posted 06-09-2003 12:09 AM            

Breif run down on me:

32 Male
Meds taking on a regular/semi-regular basis

Adderall (30mg 4xday)
Lexipro (10mg 1xday)
Allegra (when allergy season kicks up - currently)
Nasonex (when allergy Season kicks up - currently)

However, while i don't want to discount the possiblity of it being either another drug or a drug interaction, I only started having the symptoms while on the adderall, and the few times i've been off (between Rx refills b/c its hard to get that quanity near by) i think i've noticed a reduction of the symptoms.

I guess it should be said that at my last physical my doctor did say my prostate was 'slightly' enlarged. Not significant enough to do anything or see anyone, but just to 'keep an eye' on.

Thoughts?

Thanks again for all your help.

A (lazy) Bug (who should just go to a proctologist and get it out in the open and out of the way) :P.

posted 06-15-2003 07:09 PM            

I had honestly thought that there was something seriously wrong with me, now I know that I have to reevaluate my usage of Strattera and if it is worth it to me.

I, too, have ejaculation/orgasm and urination problems.

I have been taking Strattera 80mg for one month, after taking Cylert/pemoline for a few years. (I also take Synthroid 225mg for hypothyroidism.)

As I've told my wife, since I began taking Strattera, I am ejaculating, but having no orgasm whatsoever. I can't describe it. I mean, I can feel when I am about to ejaculate, and I expect an orgasm, but it is simply the act of ejaculation. There is no pleasure at all, in fact, it is very frustrating, because while there is ejaculation, there is not that "good" feeling of an orgasm.

Also, I have never had any problems with premature ejaculation, in fact, the opposite. I have often maintained an orgasm for more than half an hour to an hour. (This might seem like a good thing, but sometimes I cannot achieve orgasm before my wife gets too sore to continue...it has been a problem many times.)

However, now my ejaculation happens within minutes of beginning intercourse. Sometimes it is a matter of only a few seconds.

After reading the messages on this board, I am going to experiment and see if an orgasm might in fact follow the ejaculation.

Also, I have had a side effect of urination that started after I began taking Strattera, although it seems to be easing up a bit after one month. I feel like I am "leaking," even after "milking it," as one mesage writer explained it. After zipping up, I may start walking down the hall and feel wetness from my penis. I just assumed that it was excess urine, and have never checked to see if it was in fact semen or some such substance. I will now check.

I read the entire Strattera web site before taking Strattera, as well as information from my doctor and the info that came with the pills. NOWHERE does it mention these side effects, and I can't believe that they did not know about them. They should have told us up front about these side effects, instead of having us search out other people who are having bad experiences. That is a bad way to do business, in my mind.

THANKS FOR THIS MESSAGE BOARD AND LETTING ME KNOW THAT I AM NOT ALONE OR CRAZY!

posted 06-18-2003 09:31 PM            

I recently switched from paxil to strattera and I am proud to report that I have had few side effects on Strattera worth mentioning. While weening off the paxil, I did have the typical paxil withdrawl symptoms,yes, those darn brain shocks, we all hate those. The sexual side effects, headaches, and other problems that paxil had, are all gone now.

I've taken 80mg of Strattera now for a little over 2 months. Only side effects that have come and gone are dry mouth, light headache, feeling a bit colder, and the occasional extra effort to get aroused for sex. Sure the orgasm and ejaculation type have changed somewhat, but I've not experienced the burning, itching, painful feelings or urge to urinate since I got well away from paxil.

My suggestion to anyone who is mixing strattera with an ssri like paxil, is to try strattera on its own for a month and see what side effects remaain in your life, and go from there.

I went to the doc today and she was pleased with my progress, I asked if I could even increase to the suggested 100mg high end dose, and she agreed that it wouldn't be a problem due to my progress. She suggested that I take the entire dose at dinnertime rather than in the mornings, as not to upset my stomach.

You would never see me ask to increase paxil when I was on it. The 60mg I worked up to was causing worse problems than it cured with all its famous side effects.

Oh, I nearly forgot, if you know what brain shocks is a reference to, don't forget to take your strattera for a long period of time. I've done that, and it seems that strattera isn't as forgiving as paxil when it comes to missing a dose, after about 36 hours without strattera, them brain shocks, not exactly like paxils shocks, start coming in waves, but quickly subside after you take your missed dose.

posted 06-19-2003 04:03 PM            

Most of these have gone away but still a little nausea in the AM if I skip breakfast. Dry Mouth bothers me quite regularly throughout the day (triggered by "stress") and then there is the sexual side effects. I'm arroused at the slightest thought of making love but, sometimes, without any orgasm in sight, I just collapse from exhaustion.

My favorite - the "orgasmic sweats". This is profuse sweating that has replacee ejaculation. While building to climax, everything working great, a split second before the usual time for ejaculation, sweat just pours from every pore on my body. The shock of so much water suddenly appearing makes for huge laughter from the confussion. Half of the time, when that happens, I have a cerebral orgasm. Half of the time, NOTHING! Overall, the orgasmic sweats happen about 25% of the time.

And yes, the feeling that my bladder is going to burst occurs imediatly after ejaculation.

Overall, I like the stability that Strattera offers over Concerta but am now weighing the discomforts of the dry mouth and fatigue over the benefits.

posted 07-06-2003 10:38 PM            

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.

posted 07-07-2003 09:57 PM            

Someone mentioned "brain shocks" or something like that if you missed a dose of Strattera. I would like to know more about this. Please describe how it feels and affects you.

Thanks from a mom who needs all the help I can get.

posted 07-21-2003 02:04 AM            

21-year-old male. Two weeks I started Strattera 18 mg 4 days titrating up to 25 mg 10 days, and now I'm currently experiencing, surprise, a noticable dislocation of ejaculation and orgasm. I started two weeks ago, but noticed a few days ago that I was actually shooting before I was feeling anything. My orgasms have sucked, too, frankly.

On a side note, this drymouth is annoying, but pales in comparison to sexual issues. I'm 21, not 81. Also, for some insane reason, I can't get my pits to stay dry, which is also something I noticed on all my other ADD meds. How bizarre.

I was on Concerta 32 mg before this and Ritalin 15 mg 4X daily for about 12 years, and both worked great, but I was a zombie. The Ritalin was awful; it was like slamming on the brakes when it kicked in, and stomping on the gas when it wore off. You could set a watch my me. The concerta didn't have side effects nearly so noticable, but it was only effective for eight hours...and to a college student, that doesn't do much good. It worked great for about...one class per day.

Oh well. I was hoping for 24/7 relief, but if this is the cost, count me OUT! I didn't need to balance my checkbook, anyway...

a very relieved SW

posted 08-02-2003 05:50 AM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Hotdogg21502:
I'm a 25 year-old male, just started Strattera 40 mg yesterday. It definitely does something weird to the male sex organs. First of all sexual desire and ability to get aroused is significantly impared, similar to when I was on SSRI's. When I do get aroused, however, before climax I have a large "premature" leakage of semen that oozes out, then during climax I have an otherwise normal ejaculation but with slight pain in the entire pelvic area. Never experienced this before, even when I was on the SSRI's. Any other adult male on Strattera notice this?

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posted 08-03-2003 12:24 AM            

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?)

posted 08-03-2003 12:50 AM            

First, I too, would like to know what these "brain shocks" are. Might explain the fuzzy-jitters I get when I start up

Second - Linda - you're a great Mom to ask these questions, but unfortunately, you're probably not the one your son will discuss these things with. Unless you have an unusually close relationship with your son (and I mean that in a healthy sense) your son would most certainly feel more comfortable discussing this with another male. Possibly a health care worker (I noticed you're an RN)? If your son is like many boys he has probably experienced ejaculation by now. Implied in your question is "how will he know if it is a "normal" ejaculation. Perhaps during his next routine physical you can tell his MD/RN/LPN about your concer, and s/he can ask some questions or provide some baseline information about what he may or may not be experiencing with him privately during the exam. My guess is that if Tyler feels comforatble with himself generally, this too will work out. If you've been concerned about other social issues in the past, or if Tyler tends to withdraw into himself, you might want to do some pre-emtive advocacy.

posted 08-10-2003 05:37 PM            

You can put my name on the Strattera male sexual dysfunction list. I'm 46, treated for bi-polar for 6 years, first with intolerable Prozac, then Effexor and more recently and very successfully with Effexor XR for the past 3 years. My doc and I always believed I straddled both bi-polar and ADHD diagnosis.

I always complained about short-term memory and lack of focus as the major problems I experienced and he wanted to give Strattera a try and see what the results would be.

After 1 month my wife remarked that she thought I was doing better on EXR. She told me I was moodier, lacking patience and angry. All true.

I was much more emotionally stable when taking EXR and had more of an 'edge', meaning a lust to live and accomplish. I slept better, woke earlier and was more productive - I could knock out a to-do list over a weekend and wake up Monday AM feeling pretty good about myself. Now I find myself disinterested in most things again and short on patience which is needed for my kids.

Now for that male sexual dysfunction-where the heck did that come from? The passengers are hopping off the train before it gets to the station. Just bizarre! I've experienced most of the same symptoms described in the earlier posts and I noticed it within 2 weeks of beginning Strattera. I swear I have an enlarged prostate-I noticed 'shrinkage' in the flaccid size of my penis, change in urination habits and after ejaculation it feels like a grapefruit is in my butt.

Oh, the disconnect between ejaculation and orgasm is really weird. I also noticed that as soon as stimulation is stopped, it's back to the starting line again.

I have noticed positive results from Strattera: better concentration, can focus on a task, feel calmer. I also found it to be very unforgiving if I skip a dose. I recently forgot my AM dose (80) and went to work and my brain was jammed by noon. I couldn't remember an 8 character string of numbers without having to look at it 10 times while I was typing it, my brain was like sludge. I'm seeing my doc next week and inquiring if a low dose of EXR can be used with the Strattera and try that for 2 months. If not, I may ditch the strat in favor of EXR again.

Best wishes everyone

posted 08-13-2003 10:14 AM            

I still want to know about the "brain shocks" with misssed doses of Strattera. I will try a seperate post about this.

posted 08-16-2003 06:17 PM            

For those who are experiencing morning nausea, try splitting your dose - half in the AM half in the PM - this has helped with me, and others I know. My doc told me that the literature suggests there's no difference in most people's response to Strattera if this is done (But obviously, check with your physician first if you have one.)

posted 08-21-2003 11:00 AM            

You are right about the repsonse when it is mentioned to a physician. My husband read this thread and he said "hey this is exactly how I have been feeling!" Being military he has email access to his Doc. He emailed him the concerns he was having relative to the side effects mentioned and what would you know ~ the same response you had received "I have not heard of these side effects!" Then my husband proceeded to state that the studies done on Strattera were done on children and not the effects that it would have on adults positive or negative. It is my opinion that when a drug (especially a mood altering drug) is being distributed, side effects pertaining to both child and adult should be distributed. This at the very least gives the patient heads up (no pun intended) on what they may or may not expect. I have done some research myself through the WEB of course with some prevail concerning sexual side effects. Maybe some copying and pasting with some current info can help.

posted 08-22-2003 11:43 PM            

Coreburn - until I read your post and your noting vivid dreams, I had forgot all about those! Yes indeed- there have been some very vivid, detailed dreams.

posted 08-27-2003 11:25 PM            

Early on I experienced almost all the symptoms as others I've read about here. I'd not had any prostate symptoms before Strattera but "My Friend, The Doctor" (MFTD) suggests that I might be "just on the edge" give my age. (Gee, THANKS Doc <G> )

I do sometimes get that ‘not quite finished’ situation with an occasional couple of drops no matter how long I shake it. <sigh> I wear dark slacks more now. <G>

I had the initial "shakes" an hour or so after I'd take it in the a.m. but my body seems now fully accepting of them and I can even take both pills on an empty stomach if need be.

I had the erection/orgasm issues at low levels but they’ve almost completely subsided. Just an occasional sensation.

I’d not noticed any dry mouth but now that I see it in some replies I think I MIGHT have this occasionally. Minor enough for me to not note it.

After about 3 days on the med I noticed that I had this amazing visual clarity. Like the world was physically brighter. I noticed things that I’d passed over.

Once 10 days passed I started noticing better clarity, focus, etc. --- I now no longer notice that things have changed; they just ARE better.

The bottom line for me, having never been evaluated for ADD nor treated with meds, was that Strattera is a LIFE CHANGING regimen for me!!! I would NEVER trade the clarity, focus, silence of mind, and Bias to ACT that Strattera has given me for relief of these minor symptoms.

The only regret I have is that, looking back, I’ve had this all my life. <sigh> WHAT I could have accomplished if I’d only known. Still, what do they say, “regret for the past is a waste of spirit”? I’m MOVIN’ AHEAD!!!

Best of Luck to everyone, on Strattera or whatever you find that gives you peace.

posted 09-02-2003 11:06 PM            

I've been taking Wellbutrin (SR) 300 mg/day for about three years. I added Strattera at 85 mg/day three months ago. So I guess that means I'm on two uptake inhibitors.?

I agree that the strange side effects are startling. However, the dizziness, headaches and constipation all went away after about five weeks.

I still need to drink plenty of water throughout the day, but view this as a good thing forcing me to keep well hydrated. I never drink alcohol BTW.

I also occasionally have the urge to pee immediately after relieving myself. However, I know it is a false alarm - ignore it and the urge goes away.

For me these side effects are minor compared to the pluses: relaxed state of mind, better focus/organization ability, clearer thinking/reasoning.

I understand why everyone is so concerned about the effects on sexual functions. I am 42 and sexually compulsive. It is a high priority for me.

It does take a bit more stimulation to get hard now that I am on Strattera, however, once erect I last longer. Achieving orgasm takes a little longer (a good thing) but when it comes the orgasm lasts twice as long (45 secs. instead of 20) and is twice as intense.

I'm actually more in synch with my partner with Strattera. She prefers a slow build, gradually ramping excitement like a wave that eventually lets itself go and topples over. Yet it's not an explosion, but more of a continuous rush as the water and bubbling foam picks you up and carries you along (exact time varies) before leaving you on the beach.

The sex is better. I concentrate on my partner more and enjoy the ride as much as the climax.

My experience with this drug is to give it some time - never miss a dose - remain calm. The pluses outweigh the minuses.

But remember, I NEVER drink alcohol. Possibly this is part of the reason my experiences have been different that some of you. I do not know how Strattera reacts in the presence of alcohol.

posted 09-11-2003 03:19 PM            

1)Smaller flaccid size (Gone)
2)Seminal discharge after urination (Gone)
3)Erectile difficulties (Gone)
4)Buzzing in the ear (Almost Gone)
5)Cold Sweats (Gone)
6)Feeling 'wierd' (Gone)
7)Dilated pupils (Gone)
8)Headache (Gone)
9)Waking up in the middle of the night (under control)
10) Testicular pain (only when I haven't 'gotten off' in awhile)

Okay, most of my side effects were present for about two months after I began taking this medication. Nearly all of them are gone now. I still climax sooner during sex, but this is welcome as it used to take me way too long sometimes. Also, orgasms are much longer than before (darn). I was pretty nervous my first few weeks taking this. I had a couple of 'freak outs' where I would feel very detatched and panicky. I would get cold sweats and a bit shaky. I have isolated this to a lack of L-Tyrosine in the diet. If I don't have enough tyrosine, I feel wierd. I now supplement my diet with tyrosine every day. If anyone else experiences these problems, try this or try drinking a protein shake with your dosage.

The waking up in the middle of the night thing i have determined to be caused by blood levels of the medication dropping below a certain level. For me, I will wake up EXACTLY twenty-one hours after my dosage. To get up at six AM, I take my Strattera at nine AM. Now I sleep through the night and I pop out of bed in the morning. Getting up used to be a HUGE issue for me, so this is helpful.

Nausea seems to not be a problem if I eat a little bit of food (crackers or something) with my dosage. Also, sometimes I split my dosage. I've found that even taking them half an hour apart helps.

Also, I have had issues with alcoholism (I do drink) in the past. It seems that Strattera almost entirely eliminates this problem. I usually drink quite heavily, but find now that I am fine with one or two drinks.

As for the overall effect of this medication? It has completely changed my life. I have never been treated for ADD in the past. For about a year, I have been unable to focus on my work. If I'm not interested in something, I don't do it. I was always tired, a bit depressed, and highly unmotivated. Now I have an abundance of energy, I'm infinitely more social, I get my work done like a champ, and I don't procrastinate. I am finding enjoyment in tasks that used to be total chores. I am more organized. Watching myself do the things that I usually put off (and do them well!) has done a tremendous amount to my esteem. I am happy as hell. The side effects used to bother me with this stuff, but now the benefits so outweigh the negatives that I would never consider cessation of this medication. I'm glad I stuck it out; my only fear is that someday it will stop working. I hope to god it does not.

posted 09-18-2003 10:21 PM            

I was worried about the side effects with my adoloscent son as well.

I have asked my son about the male side effects like "Do you have a urine drip after you finish going to the bathroom" and "Is your urine kind of milky looking at times" and the answer to both was no.

I feel much better since seeing the posts that say the side effects go away after a couple of months.
If you do question you son, try to do it in the least embarrasing and threatening manner that you can. I questioned my son while we were in the car and he was in the backseat.

I hope this helps you some.

posted 10-06-2003 12:30 PM            

You could try Strattera and still keep your child on the ritalin for a few weeks in the the Strattera builds up.

The Strattera alone was not sufficient for my son, he also takes Concerta with the Strattera. Talk to your MD about this.

Good luck, Linda

posted 10-06-2003 08:17 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by strattercaster:
Just an update....past week have had a crazy schedule, and again forgot a couple days of afternoon doses. A variety of Male Sexual Side Effects (MSSE?) returned...the "milky urine", difficulty with erection/ejaculation etc. This is a real drag. Add these to the "brain shocks" that comes along with a missed dose...........major incentives to stay on schedule. Benefits still outweigh these side effects though, but it is getting to be tough going.

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Hey stratt. How many MG do you take per day? I am on 100MG as of 5 days ago. No side effects yet.