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Side Effects, Strattera and Stimulants: The Differences
Strattera
Strattera and imipramine increase norepinephrine in contrast to stimulants that increase dopamine, and potential effectiveness and side effects varies widely between norepinephrine and dopamine drugs.
Imipramine is often more effective for hyperactivity and impulsivity than for inattention and distractibility, but only works in about 50% of children and very high doses are often required. High doses are related to cardiac side effects in children, as well as often severe sedation and other side effects.
Strattera is generally well-tolerated and has a much greater chance of treating AD/HD. However, unless started at very low doses and then increased only very slowly, many children experience sedation and lethargy. I generally start children on 10 mg doses of Strattera, then after at least a week, increase the dose to 10 mg AM and 10 mg around 4 PM.
Splitting the daily dose into two doses decreases side effects and allows tolerance to side effects to develop. Someone weighing 105 pounds might require up to 60 mg/day of Strattera for it to be effective, but I'd take 4 - 6 weeks to slowly work up to that dose and continue to split the dose into two doses as long as there were side effects. If sedation continues to be an issue, often 1/3 - 1/2 of the total daily dose can be given an hour or so before bedtime, which will improve sleep.
Stimulants
If someone is sensitive to stimulant medications, I never start with longer-acting preparations. Concerta is equivalent to taking three doses of short-acting Ritalin per day, and Metadate CD is equivalent to taking two doses per day (although 1/3 of the dose is released immediately and 2/3 three hours later).
Generally, overfocused behavior is related to too high of a dose of medication. In very young children, or in children who have been sensitive to side effects, I'd prefer to start with one small dose of a medication once per day.
Of the stimulants similar to methylphenidate or Ritalin, Focalin is often the best tolerated, so I might start a child on 2 1/2 mg (occasionally half that dose) once per day, and after a week try adding a second dose about 4 hours later. If you can slowly work up to a therapeutic dose without side effects, I might then change to Focalin XR, which is an eight hour preparation.
If not effective or not tolerated, I'd start with extremely low doses of short-acting Adderall. The bottom line is "starting low and going slow" with the hope of tolerance developing to irritating side effects. Sometimes, combinations of medications need to be used for people who are extremely sensitive to side effects.
Related Topics: Once-a-Day Concerta: Less Abuse Risk, Tonsil Surgery Helps Kids With ADHD
Technorati Tags: adhd, medications, ritalin, adderall, strattera, concerta
Strattera and imipramine increase norepinephrine in contrast to stimulants that increase dopamine, and potential effectiveness and side effects varies widely between norepinephrine and dopamine drugs.
Imipramine is often more effective for hyperactivity and impulsivity than for inattention and distractibility, but only works in about 50% of children and very high doses are often required. High doses are related to cardiac side effects in children, as well as often severe sedation and other side effects.
Strattera is generally well-tolerated and has a much greater chance of treating AD/HD. However, unless started at very low doses and then increased only very slowly, many children experience sedation and lethargy. I generally start children on 10 mg doses of Strattera, then after at least a week, increase the dose to 10 mg AM and 10 mg around 4 PM.
Splitting the daily dose into two doses decreases side effects and allows tolerance to side effects to develop. Someone weighing 105 pounds might require up to 60 mg/day of Strattera for it to be effective, but I'd take 4 - 6 weeks to slowly work up to that dose and continue to split the dose into two doses as long as there were side effects. If sedation continues to be an issue, often 1/3 - 1/2 of the total daily dose can be given an hour or so before bedtime, which will improve sleep.
Stimulants
If someone is sensitive to stimulant medications, I never start with longer-acting preparations. Concerta is equivalent to taking three doses of short-acting Ritalin per day, and Metadate CD is equivalent to taking two doses per day (although 1/3 of the dose is released immediately and 2/3 three hours later).
Generally, overfocused behavior is related to too high of a dose of medication. In very young children, or in children who have been sensitive to side effects, I'd prefer to start with one small dose of a medication once per day.
Of the stimulants similar to methylphenidate or Ritalin, Focalin is often the best tolerated, so I might start a child on 2 1/2 mg (occasionally half that dose) once per day, and after a week try adding a second dose about 4 hours later. If you can slowly work up to a therapeutic dose without side effects, I might then change to Focalin XR, which is an eight hour preparation.
If not effective or not tolerated, I'd start with extremely low doses of short-acting Adderall. The bottom line is "starting low and going slow" with the hope of tolerance developing to irritating side effects. Sometimes, combinations of medications need to be used for people who are extremely sensitive to side effects.
Related Topics: Once-a-Day Concerta: Less Abuse Risk, Tonsil Surgery Helps Kids With ADHD
Technorati Tags: adhd, medications, ritalin, adderall, strattera, concerta
45 Comments:
How do I know if I have become addicted to Adderall?
I always had problems concentrating while in school. I could never remember anything I read. My parents sent me to tutors and places designed to help with reading comprehension. Nothing worked. I got by in high school with anywhere from a 2.5 - 2.8 GPA. I wasn't a behavioral problem and never got in trouble. Nobody expected or suggested ADD.
During my senior year of high school, when my grades were barely passing, my parents had me go to our family's doctor so they could try Biofeedback. After a session the doctor said she noticed something "different" and thought I should see a psychiatrist for ADD.
I saw a psychiatrist, reluctantly started taking Ritalin, and realized that it made me feel worse. My senior year of high school was one failed medication combination after another. Things were made worse by the fact that I was also diagnosed with OCD.
My medication didn't get worked out properly until I entered college the following year. I was taking Dexedrine. From my personal recollection, I was taking the medication for 5 years. The medication was amazing. I was able to concentrate and focus like never before. My grades skyrocketed and I graduated college with nearly a 4.0 GPA.
Right after college a psychiatrist switched me to Adderall. Although I was already out of college, I still had ADD and needed help concentrating in the work place. I have been on the medication ever since.
The problem is that I not only take it while I'm at work, but I take it while I'm at home, too. I take it during the week and on the weekends. I feel much better and in a much better frame of mind when I take it. When I don't take it I am extremely anxious and irritable. It has gotten to the point now that when I'm not on it, the withdraw I go through is so severe that I sleep most of the day. I know this is not normal. I know I should get help and try to use the medication at a reduced rate. But I'm scared. I've had so much success while on this medication (and feel so lousy when I'm off of it), that I'm afraid of the consequences of not having it. I'm also afraid of telling my doctor in the chance that he'll stop giving me prescriptions.
Do you have any advice?
To anonymous,
Don't worry. ADHD is an all day, every day disorder. It causes problems in every aspect of life and your symptoms should be covered for as long as possible (at work, at home, on the weekends). Most physicians suggest you take your medication to cover all of these times. Plus, you are correct that without this medication you won't be able to function as well. That is part of the disorder. Studies have shown that people with ADHD who remain untreated have poorer outcomes than those who take medication to treat the disorder.
My advice to you is to talk to your doctor and tell him/her your concerns. I am sure that your doctor will tell you the same thing, but I think it is important to discuss your fear of addiction. Most of the ADHD medications are not as addictive as the press would lead you to belive. Just because you know you need it to help your symptoms at all times doesn't mean that you are addicted. However, if you have an addictive personality or have had problems with addiction in the past, then it may be a concern. There are other medication options out there that are not controlled substances that treat ADHD. Your doctor can help you decide which treatment is right for you.
My grandson is 15 and just started on Strattera (40)and is having problems with anger, sleeping and not caring about rewards for good grades nor is he trying to do his home work nor getting good grades. How can I help him? He is in 10th grade and not a problem child but will lie about homework and won't bring it home or do it in class. I get him everyday after school. Please help me help him. Before Stattera he was on Adderall and would not eat and did not grow. For one year he was off all drugs and grew 5 inches and gained 20 pounds. Now he seems to be digressing since being put on Strattera. Does not care about anything. Do you have an answers for us? Thanks.
My daughter developed similar symptoms on 100 mgs of strattera-apathy, worsened focus, and foggy thinking.Her grades declined rather sharply. Her psychiatrist reduced the dose to 80mgs and added focalin xr (5mgs). Has anyone had success with this combo??
I was put on strattera because I have been on ritalin since i was 8 (im 24 now) and the doctors were worried that it might increase my blood pressure. Unfortunantly, while not in the pdr (but shown in .7% of clinical studies) strattera can increase blood pressure to over 150 mm Hg...this is what it did to me...a year after i started on strattera my bp was 180/100... the doctors went ape about it. I looked at my chart and watched as it slowly increased from when i started taking that medication... so i didnt take it the next day and went and got my bp checked and it had dropped to 140/95. Thanks to strattera I will have to go on an ace inhibitor and probably a diuretic. Ritalin never had this kind of effect on me. I guess the moral of the story is before starting any new medication do some digging yourself and find out what side effects they aren't telling you about: but for the love of pete go to reputable sources...a clinical trial study is reputable, some guy ranting on the web isn't... so go find the study i was talking about.
Also...strattera left me wanting for helpfulness.. With ritalin, it allowed me to concentrate. straterra was like a hill, if i took some ritalin to push me up the hill it was all downhill from there. if i didnt i found myself having to fight an uphill battle to concentrate. I figure strattera is fine for mild or moderate cases of add but i got a rip roaring case of adhd and it needed to be taken in combination with ritalin.
also: edit on my previous post, my bp hit 180/120, and before it had been 120/80. now it is down to 130/90 with a low sodium diet, no caffine, and limited alcohol.
say u have 3 rockstars (16 oz. energy drink) and u take 15mg Focalin
could u die from 2 much sugar w/ Focalin?
Hello. My 6 year old son was diagnosed with ADHD/ODD at the age of 5. We started with Adderall but he had extreme violent behavior when the med started to wear off. He was then switched to Straterra. He's been on Straterra for a little over a year now.
He's been complaining of leg cramps and severe headaches. The slightest tap to the head sends him through the roof in pain. His outbursts and defiance have also been worse over the last two to three months.
I was reading on Asperger's Syndrome and how often times, children are diagnosed with ADHD or also have ADHD along with Asperger's.
Obviously, a diagnosis cannot be made without seeing my son, but I'm wondering if he has Asperger's instead of the ADHD. He can keep his attention focused as long as it's something he likes: music, art, drawing, doing things with his hands, etc.
School is a breeze for him, he received straight As last semester. It's never been a problem other than he is bothersome and sometimes violent with other students. He finishes hiw work "4 times as fast" as the other students, according to his teacher. We recently discussed applying for him to go to a higher academic school. His social skills are highly lacking. His behavior is basically seeing what kind of shock factor he can get out of people.
I do have a Dr's appointment for him, but thought I would ask for some advice before we head in there.
Thank you in advance.
I was diagnosed with ADD a few years ago. I'd had it for a long time, but didn't know what it was. I knew I had trouble concentrating/focusing and studying lasted about 5 minutes. I was first put on Strattera and immediately became extremely irritable and angry. Every day just got worse until I couldn't stand myself. My doctor switched me to Adderall and I was so much better. I can concentrate and study for hours without 1,000 other thoughts running through my head. And I can remember it all!
I also have major depression and spent years trying every drug out there until I found the right combination. Some made me irritable, some made me even more depressed. I think it's the same with a lot of drugs. If one is making you worse, switch to another.
For the grandmother with the 15 year old:
My son is 18. He was finally put on Adderall a year ago after struggling his entire life with serious ADD. I knew he had a problem in 1st grade. We tested him for a learning disorder, that wasn't it. By the time he was 15, he hated school, lied about doing homework, didn't bring any home, same as your grandson. No one suggested ADD because he wasn't hyperactive. After falling so far behind at an early age and being held back, he wouldn't graduate until he was almost 20. He recently took the practice tests for his GED and passed them all with a 90% average! So he's taking that route as he's ready to go to work now. I only wish they would've diagnosed him earlier in life. He's tall and thin, but healthy. ADHD/ADD meds will reduce appetite, but I make sure he eats enough.
I had the same reaction to Strattera as your grandson. I'd suggest trying a different medication. Definitely tell the doctor about his reaction - mine took me off Strattera and on Adderall right away.
I was a diagnosed with ADD late in life, age 34. I've been on many medications over the years and finally settled on Wellbutrin and Concerta at 54mg. I tolerate it well and have no issues except a concern that it may be causing me ED (Erectile Dysfunction). With my doctor, I stopped the Wellbutrin but still my issue goes on. I'll be seeing my doctor tomorrow and I was wondering if you have any advice in this area?
To Anonymous above:
Try posting this question on Dr. Sogn's message board.
Is it true that you can hallucinate or get a high off Stratera?
To anonymous above: See the link directly above your comment to Dr. Sogn's message board.
My Step-Daughter was diagnosed at age 7 with ADHD by her school. Her mother took her to the Dr. and without further testing she was but on Focalin XR 10 Mg a day dose. I have looked at several tests online for ADHD and I don't think she fits the profile. She makes good grades, just needs more attention than the other students. She also needs much more attention when she comes to my house than my 7 or 9 year old require. Does this really qualify as ADHD? Or should the child just be shown more attention at home? Should she be on this drug in the summer if she does qualify? I am new to all of this but I am very concerned we are giving an addiciteve drug to a 7 yr old!!!! Help!
My eight year old son started taking Straterra (he is now up to 36mg) this summer. Always an active, enthusiatic child, we are now finding that he is often extremely tired, unmotivated and not hungry. He has always eaten well, and been very active. He was diagnosed by a clincical psychologist as AD/HD with slight depression probably resulting from the ADD and not meeting teacher and parent expectations. I want to take him off the Straterra. I miss my son. Any advice?
Concerned Mom
I am a 33 year old female and I think I may have ADD. I have all the systems. I want to go back to school but I am sooo nervous because it takes me along time to get things. I can't remember anything I read. I forget things. It is getting worse! What medicine is good to take? My doctor will only prescribe Strattera. Is Adderal better and does it help with depression also? Please help!
(33 year old female)I am sorry I mispelled the word symptoms.
I was diagnosed with ADD when I was 14,I am 25 now. I decided to go back to college a year ago and last month I went to my doctor about my ADD. She gave me a prescription for Adderall 5 mg 2x a day. I am now taking it for the second month at the same dosage and I feel like the effect is wearing off. For instance I had a hard time sitting still in class, jiggling my foot, clicking my pen etc. When I first started taking it I noticed I was able to sit still and focus. I was also able to focus when I read and remember things I had heard in lectures. Now it’s as if I am back to square one. Is it normal to build up a tolerance that fast?
I was born in 1972. I have always had trouble with interpersonal relationships, from grade school to my current job. In 2003 I was diagnosed as ADD and October 2007, ADHD. I have problems reading anything more than a few pages, I lose things, I skip steps when I do tasks, and I am very oppositional.
I really appreciate yall sharing your experiences with Strattera. I started taking it on 10/26/2007. I was given 3 bottles, the 18, 25, and 40 doses with 7 pills in each. I began taking them because of a bad job review so I was feeling suicidal to begin with. Thankfully, thus far that side effect has not reared it’s head. I’m starting to believe it’s not in fact a side effect, but the focus allows you to plan and succeed better.
During the day I am more sedate and less likely to question orders. Depending on the time of day I have better control over response to external stimulus…to a level of control I never had before. So that’s good. My joke impulse is not being sedated though.
Ok, from the start I have had the flushed feeling meaning intermittent burning hands and numbness in the hands and face. Neither has been intolerable.
Penial issues went like this:
Day 1-3 no sex drive. Did not have erection in response to any visual or oral stimuli. On day 2 I rubbed it up against wife and up it came. Phew…was sooo glad that is still working. After a week my sex drive came back, but it was tough to maintain an erection if there were any distractions around. This is actually a blessing because I had a hyper sex drive to begin with, but it means working out the tongue muscles some more.
Day 4 I had a nasty surprise. That micturation blurb in the packet means after you pee and you put it back in your pants, you feel like you are going to pee again, right then and there, usually about 10 seconds after you start walking away. I figured out if I shake, then try to replicate the sensation of having it put away, then shake again, then put it back in the pants, no real problem until 11/19. On this day, after I finished peeing, I clamped down, and then about a teaspoon full of what appeared to be semen came out.
Irregular orgasm…I believe that’s what the packet says…I’ll say: the ejaculation is occurring before the point of no return for orgasm. I’ve had several ejaculations with no orgasm and then another ejaculation during orgasm. Forget staying power if you have it. Learn oral sex techniques! I also experienced a slight burning on ejaculation, but not enough to call it painful like those other people on the site said. No impotence yet. If I do not try to suppress the point of no return, everything seems to work normal, but no ejaculation since I started the drug was as satisfying as before…fortunately I’m not looking for one as much.
I can accept what has been going on so far. I would like to know WHY, but that will happen at the next appointment.
Mental health:
I’ve been buzzed and slightly dizzy since day one. Not till several days on the 25 dose did the dizziness become a problem. Everything seems like it’s in slightly slow motion…I have to push through thick air to act especially in the afternoon. It is not intolerable yet, but has been borderline on a few occasions. My co-workers noted that I was not standing straight (more than usual ) when I was standing still. Several joked about me coming to work stoned until I told them what was going on.
I’m apathetic to everything. I used to like the stock market, a light work out, video games, and sci-fi. I’m bored of the video games I used to play. I play them now just for stress. I still cannot sit in front of the TV without doing something else productive. When I get home and the stuff wears off I’m a bear (I need a punching bag).
My thoughts are still racing. My nephew says that does not go away.
My big complaint is I cannot think or hold a thought. My 10 yo nephew, also on Strattera, says that problem goes away after a while. I’m waiting with baited…what was I saying? Also, I keep having 2-5 second in speech when trying to complete a sentence. This occurs 5-10 times a day. It reminds me of comedian Lewis Black’s joke about him not being able to complete a thought in his own head.
My friends at work want the old me back. They like that goofy guy. My boss thinks I’m making progress. Meanwhile everyone is slowly asking me if I’m ok because I look depressed. Zombified is more like it after 2PM.
I have been unacceptably tired over the last few days and after about 12PM I feel like it’s harder to lift my arms et al.
Unless you are in a job that involves just doing what your boss says, I would not yet recommend this drug. However, for those of you like me that question your boss too much, and need to think less, yeah, this drug is for you.
I also has the seminal discharge and difficulty getting an erection. I am asking the doctor to change my medication. It works well for what it was prescribed for after the initial starting dizzyness for the first week or so, but the side effects suck im to young to have erection problems.
my son has been on 80mg of Straterra for 3 months and his rage is out of control. He is not sleeping and dizziness and leg cramps is bad too. Has anyone had Shortness of breathe on Straterra????????????? He has had a lot of it and I thought he is having heart problems since it runs in my family. Thank you to everybody that has posted comments. I don't feel like I am going crazy watching him go through this.
I have a 9 yr old daughter that has been treated for adhd since the age of 4. She was on concerta for the longest time and then it just seemed to quit working. since then, she has changed doctors 3 times and medications about 7 times. I struggle EVERY day and worry even more. She is now on focilyn again! and it doesnt seem to phase her. She has gotten so defiant and has recently started biting herself when she gets angry and has also cut her hair twice. I have done everything known possible to get her help. She has been in the impact program for 3 yrs. She has gone through intensive in home therapy and out of home therapy and it hasnt helped at all. She has a very stable home life and has every opportunity possible so she never feels left out. This has gotten to the point where I literally cry myself to sleep at night because I dont know what else to do. I'm so scared she is going to take this condition into her teen years and end up in a juvenille home or even jail. I love my daughter more than anything and I am at a loss. they have even tried abilify along with the other medicines and it made her very sick. She has even had sleep deprevation tests to see if mini seizures could be causing any of this. but, they came back fine. I am so desperate for help. I feel like i am literally losing my little girl to this disorder and there isnt anything me or anyone else can do about it. I pray everyday! that God will take this from her and it just keeps getting worse. If anyone knows where I can find help please let me know. I am out of options and I'm even losing my sanity slowly but, surely.
I am 21 and have tried every perscription ADHD drug in the book. Strattera is the only medication that has shown improvement. I don't notice a difference when I am on or off ADHD meds, but all of my friends and family members notice a significant difference; esp. in my behavior and study habits. The trick to Straterra is starting out in low doses, and slowly increasing the dose. I do not like aderal, conserta, or any other related meds. They can have severe side effects; such as mood swings, sever stomach pains/cramps, loss of appetite, sweats, shakes etc...
I would reccomend Strattera (at least for adults) based on my personal experience. I was actually surprised at all the negative feedback that has been posted. Perhaps you are experiencing such negative side effects because your child is not ADHD and does not in fact need any perscription medications for ADHD?
To Ananonymous 33yr Old Woman,
I am currently in college, have ADD, take Adderall and have been since I was about 14. When I take it I notice that it improves all aspects that I previously struggled with( similar to the difficulties that you expressed) My reading and comprehension has improved, I have the ability to stay focused and retain what I read, thanks to Adderall. I am in no way saying that Adderall will guaranty good grades, but it will help u stay focused on your way to success. But you should not fear going back to school. If u have ADD like u suspect, your right, school will be a little harder for you, (sorry just trying to be realistic) but not by TOO much. You will just have to work a little harder until you find out what study skills work for you. You might want to think about a reduced course load for the first semester and get to know the disabilities programs and services that a school offers before you enroll in it. Like extra time on tests, a note taker, the option to take a test in a quiet room etcetera.
Good luck with everything!!
P.S,
I am NO doctor but I do not believe that Adderall helps with depression. N please don’t mind the spelling errors
Best Wishes
-College Student
To the person worried about Aspberger's Disease:
I am a nurse who works on the Pediatrics unit at a clinic. We've had children with Aspberger's come in and some of the symptoms they have shown have been: They take things very literal. I remember once a Mother told her child to go color on the floor, so he colored the floor. He couldn't sit still for more than 1 minute. He found brick buildings very fascinating and could take one look at the brick building across the street and know exactly how many bricks there were at the age of four. He was fascinated with donosaurs and knew everything there was to know about every dinosaur which ever existed at the age of 3-4. But, he had no social skills. To stay in a patient room at the clinic was torture for him, he would often come out with us nurses to view the computer or look out the window at the brick building. I hope this helps.
Has anyone ever noticed a difference in their ADD child once they have reached their teens? I can't even really explain it and Ive expected the usual irritation with adults, etc., but now if I try to hug him he becomes rigid or seems hyperfocused. Also, he used to get straight A's in elementary school and now is at about a 2.8 in Junior High even though his IQ range was at least 140 in third grade. He seems hyperfocused all of the time now. He takes Straterra 60 mg. ecause stimulants never worked for him. He doesn't smile very often and doesn't talk much. He is also alot less creative. I used to wake up to breakfast made for everyone (even though the kitchen was a mess) with little balloon animals for each place setting, now Im lucky if I get a 'hi Mom,how are you?"
First of all - Thank you to EVERYONE who has taken the time to leave a comment, as I am beginning to understand myself better and realize that I'm not alone with my "issues". I have been on Zoloft and Paxil at various times for Major Depression. Yes, the side effects on libido seem to be common for just about everyone. However, depression carries its own side effects that are sometimes much worse.
I have only recently begun to explore the AD/HD possibiliity and was put on Ritalin 8 months ago. It allowed me to focus better than I've ever imagined, but it jacked my BP up to 180 over 110. I discontinued that, thinking that if Ritalin didn't make things better that I wasn't really ADD. That actually isn't true. Check out a guy named Dr. Amen (google him) on AD/HD. He might not be commonly accepted, but he have some interesting theories that seem to fit pretty closely.
I was put on Straterra about a month ago, and experienced the same fog, anxiety and delayed reactions, so much so that it was dangerous to drive. Thanks to the two individuals who shared their similar experiences. Straterra also seemed to exaggerate the violent/angry and aggitation tendencies, but liquid children's Benedryl seems to help in combatting the side effects. My doctors have taken me off everything but Welbutrin and Lexapro so we are going to start again. I will make sure that the dose increases are slow for whatever I end up taking though based on what I have read here.
I encourage everyone who is on this page to go out and get get a full blown Psych Evaluation. The testing sucks, but the results should clear the air about what illness(es) you actually have, and provide a clearer picture for the psychologists/ psychiatrists that you are seeing. Believe me, this is a painful illness, but the more clarity we can get as members of society, the better off we all will be.
To the guy who had trouble with his boss - You're not alone. I just had to take short term disability or I would have been terminated for performance problems. Right now, I'm out for the next 3 months to deal with this illness. Hopefully that will allow me some time to pull my work life back together.
Thanks again,
Boise, ID
To Julie with the 9yo daughter:
Check into food sensitivities and allergies! Ask your doctor to refer you to an allergist. Some of this could be food based.
You could also try the elimination diet on your own. I have found The Allergy Self-Help Cookbook by Marjorie Hurt Jones, R.N. and Allergy-Free Cooking: How to Survive the Elimination Diet and Eat Happily Ever After by Eileen Rhude Yoder, Ph.D. to be very helpful.
If all of those add/hd meds aren't doing anything, it's very possible that her add/hd symptoms are symptoms of a totally different problem.
With my son, I noticed a difference when we cut refined carbs (esp. flour and sugar) and other ultra processed foods. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via the link in my profile.
Best wishes!
Esther
Is Strattera supposed to cause erectile dysfunction
ive been experiencing problems with erectile dysfunction (difficulty obtaining and maintaining an erection) while taking strattera and i was wondering if thats normal or if i need to talk to my doctor about it
Hi I was read all the comments about Strattera and My son who is 11, has been on Strattera for about 3 years now and he has been ok. One thing is yes he doesnt like to eat as much as he should, which is one problem my husband notices, but he will eat through out the day. He grades went from bad to straight A's, Honor roll and excel classes. That was the major focus to us...was to get he to focus. He is a great kid, alittle depression but this medication does help for that..Strattera is different then the other ADD medication. My son is on 40 mg morning and 25 mg at night. So far i like it. He did try others before and i didnt like them because they were the stimulants....
After reading some of the posts by parents describing their childs symptoms in many ways it was me as a child. Explosive temper, lethargy, even the lack of motivation in school, which continued through college.
I am now a 35 y/o male who has suffered from ADD, as well as,Dysthymia my entire life. I have tried multiple ADD medications my throught out my 20's and was put on Strattera shortly after approval by the FDA. One of the reasons for Strattera was, it claimed to have anti-depressant properties. I have recently started seeing a new psych, he explained that not all of the original Strattera claims were proven in clinicals and it did not necessarily contain the Anti-Dep. properties that were claimed. So armed with new information we formulated a new treatment regime which for me consists of 600 mg of St. Johns Wart for my Dysthymia in conjunction with 80mg of Strattera. The improvement is remarkable. For once in my life I have a feeling of what "normal" is. I don't know that this would be the result for everyone, but it is an alternative to what I have experienced in the past.
For me the combination of the two has allowed me to become focused along with taking the "edge" off. Still dealing with the temper issues. However, things that would set me off in a day to day situation previous have become much less over the last few months. It allows me to view things from a much different perspective.
I wish the best for each and every one of you and hope that y'all have success in finding the balance that best suits you and your situation. It has taken me 10 years to reach this point and it has been an up hill battle all the way, yet I know this is not the end all to this challenge as there will be many more.
I have tried every anti-depressant and anti-psychotic to battle my major depression and fatigue for three years with no luck. One month ago i went to a new doctor and he had me try Adderall. It is a God sent!!!!No more depression, lack of motivation, and not wanting to be social. I don't even want to take a nap every day as i have for years. Even my sex drive came back. I am still on Zoloft and Concerta. I really recommend this medication or one similar (it can take a while to find the oe that works for you). As i was amazed to learn....you DON'T have to live with depression. I feel like i awoke from a long coma!
I am a professional with ADD, I am taking focalin xr 10 mg and was doing fine. At work I struggle to follow verbal instructions unless I write it down step by step. This is very embarrising. I read information and feel that I don't have an acceptable answer or understanding, so I keep on searching and struggle to retain the information until the following day. When instructing others I loss my thought process and some times ramble and repeat myself. I feel like I am going crazy. I have blurred vision and tend to have neck pain and find my self pressing my tounge to the roof of my mouth and then my jaw feels tight and sore. I have asked my doctor to reduce the dosage. I really need to be sucessful at work and I am failing myself.
RE: Penial issues went like this:
I'm pretty sure I have the same problem. My doctor had started me on Straterra, but I kept forgetting to take it because you had to eat with food.
But over the last two weeks I've been taking it like clockwork. But recently, I've had that problem. That after I'm done urinating I still feel full. Once I afterwards in the morning it happened after getting dressed. Then it started happening after urinating in the evening, I'd feel full and then I'd just think maybe its something odd. But no semen like fluid came out only very little. I mean, I didn't purposely erect, and also it was very little.
But this week here has been horrific. The other night it happened after urinating. Last night, three times after urinating!
I never always had this, but I sort of remember the feeling full sensation way back in 9/2001. I had thought it was my back at first and soon saw the spinal doctor. My back was worse and all from last time. This continued for some time, but stopped like 12 months later. I'd sort of still full, but also never did this urinating/erection happen, or I don't recall it happen (I mean very little is coming out now, and also during that time I had been taking more baths; now I always shower never have the time). But during this 12 month span I had noticed my underpants like a little damp from time to time. I had again thought it was caused by my bad back.
I guess I should try avoiding the Concerta for a week or two and see what happens.
hello everyone i have a 11 year old son who was just put on strattera 18 mg. he was put on it for adha and seem to be very tired during the day. it was a 7 day trial and then i am to put him on 25 mg. i am a little worried becuz if the 18 mg are makeing him tired what is the 25mg going to do to him. is it normal at first to be tired on this medication with this side effect go away. can some one please let me know if they have gone threw this. i am really worried. should i starte the 25mg if this is a problem with the 18mg.
I have recently been exploring the option that I might have ADD. I am 29yrs old and all my life I have had problems concentrating. I can never remember anything I read. I dropped out of High School my sophomore year beause I wasn't interest in school. After, 11 years I decided to go back to school and seem to be struggling just the same. I can relate to the person who said they have tried one antidepressed & antipyh drug after the other. A few questions, are you currently taking all three meds Zoloft, Concerta, & Adderall? When did you know you had ADD?
Is there any proven relief from sexual disfunction resulting from strattera and celexa?
I am on both meds and suffer from delayed/absent ejaculation. My partner and I will continue for an hour or better and not have any "sucess". This hurts him, even though he doesn't say anything. Is there anything I can do to aid in reaching climax before this hurts our relationship?
I was started on Ritalin approx 10 years ago, as an adult with severe fatigue, due to post-viral symptoms. An RN, I had experienced at least 3 of these herpes viruses through the years. However, my PCP relocated, and my new PCP tried other medications when it seemed the Ritalin dosing needed to be increased. I have used Concerta and now I am on Adderall XR. I realized recently that my physician now has me diagnosed with Adult ADHD. He said I am 'textbook" ADHD, and indeed I FEEL like I am- I have every symptom you have listed on your web-page. And my life has been in turmoil for the last 4-5 years. Most of this I see as as my own fault- making a decision to leave my husband of 25 years (VERY unlike me, a Christian mom of 3, Sunday School teacher, etc.). I realized what I had done and came back to my husband. But the guilt of what I have done continues to plague me. I knew I had forever damaged my single grown children's concept of marriage. My daughter, who was in college and still living at home, didn't speak to me for nearly a year; and after another year, now speaks to me , but is very detached. During all this came the added stress of a car accident which resulted in back surgery. You can't imagine what THAT has done to me as a RN. I can no longer do the work that has been my life's mission. Not only physically, but emotionally and mentally. I was once a very competent nurse, able to work any of the critical units in our hospital. I was articulate and loved to teach. Now, it is hard for me to learn duties of a new workplace. I feel like a blubbering idiot most days, searching for stumbling over words.
A RN friend mentioned to me that perhaps the meds were creating the symptoms of ADHD in me. I mentioned this to my PCP, and he gave me a few samples of Provigil to try. I was again horrible tired, sleepy. I couldn't do a good trial of it because of workdays where I didn't dare use the Adderall. Now I don't know what to do next. I know the stresses of my Ilife can cause all these things in a person. But have to make changes somehow. I am not the same person, and I have to wonder about the effects of this medication over the past 8-10 years. How would this medication manifest itself in a person who doesn't have ADHD? (And in case you'd wonder- yes, I also went through menopause during this time) I would value your input on this!
My wife is a 28yr old working woman. She was experiencing some problems at work with concentrating on tasks at hand and felt it was also affecting her at home with our daughter and relantionship. She went to her family doctor who prescribed a starting dose for strattera. She says she feels more focused overall, but I feel that she has become more irritable and less focused on our relationship. I asked her to get a second opion from a mental health expert but to no avail. Could there be another option that she can use?
Hello there, it's nice to see some input from others about this condition. I am 21 years old and started adderall at the age of 19, and it worked very well for me besides the fact that I was losing weight that I did not need to lose. I was switched to Strattera, and I have never felt more helpless, depressed, or angry in my life while on the medication. I stopped strattera immediately and was switched to Concerta. Concerta did not do any noticably good changes for me, but had similar side effects as strattera. I am 21 years old now and have stuck with Adderall ever since, and do my best to cope with the side effects.
I'm a 64 yo female who has suffered with ADHD all my life, but wasn't diagnosed until this summer.
I've been on Strattera 18-25mg/day for a month...........Adderal 10mg/2x/day for a month.........generic Ritalin 10m/2x/day......and now generic Focalin 10mg/2x/day AND I'M STILL VERY JITTERY, ANXIOUS AND LESS ABLE TO CONCENTRATE THAN EVER!!!!
Also I've been taking generic Zoloft 150mg/day for several years for OCD, GAD and depression.
I've learned a lot from these posts and realize that it is certainly a learning process to find out what works for us.
I'm also having the "tongue pressed to the roof of my mouth" sympton that another person commented on.
IF ANYONE HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR ME,,,,,,I'm SICK AND TIRED OF MYSELF.....and need help.
Thanks
I have a 15 yr old son, diagnosed at age 5 with ADHD. He since has developed OCD behaviors. As an infant, he was the only child out of 3 I nursed who could not nurse without constant interruption of his own feeding (stopping, turning head, etc). He's been on many of the meds mentioned. The worst were Strattera & Zoloft. Strattera made him Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde. VERY irritable, angry. Worse yet was his threats of commiting suicide (at age 12). Took him off. Now on what I call the Gator pill--vyvanse & clonydine. His behavior has only worsened, but not due to the drug. We tried him on Zoloft, but turns out he's in the minute percentage of people who have a bad reaction to that family of drugs. In the meantime, he goes into manic rages...kicking things, tearing up things, cutting & slicing things on the sly, trying to provoke my husband into fights, making racist or nasty comments (you have to understand our family is NOT racist, doesn't believe in such rudeness & has never taught him this). He doesn't forget what he sees as trespasses against him. We finally had a full battery of diagnostics done on him. We go tomorrow back to his psychiatrist who wishes to try him on abilify. We now believe our son has a type of manic disorder.
My answer both as a parent AND a teacher, to all who've posted here: everyone is different,and therefore, everyone's body will react differently to the same drug or drugs. Don't go by what others say. It's ok to share experiences. You may discover something similar about your own side effects. But everyone is different & will react differently. Also, be sure to get a full workup to discover exactly what is going on with your body. It may NOT be what you are being treated for, or it may be, as we say about our son who has overlapping disorders, that you, too, are an "alphabet soup" person. Only a dr can diagnose, & it may take a few docs to find the right diagnosis.
Good luck & God bless to all of us. Being people with disorders or the relatives of them is no easy task, & a lifetime undertaking.
P.S. to my previous posting (teacher/mom of 15 yr old son):
One more thing...have faith, hope, and endurance. Keep in your mind always that the most gifted people in the past & of our time have either had the symptoms of ADHD or were diagnosed with it. People like Edison, Ansel Adams, and our most recent Olympic swimming winner, Phelps. Find ways to channel that intelligence & energy that ADHD people have! You're going to be awesome! Believe it!
:-)
My son is eight years old and he is ADHD and EDD. He is on Concerta 36mg in the morning and 10mg of Ritalin at 2 pm every day. I just don't know what to do with him some times. That child can't stay at daycare for one hour without me being called to pick him up. From biting the staff to throwing rocks to actually punching a little girl in the face. At school he is on the Concerta and with the program they have set up for him, wow, he is great at school. Still has problems learning though. Never brings home his homework. He is talented in lying. So very smart in his stories of lying. Just wished he could put all that smartness into his work. It is so hard to have an ADHD child. I took parenting classes just for ADHD to help me understand and cope with him. Some times I still want to throw up my hands and cry. I even thought of the boys ranch or even kid jail for him. I know, what kind of mother am I? But I do love him. He is only eight and every time he does something, I can't help but hug him and tell him I love him. It is so hard to punish a child when you know that it isn't him. It is his disorder.
Speaking of punishment. I spanked his bottom, he doesn't understand and still does it. The corner, same thing. Before the parenting classes, my husband would place him in the corner for 30 minutes and yet my son doesn't understand. Then we used what we learned and just placed him in the corner for three minutes, still nothing. I found it best to place him in the middle of the floor on his knees with his hands behind his back. Works for a while. Then, the best thing ever is when his doctor told me to feed him cookies and ice cream being, you know, they get so thin. So, I remind my son before school every morning that if he is good all day, he will get a treat. Bam!....When hubby and son gets home there is a huge box of cookies on the table. When, I get home and see the whole box gone, I know my son had a great day *wink*.
Then if my son has all five great days, we take him out on the weekends. For example, my son wanted to watch Dog Hotel. So we did. Or the Tommas train was in town, so we took him to ride Tommas and to look at all the trains (he loves trains). Everyone knows with ADHD you have to give them plenty of park time and activities. But when both parents work and I work split shifts at that, it is so hard to take him to the park. So, anyways, the huge treats (Has to be a lot of sweets for the child to remember the reward for the next day) and a huge event on the weekends will help. Helps me for right now. We all know that with ADHD children, it changes. I never thought I could be so creative until I had him. *Smile* It will get better. By the way, He had ADHD since he was 3 years old.
Has anyone ever heard of an issue with Strattera causing Tinitis? I started getting a ringing in my ears shortly after I started using it.
Any comments would be appreciated.
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