STRATTERA

[anxiousoutcast]

anyone on antidepressants try Strattera for ADD? I went on vyvance but my doc made me go off it since I was loosing weight and it was making me really depressed. Just a heads up unless you want to be depressed or anxious, don’t go on stimulants they messed me up so much. I don’t want anyone to have to go through what I went through, hell. Any experience with Strattera would be helpful shared. Thank you.

[anxiousoutcast]

It also takes forever to take effect :((

[havok]

Strattera was the first medication I was put on when I was diagnosed. It did take a long time to feel any effects, but it did seem to be helping with mental clarity and focus.

I was/am also being treated for depression, but I'm not sure I noticed any difference on Strattera. I didn't feel more energetic or drowsy, just like the buzzing/fog in my head was reduced.

I ended up stopping Strattera after ~3-4 months due to some side effects which in my mind out weighed the benefits, after which I was prescribed Adderall.

[BlueRN]

I've been on a number of different anti-depressants including prozac, catapress, Wellbutrin, some other new novel anti-depressant/mood stabilizer I can't remember, etc. The combination that has worked best for me has been Straterra and Lamotrigen (technically a mood stabilizer). I'm unsure if the Straterra helped the depression but it helped the hyperactivity (a lot) and focus (some). What has helped the most is also added an improved diet, excercise, and getting outside on a daily basis.

I was still having difficulty with focus and specifically executive dysfunction which was/is one of the biggest contributors to my depression. I've always felt really guilty/ashamed/depressed about not doing things that are perfectly within my capabilities and then feeling crappy lead to me not wanting to do said things, not doing "things" made me guilty/ashamed/depressed, you get the point.

I have since started Vyvanse (to replace PRN/as needed Adderall doses) and have found it extremely helpful with my focus and executive dysfunction and by extension, I have seen a significant improvement in my mood.

To bring it full circle here back during my masters program the university psychiatrist put me on the Straterra because it had originally been developed as an antidepressant and then added the Lamotrigine later. The combination helped a lot when combined with the nonpharmacokinetic adjuncts mentioned above.

Best of luck.

[EastTenn_mom]

I am on Strattera and Prozac. I have felt fine and no issues with depression or appetite.

[kmspa in reply to EastTenn_mom]

I too am on strattera and Prozac. I love it.

[ABirch60]

I'm on Strattera 40mg, Wellbutrin 300mg, and Lexapro 20mg. When I started in Strattera my mental clarity improved. It does have a slight urinary retention issue for me which us why I don't want to increase the dose. Honestly, now that ice been on it for a while I'm not sure how well it's working but then again I'm on leave from work which is where my biggest problems are.

[kmspa]

Strattera is the only medication for ADD/ADHD that I have tried that has been successful for my symptoms (combined with Prozac for my anxiety). The only downside is the side effects in the first few weeks. The exhaustion, nausea, constipation.

BUT it wasn’t hard for me to find ways around it. For the first few weeks I took it at night right before bed. That stopped the exhaustion and the nausea. Once I started noticing insomnia issues I switched it to when I woke up. The nausea lasts for about a week but the best thing I’ve found is to eat something high in protein. My go to is the premier protein shakes. I drink one of those with it and voila-no nausea! The nausea dies down after about a week or two and then that’s when I noticed the real improvement in my symptoms. Focus, clarity, impulsivity controlled, stopped binge eating because I was bored. It also helps me maintain a routine so I’m able to actually work out and meal plan/prep. And I think the benefits of those things has been huge in helping my symptoms the most.

oh, and for the constipation; just drink TONS of water.

Good luck!!

FYI, strattera can be an appetite suppressant which may cause weight loss. For me it did the opposite until my doc put me back on Prozac with it. My psych nurse practitioner was really wary until I made her get in contact with my doc and go over notes.

[anxiousoutcast in reply to kmspa]

Thank you!!!!!

[gphill56]

Straterra is the only med I've ever taken for ADD. It has done exactly what I needed most; in my case preventing me from blurting out harmful things that have been jeapordizing my marriage for years. It has also helped with focus, although I only have "unmedicated" to compare it to. I have had no noticeable side effects.

[anxiousoutcast in reply to gphill56]

Thank u so much!