Strattera question

[Chickadee1]

So I finally got my ADHD diagnosis earlier this month - glad to finally have it and an explanation for my struggles. Today I had an appointment with a psychiatrist who recommended and prescribed Strattera (actually I think it is the generic) - but I noticed it says it can make you dizzy or drowsy and to be careful if you are driving... has anyone had trouble with drowsiness that would make driving dangerous? It sounds like a precaution - not a definitely don't drive - just be careful... I have to drive to work - close to 5 miles so not far...

I just picked up the prescription today so will start it in the morning...so I don't yet know how it affects me. He started me on a really low dose (10mg) and will up it later after he sees how I tolerate it...

If anyone has experience with Strattera and side effects or experiences I should watch out for I'd be interested to know what to expect. This is new to me. Thanks in advance! I'd also be interested to know if it worked for you and how you knew it was working/what differences you saw when taking it. The doctor said it takes awhile for it to build up in your system and I may not notice anything at first especially at such a low dose - but I'd been interest in any info or advice. Thanks

[Shnookie]

I have taken 35 Mg of Strattera for a number of years. Strattera is very helpful to me. However, I also use a notebook to break down tasks that I need to do. U also need to remember if U have an ADHD issue at work, please DO NOT beat yourself up. 10 mg is a very small amount. U will jittery and jumpy if U take too high a dosage of the meds. My psychiatrist told me to take 50 mg, 2 twenty-fives but it made me

jittery 😬. 35 is a better dosage 4 me.

[Chickadee1 in reply to Shnookie]

Thanks fo your kind reply - I'm glad to hear Strattera helps you... Looks like it will be awhile before I know if it works for me since I am on a low dose now and we are working up very gradually - (I next see the psychiatrist September 4)... and it's supposed to take some weeks to take full effect...

[RussellRussell]

Hi Chickadee, I take Atomoxetine which I believe is exactly the same I.e. we have a different brand in the U.K. . It also advises it can make you drowsy and warns about driving, but I have found no issues with drowsiness. Obviously just be aware as medication can effect people in different ways. I take 80mg and it is still quite subtle on me, but I have found it a lot better than stimulant drugs for my ADHD, I believe because I have inattentive type adhd , ie without the H. It just seems to have a calming effect on me and helps me think a little straighter. Good luck, I hope it helps ,

[Chickadee1 in reply to RussellRussell]

Thanks for you kind reply - yes actually my medicine bottle says Atamoxetine - I guess it is the generic for Strattera - I read online that Doctors often refer to the medicine by the more known brand name when they are talking to you but actually prescribe the generic as it is cheaper... My ADHD is also the inattentive type - so hopefully it works for me too...

[lidavido414 in reply to RussellRussell]

I've been on this medicine for 6 years and it worked so well since I first started it. It helped me a lot with my ADHD and behavior problems, and I did not have any side effects. I've tried stimulants, but they either wear off too quickly or don't work. Strattera without a prescription - healthful-pills.com/c2831/s...

[Tiredchef]

I take 25 mg a day. Started a couple weeks ago. I would get very light headed especially with exercise the first few days when I started but that subsided. I do feel a little more fatigued in general, especially in the afternoon. Watching and waiting….

[Chickadee1 in reply to Tiredchef]

Thanks for your reply - whatever I've been feeling is super mild so far... feeling a little different at times, mild headache intermittent - also on the good side felt a little "clearer" however still had difficulty thinking like before so I guess day 2 is much to soon to judge how it will work for me - I am on a really low dose... I read it takes weeks to get the full effect and how much it helps you... so I guess it will be awhile... glad to here your dizziness subsided

[SteelQueen]

I had to stop taking it, i had coronary issues behind it. It is one of the side effects. I had a couple of very scary days where i thought i was having a heart attack.

[Chickadee1 in reply to SteelQueen]

So sorry you had a bad experience with it - sounds scary... hope you found something else that works for you!

[ADDSufferer]

I am now on 60mg and have experienced no side effects (and not much help either). I also take Adderall and it seems to help a little with the Adderall.

Here’s the frustrating thing about medication. There is no one size fits all. Do not be discouraged if this one doesn’t help. Trial and error is a hallmark. Finding the right drug, or combination, at the right dosage can be a process. I would recommend really taking notes on how you are feeling throughout the day. At specific times each day make a note - energized? Lethargic? Motivated? Unmotivated? Productive? Not? This will help you and your practitioner to notice any changes.

Regarding side effects… just be aware. If any drug you take is impacting you in a negative way, call your practitioner. The person who answered about it affecting their heart - I would imagine that was very rare - however they experienced it so Straterra is not the answer for them.

[SteelQueen in reply to ADDSufferer]

I cannot say if it is a "rare" side effect or not. It is definitely listed as one of the side effects and a very very scare one. My bp was thru the roof for days following coming off of it. Since I've come off, I've stabilized. I have never had this type of issue prior to the Strattera and when I told the prescribing Dr what was going on he told me to stop immediately.

[Chickadee1 in reply to SteelQueen]

Did you have the high BP while on it or just when you got off? How long did it take to stabilize? So far my BP is good bu this only day 2 and I am on a very low dose.

[SteelQueen in reply to Chickadee1]

It started one evening while I was on the meds about a month maybe? (Don't hold me to that) I had felt lightheaded, like I was going to pass out and i felt anxious. I waited for it to pass and went about my business. Later it happened again but this time I realized it was bp related and when I took my bp (I have been stable on meds for several years) my bp was crazy high. I was lightheaded and my chest and arm were tight. It wasn't a heart attack, but long story short it went on again for a couple of days after coming off the meds. Since I've been off them I've been fine

[Chickadee1 in reply to ADDSufferer]

Thanks for sharing you experience and advice about tracking my symptoms and how I am feeling -

[WriterChick22]

I tried Strattera in 2021 and it gave me horrible insomnia. My psychiatrist took me off of it immediately because I was up all night for four nights straight. Sadly, she didn't believe I could tolerate stimulants because of this. I switched psychiatrists shortly after she played pharmaceutical roulette with my medicine and caused a horrible psychotic episode and 72 hours of absolutely no sleep due to twitching from medication interactions. My current psychiatrist might start me on something else. To be fair, I am often sensitive to medication and develop side effects (even rare ones). In any case, that was my experience with the medication. No other side effects, although I wasn't on it long enough to see if more would occur.

[Chickadee1 in reply to WriterChick22]

Thanks for sharing... Sorry you had a bad experience - I hope you find something that works for you...

[WriterChick22 in reply to Chickadee1]

Me too! I hope you are doing well on it? If not, I also hope you find something that works.

[Chickadee1 in reply to WriterChick22]

So far I am OK - very mild possible side effects - they say mild side effects can go away after a few days - we'll see... hopefully it works. I'm on a super low dose now so don't know how it will be when he increases it in a few weeks.

[Goldilocks2022]

Strattera did a number on me including having trouble deciphering between dreams and reality. I took a DNA test to determine what medication would or wouldn’t work for me and sure enough strattera wasnt good for me according to test. Vyvanse has been much better, but it also comes with tough side-effects initially, but at least I didn’t react to it with hallucinations. I hope it works well for you!

[Chickadee1 in reply to Goldilocks2022]

yikes - glad you found something that works better for you... wish this medicine thing were easier to figure out and know what will work...

[Iveria2774 in reply to Goldilocks2022]

What's the DNA test called? haven't heard of it but interested to know more...

[Iveria2774]

Hello Chickadee1 , been on Straterra (generic) which is called Atomoxetine here in Canada - no side effects at all. Worked for me way better than stimulants. On stimulants I had severe insomnia and anger episodes (smashing my phone, having fights with random people). I started with 10mg 3 months ago, then went to 25 I think, then 40 and now on 60. I notice now that I actually have motivation to do stuff, but the difference is subtle. So far it is working I think but I am still learning about it and about myself. Actively monitoring your symptoms helps a lot with fuguring out whether it's working or not.

[Chickadee1 in reply to Iveria2774]

Glad you are having a good experience on it. It is good to hear it works for some people... exciting if it helps motivation - I struggle with that...

[notanotter]

Strattera is an SNRI. I did find that when I first started my SNRI, I had a few minor experiences of dizziness. After the first month or two, this went away. It can affect your ability to judge distances and react timely in the car, so just be more careful and notice how you feel.