Posted by teacherkris on April 16, 2003, at 11:30:40
In reply to Atomoxetine (Straterra) dsage » Lexxey, posted by paulk on April 16, 2003, at 10:44:45
I see what you're saying about poor metabolizers but look at the percentages you also posted those are fairly low. I agree with what Lexxy's saying in that we've had a lot of people on the board who seem to feel that they're getting great benefits from 25 mg or less and I too am skeptical about that based on the double-blind drug trials. I think it is always hard to tell with something like ADHD, where symptoms often worsen and improve without any rhyme or reason even without meds, whether the meds are really working. I know Concerta worked great for me but there were those days when I felt like I hadn't even taken it, and others when I'd forget to take it and think that I had. Basically I'm just saying what I say to parents at the training workshops I do "ADD is consistently inconsistent." So I think the caveat is to be careful if you're at a dose that is lower than that which is even considered therapeutic for a child to watch and make sure it lasts.
That being said I think both Lexxy and I would agree with starting slowly. If you've read my previous posts, I've been slowly increasing for the last two months and have finally made it to 80 mg. I'm very glad my doctor made me go up only 10 mg per week as I read about people who started much more quickly, had horrible side effects and quit.
Finally, Lexxy, I agree about taking it twice a day. I had been taking 40/40 in the am and again at 3 but had whined to my doctor that I only wanted to take meds once a day :-) so he said to go ahead and try it! As you say, we all know by now that the side effects seem to lessen as the days pass so I'm going to hang in for the rest of the week and then go back to 40/40 until I see my doc and ask for 60/40 for a trial without the Concerta.
We'll see what happens. Thank you all for being here and all the support and shared experiences. This board has been a lifesaver!
poster:teacherkris
thread:133458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030411/msgs/219813.html