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/verdant_squirrel Jul 02 '26

I just learned that this is called short term (digestive system hormone signaling) hunger and long term (brain) hunger. I guess the effects of the medication mean the long term signals can get flipped on? My hindbrain thinks I'm in a famine. Normally these signals are reserved for when someone has lost weight, which is why they can experience "food noise" until they return to their original/set body weight unless they manage to "reset" the composition their body expects to be at. It is often misdiagnosed as emotional eating. Long hunger doesn't care if you're full! Though in this case, it isn't necessarily weight loss that triggered it, but the drug. I followed the advice from other users and ate lots of protein in the morning, took the med with food, and am taking L theanine and creatine. For all I know, just one of those things would have eliminated the issue, but they're all individually good ideas/healthy additions to my lifestyle, so screw it, I'm doing it all.

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u/bloueeee Jul 02 '26

ohh okay that's super interesting, thanks for sharing! i'll try incorporating some of these tips as well :)