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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Hattree on February 21, 2003, at 10:01:44
I think it might be making me depressed, though there are other factors. Wondered how others are doing.
Posted by kara lynne on February 21, 2003, at 15:33:14
In reply to Any Strattera updates?, posted by Hattree on February 21, 2003, at 10:01:44
I'm sure I'll be the only one to have such a drastic response-- not that I'm special, just demented. It's getting so that I don't even believe myself anymore. My doctor said he was giving me *pediatric* doses of stattera (what everyone starts on I think 18mgs.). I took *one* the day before yesterday. It just felt so strong and chemical-ly to me for the entire day. Bad taste in my mouth and a weird, not even necessarily speedy but just weird kind of energy. At some points I thought it might be really good, and at some points I thought I'm never going to touch this stuff again. When it started to wear off I did feel a little depressed. I've been scared to go near it again. I think I prefer Ritalin.
Posted by michael on February 21, 2003, at 16:09:46
In reply to Re: Any Strattera updates?, posted by kara lynne on February 21, 2003, at 15:33:14
> I'm sure I'll be the only one to have such a drastic response-- not that I'm special, just demented. It's getting so that I don't even believe myself anymore. My doctor said he was giving me *pediatric* doses of stattera (what everyone starts on I think 18mgs.). I took *one* the day before yesterday. It just felt so strong and chemical-ly to me for the entire day. Bad taste in my mouth and a weird, not even necessarily speedy but just weird kind of energy. At some points I thought it might be really good, and at some points I thought I'm never going to touch this stuff again. When it started to wear off I did feel a little depressed. I've been scared to go near it again. I think I prefer Ritalin.
Kara Lynne,
Fwiw, sounds very much like my experience w/reboxetine - I think both are snri's? - ... edgy kind of energy, but didn't feel good, bad taste in my mouth, etc. Kind of like effedrine, but stronger, and not in a good sense...
michael
Posted by kara lynne on February 21, 2003, at 17:59:21
In reply to Re: Any Strattera updates?, posted by michael on February 21, 2003, at 16:09:46
Now that you mention it, it was a little bit like Reboxetine, only it actually felt stronger. I don't think either of them are SSRI's, I don't know their classification (maybe Reboxetine, but I don't think Strattera has anything to do with Serotonin, just Dopamine). Like I said, at one point I thought maybe I liked it, but in retrospect it all felt so druggy I'm no sure I want to repeat it. I do remember reading some posts that the se's go away, however, and I may brave it again.
Posted by michael on February 21, 2003, at 18:19:46
In reply to Re: Any Strattera updates?, posted by kara lynne on February 21, 2003, at 17:59:21
> Now that you mention it, it was a little bit like Reboxetine, only it actually felt stronger. I don't think either of them are SSRI's, I don't know their classification (maybe Reboxetine, but I don't think Strattera has anything to do with Serotonin, just Dopamine). Like I said, at one point I thought maybe I liked it, but in retrospect it all felt so druggy I'm no sure I want to repeat it. I do remember reading some posts that the se's go away, however, and I may brave it again.
Kara Lynne,
I think you're correct - they are not ssri's.
SNRI's (selective NE reuptke inhibitors) are similar, but not the same as SSRI's - they inhibit the reuptake of NE rather than serotinin.
I'm not as up-to-date as I'd like to be (or as I used to be), but as I said, I THINK that they're both snri's (I know that reboxetine is)... fwiw
Thanks for the info regarding how it felt, & good luck w/finding something that works.
michael
Posted by Hattree on February 21, 2003, at 18:50:40
In reply to Re: Any Strattera updates?, posted by kara lynne on February 21, 2003, at 15:33:14
<My doctor said he was giving me *pediatric* doses of stattera (what everyone starts on I think 18mgs.). >
Kara, do you mean that you took 18mg, or a smaller dose? I actually haven't a very good idea of how much I took because my doc gave me 40mg samples and I've been putting out tiny doses into a paper cup. A coke spoon is probably what I need.
Anyway I don't know if its that nanodose that's making me so depressed or something else. Wellbutrin put me into an instant nosedive, and I'm not sure they're too chemically different.
Posted by kara lynne on February 21, 2003, at 19:01:35
In reply to Re: Any Strattera updates?, posted by michael on February 21, 2003, at 18:19:46
Posted by kara lynne on February 21, 2003, at 20:14:10
In reply to Re: Any Strattera updates?, posted by Hattree on February 21, 2003, at 18:50:40
I started at 18mgs. Of course they don't make it easy on us and make a pill we can split! I never felt bad on Wellbutrin, which was why my doctor thought I might do well on Strattera, because of their similar actions. If Wellbutrin caused you problems it might make sense then, that this would create a similar reaction. Why did your doctor prescibe it-- are you taking anything else for your depression?
Posted by Hattree on February 21, 2003, at 20:19:16
In reply to Re: Any Strattera updates?, posted by kara lynne on February 21, 2003, at 20:14:10
I take lamictal, neurontin and a little zoloft along with a rotating cast of stimulants. The Strattera would hopefully replace the stims.
If you wanted to give it another try, I don't think 18mg sounds like such a low starting dose. They do make 5mg pills. Don't think I've ever started with more than about half of the smallest dose of anything.
Posted by michael on February 21, 2003, at 20:47:16
In reply to Re: Any Strattera updates?, posted by Hattree on February 21, 2003, at 20:19:16
> I take lamictal, neurontin and a little zoloft along with a rotating cast of stimulants. The Strattera would hopefully replace the stims.
>
> If you wanted to give it another try, I don't think 18mg sounds like such a low starting dose. They do make 5mg pills. Don't think I've ever started with more than about half of the smallest dose of anything.Hi Hattree,
I don't mean to be too nosey, but I'm curious about a phrase you used, "...along with a rotating cast of stimulants."
I was wondering if this had anything to do with a strategy to avoid building a tolerance to a stim, or if it was just a colorful expression...?
Thanks - and if I am being too nosey, sorry, & I'll get the msg if you choose not to reply.
michael
Posted by Hattree on February 21, 2003, at 22:10:55
In reply to Re: Any Strattera updates? » Hattree, posted by michael on February 21, 2003, at 20:47:16
Hi Michael,
Don't mind about noseyness...very private people probably aren't posting here.I use different stimulants partly to avoid tolerance, though it doesn't work that well...i seem to develop a tolerance to stimulants in general. it happens, though, that my favorite (dex spansules) also leads to the worst depression on discontinuation, so I'll trade to adderall or something (percocet is preferable, though naturally my doc doesn't prescribe it). I also sometimes take a shorter acting stimulant if its later in the day.
Posted by kara lynne on February 21, 2003, at 22:47:56
In reply to Re: Any Strattera updates?, posted by Hattree on February 21, 2003, at 20:19:16
They make 5mg. pills? Who knew?!!
Posted by jerrympls on February 22, 2003, at 0:29:15
In reply to Re: Any Strattera updates?, posted by michael on February 21, 2003, at 18:19:46
> > Now that you mention it, it was a little bit like Reboxetine, only it actually felt stronger. I don't think either of them are SSRI's, I don't know their classification (maybe Reboxetine, but I don't think Strattera has anything to do with Serotonin, just Dopamine). Like I said, at one point I thought maybe I liked it, but in retrospect it all felt so druggy I'm no sure I want to repeat it. I do remember reading some posts that the se's go away, however, and I may brave it again.
>
> Kara Lynne,
>
> I think you're correct - they are not ssri's.
>
> SNRI's (selective NE reuptke inhibitors) are similar, but not the same as SSRI's - they inhibit the reuptake of NE rather than serotinin.
>
> I'm not as up-to-date as I'd like to be (or as I used to be), but as I said, I THINK that they're both snri's (I know that reboxetine is)... fwiw
>
> Thanks for the info regarding how it felt, & good luck w/finding something that works.
>
> michael
>Hi-
I just read some info on Strattera from Lilly - Strattera is a Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor. It doesn't have any effects with dopamine as far as I can understand. It's more like Reboxetine than anything.
Just FYi
Posted by kara lynne on February 22, 2003, at 2:41:11
In reply to Re: Any Strattera updates?, posted by jerrympls on February 22, 2003, at 0:29:15
ok, scratch the dopamine--norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor it is. I thought my doc said something about dopamine yesterday, but maybe he was just referring to Wellbutrin. G'nite everyone.
Posted by disney4 on February 22, 2003, at 14:50:06
In reply to Re: Any Strattera updates?, posted by kara lynne on February 22, 2003, at 2:41:11
My pdoc told me that Straterra is an SNRI with an indirect effect on Dopamine. Although this sounds similar to Wellbutrin's actions, they are in fact different in nature. Wellbutrin can be very activating for some, where most people are finding Straterra to be somewhat sedating, at least at first.
Posted by BekkaH on February 23, 2003, at 0:02:17
In reply to Re: Any Strattera updates?, posted by kara lynne on February 22, 2003, at 2:41:11
According to an article in NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY 2002 Nov;27(5):699-711, Atomoxetine/Strattera increases extracellular levels of norepinephrine AND dopamine in the prefrontal cortex 3-fold.
Posted by Peter S. on February 23, 2003, at 14:31:03
In reply to Re: Any Strattera updates?, posted by BekkaH on February 23, 2003, at 0:02:17
I started with 10mg and went up to 25 after about 4 days. I noticed a "wired" feeling and also extreme irritability. I'm leery to try it again. I just re-started Prozac so I may try them in combination.
Posted by kara lynne on February 23, 2003, at 16:06:35
In reply to Re: Any Strattera updates?, posted by Peter S. on February 23, 2003, at 14:31:03
Were you taking 5mg tablets also? I wish my doctor would have told me about those--maybe he just didn't get any samples of them.
Posted by Peter S. on February 23, 2003, at 18:56:56
In reply to Re: Any Strattera updates? Peter, posted by kara lynne on February 23, 2003, at 16:06:35
kara lynne,
Actually I split 40mg capsules into 4 by emptying them out and putting them in empty gelatin capsules. Not very exact but it saves money.
> Were you taking 5mg tablets also? I wish my doctor would have told me about those--maybe he just didn't get any samples of them.
Posted by paulk on February 25, 2003, at 18:08:34
In reply to Re: Any Strattera updates? kara lynne, posted by Peter S. on February 23, 2003, at 18:56:56
I am taking 12.5 mg of Atomoxetine (Straterra) now. I’ve been on it for a total of 3 weeks now. I found that if I took more it reversed the good effect and even made me worse and sleepy. At the lower dose I just get the good effects (which include an improved sex life!). Better focus on work, less fatigue. Not as much of a roller-coaster as the Adderall, Ritalin, dexidrine had been. First week was the best. I’m wondering if it will poop out after a while? Had a bit of trouble with sleep the first few days.
Seems like it drops out a bit in the afternoon? Has anyone tried taking it morning and noon?
I split 25mg capsules (as long as they charge so much I will keep splitting pills).
Seems hard on the stomach if taken without food.
Posted by JohnnyB on February 26, 2003, at 9:31:33
In reply to Atomoxetine (Straterra) Updates, posted by paulk on February 25, 2003, at 18:08:34
Please see http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030224/msgs/203963.html
> I am taking 12.5 mg of Atomoxetine (Straterra) now. I’ve been on it for a total of 3 weeks now. I found that if I took more it reversed the good effect and even made me worse and sleepy. At the lower dose I just get the good effects (which include an improved sex life!). Better focus on work, less fatigue. Not as much of a roller-coaster as the Adderall, Ritalin, dexidrine had been. First week was the best. I’m wondering if it will poop out after a while? Had a bit of trouble with sleep the first few days.
Glad to hear your sleep improved.
>
> Seems like it drops out a bit in the afternoon? Has anyone tried taking it morning and noon?
>
> I split 25mg capsules (as long as they charge so much I will keep splitting pills).I was going to split my 40 mg. caps and asked the pharmacist. She called Lilly and the rep said not to cause the contents are caustic with skin contact. Could be Lilly wanting to get more $$ from selling those 18's, but it could actually be caustic too.
>
> Seems hard on the stomach if taken without food.
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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