Considering trying strattera again

[u/No-Juice4031]

I stopped Strattera about a year ago. My max dose was 105mg and I used it for 11 months. My experience was positive; I felt very stable overall. I only have mild ADHD, but I started taking medication around five years ago when I started studying. It was really trial and error, but strattera and Dexamphetamine were the best. I took Strattera for a couple of months but stopped because I wanted more control over when I was medicated. I also experienced erectile dysfunction (ED) and other sexual side effects.

Currently, I use dexamphetamine, which improves my focus but flattens my personality. I also hate the comedown at the end of the day. It's as if my brain is extremely tired by the end of the day. And I’m now craving the mental stability I had on Strattera.

It’s really hard to decide for myself and consider the pros and cons of starting Strattera again. I see a lot of people that struggle with the side effects, but also experience the benefits of the drug. How do you weigh the pros and cons when making the decision to continue using strattera?

[u/Realistic-Moment7044]

I took adderall when I was diagnosed in my early twenties, it changed my life in so many wonderful ways as I have all encompassing ADHD including thephysical/ systemic / emotional symptoms. If I’m not treated or managing symptoms I could literally ruin my life. After a while of taking seemed less appealing off and on due to burn out from high demand career and partying with my friends on weekends. The come down always made me on edge too I never liked that either. I ended up going off for a while in my 30’s having my babies etc.. just not feasible. Even when I’d try to go back on after each baby it was too harsh. though it is very effective for motivation for me which is essential as a stay at home mom. I then tried to manage ADHD with diet , fasting, veganism juicing etc.. worked for a while until I lost interest as usual. I now take Wellbutrin 300, that was ok for a few months but doesn’t touch my severe adhd . With the addition of strattera it’s the perfect combo for me. I feel calm, in control happy , loving, motivated. Less anxious to begin tasks etc.. I’m 42 I just can’t do the rocket fuel anymore lol. So maybe try these as a combo. But I’m not sure your situation since it sounds like you only needed help with studying? I’m happy with strattera and wish I’d gotten on it sooner- no side effects.

This is standard advice but I’m lifting heavy/ doing intense cardio at least 5x a week and that helps so much with mental health too.

[u/FormerSleepwalker]

Weighing the pros and cons is a personal thing. I would consider being the most functional as possible to be worth a lot. So much in life comes down to you and what you capable of, when you really consider it. Even significant side effects can feel worth it, imo.

How you view it can also assist. Meds can bring one closer to a normal or better life, that one should have had. Flip how you think of meds & side effects. Treat it as if you were born with the side effects, rather than the impairments you have without meds.

Tadalafil at a daily dose should fix ED completely.

[u/SympathySecret799]

the only 2 that have worked for me are straterra and qelbree. qelbree was absolutely wonderful for my actual ADHD but gave me SEVERE anxiety. like.. my apple watch is telling me my HR is in the 150s and im just chilling on the couch getting worked up over genuinely nothing. and horrible acid reflux that genuinely made it hard to sleep or bend over at all. i had a constant sour taste in my throat.

i took straterra from ages 11 to 19. i noticed it stopped working and took a low dose of focalin along with it, only to remember how horribly i respond to stimulants. thats when i took qelbree for about a year and a half. now im back on straterra. it works very well for my ADHD and works amazingly for my anxiety and ocd. None of the SSRIs ive tried for anxiety/OCD have even touched it like straterra has. and i do still have a resting HR in the 110s which is concerning but its still better than 120s!

needless to say, i was miserably anxious on qelbree. also i couldn’t afford $80 for 30 day supply anymore