Strattera question | ADHD Information

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Sorry forgot to mention another side effect, it's also interrupting my sleep.  The first week was bad but now most of them have subsided.  So that's good.  As far as the constipation goes, I called the doctor and he said to up my water and fiber and it should help me go.  I did do that but still nothing.  Finally I had to resort to laxatives.. sorry I know this is TMI but it's what I've been going through. 

The doctor prescribed me 40mg.  His orders were to take one for the first three days, then take 2x daily after that.  So yeah, I'm on 80mg/day.

I'm just not sure how I can afford this.  It costs 0 for 60 pills at Walgreens.  I forgot the reason why my insurance won't cover, all I know is that it's not covered.

Hi everyone, I'm new to the site.  My name is Elisa.  Sorry this is long but I thought I should explain who I am first.

Just recently I've come to realize what I have is ADHD.  I believe I am the Inattentive/Overfocused/Depressed type.  I used to be hyperactive when I was a child, I was the only girl to be spanked and sent to the corner in my first grade class.  I'm not hyperactive anymore though.  Some other things I'm living with is major depression and social anxiety.   

I have been this way all of my life - always daydreaming, never motivated, feelings of extreme frustration and being overwhelmed over the simpliest things, major depression, thinking about a gazillion things, can't finish the projects I've started, can't keep up in group discussions because my mind wanders.. so on.  There is more but I can't seem to think of them right now. 

I almost didn't graduate high school (I had to really push myself my senior year) and I've dropped out of college once already.  I've decided to go back to school but it's been difficult to read what doesn't interest me and to stay focused.

I have depressed most of my life, wondering why I am the way I am.  I never knew I was ADHD until now, when one day I decided to look up what it was.  I took about 3 screening tests and they all said I have Adult ADD tendencies.  So I decided to get help because it's miserable living this way.

I went to my doctor and explained my symptoms, the major ones are depression, fatigue, and lack of concentration (sluggish mind).  He wanted me to get some bloodwork done to test my thyroid, but he also prescribed me Strattera since it's a non-stimulant.

I've been on Strattera for less than two weeks now.  Of course, I don't see much improvement, I know I should wait about 4 weeks.  Side effects have been bad - in the first week I suffered from drowsiness, nausea, lack of appetite, mood swings, and the worst one is major major constipation.  And to make things worse, my insurance doesn't cover it so it's pretty expensive.

This Friday I see my doctor again for a follow-up on my bloodwork and how I'm doing on Strattera.  What I want to tell him is, if Strattera doesn't help me, what are my options??  I can't justify spending this much money on something that doesn't work.  What are my options?  Should I try a stimulant like Concerta?  I know Concerta is covered by my insurance, but does it work for an inattentive ADHD like me?   
 
 

epmi806739253.5312037037Strattera doesn't actually work for 4-6 weeks anyway.

To be fair to yourself wait that long.

Also, I found that if I take it with a big dinner I have almost no side effects after 2 weeks. Not even dry mouth. Eat lots of fruit and popcorn for night snacks. That helps too.

Also, it has to be 'ramped up'. When I tried ramping after 8 days I was stoned right out of my gourd. That might be nice if I was looking for that result but I wasn't

So I dropped back to 40mg. Are you sure your dose isn't too high for starters?
The recommended adult dose is 100 mgs, so maybe he will ramp you again and you can only get 30 pills?To answer your other questions. Yes you can take stimulants for inattentive ADD. Absolutely! My daughter (only 12 right now) but is primarily ADD, no real hyperactivity. She has some impulsiveness, mainly inability to focus and stay on task, head "goes a million miles an hour". Lots and lots of fatigue an "fogginess", definite anxiety. Stimulants helped all of this (excpet the anxiety, that increased). She however is not currently taking them due to side effects for her. Many, many people do very well with minimal or no side effects. It is definitely an option for you. They can exacerbate anxiety however. You can take stimulants with antidepressants together if necessary. talk all of it over with your doctor.