strattercaster
02-17-2004, 05:58 PM
I have made many posts to the "male side effects" thread over the past several months .These are side effects that I have had varying success in managing - but a possible new one has me more concerned. I've been on Strattera (80 mg/day) for about 1 1/2 years. I have had great success re: clarity, organization, focus, etc. Three months ago I went for a physical exam, unrelated to ADD, and a routine examination of my blood pressure showed a slight elevation to 130/80 (normally I run 120/70). Neither my health care provider or I were too concerned. This past week I've felt somewhat light headed, and I went to my employee health center and asked for my BP to be checked - it was 150/90. This was confirmed with a second reading. Time for concern.
I've read on the internet that Stratter should not be taken by those with high BP, and this may in fact be a side effect, but it never appeared during my initial year on the drug (I was in the clin. trial - BP measurements were taken bi-monthly) I've also read that it may cause high BP in children - but have not read anything about causing high BP in adults as well.
I've scheduled a full physical for later this week, but there's still so much not known about this drug............Any thoughts to share?
I've read on the internet that Stratter should not be taken by those with high BP, and this may in fact be a side effect, but it never appeared during my initial year on the drug (I was in the clin. trial - BP measurements were taken bi-monthly) I've also read that it may cause high BP in children - but have not read anything about causing high BP in adults as well.
I've scheduled a full physical for later this week, but there's still so much not known about this drug............Any thoughts to share?
Sponsor
index.html
02-17-2004, 07:56 PM
Any thoughts to share?
Keep an eye on that blood pressure!
Keep an eye on that blood pressure!
liquidchakra
02-20-2004, 04:50 PM
I have the same problem as you, although I have only been on it for a little under a month now (40 mg). Mine is hovering around 140-150 over 80-90, which scares me since I am only 20 and HBP does run in my family. I am going to try and reduce my sodium intake and raise my potassium first before I go do anything drastic.
I had hoped that it would be temporary, but by what you said, I am not so sure about that anymore.
I had hoped that it would be temporary, but by what you said, I am not so sure about that anymore.
PretensE1166
02-20-2004, 06:25 PM
Well straying off of the blood pressure topic. I tried Strattera...and though it worked brilliantly...I personally had bad side effects with it. I became really moody on it, like BAD moody...and very impatient. But for the first time taking a medication for my ADD...I was able to focus clearly.
strattercaster
02-21-2004, 01:03 PM
Interesting developments, that relate to some other side effects noted on other threads regarding problems with urination.
I stoppped taking stratter three days ago - stopped after about a year and a half. Noting the precautionary warnings about people taking strattera if they "have high blood pressure or heart disease" I decided I didn't want to risk worsening a bad situation. Physician suggested I start high blood pressure meds, noting that they act like a diahretic, and I'd be urinating a lot of fluid out to relieve the pressure. That rang a bell, as I'd experienced the "difficulty urinating" side effect noted by others. 48 hours after stopping stratter I began urinating 1-2 times an hour. Full, forceful elimination, unlike the patterns on the drug. This is WITHOUT taking any blood pressure meds. My theory is that strattera is behind this problem. M
My doc suggested I try the blood pressure meds to see if that would allow me to return to the benefits of strattera - but there is no way I would start taking a combination of drugs for thre rest of my life.
This is pretty disconcerting to me - I had been taking strattera for a long time, and became a strong proponent of this medication. Yet there was no indication of a blood pressure problem during the first 6 months or so I was being regullary monitored on the study. I only learned of a potentially dangerous situation after experiencing some light headedness and suggesting to my company health person that she check my blood pressure. I'll post other updates as I find out my on this - meanwhile I URGE ANYONE WHO EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY IN URINATION AND/OR ANY LIGHT HEADEDNESS/DIZZYNESS TO GET THEIR BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKED!
I stoppped taking stratter three days ago - stopped after about a year and a half. Noting the precautionary warnings about people taking strattera if they "have high blood pressure or heart disease" I decided I didn't want to risk worsening a bad situation. Physician suggested I start high blood pressure meds, noting that they act like a diahretic, and I'd be urinating a lot of fluid out to relieve the pressure. That rang a bell, as I'd experienced the "difficulty urinating" side effect noted by others. 48 hours after stopping stratter I began urinating 1-2 times an hour. Full, forceful elimination, unlike the patterns on the drug. This is WITHOUT taking any blood pressure meds. My theory is that strattera is behind this problem. M
My doc suggested I try the blood pressure meds to see if that would allow me to return to the benefits of strattera - but there is no way I would start taking a combination of drugs for thre rest of my life.
This is pretty disconcerting to me - I had been taking strattera for a long time, and became a strong proponent of this medication. Yet there was no indication of a blood pressure problem during the first 6 months or so I was being regullary monitored on the study. I only learned of a potentially dangerous situation after experiencing some light headedness and suggesting to my company health person that she check my blood pressure. I'll post other updates as I find out my on this - meanwhile I URGE ANYONE WHO EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY IN URINATION AND/OR ANY LIGHT HEADEDNESS/DIZZYNESS TO GET THEIR BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKED!