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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Mila S on November 12, 2003, at 22:54:15
In reply to Re: Strattera, posted by lessismore on November 5, 2003, at 19:30:15
I went on strattera several weeks ago. At first it seemed to be helping. However, I noticed that when I miss a dose or two or reduce the dose, I become severely depressed. I have experienced this sort of depression before but in recent years it has not been this bad. However, since I started the strattera, it has come back albeit only when I miss or change (reduce) the dose. It seems as if I have become dependent(not in the addictive sense) on the strattera such that not taking it causes this severe reaction.
It is not helping me all that much when I do take it. So I am not sure if I should keep taking it given the reaction I have when I miss a dose. Also I find that missing a dose or changing doses causes severe sleepiness as well.
I'm afraid to stop it altogether as I become so terribly depressed. Yet it seems that I need to get it out of my system altogether if I want these negative reactions to stop. I went up to 100 mg a day. Presently I have reduced the dose to 60 mg a day and I feel worse then I did before I ever started it.
Anyone else have this experience? Some folks mentioned mood swings. Perhaps this is what is happening to me. However the severity of the depression experienced seems to be something more then mere mood swings occurring as a side effect. And the fact that it happens when I miss a dose indicates that is not just a matter of a side effect but some kind of severe withdrawal effect.
I'm not sure whether I should get off it completely and suffer through the severe depression or keep taking the drug at my maximum dose. I also noticed getting severely depressed when I was first on 60 mg and would miss a dose.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Posted by sadmom on November 13, 2003, at 8:32:40
In reply to Re: Strattera - helping or hurting?, posted by Mila S on November 12, 2003, at 22:54:15
My left eye lid started twitching a couple of days ago and it is very annoying. Do you think it is the Strattera (80 mg) or the Remeron (30 mg) I am taking?
Posted by bcabare on November 13, 2003, at 12:45:13
In reply to Re: strattera side effects » MamaB, posted by Lasagne on November 12, 2003, at 21:45:59
Yes, I agree, the scalp itching can be pretty bad and sometimes its on my arms and legs, too.
But the ability to feel like I really belong to society now is worth the odd, bothersome, side effects.> Oh, you think the hot flashes are bad, try extreme scalp itch with no apparent scalp condition. I complained about this to my doctor and he didn't believe me that I thought it was due to the Strattera and then I read other posts on this web-site of people experiencing the same thing. So don't assume your doctor knows everything.
> Lasagna
>
>
> > > Somewhat glad to see others having hot flashes; I thought I was going through menopause. (I take between 100 and 120 mg/morning with 40mg prozac)
> >
> > Boy an I glad to know I wasn't imagining the hot flashes! My psychiatrist still doesn't believe me
> > but they were very real!
>
>
Posted by Mid- Life Crisis on November 13, 2003, at 15:05:07
In reply to Re: Strattera or Remeron - eye lid twitching?, posted by sadmom on November 13, 2003, at 8:32:40
I'm glad you mentioned the eyelid twitching! I have had it for months, ever since I began ANY ADHD drugs. I have had it on Adderall, methylphenidate, Concerta, and now Strattera. It makes no difference which one, they all do it! (For me, it's only the right eyelid.) I have never been on any other psych. drugs but these, and have never had a permanent eyelid twitch before!
Although it's probably only noticeable to me, it's still very annoying. At first I thought it might be stress-related (bar exam, selling a house, looking for a job, etc.) but it's been months, and I've still got it. Besides, I feel calm for the first time in my life on Strattera, so it can't be anxiety-related.
Help! Has anyone else had this, and if so, did it ever go away??
Posted by Lasagne on November 13, 2003, at 20:28:44
In reply to Re: Strattera -does it wear off? » Lasagne, posted by loolot on November 12, 2003, at 22:18:20
Hi:
To clarify about Strattera being similar to the SSRI's, I should say that both are reuptake inhibitors. Granted they work on different chemicals (Serotonin vs. Norephinehrine), yet Strattera still has antidepressant properties as well as benefits for attentional problems. Prior to Strattera my son was being treated with stimulants and the antidepressant Celexa. My doctor said that the antidepressants help to give 24 hour control over the attention deficit symptoms and the stimulants give optimal control during the day when more focus is required for school or work. Like I said before I have been on the Strattera since May and it has helped extremely with my depression and attentional problems. This is really the most functional that I have been in years.
Lasagna
Posted by Lasagne on November 13, 2003, at 21:14:42
In reply to Re: Strattera - helping or hurting?, posted by Mila S on November 12, 2003, at 22:54:15
Hi:
Maybe you need to switch to an antidepressant while you taper off the Strattera. If you don't think the Strattera is giving you positive benefits when you take the medication regularly then it is an expensive medication to take just to prevent yourself from going into a depression. From my experience it takes more than a month to reach the optimal benefits of Strattera. Yet, I have read on this site that some people don't respond well to it at all. If you feel you are in this category then you may need to temporarily take another antidepressant medication so you can have control over the depression symptoms and then a few months down the road after you have completely tapered off the Strattera, then maybe you can try going off the antidepressant slowly to see how you function. The more I learn about Strattera and the SSRI's, I am finding that many people experience uncomfortable withdrawl symptoms when going off of them. According to my doctor the only way to reduce the withdrawl discomfort is to slowly ween yourself off of them. Last year I tried reducing my Prozac and I felt lousy. My doctor then suggested that so many days a week I should take my normal dose (60 mgs. MWFSun) and then the other few days I should take the lower dose (40 mgs. TTHSat) until my body adjusted to taking the 40 mgs. everyday and then to work on making the switch from 40 mgs. to 20 mgs. and so forth. Once I tapered down I did fine for a little while and then next thing I knew the depression came back full force making me realize that I will need to be on medication for the rest of my life. I suffered for years with depression before finally receiving proper treatment. There is a clear genetic tendency in my family towards mental illness, so I am a firm believer that antidepressants and Strattera have life altering benefits. There are of course some people who do not respond well to them at all, nevertheless their bodies get used to the chemicals being in their bodies after a trial of medicaiton and then when they try to abruptly discontinue the medication, they often have withdrawl symptoms as their bodies adjust to not having the chemical in their body anymore. I don't see this as the same type of chemical dependence that people get from abusing illegal drugs or alchohol because when I was going off of Prozac, I didn't feel an uncontrollable urge to down a bunch of pills to to ease the discomfort. From my personal experience with my brother who was recently hooked on crystal meth, stimulants carry a devastating level of dependence with them that will make you do anything to make the 'downer'/withdrawl symptoms disappear. I didn't experience anything close to this when going off the Prozac.
Lasagna
Posted by Mila S on November 13, 2003, at 23:35:47
In reply to Re: Strattera - helping or hurting? » Mila S, posted by Lasagne on November 13, 2003, at 21:14:42
Thanks, I have had depression for years and still have not found somthing that works adequately. I have tried many of the anti-depressants and other drugs, however I never experienced this kind of withdrawal. I was hoping I would not have to taper off given that would mean I must buy lower dose pills. I was taking 60 and 40 mg pills. I dropped to just 60mg a day. I guess I'll drop to 40mg and when those run out see if I can handle the withdrawal.
Thanks much for your feedback. I would go on an anti-deppressant if I thought it might help, but I have been on so many that did not work (effexor, prozax, paxil, wellbutrin, remeron, lexapro, celexa...etc.). I would not know what to try next although there is always somthing new to try--I guess I've lost faith in medications. But I know I'm being irrational. All there is to do is to keep trying.
Posted by loolot on November 15, 2003, at 15:34:07
In reply to Re: Strattera - helping or hurting?, posted by Mila S on November 13, 2003, at 23:35:47
I feel generally a lot weaker on this med. It is a lot harder to excercise and I also seem to get sick more often. Anyone else have this problem? Also, is there another med which boosts Norep. only which isnt a reuptake inhibitor?
Posted by lessismore on November 15, 2003, at 17:18:52
In reply to Re: Strattera- Anyone else feel weak on it?, posted by loolot on November 15, 2003, at 15:34:07
Boy, I don't. I felt incredibly capable and motivated the first month or so. Now it's getting easier to not do the things I should, again, but I'm still thinking much more clearly and linearly (sp?!).
Posted by Lasagne on November 16, 2003, at 20:54:53
In reply to Re: Strattera - helping or hurting?, posted by Mila S on November 13, 2003, at 23:35:47
This is just a thought, but maybe you would have luck trying several different medications at the same time. For years I only took Prozac and thought it really helped, then a few years ago I started having more anxiety problems and the doctor began me on Buspar. Once again the Buspar made a huge difference. Then,last year my doctor diagnosed me at ADD and began me on Strattera. Somehow the combo of all these meds has made me more functional than I have been in years. I have also observed the same in my 11 year old son. It's a combination of medications that keep his stable. Good luck! Don't give up on trying to feel better.
Lasagna> Thanks, I have had depression for years and still have not found somthing that works adequately. I have tried many of the anti-depressants and other drugs, however I never experienced this kind of withdrawal. I was hoping I would not have to taper off given that would mean I must buy lower dose pills. I was taking 60 and 40 mg pills. I dropped to just 60mg a day. I guess I'll drop to 40mg and when those run out see if I can handle the withdrawal.
>
> Thanks much for your feedback. I would go on an anti-deppressant if I thought it might help, but I have been on so many that did not work (effexor, prozax, paxil, wellbutrin, remeron, lexapro, celexa...etc.). I would not know what to try next although there is always somthing new to try--I guess I've lost faith in medications. But I know I'm being irrational. All there is to do is to keep trying.
>
>
>
Posted by sadmom on November 17, 2003, at 12:53:51
In reply to Re: Strattera- Anyone else feel weak on it?, posted by loolot on November 15, 2003, at 15:34:07
My legs always feel almost jittery inside.
Posted by Stavros on November 18, 2003, at 0:15:06
In reply to Re: Straterra - No other takers?, posted by jodie on January 17, 2003, at 23:49:53
Jodie,
I have been following all the threads re: Strattera and I am very interested in getting rid of the hyper self awareness feelings that I have. I guess i am taking Strattera for a atypical GAD but I just need to wake up in the morning and not be aware fo this problem that I have. Are you still takine Strattera? What dose? I pray and beg that God take this thing from me? Any advise? I am on my second day of 40mg? I so need this to work wo i can get back to living. Thanks for yours posts
> So far, all of my previous posts about Srattera were negative. Today for the first time since being on the strattera, I noticed lots of energy, and a feeling of wanting to organize some drawers, closets, etc. I'm kind of excited. I talked to my pdoc early this morning on the phone. I conned her into putting me back on my lexapro. I'm excited about that too. Maybe Strattera will work after all. I really need to learn how to have some patience. The DRY everything is still dry, I just hope that goes away soon. My lips are so chapped, my eyes burn, and my sinuses are killing me. I'm definetely having a strange menstrual cycle right now (don't worry guys, I won't go into detail :-) I think its caused from the strattera too. I'll keep everyone posted. Thanks to all of you, It's nice to have others that are taking strattera to talk with!!!
Posted by loolot on November 18, 2003, at 15:32:34
In reply to Re: Strattera- Anyone else feel weak on it?, posted by sadmom on November 17, 2003, at 12:53:51
> My legs always feel almost jittery inside.
Does that make it harder for you to excercise? I am having that problem
Posted by Viridis on November 18, 2003, at 23:26:51
In reply to Re: Strattera- Anyone else feel weak on it? » sadmom, posted by loolot on November 18, 2003, at 15:32:34
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 sadmom on November 19, 2003, at 8:55:55
In reply to Re: Strattera- Anyone else feel weak on it? » sadmom, posted by loolot on November 18, 2003, at 15:32:34
I wish I had time to exercize, but I don't.
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.
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