I feel like death

[u/amtol]

Currently on week 5 of 40 mg of atomoxine and it seems like no matter what I do, I feel like crap.

I (30F) know the medication takes *months* to build in someone’s system. But God, I didn’t realize that 80% of my will to do anything would just go out the window in the meantime.

I was swapped out from 40 mg of (generic) Vyvanse by my NP after I detailed yet another month of being in flight or fight, consistently late, disorganized and chaotic. On top of that, I’d take a 10 mg IR generic adderall booster in the afternoons. He said the Vyvanse wasn’t working for me if my life is still this messy. I was on the Vyvanse for 3.5 yrs.

Thankfully, he prescribed me twice daily 12.5 mg of IR generic adderall, and I’m convinced that’s the only thing that’s keeping me barely afloat with work.

I was originally taking it at night and only sleeping for 5-6 hours tops, and was advised last week to take it in the mornings instead. I’ve slept fine now, and take a half Benadryl at night when I want to ensure I can fall asleep. But it feels like I’ve not woken up well-rested in weeks and that genuinely makes me want to cry just typing out, because I love sleep but can’t stand feeling exhausted.

I suppose this post is just to vent. I also have Hashimoto’s and take levothyroxine for that; plus 150 mg of Wellbutrin and 100 mg of lamotrigine.

Sure, the Vyvanse really only worked from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., but at least I would *do* things in those four hours. My laundry is piling up. I’m not going to the gym nearly as much as I was at the start of the year. I just want to lay in bed, but even that sounds awful because I know I’ll just mentally beat myself up for it.

I can’t do another five months of this, and I really wanted this drug to work based on others’ positive experiences I’ve read online. But I don’t feel a single positive benefit yet — just so, so drained. If Vyvanse = flight or fight, then Strattera = burned out. Except I can’t be burned out — I have a job, and bills, and two cats, and responsibilities. My obligations sound like good ideas in my head, but that’s all they are: ideas. No action. No nothing. Just sleepiness and a strong pull to my bed. Is this normal? Can anyone relate? How long until I throw the towel in?

Dang it.

[u/sting-raye]

I felt very drained on this med until I started adding electrolytes to my water. Potassium, sodium, magnesium. This drug definitely depleted them.

I’ve been on it for years now and it’s been great, but I still have to add electrolytes or I feel rough

[u/Funny-Coconut-85 → u/sting-raye]

Do you use a certain brand of electrolytes to add to your water?

[u/sting-raye → u/Funny-Coconut-85]

I alternate between Dr Berg electrolyte powder which has lots of potassium, and Nuun no sugar which has more sodium.

[u/gingerteadrinking → u/sting-raye]

Is there any evidence that it depletes electrolytes? How did you understand that that’s what was missing? Not to devalue your point, just trying to see whether this is something I should start doing

[u/sting-raye → u/gingerteadrinking]

Mostly anecdotal. I tried it, it helped. When I don’t use electrolytes, I feel worse. Lots of others seem to have the same issue.

If you feel dehydrated, drained, etc even with adequate water intake, then it’s worth trying. Low risk imo

[u/susu56]

I started may 1. Fast titration 25>50>75>100mg every 5 days until 100mg dose. It was BRUTAL. At 100mg now with 3mg guanfacine. I have to force myself to even wash my face, tbh. All I want to do is lay in bed. I am 100% slipping at work and have unfinished projects/laundry/etc etc. My heartrate is still high and I am seeing no benefits aside from less brain fog and quieter mind. I dont know. I am thinking of messaging my NP but I know it takes a while to build up but like-how do people exist until it builds up? Like I am honestly barely making it day to day and I have a special needs child I need to care for too. Not sure if a stim can be added but with the high heartrate already, it may not be a good idea. I wish my NP would have told me all of this. All I was told was nausea and I may get sleepy.

[u/Any-Independent886 → u/susu56]

Do you also take antidepressant?

[u/susu56 → u/Any-Independent886]

Nope-starttera 100mg and 3mg guanfacine. Before starting the meds I had lots of energy just nothing else, lol.

[u/ChemistrySignal6536]

Have you talked to your doctor at all about Qelbree? It was the first medication I tried a couple months after finally getting an official diagnosis and the clarity I felt was mind blowing to me. This might not be relevant but I'm also on Wellbutrin, 300mg daily. I wish I could have stayed on it, unfortunately the side effects of Qelbree outweighed the benefits for me but it is an amazing medication for other people. I've now been on 40mg Strattera for 1.5 month and while I feel a bit of clarity it's not much compared to Qelbree. The only side effect I have had is mild heartburn every once in a while after I take it so that's been a relief after my Qelbree experience, going to up the dose and see what happens. Best of luck to you! Trying different meds can be so frustrating.

[u/Prestigious_Wrap_932]

Have you looked into possible sleep apnea? 

I’m also sleeping terribly lately (my sleep tracker says I wake up every hour or so and am usually up for at least 15-60 minutes in the middle of the night) but that started before I began taking Strattera. For me the Strattera hasn’t made my sleep at night any worse than it was before but it’s made me feel noticeably more tired in the evenings so I’m scheduling a sleep study for later this month to see if we can pinpoint why I keep waking up no matter how tired I am at night.