Posted by minimal on June 3, 2006, at 10:28:46
Well, I am done with this drug. Specific side effects are just too much to handle. The following experience is based on 6 days at 18 mg/day, 13 days at 36 mgs/day, and 3 days back at 18 mgs/day:
First, it makes me so constipated that passing stool is like passing rocks. This problem has left me in so much pain everyday. It doesn't seem to matter what food or supplements I consume either. To mitigate this condition, I have been consuming fiber supplements, an all vegetable diet, AND stool softeners, (and even laxatives here and there) together everyday and still, my stool is like stone, leaving me in pain for hours after a bowel movement. I now need to see a specialist because of the pain.
Second, I cannot stop gaining weight, despite a decrease in appetite and an increase in exercise. I have put on about 8-9 pounds during these 3 weeks. Each day it seems like I put on another half-pound, even with the increasingly healthy, fiber-laden diet.
Third, I experienced an altered sensation of taste combined with a feeling of numbness on my tongue. I wouldn't consider the effect here to be a decreased experience with taste, only different. In some ways, I have been picky and more critical about the taste of food than normal.
Fortunately, the other well-publicized side effects (dry mouth, sexual, fatigue) had disappeared by the end of week two, leaving me with actual improvements in energy and sexual interest.
The drug does appear to have some other positive benefits that convinced me to tough it out as long as I have. While improvement of concentration appears minimal at best (10-15%), it has a strong anti-depressent effect. I have noticed an interesting increase in memory too. For deep, calm concentration, a stimulant (caffeine or a small dose of adderall) had still been required, however. The best thing about Strattera in this regard is that it seemed to significantly decrease the peaks and valleys and crashes of the stimulant. I wonder if doubling the dose wouldn't have doubled the positive effects on concentration, but because of the side effects, I will probably never answer this question.
So, this has been my experience. If not for the combined constipation and hardening of stools that only appears to be worsening despite weeks of trying to improve this problem, I probably would have stuck with this for a few more months.
Any thoughts welcome.
Mini
poster:minimal
thread:652321
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060530/msgs/652321.html