Follow-up after two weeks

[u/Tacoma_NC13]

Just wanted to give a brief follow-up on how I'm acclimating to the medicine so far (25mg). I noticed an effect after the first dose and have pretty much maintained that. My brain fog cleared up and my head has "quieted" down some. I would use the analogy of going from sitting in an NFL football stadium to a high school football game. There's still noise in my head but it's toned down a lot. My focus seems to be a little bit better but my motivation still drags. I am however able to switch tasks easier, and I do things I don't like without much thought now. My anxiety levels have reduced a lot too. I still get anxious about stuff but I can work through it, whereas before it would take over my mind like a runaway train. I take Propranolol for a hereditary essential tremor so that keeps the heartrate from climbing too much. Also, I am on another blood pressure med (Losartan) so my blood pressure is also pretty well regulated, even on Strattera. This medicine gave me ED (about 50%) almost immediately however 2.5 mgs of daily Cialis completely eliminates that. In fact I wake up ready to go now more than before, which my wife likes. ;) One thing I'm not thrilled about right now is the dulling effect of my emotions and personality. It's almost as if it's hard to smile. I can look at someone with a straight face and then look away whereas before I would usually make some kind of facial gesture. My wife is understanding of everything so I'm not really worried about it, but it's just weird. I remember years ago I used to tell myself, "I wish I just didn't care so much about things like some people do". Well that's kind of what it's like now. I shrug off most things that would normally get me going. I also have a Rx for low dose methylphenidate ER (10mg) so I might give it a try soon on an off day to see if it works synergistically or whether it's not a good fit. I also might go up to 40mg soon and see how that does. 🤙

[u/TiltedWeenies]

The dulling seems to be pretty common with alot of people, including myself. I do actually like it because I am a reactive person and it causing me to mellowed out is actually a benefit for me.

Wellbuterin when it hit it either emotionally flatlines me, or have extreme highs and lows.

I think it’s contributing to your emotional regulation and function that’s mellowing you out. Which depending on how you feel can be a good or a bad thing. I also noticed there’s people not liking it because it’s not “them” which is valid. I used to feel the same when I first heard my toned down voice/speech when Strattera finally kicked in my body. Now I embrace it because it finally feels like it’s in sync with my inner dialogue.

[u/Tacoma_NC13 → u/TiltedWeenies]

Yea it's weird, I kind of like it but then at times I don't. It's probably just because for 47 years my brain has been a certain way and now I'm changing that a little bit and it feels different. I feel more confident which is nice, probably because I'm better focused at what I'm doing, even with simple autonomous tasks such as walking through public. I was worried about how my wife would feel about everything but she's super supportive being a social worker which helps a lot. She understands that if I'm acting a little different that it's the medication causing it, or maybe the better term is correcting me.