADDERALL for about 10 months with great success but decided to try Straterra last summer. We were just concerned about the fact that ADDERALL was a stimulant and thought if we could get the same results with a non stimulant, it would be great. He was on the Straterra for about 4 months with no results. We had his dosage as high as 80mg and he was very frustrated, as he could see the difference in lack of focus compared to when he was taking the Adderall. His grades began to slip and we went back to the Adderall again. Forunately, he has not experienced the mood swings or anger you speak of with his medication. He also takes 30mg of the lexapro and he takes both meds in the morning. I have read a lot of peoples comments about Straterra at this site and have not heard too many success stories. I know we were very disappointed in it but am thankful we had success with the Adderall. I wish you had a better experience, as I don't have any other alternatives to share success stories with you. Good luck, I know how frustrating life can be.
Posted by Palbella on December 5, 2003, at 21:49:10
In reply to Re: Strattera- My 12 year olds experience so far, posted by frustratedmom on December 5, 2003, at 20:10:15
Thanks for the response. I've tried Concerta before and it did nothing. He had taken Adderall since the first grade and then went to the XP Adderall which is when we noticed the irritability in him. This is the first year we ever had the mood swings and aggresive behavior. His next appointment will be in January with his doctor and next week with his therapist. I've copied all the teachers emails about his progress which has been none,so all the doctors can see......Strattera is not working. I just wish we hadn't lost all this time trying this new drug cuz we're half way through the year without anything promising to speak of with Strattera.
Posted by Palbella on December 5, 2003, at 21:52:03
In reply to Re: Strattera- My 12 year olds experience so far » frustratedmom, posted by Palbella on December 5, 2003, at 21:49:10
LOL i keep wanting to say Adderall XP ... my brain hurts...... XR ! grrrrrrr
Posted by DSCH on December 6, 2003, at 19:38:01
In reply to Re: Strattera- My 12 year olds experience so far, posted by Palbella on December 5, 2003, at 21:52:03
You may want to ask about a mood stabilizer/anti-convulsant like Depakote.
Hyperactivity in various places in the brain (such as the temporal lobes) combined with inactivity in the pre-frontal cortex can present a problem: stimulants can improve the latter but will tend to worsen the former.
I recommend checking out Dr. Amen's book "Healing ADD" and his websites, http://www.brainplace.com and http://www.amenclinic.com
Posted by Palbella on December 6, 2003, at 20:46:07
In reply to Re: Strattera- My 12 year olds experience so far » Palbella, posted by DSCH on December 6, 2003, at 19:38:01
Thank you for the links and info. Very helpful information.....Thanks so much and I will get the book for sure. I have reading alot about which herbs and vitamins are best for ADD and Depression. I just started my son on vitamins too. I was glad to see on the Doctors website after taking one of the test...that i was right cooking him a good old fashion breakfast and not giving him processed fast foods. I think the Strattera will come to an end as I am not happy with it at all. I feel 2 and 1\2 months is long enough to tell. Thanks again *S*
Posted by DSCH on December 6, 2003, at 21:45:29
In reply to Re: Strattera- My 12 year olds experience so far » DSCH, posted by Palbella on December 6, 2003, at 20:46:07
Posted by Snowie on December 7, 2003, at 19:28:12
In reply to Strattera- My 12 year olds experience so far, posted by Palbella on December 5, 2003, at 19:53:30
Palbella,
I'm an adult with possible ADD but I may have outgrown most of it, so the most I took was 40 mgs. I did better at the lower level that pdocs start you out on. When I was raised to 40 mgs. I became easily irritated, had constipation, some depression, headaches, and no libido. However, I was getting more work done around the house, and my appetite greatly diminished, which was a good side effect. I went off of it because of the negative side effects and the high price.
Snowie
> Where do i start..My son starting taking Strattera Oct 1st at 40 mill. then 60..then 80 milligrams.He had previously taken Adderall and was having horrible mood swings that he couldn't control.All i know is i wanted him off of it!We then switched to Strattera. He also became very depressed with the Adderall. I was told Strattera is not an overnight process to help ADD.He is not hyper.. but the opposite, spacey, unable to focus and drifts away during classes unable to complete assignments. While on the 80 milligrams of Strattera he became violent again with the mood swings. I lowered the strattera back to 40 cuz frankly..it scared the heck out of me how he was acting.At the same time he was diagnosed with depression and place on Zoloft which he started at 25 milligrams and is now at 50.He's only been on Zoloft for 2 weeks. I can't give it to him at night cuz he can't sleep. The zoloft has the same effect on him so he takes both in the A.M. before school. Honestly, i think he is doing worse on Strattera. The only improvement his teachers and i have seen is that he is more social at school but still unable to do his classwork and still unorganized. Still spacing out as well just as if he wasnt taking anything. I just don't know what to do now. Does anyone have the same situation or in the past with their child? BTW he weighs 180 lbs so i know according to the charts for dosing..he should take the 80 milligrams of Strattera but i'm afraid to raise it because of the reaction we had before and he is now on Zoloft.. HELP !
Posted by DaveInSATx on December 8, 2003, at 16:39:30
In reply to Re: Strattera- My 12 year olds experience so far » Palbella, posted by Snowie on December 7, 2003, at 19:28:12
I have been taking Stratera for my ADD for about 6 days. The doctor started me off on 40mG starter pack, and now I'm up to 60mG. Since taking Strattera, I have had strange things happen. Since take the 60's, I have been extremely fatigued around noon. I take it around 9 AM, and after reading some of the other posts, I realize I should probably take it in the evening. One of the side effects that really bothers me, is the chills, and like today, suddenly becoming hot and sweating. I didn't really notice the hot spells until today while I was shopping, I noticed I was getting really hot, and my forehead was beginning to sweat. I got in my car, turn the A/C on high, and it slowly cooled me down, then I got the chills again. Another thing, this started when I began taking the 60's, when it gets dark and I start winding down and watching TV/reading, I notice my feet and toes get extremely cold. I put them on a heat pad and it doesn't seem to help. I never had problems like this before the Strattera. Does anyone else get these symptoms? Will they go away? Should i contact my doctor?
Someone please let me know...-Dave
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