Strattera lethargy

[Emajina]

3weeks in on Strattera and have severe apathy will this change significantly? Increased each week now on my max 60. Don’t know if it is worth persisting

[RMackai]

Hi,

Its a bit of a rollercoaster this Strattera stuff, after 1.5 years i still get the same lethargic feeling but only if im stuck in the house working. If i am out i dont notice it at all. I take 80 and have done for about a year and it really has helped me on so many levels. I feel much happier in particular, if you know a bit about the drug it really is an anti depressant and works amazingly. Us ADHD'rs are low on on neurotransmitters so persevere and watch your life transform. I am a different person since taking it, for the better.

[Emajina in reply to RMackai]

thank you very much starting to feel better thank you - I had to stop the intuiv - I was too ill on both I thought I was going to die! I am persisting with the Strattera - thanks again

[thk36 in reply to Emajina]

I'm at the beginning stages of trying Strattera with a similar response to yours. Any improvements on your end? I started at 10 mg, then 18 mg, then 25 mg and now back to 10 mg. Also on amitriptaline at night so wonder if that's a factor like your experience with intuniv.

[Emajina in reply to thk36]

Hi I am much better, still some nausea and increased motion sickness, i do not always sleep well... effect is not profound how are you going?

[thk36 in reply to Emajina]

I ended up stopping the Strattera as it wasn't that helpful for me. Also tried Intuniv, which was more effective but the side effects were challenging. Now on low dose Adderall and that works the best so far. Sleep, diet and hydration has been really important too, and like michael682 says lists really help!

[RMackai in reply to thk36]

Hello, its the first of me seeing these replies and I am pleased I was able to help initially. At the moment, it is a struggle with Strattera for me since our new found relationship with the four walls of our house (COVID restrictions), but I am still taking the medicine albeit a very much lower dose (40mg). I struggle to stay awake during the day and if i do sleep then I wont sleep at night. I tend to just forcefully stay awake all day, applying some meditive walks or exercise to keep myself alert. And I'm still happy with the medicine, for one particular reason. At the moment I am enrolled on an undergraduate course (never thought for a minute id ever attempt anything like this due to my lack of concentration and responsibility) and I do really believe that Strattera helps me in so many areas.

That being said, I only mention this incase anyone reads thinking it doesn't work at all. It may for some people in different situations.

I notice you decided to stop and are managing through sleep, diet, hydration and implementation of lists. And I back that wholeheartedly also, absolutely vital elements in coping and understanding ADHD. I see you are certainly positive and that's great news, all the best!

[michael682]

I got off it because of this and many other side effects. My body felt like it was in a fog or haze most of the day and the mornings were really hard since my stomach would hurt from the meds.

I found that 30mg Vyvanse is what works best but only if I get enough sleep, eat at least two solid meals and write down my daily list of things to do.

It took me 2.5 years to get this routine going and I am on top of it probably 75-80% of the time.

My therapist and psychiatrist are always keeping me in check and ensuring I’m sleeping enough. If I don’t get enough sleep, my anxiety goes into overload while on Vyvanse.

Why did you decide to try strattera?

Hope you’re doing well!

[Emajina in reply to michael682]

I was trying to appease my psychiatrist who was getting frustrated at my ongoing depression so i persisted on it. Vyvanse works for me too but after some time i needed more and then the sleep thing... How are you going?

[michael682 in reply to Emajina]

Hey! Whew I am doing okay. I’m on 30mg Vyvanse and am trying to get my sleep hygiene in check. I tend to get to bed by 12-1am and wake up at 7am. I’ll tell you the few things I’ve personally noticed about my habits lately.

1) I can operate fine with Vyvanse and minimal sleep but only for as long as the Vyvanse lasts. I take it at 7:05am and it typically lasts till 6:20pm. After that I will get cranky, irritable, and spacey. My now fiancée hates it and doesn’t like to be near me. I constantly feel my adhd taking over in a way negative way.

2) when I have gotten enough sleep and take my meds at 7:05am I do good all the way through the day. Even after 6:20pm I’m kinda slow but am able to better manage my mood.

So my psychiatrist has challenged me to get to bed 1-2hrs earlier. I have sleeping meds that are super low and non addictive but make me so groggy in the morning. She told me to cut it in half about 10mg and just take it. This will help re-program your body to get sleepy and go to bed earlier. It helps slow my thoughts and allows me to go to bed quicker. Most nights without it I replay my day or start going into la la land and dreaming but not sleep dreaming... just thinking I guess hahaha anyway! It has helped a lot and I feel way more in control of myself.

The sleep med is called Quetiapine.

In the morning I set an alarm for 7:00am and 7:05am that way I make sure to wake up and take my meds. 99% of the time I do a brain dump of things I need to do before work or in the day as a bullet point list on a note pad and leave it at the kitchen table with my glasses and wallet. It helps so much when I’m all groggy and sleepy. I can just cross stuff off as I go and I’ve got another alarm 30 min before I need to leave for work so I know to put stuff down if I’m tinkering in the garage or yard.

I write EVERYTHING DOWN. Below is a sample list,

Take meds

Make breakfast

Get protein shake

Package eBay stuff

Take shower

Brush teeth

Make bed

Put work clothes on

Water grass

Feed Arya (dog)

Take Arya potty

Wash dishes

Get water for work

Don’t forget

Wallet

Phone

Keys

Mask (Requirement for work since covid 19)

Ebay stuff to ship out

Leave by 9:30am!

Kiss babe goodbye

Today I forgot my wallet which was a small mistake since I have Apple Pay but I know I forgot it because I neglected to put it next to my list last night! So tonight I’m gonna put it by my list!

I’m sure most of this is unnecessary writing but I know you will find something helpful!

At the end of the day just pick one or two things you wanna change and map it out!

Do a spiderwebbed map, or a flow chart, or a tree diagram and break it down! We have adhd which allows us to view our habits in such a unique way. Take advantage of it and do something amazing! Even if it’s not something amazing try to do something enjoyable. I love tinkering in the garage and I reward myself after a semi good day with time in the garage and some good music! 😊 hope this helps!

[thk36 in reply to michael682]

Really helpful to have that response, thanks! I had tried Vyvanse initially but even at the lowest dose it made me too jumpy, so I am now on low dose Adderall. It's so true it's important to look at the entire system (sleep, diet, lists, etc) and not just the medication, as it all works together (or doesn't).

[Emajina in reply to michael682]

I get you

I can even forget to look at my list

I have to be so careful on the net as I go down rabbit holes before i know it

I get intolerant of people even with meds

I learn something and it goes flying out my head and I waste time going through the learning process again - if i write the steps i forget where i put it or what i filed it under

My partner gets more impatient with me when i am grumpy my energy is almost tangeable and puts people right off - the opposite can also happen and this confuses people as does the "momentary lapses of reason" juxtaposed with "flashes of brilliance"

I have wasted so much time listening to so many self help books that have not been useful to me - know any good ones??

Recently had a knee replacement - didn't that play havoc with my system - i absolutely forgot to factor this in ...

[michael682 in reply to Emajina]

Look for the book called faster than normal, it’s not going to be completely applicable to your life but it gave me more insight on how my mind works.

I think you should try to make a list of 3 things you need to do and put something important next to it. Car keys or phone.

If you are leaving the house and see that list but haven’t done those 3 things you should hold yourself accountable. I have been one to do this and feel free to correct me if I’m wrong but I think part of the problem is that you haven’t truly decided to hold yourself accountable for your decision to not stay on track.

I never understood that it was fueled by my laziness and lack of drive for success until I hit rock bottom and had a week break from my relationship due to it.

Yes ADHD makes it super difficult to stay in track but the first step is to get on the track whatever that may mean to you personally.

What are your thoughts on this??

[Emajina in reply to michael682]

Hi Michael, thank you again for your kind response. I also have ASD and after near 12 years of workplace bullying , managing myself and ADD quite well and then another one of my brothers passed away - I burnt out - I found that my body started to break down. I am on a path to reroute and rediscover me now but yes am not motivated and somewhat lost. Thank you Michael, I will look for the book and agree we have to take responsibility for ourselves. Yet I have lost a lot of trust and confidence - hoping it might be a time thing

[michael682 in reply to Emajina]

I can totally relate, i had a few family members pass away this year and the most recent was my grandfather who taught me a lot. I am sorry for your loss and I know you will get through this. Motivation comes and goes, it can be especially difficult if you don’t have many people around you who understand what it is that you’re dealing with. My mother finally started to take not of how I learn, communicate, and live life which I am especially happy about.

Always remember that you are not alone, your brain is an amazing thing, and at the end of the day always love yourself.

I hope you like the book.