new here and starting strattera- need hel | ADHD Information

Hi-

 

I'm new here, but not to ADD.  I am 30 years old and was dx'd with ADD when I was 19 in college.  I took ritalin and it was a miracle drug for me- it made me feel normal.

Now- I graduated from college and never took the Ritalin again.  I have 2 children and am back in school.  I went to the Dr and got a Rx for ritalin.  But I only take about 2.5 mg several times throughout the day because I have become VERY sensitive to meds.

So today at my appt she gave me 25 mg of Strattera to try and then up it to 40 mg next week.  But I am scared to try it.  I took Lexapro about a month ago and totally flipped out (only took 1 pill).  It was horrible- so I am scared to try.

For those of you who take Strattera- Did you have bad side effects?  What time of day did you take it?  How did it work as oppsed to Ritalin?  And anything else I need to know before swallowing that first pill. 

THANKS!!

Goosey

I've been taking strattera for a couple of days now (new diagnosis). Doc
is more confident in the stimulants, but he was willing to let me try a
non-stimulant first. He started me on 40mg Strattera (guess that's a high
start compared to a lot of other people here.) Next week I move up to the
full dose of 80mg. I wouldn't be scared if I were you.

I have been taking it in the morning and I do feel tired and yawn a lot for
hours after I take it. I slept great though. Tonight I'm going to switch to
taking it nights instead. I've had a little bit of the "tingling head" people
talk about. Sometimes I feel a little spacey, other times I feel very clear
and purposeful. It seems to come in waves. I don't have much of an
appetite.

None of this is that bad though. I'd compare it to one of the stronger
over-the-counter cold or allergy pills. Most people say the side effects
fade off in a few days. This is something I can tough out, and in the
times where I feel calmer and more confident, I see how this could really
work for me. Don't be scared!