When are you the most interesting? | ADHD Information

Probably off the meds because I'm still dealing with terrible side effects of Strattera even after 8 weeks on it.  The Strattera gets better.  The side effects go away after awhile.  What dose are you on?  what kind of side effects are you having?  Let me guess. Dry mouth, nausea? Well.. If that was all I wouldn't be complaining.. Dry mouth yeah, but that's not a big deal to me.. just makes me drink the water that I should be drinking anyway. I'm on 80mgs been on it for 3 weeks now. The normal side effects I used to get have gone away for the most part.. now I'm getting worse ones such as...

1) SEVERE Ear/Sinus Infection - given Augmentin XR 1000mg antibiotics that I have to take 2 pills twice a day 4000mg of it a DAY for 14 days!... then from that I got a Yeast infection.

2) Disabling Menstrual Cramps
(number 1 and 2 alone are enough to want to stop)

3) Night Terrors- That I don't remember but it wakes up my Dh and he tells me I'm kicking and swinging my arms like I'm trying to get away from someone that's holding me down and screaming.

4) Insomnia- I combat this by taking 5mgs Melatonin, but I still end up waking up several times a night.

5) Lost my Creativity and this is huge being that I have my own business. and I used to use my wondering mind to my advantage, but now with 24/7 meds I don't have that anymore. Nor can I Hyperfocus like I used to be able to do to my advantage (and I'm still having a hard time starting on tasks)

6) No longer able to keep focused on mundane tasks like I was in the beginning.

7) My Irritability is getting worse and I don't like taking it out on my poor kids. (already had an issue with this not being on meds).

8) Anxiety not any worse, but not any better either.

9) Loss of Sexual desire

Well... I think that's it for now but I know it's not all of it.

ShawnB39183.8176388889I want to stay away from Anti-Depressants due to my BPD. My Psychologist suggested not taking them because we're not sure if my BPD is causing depression that's chemical or not.

The sexual side effects are important to me, because of my marriage... but not worth staying on a med that causes much worse problems if there possibly is a med that would help me.

My Psych has not given me any other med to try. I would love to get another Psych but I can't find one that's taking new patients before July. I hate my Psych. (he's also a specialist in Addiction Therapy so he thinks everyone is Drug Seeking and either an Addict or Drug Dealer. I was highly offended by him in our first appointment)
ShawnB,have you tried Wellbutrin ?
It's supposed to increase sexual desire in women. (not all but a big number)


I know what you mean and I hate that. First when i come for help they treat me like a junkie and then when I quit the meds they give me then they get mad  again.
Ironic ,huh ?

worldisround39187.9505902778

Is that grammatically correct?

Anyway.  Are you more interesting to yourself on or off meds?  Personally, I think I'm far and away more funny and interesting off my strattera.  But I do have a life and family to manage.

 

Hi Shawn B.

I was supposed to be on Strattera and when I researched it I got pretty scared about the side effects. I decided to go to a doctor who took the time to read my testing results, the psychologist's recommendations, and knew my medical history...non-addictive. I requested that whatever he put me on was a low dose to begin with.

He went right to Ritalin. Started on 10mg twice a day. The first day I was a bit spacey and very relaxed until the second dose. Then at about the end of the day, I began to feel better. I did not have any other side effects...except for wanting to drink water. Which has always been something I lacked. So, after about a week it stopped working. Now I have been on 20mg. twice a day for almost three weeks. I saw the doctor and I am fine. Heart sounds good and blood pressure is as great as always. I am feeling it wear off a bit, but am not rushing to increase it just yet.

I am sorry that you have been on this drug for 8 weeks now and have so many of the side effects I feared. Are you not able to take Ritalin? Is it possible that other medications you may take are giving you side effects as well?

I am an artist, graphic designer and video producer. Ritalin has not diminished my creativity or my sense of humor. I am not rushing around organizing things or anything like that. But I am able to spend longer time concentrating on projects without feeling a restless bitter feeling of desiring to do something else. Actually, some of the more mundane tasks will always be mundane, but I am able to stick to them regardless. That was a huge problem before.

I must admit that I am gradually getting myself to where I probably should be. I don't like putting chemicals in my body. But little by little, I hope to get the dosage up to where my body will accept it without being shocked full of side-effects. I would rather have a gradual increase in wellness with my ADHD than put my current work at risk.

I am a single Mom and can't afford to loose my current client, who has contracted me and so far is still providing me with work during the week.

I sure hope you get well soon. If not, your body may be due for a change in the medication. I know everything has side effects...but what I feared about Strattera is exactly what I read you are experiencing.

Wish you the best!
Oops! Sorry I "forgot" to mention something.

Shawn B. Try going to your regular doctor and talking to him/her. If you have a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD, they can prescribe the medication. The doctor knows you well and your physical health as well.

I had the same experience with Psychiatrist. Not only do they treat a lot of addicted people, but they also see the effects of drug addiction. It's probably hard for them to realize you are not part of the 75% that goes there.