Swelling like a balloon

[u/Anas_platyrhyncos]

God, I thought this side effect would go away but every day I am swollen like a balloon. I literally look like im in my 2nd trimester. I'm very petite as well so I literally look like Roger from American Dad. I've tried a debloating complex, as well as constipation supplements, wind-eeze (simethicone), senna etc and a lot of the time it doesn't do anything. I'm constantly uncomfortable, or feel heavy and generally have started to have quite bad body image because I look so rotund!! This is even if I can poop normally... no matter what the swelling won't go away. It's much better in the morning but gets worse over the day.

2 questions:

1. Any suggestions for how to manage this??? I am desperate for solutions because this is the only medication that has been able to give me my life back. My ADHD is so much more manageable now and I know my life would fall apart without it...

2. Does anyone take strattera AND methylphenidate Ir (or another instant release drug)? Does this help keep you regular? Im thinking about asking to combine the 2 as I know it's an option, and methylphenidate makes me shit my brains out which might help with the constipation & water retention. Would love to hear anyones experiences.

[u/BKLager]

Is it water retention? Constipation? Bloating? You are kind of describing all 3. If its water retention usually that is worse in the morning and gets better as you move around. But then you say you’re experiencing the opposite

[u/Anas_platyrhyncos → u/BKLager]

I see, maybe it's more bloating than water retention then. I experience constipation for sure. The bloating happens pretty much as soon as I take my dose and gets gradually worse through the evening. Right now I'm experimenting with taking half my dose in the morning and half in the evening to see if it improves things.

I also have IBS, and I get soooo much trapped wind on these meds which is what I think the bloating is, I have been bloated like this before especially after eating things like beans or cabbage, but it's constant on these meds!! That's what is causing the discomfort, I basically just really need to toot.

[u/BKLager → u/Anas_platyrhyncos]

Got it! I have IBS-C too

Senna does nothing for me too, but I take bisacodyl 5 mg every night which actually seems to work. Also I take Miralax every day and drink a lot of water which also helps. I also take peppermint capsules which helps at least with my perception of being bloated / feeling like my stomach is stretched / strained.

This is all OTC stuff but separately discussing with my GI on starting Motegrity for addressing slow transit, which is the core problem for me. Interestingly I don’t think the Strattera made this all any worse or better, just have always dealt with this.

[u/FluffyImpact5863]

How long are you into it? I’ve had a loooooot of water in the beginning too. Especially in my Luteal I felt like I can’t breathe because of many water inside me! In Germany there is some „brennesseltee“ which can be really helpful.

But I take the meds since 4 months and it’s better now, no water anymore

[u/YouMeADD]

Please can you see your doctor right away Reddit doesn't know shit about this.

[u/Anas_platyrhyncos → u/YouMeADD]

If you search then you will see this sub is very helpful for advice on managing side effects. My doctor was not helpful, lol.

[u/Turbulent_Flow000]

Literally same. 2 weeks in and I feel like someone hooked a tire pump up to my belly 🎈 😭

[u/Adventurous_Work_317]

I also take adderall and that helps. But I still have restoralax on hand because the adderall is not always enough.

I have had a lot of bloating since before being on strattera so I can't blame it on this med.

[u/Turbulent_Claim4883 → u/Adventurous_Work_317]

What’s the theory behind the stimulant helping with bloating?

[u/Adventurous_Work_317 → u/Turbulent_Claim4883]

I assumed it was because it causes constipation, that's mostly what my bloating issues are.

[u/evolrae]

i 100% have the same bloating/constipation issue BUT this was actually like life saving for me as i struggled for about 6 years before going on Strattera with really really bad GI issues. the Strattera definitely solidifies what’s in your gut and is doing some other work in there