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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Palbella on December 8, 2003, at 20:57:59
In reply to Strange Strattera side-effects, posted by DaveInSATx on December 8, 2003, at 16:39:30
Hi ...Well my son had originally started on Strattera Oct 1st. He started at 40 milligrams then several weeks later went to 60 milligrams for another 2 weeks. He was then increased to 80 milligrams which according to his body weight is the amount he should be at....but he began to have horriable, uncontrollable mood swings which thats how he put it.. he was out of control over the smallest things that got him upset. This was right before he was placed on Zoloft for depression. Zoloft helped alot with the mood swings..but i backed him to 40 milligrams of Strattera cuz it scared the hell out of me! He orignally took Strattera in the morning before school. The pdoc said my lowering his dose was ok and that he could even divide it into 2 dosages instead of the 1 pill. I now have him taking it at night which i slowly moved the time closer and closer to bedtime. It does make him sleepy just like you experienced which defeated the whole purpose of taking Strattera for ADD at school. The teachers said he was out of it sitting at his desk trying to do class assignments. He hasn't said anything about sweats nor getting hot but he gets a little lightheaded. But wow are you right on it....about the feet getting cold! I just started noticing that same thing. His feet get so cold and he can't warm them up. I didn't think about it being the Strattera but you have something there. It must be.....All i can say is the Zoloft does him more good than the Strattera and the bad thing is.. you have to slowly get it out of your system or it can really mess you up. I don't like it and have seen no benefits at all from it. It's made things worse from what i can tell. I was told by the doctors that it has to build up and level off before it works like it should and that can take several months. I've seen nothing positive about it yet. All i can say is go with your instincts...if it's too wierd feeling for you then try something else before you're on it too long. Remember too that some people can't sleep when they take it at night....but some it zonks out so bad during the AM that you have to change to PM. It takes about 2 hours for it to reach its peak after you take it.. so take it when you get in bed and not several hours before or you might have problems falling asleep...Good Luck *S*
Posted by MamaB on December 9, 2003, at 6:06:17
In reply to Strange Strattera side-effects, posted by DaveInSATx on December 8, 2003, at 16:39:30
> 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...-DaveDave,
I have been on Strattera for about three months now and the "hot cold" thing has on occasion drivin me crazy too. I am very active physically (run, bike ski swim etc, and never have I sweat as much as I do now. The other night when my husband came to bed I had to have him switch on my side of the electric blanket as I was too cold to even reach out from under the covers !! I am on 80 mgm/day
The hot cold thing seems at it's worst if I forget a dose and then after the next dose it hits. I must say hwever this is getting better albiet gradually. MamaB
Posted by DaveInSATx on December 9, 2003, at 11:58:44
In reply to Re: Strange Strattera side-effects, posted by MamaB on December 9, 2003, at 6:06:17
Thank you both for replying, I really appreciate it :)
I took my Strattera last night as I was going to bed around midnight. I woke up around 6:00 and it took me about 45 minutes to fall back asleep. But to tell you the truth, I actually feel rested for a change. I think I'll stick to taking it at night :)
I haven't had much of a problem with the cold feet the past few nights. The two nights that I had the problem were on night when the temperatures fell into the high 30's, low 40's. Being that it's Texas, our weather changes constantly. Now the temperatues are in the 60's at night. So, I haven't had the problem. Though, today a cold front came through and it's supposed to be 35 degrees, so it'll be interesting to see if I get the cold feel syndrome :-P
Haven't had any hot flashes yet today. Hopefully take the medication at night has alleviated that problem.Thanks for the input :-)
-Dave
Posted by Palbella on December 9, 2003, at 19:51:00
In reply to Re: Strange Strattera side-effects, posted by DaveInSATx on December 9, 2003, at 11:58:44
That's what is so nice about sharing info with each other. Makes ya feel like you're not the ONLY one experiencing how drugs act. Everyone is different...but if my experiences help you then i'm glad to give any insight.Taking new drugs can be a scary thing too.Hope Strattera works for you..Take care *S*
Posted by lessismore on December 9, 2003, at 22:17:55
In reply to Re: Strange Strattera side-effects, posted by DaveInSATx on December 9, 2003, at 11:58:44
I have been on Strattera for 4 months now, and it has been a life saver. Or at least a sanity saver. I pay out of pocket for it, $6 a day. I didn't have chills, but I did have sweats for the first couple months. It was also summer though. I quickly saw a difference in my ability to focus. I have noticed that most of the people who post about out of control mood swings are parents of adolescents. I did feel some irritability, but not irrationally. I also wonder whether people with more or worse side effects are more likely to post here. I told 2 friends about Strattera, and they both started it and have been thrilled. One was very tired at first, and the other lost his appetite at first, but both leveled out in a month. I have been off it now for 3 days, because I'm broke, and God do I miss it. I'm wandering around like an idiot again, forgetting what I was doing. Maybe I should have everyone who hates it send theirs to me!
Posted by DaveInSATx on December 9, 2003, at 22:52:48
In reply to Re: Strange Strattera side-effects, posted by lessismore on December 9, 2003, at 22:17:55
Lessismore,
I know how you feel. Before taking Strattera, I was on NUMEROUS antidepressants. After getting off all of them, I felt as if I was going crazy. It was the WORST with the Effexor. It was like a hangover feeling. My sister and I referred to them as "Effexor headaches". Everything felt as if it were pushing down on me. It took about 2 days before the withdrawals came one. Also, I would twitch from time to time
The anti-depressants I took, In order, were Celexa, Effexor, Effexor XR, Xanax, Paxil, Lexapro, and Zyprexa. I never felt depressed, but I just could NOT focus, etc. So the doctor tried me on those. None of them worked. I still have panic attacks from time to time. Then I saw the Adult ADD commercial, and it prompted me to go back to the doctor.
I don't take medication for the panic attacks anymore, but I have found ways to get around the panic attacks. When I feel one coming on, I take a huge breath, hold it in and focus on something else. I got them mostly when I would go out to eat with friends/relatives and then it would happen in the car. Strange, huh? When I have the panic attacks it feels like I'm going to vomit.
So anyway, I'm curious, anyone have any coping mechanisms for their panic attacks? Any medication get rid of them completely?Thanks everyone! :)
Dave
Posted by MamaB on December 10, 2003, at 9:05:13
In reply to Re: Strange Strattera side-effects, posted by DaveInSATx on December 9, 2003, at 22:52:48
Dave,
Again we sound as though our situations may be similar. I am SO GLAD to hear that someone else has learned how to handle anxiety and panic without medication!! I taught myself that many years ago as most physicians refused to give me anything (I am an ex-alcoholic)
Today I try and teach those with whom I work, but it is VERY TOUGH. There have been a number of successes, but in so many cases I find people unwilling or unable to invest the time and create the new mind-set that is required to overcome anxiety. Please, those of you who take meds, I mean nothing negative toward you!
I find that some days the Strattera works better than others. I absolutely cannot take it at night-- tried it and all I did was toss and turn. You are fortunate that you can. Blessings, MamaB
Posted by squids on December 10, 2003, at 16:57:15
In reply to Strange Strattera side-effects, posted by DaveInSATx on December 8, 2003, at 16:39:30
I took 40mg Strattera for 2 weeks before discontinuing. I felt warmer than usual and sweated all of the time. But that wasn't bad. The stuff made me drowsy during the day, then at night I would wake up every 2 hours or so. Also I was in a really bad irritable mood all of the time. In 2 weeks these effects had not gone away and it was intolerable taking Strattera any more. I quit that and am taking Provigil and Wellbutrin - with small but definite improvements on my ADD (inattentive type).
Posted by Palbella on December 10, 2003, at 18:43:17
In reply to Re: Strange Strattera side-effects, posted by lessismore on December 9, 2003, at 22:17:55
I really really wanted to see good results with Strattera. I found this board to see if there was anything positive about the medication because I wasn't sure I had given it enough time to let it do its thing like it's suppose to. Is 3 months long enough? I do believe it should be but maybe i'm wrong. Trust me I want it to work for my son. He started slowly on it and increased it just like his doctor/doctors said but......the emails i get from his teachers say that it is not doing anything so far. Made him more sociable but as far as classwork ..it hasn't helped at all. Worse according to them. The Zoloft has smoothed his irritabilty from Strattera but I did have to decrease the dosage from 80 back to 40 milligrams a day of *S*. I prayed Strattera would be the right med for ADD but i don't see it nor the school and 3 months is plenty of time.I guess it works for some but not all. Yes it is expensive....! Glad to see it helps you. *S*
Posted by Palbella on December 10, 2003, at 18:56:30
In reply to Re: Strange Strattera side-effects, posted by MamaB on December 10, 2003, at 9:05:13
Well my son tried it in the AM but it's worse as far as the lesser of two evils. At first taking it at night did make him toss and turn as you said. When he took it in the AM, between 1 and 2 hours later is when it hit him.. made him like in a daze in school. The teachers said he just sits up like he's asleep with his eyes wide open. I just recently switched him to night right before bed and i mean right when he jumps in bed so it doesnt give it time to hit him cuz he falls asleep before that 2 hour time factor. He wakes up much better too. I switched the Zoloft to AM to take the edge off of Strattera mood swings... so things are better that way but still Strattera hasn't helped him with focusing and getting things done. He has to see 1 of his doctors this Friday and i guess we'll go from there. I had such hopes for this drug but i just don't see any benefits at all for him on it. He is in therapy as well and i would love nothing better than for him to be drug free...That would be a blessing.. Take Care *S*
Posted by Palbella on December 10, 2003, at 19:03:17
In reply to Re: Strange Strattera side-effects, posted by squids on December 10, 2003, at 16:57:15
> I took 40mg Strattera for 2 weeks before discontinuing. I felt warmer than usual and sweated all of the time. But that wasn't bad. The stuff made me drowsy during the day, then at night I would wake up every 2 hours or so. Also I was in a really bad irritable mood all of the time. In 2 weeks these effects had not gone away and it was intolerable taking Strattera any more. I quit that and am taking Provigil and Wellbutrin - with small but definite improvements on my ADD (inattentive type).
That is exactly how it affects him..fortunatly the Zoloft helps with the irritability We started out taking my son off of Adderall because of mood swings and were only working on his ADD for school then the doctors after therapy said he suffered with depression too. I don't know what we will do to help with the ADD situation but that is still a big problem. Good Luck yourself *S*
Posted by Mid-Life Crisis on December 11, 2003, at 0:25:06
In reply to Re: Strange Strattera side-effects, posted by Palbella on December 10, 2003, at 19:03:17
I keep reading here about primarily bad experiences with Strattera, and my 15 yr. old son is also one who it hasn't helped, possibly because his pediatrician wouldn't allow him to be on more than 60 mg. daily. However, I guess he should've noticed some improvement by now anyway, after 2 months of 60 mg. So it's back to Dexadrine for him, I guess.
However...I've been on Strattera (now 75 mg. per day) for nearly 3 months, and somewhere around 6-8 weeks I stopped having the sleepiness and sweats from it and could finally stop taking it at night instead of in the a.m. Now I take it several times (25 mg. each) throughout the day and it allows me to get away from the roller-coaster caused by Adderall, ritalin, Concerta, in other words, all the stimulants. In addition, it does not increase my anxiety like they do, and best of all, I can now go through a whole day without alternating between states of being hyper and then a few hours later, comatose. I now have a "middle" (normal) state of consciousness, and can function the whole day without "crashing". This allows me to maintain my focus and attention level throughout the day. I hope I never have to be without Strattera, it is a huge help. So, I would definitely recommend a trial of it for at least 2 months, if you can stand it, before deciding that it doesn't work. It may end up being the most helpful drug you've ever taken, but also the longest to "kick in".
Posted by squids on December 11, 2003, at 14:19:55
In reply to Re: Strange Strattera side-effects, posted by Palbella on December 10, 2003, at 19:03:17
> That is exactly how it affects him..fortunatly the Zoloft helps with the irritability We started out taking my son off of Adderall because of mood swings and were only working on his ADD for school then the doctors after therapy said he suffered with depression too. I don't know what we will do to help with the ADD situation but that is still a big problem. Good Luck yourself *S*
>I should have mentioned that I had been on zoloft for depression prior to adding the strattera. Zoloft worked OK for depression, my mood was better; but it didn't do anything noticable for ADD. As soon as strattera was added I was irritable and in a bad mood all of the time. 2 weeks was all I could endure before stopping - and even then it took another week before I got out of those moods. If the stratter did anything for my ADD (I didn't notice anything), the disrupted sleep and irritability offset any positive effects.
My pdoc has a pretty low opinion of strattera for adult add. He thinks it's OK for children (I don't know what the cutoff age is) but apparently none of his adult patients, including me, has had any success with it. Individual biological factors are different for everyone, so it was worth a try at any rate.
Best of luck.
Posted by Viridis on December 11, 2003, at 22:59:16
In reply to Re: Strange Strattera side-effects, posted by squids on December 11, 2003, at 14:19:55
I was pretty enthusiastic about Strattera for a while there -- I titrated up fairly slowly, had a few minor side effects at first (mild nausea etc.), but it improved my mood and concentration almost immediately. The annoying thing is that once I'd been on 80 mg/day for a few months, it just seemed to stop doing anything, except raise my blood pressure in a predictable way (my resting blood pressure is usually normal, but consistently went up substantially after each dose of Strattera). It also seemed to cause some weird new cognitive side effects at the full dose, especially if I was sleep-deprived.
So, I stopped it. I had no problems with sudden discontinuation (I was on it for about 6 months), and the blood pressure and other issues resolved within a few days.
It seems like a drug with promise for some people, and I can't say I had a particularly bad time with it. I do recommend increasing the dose in steps of 25 mg or so every couple of weeks or so to minimize side effects. I am a bit disappointed, though.
Posted by Mimi on December 13, 2003, at 16:59:42
In reply to Strange Strattera side-effects, posted by DaveInSATx on December 8, 2003, at 16:39:30
> 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
Strattera at 25mg. works wonderfully for me. When the dose was upped to 50mg/day I became very very ill and stopped it all together which caused a near lethal reaction.That being said, I've been on 25mg./day for two months and my life is going along exceptionally well.
Mimi
Posted by DaveInSATx on December 16, 2003, at 11:08:18
In reply to Re: Strange Strattera side-effects » DaveInSATx, posted by Mimi on December 13, 2003, at 16:59:42
Well, I've officially been on Strattera for 2 full weeks. Since taking it at night, it has cut down on the hot flashes/chills side effect, but there is one thing that really bothers me. I have no gotten a good nights sleep since! I'll go to sleep, and less than 30 minutes later, I'll be wide awake, as if I'd never gone to bed. Or, after about 4 hours of sleep, I will wake up and be wide awake, not able to go back to sleep. Anyone else have this problem?
Dave..or maybe I should now be Sleepless in San Antonio? ;-)
Posted by riddlemethis on December 17, 2003, at 19:57:24
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by Jim Boardman on January 10, 2003, at 14:33:23
Hey! I started taking Strattera 4 days ago. So far I haven't experienced any terrible side effects. I've been a bit dizzy, but that's not unusual for me. I'm so used to being spaced out and "not there" mentally that, if this is a side effect, it really isn't a bother to me.
As far as positive results, I think it's too soon to tell for sure. The initial reason I began taking it is for my "brain fog" that is caused by my ADD. My doctor said this might help. Here's hoping!
One thing I did notice, though, is that I've been having very vivid/unusual dreams early in the morning. Does anyone know if that's a common side effect?
Posted by Atlas27 on December 21, 2003, at 13:02:09
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by riddlemethis on December 17, 2003, at 19:57:24
I've been convinced that I had ADD since my two sons were both diagnosed many years ago. I finally got the courage to try it, but had to convince my doc to prescribe it. He wasn't familiar with it, and after researching it started me on a 60 mg dose. After reading the postings here, that sounds really high to start with. I'm 6'2", and weigh 190 lbs, and 49 yrs. old. Is the dosage based on size or need? I'm only on my second day, so I haven't felt any impact yet, good or bad. Should I find a new doc, get a lower dose? What do you think?
Posted by DaveInSATx on December 21, 2003, at 13:12:38
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by Atlas27 on December 21, 2003, at 13:02:09
Atlas,
I started on 40 MG, and after 4 days went to 60 Mg. I myself and 5'11, 210. Is it too high of a dose? Not sure. But, I did start to notice the side-effects when I started taking the 60's, so it has me wondering. Let us know if you have any side-effects. The ones I noticed first were the hot flashes/cold feet thing. Hopefully, that won't happen to you :-)
Dave
Posted by MamaB on December 21, 2003, at 13:37:22
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by Atlas27 on December 21, 2003, at 13:02:09
Hmmm...
I am a 5'8" female and weigh 138lbs. The first time I started Strattera at 80mgm all at once. Whoa, did I get side effects! (sweating, chilling, vaginal bleeding, throat like the Sahara Desert)
I stopped and about a month later the doc had me try it again -- 40 mgm. for a week then going to 80 in a divided dose. I have been on it for almost four months and the side effects are pretty much gone. MamaB
> I've been convinced that I had ADD since my two sons were both diagnosed many years ago. I finally got the courage to try it, but had to convince my doc to prescribe it. He wasn't familiar with it, and after researching it started me on a 60 mg dose. After reading the postings here, that sounds really high to start with. I'm 6'2", and weigh 190 lbs, and 49 yrs. old. Is the dosage based on size or need? I'm only on my second day, so I haven't felt any impact yet, good or bad. Should I find a new doc, get a lower dose? What do you think?
Posted by Palbella on December 21, 2003, at 19:31:45
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by MamaB on December 21, 2003, at 13:37:22
>
> Hmmm...
> I am a 5'8" female and weigh 138lbs. The first time I started Strattera at 80mgm all at once. Whoa, did I get side effects! (sweating, chilling, vaginal bleeding, throat like the Sahara Desert)
> I stopped and about a month later the doc had me try it again -- 40 mgm. for a week then going to 80 in a divided dose. I have been on it for almost four months and the side effects are pretty much gone. MamaB
>
>
>
>
> > I've been convinced that I had ADD since my two sons were both diagnosed many years ago. I finally got the courage to try it, but had to convince my doc to prescribe it. He wasn't familiar with it, and after researching it started me on a 60 mg dose. After reading the postings here, that sounds really high to start with. I'm 6'2", and weigh 190 lbs, and 49 yrs. old. Is the dosage based on size or need? I'm only on my second day, so I haven't felt any impact yet, good or bad. Should I find a new doc, get a lower dose? What do you think?
>
>
They prescribe on weight but you are to start slowly and not the full dose all at once. Slowly and work up to the dose according to your weight. Good Luck *S*
Posted by Dreaman on December 23, 2003, at 23:31:50
In reply to Re: Straterra approval. » MamaB, posted by Palbella on December 21, 2003, at 19:31:45
Hello,
I was wondering how all the Inattentive
ADDers (meaning main symptoms are tiredness, brain fog, really bad concentration, maybe social shyness and inhibition) have done on Strattera. So far on this thread I have not read anything specifically about how well the strattera works for Inattentives. Sometimes I get really frustrated at how much attention the people with the hyperactive component get in the literature and books while inattentives are barely mentioned. My intuition is that Inattentives as apose to Hyperactives would have a big differences in their reactions to the strattera compared to the differences that are seen with traditional stimulants. I say this because strattera works almost exclusivly on Nuero-epinephrine (spelling ?) as apposed ritalin working on both dopamine and neuroepinephrine. So I am guessing that one ADD type or the other needs neuroepinephrine more than dopamine. Am I right or am I just dreaming this all up?Anyway I was on ritalin for about 2 years before I started getting tolerant of it. Now it barely works no matter what dosage I am on. Did this happen to anyone else? In the beginning it was really a miracle drug for me, not anymore so I am looking into strattera. What I really want to know is what are the cognitive effects of the strat ie focus, concentration how do they compare with stims? Also did strattera help anyone overcome shyness or social inhibitions.
Any shared experiences would be great especially
from inattentives!
Posted by Atlas27 on December 23, 2003, at 23:59:52
In reply to Re: Straterra approval. » MamaB, posted by Palbella on December 21, 2003, at 19:31:45
Thanks for the feedback. Happy to say that four days into this med and I'm doing OK. I felt a little better from day one, but now it's really kicking in. The funniest part is this cold feet thing. I thought people were kidding, but I've got it big time, especially at night in bed. Even my wife was complaining. My doc prescribed 60 mg. now, once a day, then moving up to 120 mg. after a week. With the results I'm seeing now, I think I'll stay at one pill/day. Are most people here on two pills/day? Maybe I should still get my doc to prescribe a lower dose, but take it twice/day. What do you think?
Posted by Atlas27 on December 24, 2003, at 0:04:54
In reply to Strattera for Inattentive ADD ?, posted by Dreaman on December 23, 2003, at 23:31:50
You've described my problem to a "T". I'm not hyperactive, though I have often been called fidgety. Sometimes I have to get up after sitting for a while, too. I'm shy and easily distracted. Those traits are viewed as antisocial by some. I'm hoping the Strattera will help me concentrate more at work as I have a very detailed job. More than that, though, I'm taking it because I'm hoping it will help me get thru a conversation without looking away or drifting off the topic all the time. It's supposed to help, and already has a little bit after just four days. Stay tuned and I'll let you know what progress I make over time.
Posted by MamaB on December 24, 2003, at 7:10:11
In reply to Re: Straterra approval., posted by Atlas27 on December 23, 2003, at 23:59:52
Atlas,
The lower dose twice a day is what works for me --I'd say give it a try. And the hot/cold thing should dissappear after a week or two, hang in there.> Thanks for the feedback. Happy to say that four days into this med and I'm doing OK. I felt a little better from day one, but now it's really kicking in. The funniest part is this cold feet thing. I thought people were kidding, but I've got it big time, especially at night in bed. Even my wife was complaining. My doc prescribed 60 mg. now, once a day, then moving up to 120 mg. after a week. With the results I'm seeing now, I think I'll stay at one pill/day. Are most people here on two pills/day? Maybe I should still get my doc to prescribe a lower dose, but take it twice/day. What do you think?
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