symptoms that have escalated | ADHD Information

Any major life changes?  Mine gets worse during those.  Etc:  Got married, got pregnant, had kid, seperated from military. Take mine at supper time with food.  Then about 3-4 hours latter, I'm ready for sleep.  Works better for me that way.  Never go nausous, but had chills when I first started taking it and could barely stay awake. 

Maybe you could try taking it at a different time?  All the side effects for me are gone now.
Well, when I can remember, I take it right before I leave in the morning.  5:30 or 6 am.  But, forgive me if I repeat myself here, I was getting very blurry vision on the 3 days and some nausea.  I can deal with nausea, but the vision thing freaks me out especially because I have to drive....My symptoms got worse after each depression.  It's a chemical thing.  Not your thought.  What time of day do you take your Strattera? I would love to be happier.

I really stopped taking the Strattera.  So, I was only on it for those 3 days last week.  I really want to make sure I'm being monitored by some medical professional while I'm taking them.  And since the neuro I saw just handed me the script with no words of caution, what to do next etc, etc, I need to get officially evaluated by someone!!

I did a bad thing and took concerta one day from a friend of mine whose son is on it.  That day I felt good like I was finally concentrating.  I was afraid to tell the dr. about that though since taking someone else's meds is always a no-no.
I'd get off the Strattera. I hated that stuff. Made me cranky, tired and like
a zombie. Adderall XR changed all of that.

All these things sound like you should reevaluate your medications.  Now - not to sound like a broken record - but are you getting any councilling at all?  You need to learn new coping methods - there are ways to deal with fear and anger that are productive!

Strattera seems to cause intolerant thoughts in many.  I've seen a lot of posts by people who feel they can no longer brush things away that used to be no problem or controllable to them.

Also - day-to-day stress can tend to pile up on us with ADHD.  As we tend to try and ignore or sidestep anxiety - eventually it bites us in the ass to let us know it's still there.  As I said - you need to find other ways to cope that don't include running from it or pretending it's not a big deal.

Hope that you find a solution.  If you can take stimulants I'd recommend finding out if you can get supplements to strattera.  They have the added effect of making you feel happier about things.  That could make a difference - don't ya think?

I haven't had any major life changes recently, but those things you mention usually induce stress, and then during stress the symptoms definitely become worse.

I wonder if it is because I'm ignoring issues that I should probably be doing something about, but I try not to think of them.  Maybe it's subconscious thinking that's making me worse.

As usual, I'm trying to ignore things as opposed to dealing with them head on and either fixing them or letting them go.
NOTE: Strattera takes 7 to 14 days to take full effect.

Also, therapy is essential with the meds, however, just reading books on
Adult ADD can be therapy and answer all your questions.

[QUOTE=valzap]I would love to be happier.

I really stopped taking the Strattera.  So, I was only on it for those 3 days last week.  I really want to make sure I'm being monitored by some medical professional while I'm taking them.  And since the neuro I saw just handed me the script with no words of caution, what to do next etc, etc, I need to get officially evaluated by someone!!

I did a bad thing and took concerta one day from a friend of mine whose son is on it.  That day I felt good like I was finally concentrating.  I was afraid to tell the dr. about that though since taking someone else's meds is always a no-no.
[/QUOTE]

Boy I hear that way too often.

You know that when a manufacturer puts on it's website that councilling must go along with the meds that it's serious stuff!

This guy should have at least told you to read the pamphlet that comes with strattera.  There's a lot of stuff in there.  But he should have also gone through what could come up and got you to listen to it.  They always are looking to squeeze a few more people in - all money and no compassion.

I was lucky - my MD wasn't skilled in a lot of stuff to do with ADHD - but he sat with me and listened.. a long time by MD appointment standards!  He opened up his "big book o' meds" (I don't know what it really was but it was big) and read off what it said about both dexedrine and strattera.  He actually had to ask me how to spell strattera - but I smiled and told him.  I knew that even if he had no clue he'd find out whatever I asked him. Good doc he is.

Do get proper evaluation - by a psychiatrist!  They are skilled in both the meds and the therapy.  Can I emphasize the therapy enough???  I say it again and again - and believe it if you believe nothing else I tell you that THERAPY IS ESSENTIAL WITH THE MEDS!!!

I hope you find someone who can get you through this tough spot.

Good points shock!

I couldn't get through the side effects to see what benefits there were though.  It was like being doped and I didn't like it so I felt that I was better off taking dex. Also - my insurance won't cover strattera and the smallest dose is 150 canadian a month!  Just about gagged at that!

Books can be a part of therapy for sure.  However - it helps sometimes to have someone to bounce thoughts off of - and unless your books are way more advanced than mine - it hasn't gotten to that point yet.  The human connection does do wonders!

Things I've noticed that have gotten worse in the past year:

I've noticed that my frustration level is at an all time low.  The littlest thing I find I have difficulty doing and the minute I can't do it I am at an instant breaking/boiling point.  I can feel my blood pressure rising and I will have a tantrum.

My road rage is at an all time high.  I commute 60 miles to and from work each day.  I find I get so mad at the imbeciles that are blocking my path that I will scream at the top of my lungs in the car.  I screamed so loud and hard the other day that I practically peed in my pants.

I find that I am now becoming anti-social.  I used to be a very social person.  I loved to hang out but since I am by myself most of the day (i'm in an isolated office, which sometimes is a blessing in disguise) I find it very hard to switch gears when people come to me.  They often think I'm in a bad mood, but it's just that I have to switch my mind to dealing with communication again.

I find that I miss my husband during the day and can't wait to see him, yet when we are finally home together I either go upstairs to play on the computer (like now) or read or daydream; or I am nasty to him.  I can't stand to hear myself talk to him sometimes because my tone is so bad.

My list can go on and on here.  Was wondering if you guys got worse as you got older which led to your being diagnosed.  I have not been officially diagnosed though I was given strattera last week.  I only took it for 3 days, but this behavior has been bad long before the meds. 

How bout you?

Thanks guys!  My reading or research right now is the web and these posts.  You guys all sound so knowledgeable I could almost think you're doctors yourselves!

I just made another appointment with different neurologist who supposedly specializes in ADD (but I think he works mostly with kids?).  He seems to be in demand though.  Now I will obsess about this for the next 2weeks until the appt.!  Can anyone say "monologuing"?

I am also going to be finding a good therapist as well while I'm waiting.  I know I have issues whether they are ADD-related or not.  As I've said before, I find it easier to tell strangers about my problems than my own friends or family.  So, I'll be looking forward to this.

No more strattera for me - not yet anyway.