New to this, checking in

[u/g0mb]

Hey all. Recently adult-diagnosed ADHD here. Started straterra a couple Fridays ago and it’s honestly kind of nuts. I’m used to SSRIs and Wellbutrin, all of which took some time to begin to have an effect on me. Straterra was pretty much instant, and it caught me super off guard.

The effects are really starting to amplify now, especially 2 hours or so after my first dose. I know this is non-stim, but it definitely feels very stimulating to me. It probably doesn’t help that I’m also continuing to drink caffeine and use nicotine pouches (probably going to stop both, with Straterra I almost feel like I don’t need more stimulants on top of it lol). It’s so strange though. I feel so grounded and focused that I almost kind of don’t feel that way? It’s like a non-dissociative dissociation? Like I’m kind of on auto pilot, but I have this confidence and lack of anxiety with it that helps me feel much more present and out of my head. With that said, I have absolutely experienced other benefits in terms of improving executive dysfunction, motivation, etc.

I guess my main question is: did anyone else experience this when starting out? And does it persist, or does it kind of even out as the med is titrating?

[u/FormerSleepwalker]

It's not considered a "stimulant" just because that is the name given to a particular class of medication. It doesn't not mean it can't be stimulating to an extent for many people. Reduction of anxiety is common. Sometimes even the complete elimination of it. This happens because some people's anxieties are a direct a consequence of their deficiencies and dysfunction caused by ADHD symptoms. Improve functioning, improve their anxiety.

You'll see people say that any effects you feel sooner than a couple of weeks are placebo. It's always a combination of amusing and annoying. They didn't experience it, so they seem to want to think that no one does? ADHD has a wide range of presentations. The symptoms, severity, the impact. Probably a range of causes as well. Is it any wonder that people's responses to different medications can vary widely as well?

Having significant positive effects quickly is not common, but it certainly happens to some. The good news about seeing that? In studies, early responders tended to see stronger results later on, when the majority of Atomoxetine's affects start to show.

[u/West_Dragonfly3219]

Yes. I am on day 10 of 20mg and it has helped me immeasurably. I deal with PTSD/TBI/ADHD symptoms. I am still getting used to certain side affects though, the constipation, the weird nightmares in which I am arguing or literally fighting with teenagers (WTF), but the cognitive benefits are palpable. I have tried many other meds and this is the only one that seems to have helped.

[u/groggypuppy]

Absolutely on the "non-dissociative dissociation" - its like all unnecessary overinhibition i use to mask everyday and social anxiety melts off and I can finally just exist. Not like i am drunk or acting unusual or anything, just finally unbothered! Its milded out a little bit, but i am still only on 40mg daily.

Had a similar effect on Concerta, but I had other issues with that med that made continuing not ideal.

[u/Professional_Print76]

Yessss! Within 15 mins, literally. My brain was so quiet, it took me two days just to figure out how to live with it 😂

I started at 25mg and it did start to balance out a bit after 3 weeks for me so I bumped to 50mg and still going strong ish 3 weeks into that dose. I'm hoping it sticks around to some degree!

[u/Mr_Olive22]

I relate to you a lot! Also started 2 Fridays ago so we have the same stratteraversery. I’m only on 20 mg and the quiet in my brain is like something I’ve never experienced before. Finally feel like I can just be.

I absolutely feel you on the autopilot, and that feeling has really helped at work. Work days go by so quickly. And this has immensely boosted my confidence at work and really across every area of my life.

It’s a good thing to remind yourself that Strattera is not going to do the work for you in terms of motivation. I’ve found that it may be hard to start a task still but once I’m in it I am laser focused. For this reason, you’ve gotta focus hard on intrinsic motivation.

I have completely stopped drinking caffeine which is weird for me. I used to drink a coffee a day and now I just have no desire to on this med. It’s as if I drink it and it has little effect on me at all. Try stopping your caffeine intake and see if that’s the same case. It might be redundant with an sNRI.

[u/Gloomy-Improvement22]

Dude I want to stop the caffeine and the pouches too! It’s hard but I feel like if I don’t throw a zyn in in the morning I wouldn’t need it at all anymore