Ok without going into long details, I was taking Lyrica, which has a side effect of weight gain. This was taken for pain. I hated taking it because it made me all fuzzy and could not think straight. I frankly got frustrated went to my doctor rather angry as it had put my life in neutral. I told him we needed to find out why I am in pain and fix it. He decided the pain was from stress and I had something called chronic fatigue syndrome. Ok Yadda Yadda Yadda, fast forward. About a month ago, he offered me the option to try this Strattera which is Atomoxetine. Its kinda an ADD med, however he feels that it will really help me get my brain back into gear as well as help with depression. I had to get off of Lyrica completely though. So I did. He gave me some other pain killers to use "only when needed"

The side effect of this new med is the opposite of Lyrica in the fact that it causes weight reduction. So now I am not only loosing the weight I gained, but at a much faster rate than expected. Most notably in the last 2 weeks. In late January I was around 240lbs. I started these meds in low doses 18mg then to 40mg after a week, then 80mg after another week and now starting 100mg. In the last month I have dropped almost 20lbs. Which is GREAT, but I am worried that part of my muscle pain is caused from the rapid drop in weight. I am hoping to get down to about 190lbs and level off there.

I am interested if anyone else is taking this stuff and what are there experiences.

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857GT Part 85GT Part 87GT Part Caddy, 93 Eldorado 4.9, 5spd Dual O2 Custom Chip, Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything Now with Nitrous. Capt Fiero --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Full Poly Suspension, Lowered 1/2" in front, Corner Carver.

I have no experience with that drug, but that rate of weight loss, while pleasing to the impatient, is not really healthy. Talk to your doctor again, methinks. 3 lbs a week, thats one thing, 10 lbs.. wow.

[This message has been edited by tbone42 (edited 04-13-2012).]

quote Originally posted by tbone42: I have no experience with that drug, but that rate of weight loss, while pleasing to the impatient, is not really healthy. Talk to your doctor again, methinks. 3 lbs a week, thats one thing, 10 lbs.. wow.

As long as he has the proper nutrients it's not unhealthy at all. Of course proper nutrition is the key to health.

Brad

It has not been a constant, as I started out at lower doses and worked up to the 100mg dose, around the 40mg week is when I started to notice it and now at the 100mg, I feel like I am bouncing off the walls and not really hungry.

I figure at the lower doses I was dropping maybe a pound or 2 a week, and now am probably pretty stable at 5lbs a week. We shall see over the next 2-3 weeks how it goes. If I can keep it at a 5lb per week drop I'll be happy.

Oh side note, to top it all off I am using Nicotine patches to try and quit smoking. I do still sneak a smoke every now and then, but I was smoking 20 a day, now I am down to about 4 or 5 a day. I to completely quit in the next month.

As for Nutrition, I am taking Spirulina(dried seaweed) around 2000mg a day and Neuro Gold Plus which has a ton of Ginko and other type herbs. I just ran out of but I also take Centrum Complete Active lifestyle formula with Ginseng.

My actual diet is pretty bad, yesterday for supper it was McDonald's double Big Mac, then ended up coming home and having a plateful of Perogie's and sour cream. Tonights supper was Baked Potato, Deep Fried Burrito and Deep Fried Chicken Nuggets plus a few more Perogies. Breakfast is usually Coffee and a couple Eggo Waffles. Lunches are either fast food or some sort of Microwave Ham/Cheese Hot Pocket type of thing.

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"Confirmed cases of severe liver damage have been reported by Eli Lilly and Company. A black box warning was issued by the FDA in 2004."

Sounds like fun...

Try REALLY hard not to smoke while doin' the patch.

Where is the pain you're feeling- is it localized in one area?

What's your doc's gameplan - when does he see you gettin' OFF the meds?

I know the root cause may not be known, but you want to minimize the "Let's try THIS and see how you respond..."

Good luck, man... Pain SUCKS...

quote Originally posted by ryan.hess: "Confirmed cases of severe liver damage have been reported by Eli Lilly and Company. A black box warning was issued by the FDA in 2004." Sounds like fun...

And this is why I do not take meds.

quote Originally posted by Capt Fiero: I feel like I am bouncing off the walls and not really hungry.

ADD meds, like Ritalin, have an amphetamine component. They're designed to help you focus.
I have also heard that stimulants are supposed to have a calming effect for ADD patients.

Having said that... It sounds like you're speeding your azz off!
The weight loss is (as you stated) a side effect, but that's what diet pills used to be (or maybe still are.) Amphetamines.
I would question whether you are receiving the correct dosage for your particular situation.
How well do you sleep? Do you need sleep aids?

Aside from everything else, they have got to be habit forming. Be very careful.

quote Originally posted by Capt Fiero: I feel like I am bouncing off the walls and not really hungry. ... My actual diet is pretty bad, yesterday for supper it was McDonald's double Big Mac, then ended up coming home and having a plateful of Perogie's and sour cream. Tonights supper was Baked Potato, Deep Fried Burrito and Deep Fried Chicken Nuggets plus a few more Perogies. Breakfast is usually Coffee and a couple Eggo Waffles. Lunches are either fast food or some sort of Microwave Ham/Cheese Hot Pocket type of thing.

Just make sure you at least eat proper sized meals, and eat healthier. Find out if caffine interacts with these drugs. Even if you are not hungry (because the drug tells your brain you are not).. eat anyway as you know 3 meals a day is best.

As for weight loss, it will really only be a probem when and if you get under weight for your height and age. Talk to your doctors about this.

I have to say that frontal lobe is the best source of info on this type of thing...I just hope he has the time to read this, and give you an answer. Honestly, I have NEVER met a professional person so happy to share his incredible knowledge on diverse 'things medical'. for Dan

I was on Strattera years ago for a short time (less than a year I believe), but I can't remember any specifics of the experience, sorry

quote Originally posted by Raydar: ADD meds, like Ritalin, have an amphetamine component. They're designed to help you focus. I have also heard that stimulants are supposed to have a calming effect for ADD patients. Having said that... It sounds like you're speeding your azz off! The weight loss is (as you stated) a side effect, but that's what diet pills used to be (or maybe still are.) Amphetamines. I would question whether you are receiving the correct dosage for your particular situation. How well do you sleep? Do you need sleep aids? Aside from everything else, they have got to be habit forming. Be very careful.

I am going to try and reply to as many people as I can without quoting each person.

Helping me to focus and or clear my head was the main reason I am on this stuff. He did say it would also help with energy.

Dosage I am taking is the maximum allowed for the medication which is 100mg per day. I have no idea how long I will be on it, and frankly neither does he.

Unfortunately it has been a "lets try this" game for over 2 years. I can't count the amount of different meds he has tried me on and this so far is the first one that has really helped.

Sleeping I was taking some very strong sleeping pills that I honestly believe have caused permanent damage. In Canada they are called Zoplicon. Major side effects are not remembering the last hour or 2 before you went to bed. In some cases, not even remembering that you had sex the night before. However it didn't matter how wired you were, angry / frustrated take 1-2 of them and its about the same as drinking a bottle of booze straight. I was taking them for nearly 2 years. For me the problem was I could not wake up in the morning and could not fall asleep at night. Now I get up, pour a cup of coffee take the one Atomoxetine and feel fairly good for the day. Usually I am able to fall asleep without any problems at night.

Addiction -- While I don't believe there to be a chemical addiction to them, I know there will be a physiological addiction. Just like any drug really. If it can take you from down in the dumps no energy, to wired, happy and feeling good. I can see it being something you would end up craving.

Health risks, honestly all I know is what I found online. Which worst cases are heart attach or risk of seizure. However those seem to be in less than 1% of cases. In my case, if I don't take it, I am 100% going to feel like crap. I don't want to die, but I am willing to risk a less than 1 in 100 chance if its going to give me a new lease on life so to speak.

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857GT Part 85GT Part 87GT Part Caddy, 93 Eldorado 4.9, 5spd Dual O2 Custom Chip, Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything Now with Nitrous. Capt Fiero --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Full Poly Suspension, Lowered 1/2" in front, Corner Carver.

Where is the pain you are experiencing located? Are you on any cholesterol reducing medications? I was on tricor and later trilipix, these made my legs hurt so bad I could hardly walk, but they did lower my cholesterol. My legs have been fine since I stopped taking them. Sometimes the side effects of the medications are worse than the "disease".

quote Originally posted by avengador1: Where is the pain you are experiencing located? Are you on any cholesterol reducing medications? I was on tricor and later trilipix, these made my legs hurt so bad I could hardly walk, but they did lower my cholesterol. My legs have been fine since I stopped taking them. Sometimes the side effects of the medications are worse than the "disease".

For the most part it has been in my legs and arms. An aching throbbing pain. Not a sharp pinpoint type of pain. At one time about 3-4 years ago, I did take Crestor, and had the same result as you, flu like pain that would not go away. I ended up choosing to reduce the amount of fast food and or reduce the amount I ate, as I did not like the side effects from the Crestor. My cholesterol is down and in good shape. My blood pressure is below average, however I do have a higher than average heart beat.

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857GT Part 85GT Part 87GT Part Caddy, 93 Eldorado 4.9, 5spd Dual O2 Custom Chip, Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything Now with Nitrous. Capt Fiero --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Full Poly Suspension, Lowered 1/2" in front, Corner Carver.

I also gave up any and all diet soda. I understand that these can cause all sorts of problems and pains.

quote Originally posted by Capt Fiero: I am interested if anyone else is taking this stuff and what are there experiences.

I took Strattera for a month. Yes it suppressed my appetite so much that I wouldn't eat lunch. But the worse thing for me was how tired I was pretty much all day.

quote Originally posted by CoryFiero: I took Strattera for a month. Yes it suppressed my appetite so much that I wouldn't eat lunch. But the worse thing for me was how tired I was pretty much all day.

What dosage were you on?

I forget what color it is, but are you still drinking gallons of that red or green or purple chemical concoction every day, Dave. That stuff can't be good for you.

Lyrica is one of the many prescriptions I am on for neuro muscular pain. I find it helps with the nerve pain, but for my fibromyalgia symptoms (constant ache in the muscles) is better addressed by Cymbalta. Ask your doc about it. I think I am going to try the stattera next doctors appointment.

If you’re dealing with nerve related pain ---- look into Gabapentin. I've broke my ankle 25 years ago - nerve damage caused foot to feel asleep one second and then on fire the next and when I walk I have to "remember" to lift and place my foot. Neurologist put me on the “GAB” never felt better!

Gabapentin, Lyrica and Cymbalta, are all as all of you have stated for nerve pain. I don't know for sure on Cymbalta, but Gab and Lyrica both have 2 side effects that I just can't deal with, weight gain and slowed mental cognitive function. Cymbalta just makes me sleepy, and works about the same as taking a 150mg Lyrica twice a day. I hate the "not being able to think quickly or clearly" when taking Gab or Lyrica. The doctor did say he felt I had fibermyalga, however in Canada it is not a recognized medical condition. In order to test for it I would have to go to the US. Honestly I feel that diagnosis is, kinda a cop out because he doesn't know what the problem is. Who knows maybe I do have it and just don't want to admit it.

And Patrick, that Green concoction was Gatorade. I replaced Coke and other Soda's with Gatorade to better keep my hydrated. Trust me Gatorade is far better for me, and because I buy it in the powder and mix it myself I am able to thin the mix out with more water.

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857GT Part 85GT Part 87GT Part Caddy, 93 Eldorado 4.9, 5spd Dual O2 Custom Chip, Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything Now with Nitrous. Capt Fiero --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Full Poly Suspension, Lowered 1/2" in front, Corner Carver.

quote Originally posted by 8Ball: And this is why I do not take meds.

Never, mind, upon reading the rest of the posts, it's already been covered.

[This message has been edited by carnut122 (edited 04-14-2012).]

quote Originally posted by Capt Fiero: What dosage were you on?

Started at 18mg and titrated up to 80mg.