I'm 38, and on 20 mg of Prozac and 80 mg of Strat, daily. I have the same symptoms, but have no girlfriend so it really doesn't bother me that much. Okay, slightly when I'm wanking, but at least I still get the head rush from ejac. so I can live with it. I have had some slight urges to pee, but I also have chronic prostatis, which causes same side effects, and even if I'm not on the SSRI's I still have to take Viagra to get it up fully. Of course I can't prove to my insurance company that my Impotence is due to the prostate, so I get to pay myself. So I have to fight the urge to shoot some insurance exec. in the head.but that's another story. Overall I think the Strat. is working, but I don't know if it is starting to wear off. I also lost about 8 lbs, on Sratt, which I love. Another incentive to at least keep taking it for a while.
I am a 34-year-old male who has never been on any medication for ADHD, until Strattera, which I have been taking for about three months. I started out with 40mg / day for three days, then went to 60mg / day. While taking the 60mg / day I experienced most of the side effects that have been mentioned by others who have replied to this message, with the exception of the 'disconnected ejaculation and orgasm'. I am still ejaculating during orgasm, but it just does not feel as good. I do have a hard time (no pun intended) achieving and maintaining as erection. I can do it with Viagra and some times without, but the times without are becoming fewer and fewer.
I have noticed some improvement in the semen in urine problem after going to 80mg/day a few weeks ago. This involves taking two 40mg capsules a day, so I take one with breakfast and one with the evening meal. I am not sure if that was what caused the improvement or not I still have some semen in my urine, but not as much and it does not come out in a glob, the way it did before. I also started drinking quite a bit more water and much less Coke and Pepsi. I am still going to go to a urologist to be check out, just in case there is something really wrong.
As far as my ADHD is concerned, Strattera does help quite a bit. I am able to concentrate and get things accomplished.
MESSAGE FROM A LONGER TERM (1 YR) USER OF STRATTERA! Boy - was I happy to stumble on to this message board tonight. I began using strattera in the clinical trials - I'm in my mid 40s, taking 80mg/day, one AM one PM. I unknowingly lived with ADD until my recent marriage when my wife suggested that I look into an evaluation. Best thing I ever did. Strattera has helped immensely with my focus and clarity of thought, and my overall productivity. I really feel the difference when I forget to take my meds. BUT - and this is a big one - I too have experienced many of the symptoms I've read about on this board. What I have noticed is that many of the symptoms - even those of a sexual nature - do seem to improve with time. (How long? For me it was 2 months or so) The bad news is that if I forget to take my meds it's like chutes and ladders - the symptoms re-appear, and I have to build my tolerance back up - it usually takes 1-2 weeks.
1- Dry mouth - never really changed. I've gotten used to it. 2- Erectile problems - Yes. Fewer problems when I am consistant about taking the meds and don't miss a day 3. Testicular pain - YES! During the first 3 months or so. When I mentionned this one to my MD he seemed perplexed and hadn't heard about it - thought it unrelated. Very releived to see others have experienced it too - though my heart goes out to you guys! There were times it was so painful I had to sit down. If I go out of town and forget my meds for 2-3 days (it has happened) the pain returns. 4. "retrograde" ejaculation - Yes, though rarer now. Feels like I still have an urge to release more fluid; burning sensation below my glans. 5. Difficulty urinating - again, during "start up phase". 6. Semen in urine (milky urine) occasionally - I too have definately noticed that it occurs 3-4 hours after my morning meds
Reading all these, it's like, "why am I doing this?" But keep in mind that when I maintain my med schedule -it really does stabilize.
What's been most interesting to me are the comments of those arround me this past year who didn't know that I was on meds. Colleagues/friends note that I seem calmer, less distracted. My kids - teenagers - both knew about the drug and noted that I'm less irritable, and less "hair-trigger-response" in annoyance/anger (my wife says this too! :) )
The sexual side effects can definately be annoying. But they're not always present. Timing the meds seems to make a difference too. I seem to be more arousable in the morning before I take my meds -
My MD suggested viagra but, somehow, I can't bring myself to use it. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH THAT COMBO?)
Anyhow - long thread - this is a great board - will check back often. Now, I think I'll re-read some of the posts and see if I've missed something.
Let's pop this thread back up if you don't mind....anyone new or old out there? Any updates on prior experiences? Any remedies? (I've got a Viagra thread going...sheeesh)
Well, guys, I'm sorry, but it doesn't seem to get much better. I've been on Strattera for about 1 1/2 years - started during the clinical trial. As I've posted before, I get the best results when I am rigidly consistant about taking my 80 mg dose each day (I take the 2 40 mg capsules about 4-5 hours hours apart to minimize the sleepy effect). Inevitably there are days I forget to take my meds - and days when I take one instead of two. The sexual side effects have been there all along - particularly difficulty getting an erection and premature dribbling of semen. Not pleasant, though there have been periods of time when things seem to be OK, looking back those symptoms seem to always re-appear.
I got over my self-consciousness to finally ask a physican for a prescription for Viagra, but have not had great success there either. Viagra helps maintain an erection once blood is in the penis, it does not provide an erection if the strattera is causing the problems.
I too, was one of those clinical guys who minimzed - or denied - the sexual side effects of strattera during the trail. It's a hard thing to acknowledge and sicuss (no pun intended) and the trial wasn't therapy - there was no place for me to go with it once I would have opened that door. I too hope Lilly reps read about this.
Has anyone else out there tried any of the other ED medications?
Oh well - the benefits of strattera are great for me. I've got to be more rigorous about maintaining my schedule. Good luck guys. (It helps a lot to have a supportive partner!)
Well, guys, I'm sorry, but it doesn't seem to get much better. I've been on Strattera for about 1 1/2 years - started during the clinical trial. As I've posted before, I get the best results when I am rigidly consistant about taking my 80 mg dose each day (I take the 2 40 mg capsules about 4-5 hours hours apart to minimize the sleepy effect). Inevitably there are days I forget to take my meds - and days when I take one instead of two. The sexual side effects have been there all along - particularly difficulty getting an erection and premature dribbling of semen. Not pleasant, though there have been periods of time when things seem to be OK, looking back those symptoms seem to always re-appear.
I got over my self-consciousness to finally ask a physican for a prescription for Viagra, but have not had great success there either. Viagra helps maintain an erection once blood is in the penis, it does not provide an erection if the strattera is causing the problems.
I too, was one of those clinical guys who minimzed - or denied - the sexual side effects of strattera during the trail. It's a hard thing to acknowledge and sicuss (no pun intended) and the trial wasn't therapy - there was no place for me to go with it once I would have opened that door. I too hope Lilly reps read about this.
Has anyone else out there tried any of the other ED medications?
Oh well - the benefits of strattera are great for me. I've got to be more rigorous about maintaining my schedule. Good luck guys. (It helps a lot to have a supportive partner!)
I went yesterday in desperation and bought "men's Health" Yohimbe HCL from GNC, i have taken it before for working out and always noticed a little too "interested" in the opposite sex when i took it. I read and it helps with bloodflow to those organs, i tried it and it actually did help quite a bit compared to the days before with maintaining a hard erection, i was pleasently suprised. It may have only been a day when strattera wasn't effecting me but i'd rather say i found something to help haha ;-)
Good News I guess - finally got a 'scrip for Viagra. At first was disappointment for full pill (100 mg) but searching Health Boards for the Viagra Board, I found many posts suggeseting a cut back to 50mg. Much better response. So for those guys experiencing these nasty side effects - allow the drug (and your body) a reasonable time to level out, and try one of the ED drugs like Viagra. May start a new thread on this ... anyone else out there using it with Strattera?
Good News I guess - finally got a 'scrip for Viagra. At first was disappointment for full pill (100 mg) but searching Health Boards for the Viagra Board, I found many posts suggeseting a cut back to 50mg. Much better response. So for those guys experiencing these nasty side effects - allow the drug (and your body) a reasonable time to level out, and try one of the ED drugs like Viagra. May start a new thread on this ... anyone else out there using it with Strattera?
Personally, I think it's crazy to start mixing meds. If you want to be a "privateer" guinea pig for Eli Lilly, be my guest. My doctor wanted to do the same for me, so he gave me a script for Viagra. I decided to give up the med that started the problem in the first place. Too many doctors are prescription happy. You know, there are skills that can be aquired to overcome some of the obsticals ADD presents. I've been med free for a year and feeling great. I don't drink, smoke or have any other unhealthy vices either. It just took time for me to come to terms with ADD, and how to get around it. You know what, I think I'd be bored not having it.
Personally, I think it's crazy to start mixing meds. If you want to be a "privateer" guinea pig for Eli Lilly, be my guest. My doctor wanted to do the same for me, so he gave me a script for Viagra. I decided to give up the med that started the problem in the first place. Too many doctors are prescription happy. You know, there are skills that can be aquired to overcome some of the obsticals ADD presents. I've been med free for a year and feeling great. I don't drink, smoke or have any other unhealthy vices either. It just took time for me to come to terms with ADD, and how to get around it. You know what, I think I'd be bored not having it.
I would like to hear more about how you got around the ADD.
