|
|
Post by LitlBaa on Nov 12, 2003 2:33:53 GMT -5
My 42 yo husband started Strattera 4 days ago(25 mg) and doesn't like the way he's feeling. He seems sad and depressed, then wants to go punch a wall, then says he's really sleepy. He has been unmotivated and can't focus on his homework, and doesn't want to do anything but watch the SciFi Channel. He's supposed to take 25mg for four days then go up to 40mg. I'm concerned about the dosage, since that's what my 12 yo daughter (his stepdaughter) takes, is that enough for a 225 lb man? Also he was dx'd as unipolar depressive several years ago (before we were married) so I'm concerned in a lot of different directions. From reading the posts and the other research I've done, I'm not sure that Strattera's the best choice for him, but this is what the doctor wanted to start him with. Any suggestions?
|
|
|
|
Post by Douglas on Nov 12, 2003 9:25:49 GMT -5
I take a much higher daily dosage and weigh less than your husband. I am at 80 mg per day and I need still more.
My lethargy is not only fading, but I am finding the focus and energy to get at least partly thru my workdays. (I am also on the edge of middle age and had reached the point where I was nearly immobilized by ADD).
I need a higher dosage in order to develop an attention span that will re-enable me in the full-time workforce. I suspect your husband needs a considerably higher dosage, and more time to adjust! (I go thru a week-long adjustment period with side effects every time my dosage increases!)
|
|
|
|
Post by LitlBaa on Nov 13, 2003 1:43:22 GMT -5
He started the 40mg today and seems to be doing better, but I still had to practically push him out to his office to finish his homework. He doesn't seems as sad either. Thanks for your response, I'll continue to monitor his reactions and see what the doctor wants to do next.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sydneysmom on Nov 17, 2003 10:15:01 GMT -5
Hi, I just started straterra on Saturday November 15. I have seen an immediate calmness. I too started on the 25 mg. for 4 days the ramping up to 40 mg. My doctor wants me to stay on 40 mg. for 1 month (?). I feel pretty good...I feel as if I have been given a vacation of sorts in my head and with my anxiety.
I also wanted to add that I too am 42 and over 150 pounds.
|
|
|
|
Post by tridlette on Nov 17, 2003 11:15:32 GMT -5
I started Strat in Sept. I went from 40 mg. for 4 days to 80 mg. I think in retrospect it was too big of a jump at once. I didn't sleep for a few weeks, even taking 10 mg of Ambien every night to sleep. I would get what I called the cold sweats for a few hours every day about 2-3 hours after taking Strat. I am cruising along fine now, and can't believe the focus in my life. I was the epitomy of chaos. Couldn't find the front door, and I actually broke my arm when I tripped over clutter at 4 in the morning. Now, I am homeschooling my son, I have him on target to finish pre algebra in January! My kitchen is nearly spotless and I actually had enough carpet cleared in the living room that I shampooed it Friday night!
Strat is definitely a med that needs time to build up, and your body needs time to adjust. I was weaned off of Zoloft the same time I started Strat. I can honestly say that for the first time in 8 years, I feel comfortable emotionally off of the Zoloft! It will take time, but like millermom says, if you haven't spent a month at target dose, you really haven't tried Strat. Give him time to adjust to the meds. If it is the right med, you will know soon enough. If it isn't right, you should still be in the same place you were a few months ago, and hopefully haven't lost anything but time! Good luck.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sydneysmom on Nov 17, 2003 11:21:08 GMT -5
Tridlett: Oh...I hope to be where you are soon...my clutter is so bad! I have broken my right toe twice! Clumsy and clutter dont go together. Thanks for the reply! I started Strat in Sept. I went from 40 mg. for 4 days to 80 mg. I think in retrospect it was too big of a jump at once. I didn't sleep for a few weeks, even taking 10 mg of Ambien every night to sleep. I would get what I called the cold sweats for a few hours every day about 2-3 hours after taking Strat. I am cruising along fine now, and can't believe the focus in my life. I was the epitomy of chaos. Couldn't find the front door, and I actually broke my arm when I tripped over clutter at 4 in the morning. Now, I am homeschooling my son, I have him on target to finish pre algebra in January! My kitchen is nearly spotless and I actually had enough carpet cleared in the living room that I shampooed it Friday night! Strat is definitely a med that needs time to build up, and your body needs time to adjust. I was weaned off of Zoloft the same time I started Strat. I can honestly say that for the first time in 8 years, I feel comfortable emotionally off of the Zoloft! It will take time, but like millermom says, if you haven't spent a month at target dose, you really haven't tried Strat. Give him time to adjust to the meds. If it is the right med, you will know soon enough. If it isn't right, you should still be in the same place you were a few months ago, and hopefully haven't lost anything but time! Good luck. |
|
|
|
Post by merrymary on Nov 18, 2003 0:42:36 GMT -5
I am at day 22 of trying Stattera. I am 145 pounds and my doctor "started" me at 100mg. Just as I was beginning to think i was going to need more...or a split of the dose I got on line tonight to see how everyone is feeling on the stuff.
I started out great...i really felt a difference in my irritability...but i journaled that when i did lose it ...i was almost worse...
The first two weeks i got VERY tired around 3:30 in the afternoon. I was pleased to see that some are giving 2 doses a day to their kids...any adults taking it that way.
I'm not a doctor...but i think the dose is TOO low...i've heard comments that too little will cause lethargy and depression signs...
mary
|
|
|
|
Post by Sydneysmom on Nov 18, 2003 15:57:35 GMT -5
Wow!!! He started you out on 100 mg. I havent heard that. Guess my dose is quite low...but I can feel a diffrence at 25 mg.  I am at day 22 of trying Stattera. I am 145 pounds and my doctor "started" me at 100mg. Just as I was beginning to think i was going to need more...or a split of the dose I got on line tonight to see how everyone is feeling on the stuff. I started out great...i really felt a difference in my irritability...but i journaled that when i did lose it ...i was almost worse... The first two weeks i got VERY tired around 3:30 in the afternoon. I was pleased to see that some are giving 2 doses a day to their kids...any adults taking it that way. I'm not a doctor...but i think the dose is TOO low...i've heard comments that too little will cause lethargy and depression signs... mary |
|
|
|
Post by merrymary on Nov 18, 2003 20:04:09 GMT -5
ok..had to rereport......EEKK...i thought 100 was too high...it is only 40mg. that i got started at...i'm actually excited because i thought i was maxed just as i was thinking I NEED MORE! called the doctor today to maybe get 20mg more to take around 3pm... sorry if i freaked anyone out! m
|
|
|
|
Post by Sydneysmom on Nov 19, 2003 11:08:12 GMT -5
Hi Ruetten:
How long does your doctor say you are to stay on the 40 mg?
thanks.
|
|
|
|
Post by merrymary on Nov 20, 2003 1:49:45 GMT -5
i am waiting for him to call back..i'm ready for more..will let you know what he says!!! mary
|
|
|
|
Post by Douglas on Nov 29, 2003 21:18:16 GMT -5
Not exactly a "side effect," but I ran out of Strattera just before the Thanksgiving break. Couldn't get ahold of my dr for a prescription renewal!
Went three days without ... and CRASHED HARD the first day!!! My brain went straight back to constant channel-switching. It was hell on earth! There has never been such a clear before-after comparison of what my brain does to me than this horrible three-day experience! (as a side note, the sudden disappearance of the side effects was actually the only up-side ...)
D
|
|
|
|
Post by LitlBaa on Nov 30, 2003 0:35:17 GMT -5
I convinced my hubby to up the dosage to 80mg to see if his focus would improve. It's been five days. Oh, my gosh, he's wigging out! Says I said things I didn't, insists I didn't say things I did, spent all afternoon looking for something in the garage and both sheds and couldn't find it, yakked Thanksgiving morning (three days after going to 80mg), has had headaches...I am completely at a loss, and we're stuck because the doctor's not working this weekend (I completely understand, Douglas!) so I'm just trying to get him through it till Monday. Any other suggestions?
|
|
|
|
Post by Douglas on Dec 1, 2003 10:55:13 GMT -5
I've never heard of such a reaction to Strattera! You should speak with his physician ...
|
|
|
|
Post by LitlBaa on Dec 2, 2003 23:46:33 GMT -5
The headaches have gone away, the upset stomach has gone away, and he seems much calmer. I guess it was a flu bug, but the flu bug's timing was really upsetting!
|
|
