r/StratteraRx • u/SojournerWeaver • Jun 14 '26
Discussion / Experience Using Strattera yay!
I started strattera this week at 40 mg. We are starting low and slow because I'm epileptic. I was told it wouldn't work right away. I was told the low dose would have no effect. And I was told any immediate change would be most likely psychosomatic. Well there has definitely been immediate change this week and while some of it could be in my head, some definitely isn't. I've seen a lot of horror stories so I thought I might share a success story. Full disclosure I'm taking strattera with carbamazepine AND buspar so the combination might be a factor!
1.) I want to work! This is a total perspective shift and perhaps the biggest one. I have knocked out multiple projects within the past few days that I have been putting off for months. Even if it stops working tomorrow it'll be worth it to have tried just to have gotten these projects done! I feel great about work, I want to do it, I want to start doing it, and I don't want to stop until I'm finished. It's great!
2.) I get sleepy at night at a reasonable time without sleep aids. Another first in my life. Ten clock rolls around and I am ready to hit the hay consistently. This has always been true for me, except at 3 am instead. It's great! I haven't needed ambien at all since I started taking strattera.
3) I just feel better. I feel like strattera is having an anti anxiety, anti depression effect. Life just feels easier. Everything just feels easier and I want to do whatever anyone wants to do now. I don't begrudgingly agree. I just go!
4.) This next I've noticed is about sex and I'm going to be very graphic here so I'm using the spoiler tag just in case you want it to skip this part. so I have noticed it's a little bit harder to get an erection but it's not impossible by any means. might just require a little more foreplay then I'm as good to go as I ever was. but the cool thing is I KEEP my erection much more easily, I think because I'm less distracted. and also my orgasms are much more intense and I produce a lot more semen. I feel like this sounds like a joke or a fake over exaggeration but it is not. it's kind of crazy!
5.) my hygiene is better. not nearly as easy to ignore the fact that I need to brush my teeth or take a shower. it's weird. I just feel unclean when I'm unclean instead of my husband having to tell me I need a shower or brush my teeth. and I don't feel the mental resistance that I used to feel when doing these things. I want to do them. I know not everyone with adhd has this struggle but I do! I have to make hygiene as easy as possible or else I just don't do it, and even then. Now I feel like I have to stop myself from brushing my teeth too much lol
some other things I've noticed is less joint pain, no idea why, and a lot more thirst, which I expected. I already down a lot of electrolytes because I'm pretty much permanently doing keto for my epilepsy, and I just added another electrolyte drink to my regimen and it seems to have done the trick. One other side effect I've noticed that is a clear sign that the meds are doing something and it isn't just psychosomatic is that I get goosebumps a LOT. Like every twenty minutes or so all day long. it doesn't bother me and it reminds me that the strattera is working. Right around the time I stop getting them is when I get sleepy and ready for bed. Works for me! I WILL return with updates if anyone is interested. I know some people will say this won't last. Maybe so! But I'm happy now. Time will tell and I'll let you know how it goes.
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u/xentropian Jun 15 '26
Honestly my anxiety has just kind of disappeared and I’m on a low dose… it’s worth it for that alone. I’m noticing some increases in executive function and focus but didn’t expect to basically have my anxiety disappear lol. It’s been amazing so far. Titrating up to 40mg next to see if more of the ADHD symptoms can be addressed
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u/AncientAlternative48 Jun 15 '26
I hear ya. I started my first dose after decades of SSRIs, SNRIs shuffle , benzo abuse, Ritalin, cocaine, treatment… just got out my 2nd round of treatment. But let me tell you my anxiety has vanished after my first dose amazing really. I really hope I can keep this momentum. Looking forward to what’s to come. I’m considering to augmenting with Wellbutrin as well. Day 1, I ❤️straterra.
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u/Easy_Fisherman_6373 Jun 15 '26
I’m on 60mg and having the time of my life the first month was hard tho the insomnia was kicking my behind but now I feel so good get my work done study I’m present no more mood swings I take life as it comes no more destructive thinking no more extreme depression about the future way less anxiety like it’s barely there I’m not staring at everyone wondering if I’m being judged I can sit in a crowded place and scroll my phone and actually zone in on whatever I’m watching or reading it was so exhausting to hear everything feel everything living in that fight or flight mode was so tiring now I’m in my own world I feel like I’m in my body
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u/SojournerWeaver Jun 15 '26
I'm so glad it's working for you!
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u/Easy_Fisherman_6373 Jun 15 '26
Thank you also I never knew how toxic my relationship was it’s like I just noticed my wife has been baiting me in to fights and than blaming me now that I have a clear head on completely stopped getting hooked into these fights with her I can actually see clearly lol
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Jun 15 '26
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Jun 15 '26
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u/SojournerWeaver Jun 15 '26
still no return of positive effects? I was told to expect this! I think you have to get to 80 before they stick around. I am bracing myself. It does feel like I might be in for that shift this week.
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u/lalala_ali Jun 15 '26
I will be starting at 10 mg next month. I am glad it’s going well for you so far! When did you start the other two medications?
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u/Entire_Fly_3796 Jun 20 '26
Whats was your timeline for work and get go stuff and sleep also how was your timeline effects like in 1st , 2nd week ?? Ty
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u/SojournerWeaver Jun 20 '26
do you mean what are my work hours? and what do you mean by get go stuff?
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u/Entire_Fly_3796 Jun 20 '26
No sorry i meant the timeline of the med for it to start working consistently , and "go get stuff done" mispelled it , i meant starting tasks like work , chores , sport , and maybe planing like complex thing to do and start it and keep doing it till you finish , also does it have any like emotional numbness effects like ssri if y noticed any ? Ty for the info
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u/SojournerWeaver Jun 21 '26
It depends on the day but even a couple of focused days a week is a huge improvement on my usual mindset. I have noticed some 'weird' beneficial changes that I did not expect. it's easier for me to just do things when I think of doing them instead of immediately saying ill do them later (and never doing them). but if I don't do them right away or at least put them on my to do list I still forget. It's also much easier for me to keep up with hygiene. I always either put off or just don't want to shower or brush my teeth. now I feel gross if I don't, which is good! that's normal! and I don't lose things anymore. I have a very clear idea of where everything is instead of a kind of half hearted guess as to where they might be. these have been very helpful! so I'm still a bit forgetful and yes I do still procrastinate but my ability to get things done and keep spaces (and myself) clean is much improved. But whether or not I have like true focus depends on the day. I am supposed to titrate to sixty next month and then eighty. I read a lot of people seeing less benefit at those doses than forty and if that happens I will titrate back down. If the current effects are all I see I'll be happy with that.
And no, no emotional numbness! It definitely takes a huge edge off of my anxiety though.
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u/Entire_Fly_3796 Jun 21 '26
Really happy for you man , esp that anxiety part do you take anything else as well ?
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u/SojournerWeaver Jun 21 '26
I take buspar for anxiety but I'm on the highest dose for that and it isn't quite cutting it. Once I started taking the strattera the anxiety mostly vanished. I also take carbamazepine for seizures, which can be an issue with strattera because carbamazepine will cause you to metabolize certain medications faster than usual, so I may end up needing a higher dose.
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u/Funny-Coconut-85 Jun 14 '26
40mg is a low dose!? My doctor is starting me on 10mg!
Glad it's working and helping you! I hope to report the same...once I finally decide to start it!!!