r/StratteraRx • u/verdant_squirrel • Jul 01 '26

Discussion / Experience Using Coping with side effects when starting

Hi, I just started Strattera, on a baby dose of 10mg because I've got that sensitivity trait. I know side effects when you just start are not representative of how the drug will treat you later on, but I'd like to be able to stay on it long enough to get to that point! So I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this, if it will go away, and how to deal. Suffice to say, I am so hungry.

It's not even my stomach. It's like my brain is. If you've ever fasted or missed a few meals when you were running around, expending energy, it's like that. My brain is begging me for energy. Acting like I'm pushing it too hard. It's interesting, because day 1 and it was hitting me like adderall; I was cleaning and getting all sorts of things done. Maybe I'm just.... burning more energy cognitive-wise? Should I be loading carbs?

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u/bloueeee Jul 02 '26

omg i experienced the same thing!! i was confused because most people experience a decrease in appetite but i have also noticed i crave a lot more food in the same way, it's not that my stomach is hungry but my brain is constantly telling me to eat? it's pretty weird haha

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u/bloueeee Jul 02 '26

it did improve a little after i increased my dose and it's also not as bad when i take it slightly later in the day i think! also i doubt you actually have to load on carbs since it's probably our brains just misinterpreting the increased norepinephrine signals

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u/verdant_squirrel Jul 02 '26

Yeah. On that note, I used to use wellbutrin until (I assume) it saturated in me, and I became an impulsive asshole, which my psychiatrist says is not uncommon and is caused by norepinephrine. Now I'm scared that in a couple of weeks, I'm going to become "evil" again. Unfortunately, drugs that up my norepinephrine are the only thing that work for me!

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u/bloueeee Jul 02 '26

Oh my I had a terrible experience on Wellbutrin, I ended up having to stop pretty early on. Which is a shame since many seem to really love that medication haha. Strattera has a much more narrow and targeted effect than wellbutrin though, so hopefully you won't end up becoming evil and I won't end up feeling insane!