Question of adults on Strattera

[QUOTE=ADDitup]Hi Debbie,

I can't tell ya just yet, I just switched to Strattera three days ago, but I will try to keep an eye on this 'laid back' aspect and see if I notice it at all....  But then again, I am a pretty laid back person to start with, so, not sure if i'd notice or not LOL.

Chris
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Thanks Chris...keep me posted.   And good luck to you with the new meds.

Debbie

Hi Debbie,

I am a 32 y/o adult male.  I take Strattera (80mg) and Ritalin(40mg).  Before I was diagnosed with ADD, I worked out compulsively.  One winter, I recall running three miles a day, in rain or snow.  This was because it was the only way to expend all of my wound up, undirected "drive", so that I could feel somewhat calm and "normal" the rest of the day.  Although I had since cut back, I continued to excercise at the gym 4-5 times a week.  I used to joke that without ADD I probably would not be so "healthy".  When I began on Strattera, my motivation (to excercise) went down the tubes.  This was mainly because, in the past, a good hard cardiovascular workout and some weight training was as calming to my nerves as perhaps nicotine, alcohol, or kava-kava for some people.  If I slacked off, I would become so "driven to distraction" that I would feel like I was coming out of my skin.  Because the Strattera evened out this feeling of being driven to find a physical outlet for my energy, I no longer felt compelled to go to the gym.  Furthermore, when I did work out, it took much more effort, and afterwards it no longer felt like "a cigarette after sex" (if you'll pardon the metaphor).

Ironically, I used to lament, "I'll  never have a 'normal' life if I absolutely HAVE to workout at the gym daily to function."

Well, the long and short of it is that I have re-established a regular workout routine.  I still do not feel compelled to go, but I know that I enjoy the overall feeling of health that I have when I have been going.  I also have mostly begun to lose the feeling that it is a greater effort to go workout.  I also know that I can go on vacation, injure myself, etc. and I won't feel like I am "suffocating" from the inability to excercise.

How this all translates to your son's motivation in sports, I don't know.  I think perhaps some top athletes, downhill skiers, racecar drivers, etc. may be motivated, in part, by ADD.  Then again, a choice to become motivated might be more satisfying in the long run than a compulsion.

The question, I think, comes down to this: is it better to be intensely driven by "demons", or moderately driven by intention?

Anyhow, this is all just my personal experience/take on things.  Hope this feedback helps.

One of the things I have noticed since being on Strattera for 2 weeks now, I don't drive like a maniac so much anymore and I don't walk as fast as I usually do.  My husband was always yelling at me "slow down!"  I would walk like I was in a race or something. 

I also don't pace at work when I'm thinking anymore either.  I just don't have the "wound up" feeling I used to.  Personally, it's a welcome change for me! 

Whether or not this translates into non-aggressive sports behavior or not, I'm not sure.  But I'm thinking, if I had been involved in sports, I have a feeling I would not be as aggressive anymore with the Strattera just by the way this has affected me in other aspects of my life. 

One of the things I have noticed since being on Strattera for 2 weeks now, I don't drive like a maniac so much anymore and I don't walk as fast as I usually do.  My husband was always yelling at me "slow down!"  I would walk like I was in a race or something. 

I also don't pace at work when I'm thinking anymore either.  I just don't have the "wound up" feeling I used to.  Personally, it's a welcome change for me! 

Whether or not this translates into non-aggressive sports behavior or not, I'm not sure.  But I'm thinking, if I had been involved in sports, I have a feeling I would not be as aggressive anymore with the Strattera just by the way this has affected me in other aspects of my life. 

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Thanks Kimo...just reading what you all are experiencing is helping me to understand what my son must be going through.   I don't have adhd,   but his dad does but has never taken meds for it,   so even he can't help him much with what he is experiencing.  

I am glad to hear of people having positive results with the strattera.

Debbie

How this all translates to your son's motivation in sports, I don't know.  I think perhaps some top athletes, downhill skiers, racecar drivers, etc. may be motivated, in part, by ADD.  Then again, a choice to become motivated might be more satisfying in the long run than a compulsion.

The question, I think, comes down to this: is it better to be intensely driven by "demons", or moderately driven by intention?

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WOW...thanks for your take on it.   I kind of thought it was because he was more 'normal' now,  and that seems like it may be the case.   Strattera is the first drug we have found that has helped him in all other areas of his life.   He also has Tourette Syndrome and though the tics have always been mild,  we aren't seeing any since he started taking it.

His dad and I have decided not to change his meds unless he wants to,   once we talk to him about your experience.   Just being aware that he may have to 'work' harder at it,   may be all he really needs.   The drive has always seemed to come so easy and natural to him,  it will probably seem strange to him to have to make more of an effort.

I know his goal is to play baseball in college,  but to get there at all he had to get the 'focus' in the classroom fixed - which the strattera did for him.

Thanks so much for your feedback!

Debbie

Hi...posted a similar question on the medications forum,  but thought I would try with the adults ;-)

My 18yo son has been on strattera for 6 months.   He has always been very good at baseball,   but this season seems to have lost his drive.   He is not as aggressive on the field as he used to be,   and it is affecting his play (not charging the ball in the field,  not attacking the ball while batting.)   This may seem minor to some,  but the boy has hopes of playing in college,  and I am trying to determine if the strattera has made him too laid back.   It sure has helped with everything else,   school,  social,  etc,  and I thought the improved focus would help sports too,  but it's not.

Anyone else experience anything similar to this??  

Debbie