Personal Insights: Stattera's Effectiveness for Inattentive ADHD

Being autistic, I have a heightened sensitivity to substances like amphetamines, making my experiences quite unique compared to other individuals. My experiences with Stattera (also known asAtomoxetine) for managing inattentive ADHD have been a mix of both blessings and challenges. Here is my personal take on its effectiveness and side effects over the past few weeks.

Positive Effects of Stattera on ADHD

Mood Boost and Increased Productivity: At lower doses of 5-20mg, I have found Stattera to provide a significant mood boost. It helps me see tasks as incredibly interesting and enjoyable, making productivity a breeze. Over the past two weeks, the improvement in my mental clarity and reduced impulsivity have been notable. The overall boost in my mood and enthusiasm for life has been quite positive.

Challenges and Side Effects of Stattera

While Stattera has its benefits, it also comes with several side effects. At higher doses, beyond 40mg, I experience a robot-like numbness. Beyond 60mg, anxiety starts to creep in. The most bothersome of these side effects are:

Drinking like a fish all day: I am extremely thirsty, requiring a water bottle with me at all times. Disturbed sleep: Dreaming more frequently disrupts my sleep patterns. Low appetite: My hunger levels are significantly reduced. Heart palpitations and drop in blood pressure: These can lead to dizziness and, in rare cases, feelings of fainting. While my psychiatrist reassures me that these are not dangerous, they are certainly unpleasant.

The dizziness and fatigue are short-lived, often dissipating within an hour or so, providing a temporary reprieve from these issues.

Monitoring and Adjustment

I am currently taking 50mg of Stattera and am still in the trial phase. After consulting with my psychiatrist, I need to regularly monitor my heart health with an ECG. So far, no drastic changes have been observed in my heart rate. This ongoing monitoring is crucial to ensure that the potential side effects are kept under control.

Experience with Prior Authorization and Alternative Medications

It's interesting to note that despite Stattera's predominantly positive effects, it required a prior authorization process, which I found unusual given the widespread use of off-label medications like Wellbutrin for ADHD and its efficacy for depression. I tried Stattera for about 6 weeks but did not see any noticeable improvement. My previous prescriber recommended Wellbutrin, which I also found ineffective for ADHD.

Conclusion

Overall, while the side effects of Stattera are certainly a significant drawback for me, it is clear that it offers substantial benefits in managing inattentive ADHD symptoms. The positive impact on mental clarity, reduced impulsivity, and overall mood outweigh the discomfort caused by the side effects. However, ongoing monitoring and communication with a healthcare provider are essential to ensure safety and effectiveness.