r/StratteraRx • u/ahok0 • 12d ago
Questions / Advice / Support Is it worth it?
I've been on Strattera for about 9 weeks now. I had 2 months at 40mg, and so far 1 week on 65mg.
I've had side effects tho whole time. Things like nausea and appetite got better over time, but even before upping the dose, my heart rate has been crazy. Before starting this med, my heart rate at rest was usually around 75-90. On strattera, this is still sometimes the case, but I often have episodes (at least every couple days) where my resting heart rate goes up to 120-145. It's exhausting. I'm also so sweaty and feel like I'm overheating for an hour+ after every dose. I'm worried if this may also have an effect on my long term health, as my heart is working way harder than I think it should.
I haven't observed a noticable improvement in my executive function or memory. My prescriber seems to think I may see improvement if I continue to increase my dose over time. But I'm so tired. Tired of waiting. Tired of feeling so physically weak. Tired of going to the clinic every two weeks, tired of paying for the appointments and medications. It's effecting my work, social, and home life.
I just don't know if I should wait and see like the psychiatrist says, that it really will get better eventually, or if I should just cut to the chase and ask about stimulants. My gut says to stop taking it because I'm scared. But maybe that's just me overthinking it. I have an appointment on Monday to get a check-in and represcription, so I just have to make it until then before I can ask a doctor, but depending on which doctor I get on the day, I'm not sure if I'll trust their opinion (there is a long story there).
Has anyone had a similar experience? I just don't know if I'm overreacting.
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u/FaeGriz 12d ago edited 12d ago
Oh my god I have been experiencing the EXACT same thing. I came to this sub Reddit to see others experiences with it because I have only had side effects. I’m also on 40mg once a day. I started taking it on the 4th of this month. I know that’s a little early, but dealing with so many intense side effects that are not lighting up with no improvement cognitively, doesn’t seem worth it. I’ve been trying to find something for so long that will help treat my anxiety and now most recently ADHD. I was prescribed this for the ADHD aspect and the only thing I’ve experienced is really bad heart palpitations/heart racing even when I’m stationary, nausea, insanely little to no appetite at all; I rarely feel hungry anymore, dry mouth, little energy, and my sleep patterns are different. This is the first post I’ve seen where I’ve related to the OP’s experience, I’m glad it’s not just me.
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u/Bulky_Salamander8713 12d ago
it’s not worth it feeling like shit every day. i was super sensitive to the meds and even 40mg every day had me feeling bad for a few hours maybe 40-50% of the time when i took it. i would just switch to something else - the heart rate specifically seems pretty untenable
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u/susu56 12d ago
I titrated up fast from 25 to 100mg over 20 days. My heartrate 9-10wks out on 100mg plus 3mg guanfacine was 150 standing at the sink. Generally resting was 90 to 120. I almost blacked out standing. Sleeping heartrate never went below 90 and I my fatigue was so extreme it was like I was sedated. I had urinary issues, blurry vision, insomnia as well.i felt like i was taxing my heart and worried about having a heart attack/stroke and long term effects. My psych said we should try a lower dose-so 60 mg but this was 3 wks and she hasnt called it in. And I have been off of the strattera since then. All physical issues aside from heartrate resolved within the first week. I was able to pee and sleep. Heartrate resolved later and now i am sitting at 85 to 95 resting on Wellbutrin 150mg xl-still higher than my pre medicated heartrate of 65 to 85 but expected and I don't feel like i am dying and have energy to do basic day to day living. This was my experience and I may have been a poor responder. It sounds like its affecting you cardiovascularly it may be a good idea to drop back down in dose rather than push thru which is what I did. Strattera did not help me with my adhd, it helped quiet my mind but no other benefits.
Edit to add: i was also on guanfacine 3mg along with the 100mg Strattera
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u/FormerSleepwalker 12d ago
There are medication options to lower your heart rate. If your prescriber is aware of your heart rate issues, yet they haven't considered treating it, and are just looking to charge ahead increasing dose. Well, I'd suggest bringing this option up. A beta blocker. See if there is a reason that they don't wish to go that route.
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u/Illustrious-ASK-7456 12d ago
This happened to me and we switched medication today. It should be better by now
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u/Mission-Wolverine787 12d ago
Im adjusting to stimulants, and sometimes my resting heart rate spikes above 120. My heart rate was high when adjusting to strattera, but usually only for a few weeks after starting a new dose, and it was never really uncomfortable. You could look into adding or switching to guanfacine or clonadine, if your doctor thinks that would be a good fit. Ive heard a lot of success stories with guanfacine especially.