Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with strattera

St. John's wort + ADHD medications?

Anonymous — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:36:45 -0800

What are your experiences with St. John's wort? In particular, have you ever taken it at the same time as ADHD medications like Ritalin/Focalin (methylphenidate), Adderall (amphetamine) etc? Some sources seem to warn against taking then together, some say only that one will might decrease the effectiveness of the other, and many don't say anything at all, so I'd like to know if there's anything to worry about. Even if you have never taken the two together, I'd still be curious to hear what you thought of St. John's wort in general.

Throwaway email: sjwquestion@yahoo.com

(Please don't tell me to ask a doctor; I'm asking because the doctors that wrote all the information I've read seem to disagree.)

Dealing with a sore tongue and hair loss: advice from the hive mind?

elfgirl — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 06:00:52 -0800

I'm coping with two different side effects from two different medications--hair loss and sore tongue/dry mouth. Any advice from the hive mind? Teal deer explanation and questions inside. I'm taking two medications for ADHD/Anxiety management: Strattera and Vyvanse. Both are causing side effects that, while tolerable, are annoying enough that I'd like to help counteract them if possible. Both side effects are fairly common for the types of meds they are, so I'm hoping others have had the same issues and have advice on helping alleviate them.

Hair loss: This is Strattera's fault. I know it's a common side effect of many SSRI/SSNRI/NRI type medications and I had it when I tried Wellbutrin several years ago. Right now, stopping the Strattera isn't an option. It's the best thing I've taken to help with my anxiety and has the added benefit of helping me focus, too. Frankly, as far as positive benefits from psychoactive medications, this is one of the best meds I've ever been on. The hair loss, though, is annoying as I have very fine, thin hair naturally. I've seen stories of people losing over half their hair, and I'd like to get a handle on it before it gets to that point.

Sore tongue/dry mouth: Vyvanse has gifted me with energy and motivation without depression--but a really, really dry mouth. The dry mouth (I think) has led to glossitis. Soreness that initially came and went is now pretty constant and occasionally affects my speech.

So, for either or both of these symptoms, my questions are:
Has anyone else dealt with these side effects from these types of medications?
Did they slow or stop over the course of taking the medication?
Did you find a solution or something that would help counteract the side effects (other than simply stopping the medication)?

Thanks!

Measuring improvement in ADHD symptoms

[user was fined for this post] — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:52:13 -0800

I have begun treatment for adult ADHD. What things can I do during the next several weeks to objectively measure my progress? I've started taking Strattera, which often takes up to six weeks after reaching one's target dose to see significant results. My doctor suggested keeping a daily journal in which I record how I feel about my focus, concentration, forgetfulness and so forth.

I am doing this, but I feel the need for some strategies to measure my progress in a quantifiable way, if such a thing is even feasible. Since my attention frequently wanders, I can track discrete events like "remembered to take the trash out this week" but have trouble keeping track of things like "worked for 30 minutes without fidgeting or getting up from desk."

Any and all suggestions are welcome. The other ADHD threads have some great ideas, but they seem focus on tips for dealing with symptoms rather than measuring the effects of those symptoms on a daily basis.

Possibly relevant details:

- I'm 30 years old
- I've had the usual ADHD symptoms my entire life but have never been treated before now
- I work from home at a job done entirely by computer
- My primary goal right now is to finish my CS degree when I return to school this fall (I dropped out due to my inability to study effectively)
- I use a Windows PC, if there are software recommendations
- My wife is willing to assist with any strategies that work better with the aid of another person

Thanks in advance!

Help! I'm nervous and I can't do anything.

Anonymous — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:24:52 -0800

I have Stratterra, Adderall, and Xanax. What can I do to get serious anxiety and ADD symptoms under control, quickly and for the short-term? I'm struggling with the symptoms of ADD along with a very high level of anxiety (this is a recent and hopefully temporary development). I'm taking the LSAT in 2 weeks and suddenly dealing with an extremely stressful relationship situation on top of the pressure of last-minute studying for something that's very challenging and important to me; please understand that my question is motivated by my desire for a short-term coping strategy (I can only get an appointment with my psychiatrist/therapist after the LSAT, but he'll take it from there, thanks).

I took Adderall in the past and have a handfull of those left; recently, I was prescribed Strattera instead since Adderall isn't available where I live (outside the US). I've been taking about 25 mg a day for a bit more than a month, although I've skipped a few pills (accidentally, because, well, I have ADD, and purposely, because of the following...)

I haven't noticed a substantial improvement in my ability to focus and concentrate, which is very critical to me right now, immediately, until the LSAT (on Dec 6th). I have noticed a huge rise in my base level of anxiety since I started on Strattera - I don't recall having a "base level" of anxiety in the past at all, actually; whenever I have a calm or empty moment, i.e. when I'd usually be daydreaming for a minute in the middle of the day for example, I feel an underlying physical sense of dread. I've also had a lot of trouble sleeping and woken up before I've slept enough with my heart pounding an hour before my alarm is set several times recently. I don't know whether this is caused by the Strattera or having reached a threshold of stress and chaos that I can no longer cope with; however, I understand that Strattera is often prescribed off-label as an anti-anxiety drug, so it's surprising that it would have the opposite affect on me. Life's been rough and I'm constantly nervous in a way that interferes with my daily life, interactions, and (right now) ability to study for the LSAT. Is this anxiety a common, or even possible, side affect of Strattera?

I don't want to stop taking Strattera in case it is actually helping because I can't experiment with letting my concentration get worse right now (because of the LSAT!). It could turn out that I'd have even worse ADD symptoms and anxiety if I went off it right now. However, I also obviously can't handle any additional anxiety. So, one option is to experiment with a higher dose of Strattera to see if it helps me feel calmer or more focused - could I here some knowledgeable/experienced opinions on whether this is a good idea?

The other option is to take my small dose of Strattera plus an Adderall, which does significantly improve my concentration, mood, and performance more than anything else. My concern is whether it will be counter-productive or harmful to mix these medications.

I've also been dealing with the extreme anxiety by taking Xanax occasionally (maybe twice a week, when I'm really hurting for sleep) and/or over-the-counter sleeping pills, but the past week they've only kept me calm enough to sleep for about 6 hours and I'm exhausted. I don't want to mix drugs too much or do anything dangerous or habit-forming (I'm well aware of this risk and consider it each time I use these medications), but I need to have some measured input about whether this is the best thing I can do for the next 2 weeks. I don't need to "stick it out" right now and risk totally falling apart/bombing the LSAT (I also can't just take it in February, since I'm abroad and it's not offered abroad after December).

I really can't afford to lose another day to anxiety and distraction right now - not only will it affect the LSAT, but it's putting a huge strain on the relationship that's causing it, which is becoming a rapidly-accelerating vicious circle. So, how can I stop this and use what I have to make myself functional right now? I've also been using my normal, healthy coping methods (coffee, exercise in the right amount/at the right time, healthy food, chatting with positive and supportive friends, taking breaks, etc). I usually know how to handle myself but I feel like my brain is totally out of control and trying to sabotage me.

I can't get an appointment with my psychiatrist until after the LSAT, so I'm asking you in the meantime; I'd really appreciate answers other than "therapytherapytherapy". Yeah, I know, but it's just not possible right now, and I need a solution or at least a strategy right now; having stated that "go see your doctor" and "get therapy" are not relevant for me, I'll also say that seeing this page full of "therapy" answers would be totally demoralising as it's advice that I can't take, even though I will as soon as that changes. Please respond if you have advice that I actually can take, given what I've told you. Thank you very much if you can help me cope.

ADHD Meds for a Child

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:18:43 -0800

Choosing between ADHD meds for a child. Have you given your child ADHD drugs? I need to choose between Concerta, Vyvanse, Strattera and Focalin XR. The child is nine. What side effects have you experienced when giving (any of) these drugs to your child, and what would you advise against or for? The need is without doubt. The question is which to choose between the 4. I saw previous questions but they weren't geared toward kids.

If you'd rather send an email, I set one up adhdkidstuff [at) gmail.

Strattera vs. Adderall

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:34:59 -0800

I have adult ADD. I've been on Strattera for 5 years. My new doc wants me to switch to Adderall. Anyone else done this switch? What are the differences/effects between the two?

Will Adderall kill me, and can I take it on occasion?

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 21:13:43 -0800

Two questions about ADD medication, especially Adderall: 1) How dangerous is it (for me)? 2) Can it be taken "as needed"? Since I was young child I've had problems concentrating; I started school early but was held back a year for failing to pay attention, and then switched back and forth between "gifted" and "troubled" programs, etc. I'm still constantly forgetting and losing stuff and often unable to focus on tasks until after the last minute. I've nevertheless managed to cope, more or less, and should soon manage to complete a doctoral degree at a major university (they've been remarkably kind, letting me finish my degree in almost twice the time it usually takes--I'm now 35).

I'm tempted to ask about medication for ADD. This summer I have to finish and defend my dissertation, and while I'm quite close to completion, I'm nevertheless afraid that I might fail to do this, which I'm not sure I could bear.

Getting to my first question, then: the reason I've never really pursued the possibility of using ADD medication is that I think I may on occasions have benign heart palpitations. When I started to notice these, perhaps a decade ago, an EKG reveled a partial right bundle branch blockage which, they say, is supposed to be a pretty insignificant and common condition.

Here's the thing however: I don't even know that I *have* had palpitations. If I do on occasion have these, they never involve more that a few skipped beats, and have never produced faintness or other symptoms (I've never had a holter test). Additionally, these events seem to have become less frequent than in the past (or perhaps I don't notice them so much any more). All the same, the possibility of "sudden cardiac death" as a result of using stimulants has been a powerful deterrent to my asking about using Ritalin, Adderall, Strattera, etc.

Now however (as more and more of my students attest to the effectiveness of Adderall) I'm wondering whether an excessive paranoia about sudden cardiac death or etc. has kept me from trying medication that could make a major difference in my life, and I wonder: how dangerous *is* ADD medication (especially Adderall) for someone in my state? How much worse is it, for example, than caffeine, which I drink all the time? Mightn't I try it, in a controlled setting at first, and discontinue use if anything worrying occurs?

Also, I wonder whether it's possible to get a prescription that allows one to take ADD medication "as needed"? I hate the idea of long-term use of stimulants, which I suspect can't be good for one's cardiac system. I've (almost) managed to cope for a long time without medication, and on days when I'm just running errands or etc., I can manage fine. I'd like to take a medicine that doesn't give me the heart-damage of long term use of stimulants, or flatten my creativity, or my usual spacey digressiveness, except when it's necessary to do so. I think that people with real ADD can *sorta* get by without medication---I'm pretty sure that many can, and that I'm one of those people. Therefore, if it's not inadvisable, I'd like to try taking a low dose of Adderall on occasions when I need to fix my concentration on something and it just won't happen.

So, how likely is stimulant-type ADD medicine to kill me, and is it possible to legally take these medicines only "as needed"? Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Straterra takes away my focus!

neilkod — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 15:26:31 -0800

Temporary Strattera-induced burnout? Yes, I know about the other thread. Leave the lecturing and philisophy over there. I've actually been meaning to ask this for a while:

I've been on Strattera for a few months for anxiety and adult ADD. Its done wonders for the anxiety part and just enough for the rest.

However, about an hour or so after I take it, I start to zone out and get really sluggish. Sometimes a little queasy also. Doing anything becomes a real chore, all I can think about is how tired I am and how crappy I feel. This happens most every day. Sometimes I feel like it causes me to get behind at work. At home, I can't motivate myself to do anything during that part.

I can't really come up with a pattern on what works and doesn't for avoiding this feeling. I try and eat a little something, drink plenty of water and then take the med about an hour later.

The crappy part eventually wears off around 2 hours later.

Otherwise my response the medication has been pretty good - I haven't had any of the other side affects mentioned, 'specially with regards to the plumbing. I'm more than happy to discuss the medications' benefits.

Soooo, does this happen to anyone else? Am I getting off easy?

I also think this has raised my HR a bit. As an active cyclist/mtb'er, I pay strict attention to my ticker and have had to taper things down a bit since I'm riding quite a bit higher lately.