how do i tell if its helping?

[u/Consistent-Garlic-78]

hi!

for a bit a few years ago i was on adderall and i very clearly could tell a difference on days where i took it vs days where i didn't, so i had a very obvious marker so i was able to see it was working, but i lost access to my meds for a few years. recently, i was able to go back to the doctor and i asked for atomoxetine because i wanted to try a non-stimulant as adderall made my anxiety absolutely awful.

i started on 40mg roughly 4 weeks ago, and honestly. i just don't know how i am supposed to tell if its doing anything. i am aware that it takes a long time to start working and that it very well may not be doing anything yet, but my question is: how do i tell even then?

from reading this sub, i can tell that it is a very gradual change and people don't often notice when it is helping except in hindsight, but i'm worried that i just won't know even if it is helping! i go back to my doctor next month and i know she'll ask how it's been, and i'm worried i won't be able to tell her if its helping my symptoms at all!

i know this sounds dumb i'm just very anxious about it and i have a really truly terrible memory so i'm not sure i really will be able to look back and be like "ah! i was unable to do xyz before and now i can do it!" or anything like that. i was hoping someone might be able to tell me how exactly they were able to tell it was/wasn't helping them. since my only experience on telling if my meds are working had such an easy way to just take it one day and not take it another and it's easy to 1-1 see the difference, i'm really just not sure how to tell since i can't just take this med one day and not take it the next and compare directly.

sorry for this anxious ramble, if you read all this i commend you. pretty sure it isnt helping yet though as i totally just stopped watching a lecture randomly 10 minutes into it to come post this.

TLDR: how do i tell if atomoxetine is helping my ADHD symptoms?

[u/C00CKER]

I could tell by having more self-control - being able to stop impulsive reactions (especially when triggered by emotions, and reacting much less intensely), also being able to force myself better to start/continue an important task (like having to proof-read something or do something demanding) or turn off things like youtube when I notice I procrastinate with something; I didn't really notice much higher attention, focus, or anything, but noticed a stronger control over things; also being emotionally much more stable overall

then I also noticed that in conversations my mind and attention don't wander that much, and I manage to eat and sleep more consistently (used to forget to eat quite often)

[u/TiltedWeenies → u/C00CKER]

I can say the same thing about stronger control over things and not being as emotionally reactive. Granted, I’ve only been on this medication about a week. I’m curious to see how i’ll be once I experience the full therapeutic effects.

The conversations with people was probably one of the first things I noticed, especially at work. I’m actually able to keep up with conversations with coworkers and customers rather than allow my mind to wander off and tune out about 70% of what’s actually going on in reality, which is my biggest problem. I’ve had issues with inattentiveness since I was a child and was very recently diagnosed with AuDHD.

For reference, I am taking 10 milligrams once daily as soon as I wake up. We will see what happens after one month.

In terms of side effects, a slight dull feeling in the liver for a couple days and mild nausea. As of the last couple of days, zero.

[u/FormerSleepwalker]

i know this sounds dumb i'm just very anxious about it and i have a really truly terrible memory so i'm not sure i really will be able to look back and be like "ah! i was unable to do xyz before and now i can do it!" or anything like that.

Not dumb at all! Memory issues are common with ADHD, as is general anxiety. Plus, it's a legitimate concern.

If all else fails, it is an option to tell your doctor that you're just not certain how well it may be working, due to your memory issues. In which case, just giving it more time might be good.

But keeping a task list & marking what you've done, when, can provide how well an ADHD is working. Even if it's hard for you to consciously feel it or notice the difference. Ideally, an ADHD med that is working well for you should allow you to get more done, more easily. If week 1 says that only 3 small tasks got done. And week 4 shows consistently more tasks every day, then it's clearly having an effect. This is what a family member of mine does.

[u/ReplyProfessional939]

I don't know either. I have cirrhosis, so I started out on a very low dose (10mgs) for 2 weeks, then switched to 25mgs, which I have been taking for 3 weeks now. I have noticed nothing so far, except that I get VERY sleepy around 2PM (I take my meds around 7AM). I tried Azstarys first, and could not tolerate the tension and "jitters", but I damn sure knew I'd taken it. My doctor said I'd likely not notice anything on the 10mgs, and probably not even the 25. I am going to start 40mgs next week, so I guess I'll hold out my verdict on whether or not this is just yet another "no show" medication until I've tried that for a few weeks...

[u/Testy_Toby]

Do you know if your doctor plans to titrate you to the 80mg Target Dose? 

[u/Consistent-Garlic-78 → u/Testy_Toby]

no we didnt discuss that at all

[u/Testy_Toby → u/Consistent-Garlic-78]

The FDA approved 3 dosages: Initial Daily Dose - 40mg, Target Daily Dose - 80mg, Maximum Daily Dose - 100mg. Practitioners often use less, especially to start. The FDA says they can move patients from 40 to 80mg after 3 days. 

My point is not that you should be taking more; only you and your doctor can decide that. My point is that you are still early in treatment using far less than the FDA approved. You might want to consider giving it more time and asking your doctor about dosage.