Hello everyone. I am new here. Today I went to get evaluated for ADD, and although I will find out for sure tomorrow what the tests show, she said I do show signs of it and talked of possibly putting me on Strattera. I am 17 years old, and going to graduate in June, so I know it's late for me to be starting something now, but I figure I should now before I go away to college. Anyways, I have been doing research on Strattera and found that in a lot of cases it causes suicidal thoughts/depression/etc. I also did research on Adderall and found some of the same types of side effects. My question is, has anyone out there tried either or both of these, did you think it helped, any side effects, etc. Anything at all would help, I just don't want to be put on something that will depress me because I am a generally happy person.
Also, I know weight loss is a side effect in both Adderall and Strattera, but is one more extreme than the other? If I were put on Strattera, does my appetite gradually come back, or is it always going to be decreased, much like I hear Adderalls?
Thanks for any help!
I'm 16 and i have ADD, I've used sevral meds including Stratera and Adderall. Stratera is a nonstimulant so it will have less chance of those side effects. as for stimulant meds the depresion is more of a tired feeling unless you take alot more than your supposed to. which will give you roughly an hour after the drug wears off of bieng in a sad state of mind, but iv only found that by crushing up Ritylin and snortng it. as for Adderall the XR (time released) it all I've used and havent found any sort of comedown at all even at higher doses. the weight loss is usualy due to not bieng hungry wile you are on the med (i didnt have any of that with stratera though)but you gain your apitite right back after it wears off. but if you are worried about it then i recomend Stratera.Actually, the reason you read about Strattera causing suicidal thoughts an depression and can find more about that than the good stuff it does for you, online, is that that's the news! Unfortunately. The fact is that less than 1% of people who take strattera get those s/e. So, when you take it, just remember that that could, very rarely, happen, and if it happens to you, make sure you talk to your doctor IMMEDIATELY, don't wait, ok?
My daughter has taken it for years and it has been wonderful. So much better than the stimulants, because she doesn't need several drugs now, just one. When she took the stimulants, a long time ago, they would help her, but only for a certain amount of time, and by the time she got home after school, it was worn off. Then, she'd also have to take something to help her sleep at night. With Strattera, she only had to take one medication, didn't have to remember to take another pill at school, and it works 24 hours. With the stimulants, I don't really know how to explain it other than to say that it's like you feel it working and it kicks in and then you really, really feel it stop working. It's kind of a jarring feeling. But, with strattera, it's a really smooth transition.
I take Adderall XL for my ADD and it works really great, too. Much the same way, but the Strattera I think is better, because like I said, you don't have to take anything to help you sleep at night and with Adderall, you do. also, Adderall does wear off, though smoothly, but Strattera doesnt and there's no rebound.
I think you're really going to like it. And, I think you're really smart to get started on it right away before you start college, like you said. You're going to be so surprised at how well you will do in College and how your stress level when it comes to organization is going to go way down. I can always tell when my daughter needs her medication's upped, because she gets super disorganized again, but when she gets on the right dose of Strattera, she gets organized again.
Good luck and don't be afraid of it. There's alot of drugs that are seriously bad out there and this isn't one of them. :)
well, from my personal experience Strattera has been a gift from God for my son. Adderall worked good, but Strattera has been the GREAT lift of life for him. I have not seen any of the signs that are warned about either one. But, each person is different. Have you tried any of the alt meds yet? I know that omegas are great!!! It's never to late. You are a smart young lady for getting help w/ it now, before college. You might want to go to http://www.additudemag.com/magazine.asp. they have a lot of ideas and suggestions for college age young adults. I have NO affiliation with them, other than that i subscribe to it. It is geared for parents and young adults. you will find it helpful especially if you are going away to school. This is a great start for you.
If you do medacine I suggest eating first. I also suggest allergie testing as lots here have that also. I also suggest looking at your processing skills as well. Some have this issue also.