Posted by zeugma on December 24, 2003, at 13:33:31
In reply to Re: Strattera for Inattentive ADD ?, posted by Dreaman on December 24, 2003, at 12:20:49
> Zeugma thanks for the feedback. Sounds like the strat is really helping with your job performance. I just recently talked to my pdoc and she agreed that we should try Strattera. After Christmas I will go to the pharmacy and pick the pills up. My doc said that starting out with 10mg would be our best bet. I was wondering how you increased your dosage to what your on now and how long you took it to get the good cognitive effects.
I started at 18 mg, went up to 25 mg after a week or so, stayed at that doseage for 2 weeks, then went up to 40, then 60, then 80 mg a day (where I currently am). I spent approx. 3 weeks at each of these dosages before reaching my current one.
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> I have read in alot of places that Strat sedates people. Is this maybe just the hyperactive people? I need the opposite of sedation. How has the Strat affected your socialization skills. Hows your Sleep? I sleep 12-13 hours daily when allowed. Maybe the strat would cut down on this. Do you have any depression or anxiety along with the ADD, hows that going if you do. Also did you have any cardiac side effects since you started? I am a little worried because I think the last few years on Ritalin may have screwed up my heart a little.I have SEVERE, SEVERE depression along with ADD. I feel 'deactivated,' lethargic, and terribly unfocused when not on meds. I also take an antidepressant, nortriptyline, which helped with the depression, but not with the lack of alertness. Strattera helps me specifically with the 'drifting off' feeling that is typical of inattentive ADD.
Strattera doesn't interfere with my sleep at all. I was able to get by on less because I felt less sluggish overall. Unfortunately, one thing Strat has NOT helped me with is anxiety. That's not to say it won't help you- there are others on this board who have found Strat anxiolytic. Not me, though. I currently take a very low dose of clonazepam for anxiety. It helps, but I am afraid it is reversing some of the effect of the Strattera in terms of alertness and energy. I'm not sure what i am going to do about this.
My doctor checks my pulse every month. It's my understanding that if you stay on top of this, there's nothing to worry about.
z
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> Sorry about all the questions but I am a little apprehensive as well as excited about starting the strattera.
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poster:zeugma
thread:293035
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031219/msgs/293146.html