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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by beppe3 on June 26, 2003, at 23:32:57
In reply to Re: Lasagne-Thoroughly annoyed at Strattera » beppe3, posted by Lasagne on June 26, 2003, at 13:09:05
Lasagne-
Once again, thank you, thank you, and thankyou. Your feed back is precious to me. I printed up your reply, because I had a very ard fall today roller balding on my tail bone and I need to get back to lying down and icing. I will read your response again and I'm sure I will have more questions and other things to discuss. When you said email you did you mean respond on this board or did you give me your email address and I just missed it. Have a good nights rest and I will talk to you tomorrow.
Thanks again,
Beppe
Posted by Lasagne on June 27, 2003, at 12:14:27
In reply to Re: Lasagne-Thoroughly annoyed at Strattera » Lasagne, posted by beppe3 on June 26, 2003, at 23:32:57
Hi Beppe:
Yes, feel free to e-mail me directly at
jeffsonya@adelphia.net
I really like this web-site because it allows for support without having to leave your house. Real convenient when you are a stay at home mother.
Glad that sharing my experience with you is helping. I hope you feel better. I tried rollerblading one time and that was the last time. My ankles just aren't strong enough to balance on those things. I can't imagine having a big fall. For sure I would break something. Heck I just slipped and fell on the kitchen floor a few years ago and I sprained my arm bad. It took weeks for it to heal.
Okay, I will look forward to hearing from you.
Sonya/Lasagne
Posted by beppe3 on June 28, 2003, at 0:30:20
In reply to Re: Lasagne-Thoroughly annoyed at Strattera » beppe3, posted by Lasagne on June 27, 2003, at 12:14:27
Thanks for your email address. I will be writing you soon, probably tomorrow.
I agree with you about this site being a great support network even if you can get out to other meetings or groups.
I haven't roller bladed in years and got a little to arrogant after I was warmed up a bit. Anyway, I may have to go to the doctor Monday, because I took a pretty hard hit right above my tail bone and got a very nice street scrub on my elbow.
Despite the fall it was nice to be in the outdoors. When I'm unable to be balanced on meds getting aerobic activity in the outdoors is my saving grace.
I'll be writing soon. Meanwhile have a great weekend and take care.
Beppe
Posted by Viridis on June 28, 2003, at 1:59:02
In reply to Re: Strattera side effects, posted by fallsfall on June 25, 2003, at 8:45:45
Thanks for the advice. I moved from 25 to 40 mg about a week ago, and was experiencing mild nausea, dry mouth and eyes, and stiff neck and shoulders after the dosage increase. But these effects seem to have diminished in the last couple of days, so in a few more days I'll move up to 65 mg. It's definitely a calming, clarity-inducing med for me, and I can live with a few days of mild side effects.
It's very different from SSRIs or Wellbutrin, with which the side effects just never went away for me. So far, I rate Strattera quite highly, and I'm reasonably experienced with psychiatric meds. I'm taking it primarily for ADD and depression, but it also seems to help with anxiety. I also take low daily doses of Klonopin, Adderall, and Neurontin, plus Xanax now and then, and I haven't noticed any interaction of Strattera with these. All in all, it seems like a pretty "gentle" med.
Posted by bookgurl99 on July 8, 2003, at 14:55:57
In reply to Straterra approval., posted by scoper on December 28, 2002, at 2:19:34
Restarting strattera: pdoc has me taking 40 mgs and remaining there for 4 weeks, due to strong reaction (grogginess, agitation) last time.
This time, took a 40 mg. pill, feel -- NOTHING. Nothing at all. Maybe I'll see an effect tomorrow.
Posted by fallsfall on July 8, 2003, at 17:07:51
In reply to re-starting strattera-- Day 1 , posted by bookgurl99 on July 8, 2003, at 14:55:57
Good luck!
I love my Strattera.
You might see if when you do increase if you can do it in 10mg or 18mg increments.
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
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