Posted by LightShifter on January 12, 2004, at 14:50:36
In reply to Re: Straterra - » joe smith2, posted by Mimi on January 12, 2004, at 8:52:07
> > Did the sexual side effects go away with time, or was this a problem for as long as you are on the meds. Also, I know this is precribed for ADHD, but will it help my compulsive thoughts. Thanks again.
>
> No, the sexual side effects do not go away. Strattera does not help compulsive thoughts. Try Buspar for that.
>
> Mimi
> >
>
>I feel it is specifically important to understand that Strattera has sexual effects on men that it cannot have on women.
The norepinephrine reuptake affects mens ability to both urinate and acheive erectile functionality specifically because it affects the prostarte function as well as the ability of the blood and seamen to flowe correctly.
For instance, seamen can be seen as white stuff that comes out with the urine which indicates that seamen is not "backing up" the way it should normally. This in and of itself will reduce sexual desire as there is not so much of a need to release what is "backed up". Also, the blood flow into the penis that causes erection seems to be "shutdown" to a great extent which complicates the issue further - even if men do get horney psychologically, their "equipment" may not function effectively enough to acheive orgasm...not to mention how this affects a man psychologically!
LAstly the urinary difficulties are like BPH and are fairly well resolved with Flowmax(r) (Tamsulosin)....
I agree that the Strattera dosage should be kept small. I found that after about a month and a half on 10mg. of Strattera that sexually things seem to be better than they were when I first started taking it. I'm not sure if the .2 mg. of flowmax that I take every other day for the urinary BPH type condition that results helps the sexual issues as well but things do seem to be better.
Regarding the compulsive thoughts, I feel a certian "contentment" under Strattera that allows my mind not to "race" and my anxiety levels seem to be greatly reduced. Friends have also remarked how I don't "shake" anymore - at least not as much. I had tremors most of my life (no doubt due to my high anxiety levels) which Strattera seems to help a lot. MAny people seem to stop this drug because I feel the starting dosages are too high - expecially because of the way the higher dosages affect mens urinary flow... If you keep at a low dose - say 10 mg or so - I have found that it helps greatly with anxiety and allows one to "focus" much better because the body does not have that anxious feeling going on that makes one want to "keep busy" so one can avoid the "racey" feeling inside... IT calms me in this way in ways Ritalin does not seem to be able to.
...Dan
poster:LightShifter
thread:133458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040109/msgs/299883.html