New here and nervous about Strattera | ADHD Information

Jessica,

Thank you for your comments.  I think I am going to try to take the Strattera in the morning too, since I take my other meds then as well.  I'm glad to hear that you haven't had any sleepiness with it...as that is what worries me most.

Will you keep me posted as to how your next couple of weeks go?

Thanks!
Beth

Your current daytime sleepiness could be attributed to depression.  The anxiety and the energy you use trying to focus could also contribute.  I too take Strattera and am currently at 100mgs daily in the AM, I do get tired aroung 2 or 3PM, can sleep for a short time(30 mins.) then feel revitalized.  Once at your target dose for 4-6 wks then re-evaluate your condition and the side effects.

Good Luck,

Val

Hello everyone.

I am a teacher and mother of 3 kids and 3 stepkids.  I have had ADD symptoms for as long as I can remember, but I have tried to ignore them.  It has finally gotten to be too much.  I'm tired of feeling unproductive and scattered.

I've also been dealing with depression/anxiety for many years and am on Effexor 75mg and Risperdal .5mg. 

Over the past year, I have been experiencing sleepiness during the day...even when I sleep 12 hours at night.  I can easily take an hour or two nap any day.  It's crazy.

That brings me to the issue of Strattera which my dr. has now prescribed for me.  He wants me to start on 18mg for a week, then up to 40mg for the next 3 weeks.  Then he wants to see me again.

I'm just scared of being even MORE sleepy as I've read that this is a common side effect of Strattera.  The dr. says to take it at night in case it does make me sleepy. If I find that it keeps me up at night, then try taking it in the morning.

I'm seriously hoping this works as my lack of concentration and focus is making my job much more difficult than it should be.  I don't need to be any sleepier during the day either.

I guess I just wanted to say "hello" and introduce myself.  If anyone can give me any insight as to the best time to take Strattera and any side effects that would be great.

Thanks!

I just started on Strattera 2 weeks ago. I take it in the morning. I did try it at night, too, but it didn't make a difference so I just stuck with the morning since that I when I take my other meds (Effexor, Lamictal and Klonopin).

I was ok my first week on Strattera, but this 2nd week has been kind of horrible. I haven't had any full-blown panic attacks, but my anxiety has skyrocketed. I ran out of samples today and went up to the pharmacy to pick up my script and I talked to the pharmacist about this side effect. He said he has heard that from many people he knows that have or are taking Strattera, and that week 3 seems to be the magic week for most of the anxiety to subside. I am on 80 mg right now, and I think that may be what is causing it. My psychiatrist just called and left a message for me saying I could cut it down to 40 and see how I do that way. I think I may just deal with the anxiety for another 1-2 weeks though and see if it subsides. I've dealt with much worse things in my life ;-)

Other than the increased anxiety, I haven't had any other side effects.
   
Good luck!!   
I have no idea why my psych started me out at such a high dose (80mg), but I am definitely not feeling the anxiety anymore!! I do feel a little sleepier now, but not much. I am glad I stuck with the 80mg dose instead of going down to 40mg. I feel like I am leveling out more now, and hopefully it will continue so that I am neither anxious nor tired during the day. Since this med is not like the stimulant meds that work immediately and I've only been on it for 16 days, I definitely need to take it until 4-6 weeks to make sure I've given it enough of a chance to work.

I will keep you updated and you keep me updated as well! :)