Strattera, Adult 28 M, New Symptoms, Question

[zackrspv]

I started Strattera after being diagnosted with Adult ADHD (Severe) on the DSM-IV by my Psychologist.  My MD (family doctor) has since confirmed it.  He put me on 40mg / day (taken at around 11am every day, without food).  For the entire first week, I was fine.  I didn't really see any improvement, i'm still hyper, find it hard to concentrate, etc.  He then told me that on Wednsday (10/1/2008) that I am to upgrade to 60mg per day.  I took my dose on 10/1 and then on 10/2.  And all seemed normal.

However 6 hours after taking my meds on 10/2, I stand up and instantly i'm light headed, find it very hard to breath (am hyperventilating, rapid short breaths).  So, I sit back down, and eventually after 10 minutes or so, my breathing returns to normal.  I had to go to a class, so I stood back up, dealt with the tiredness, and such, and took a 8 minute bath or so.  As soon as I got out of the bath my chest started pounding, I could feel my heart in my neck just pounding, I was very tired, didn't want to move, and I was breathing rapidly again, short breaths.  So, I laid down on the bed, no change, tried to lay on my side, it only made breathing a bit harder. I sat up, cross leggeded, and after about 15 minutes, my breathing returned to normal.

Now, after any movement, be it to sit up from laying down, being it to rolling over in bed, I become very short on breath and breath heavilly.  For short movements, it takes about 2-3 minutes to return to normal.  But to walk across the room, a good 15 minutes of dizziness, dry mouth, feeling my heart rate in my neck, the rapid breathing, etc, is what is required for it to go away.

I've been doing some research on the medication, and the incidences of hyperventilation are not uncommon for those taking Strattera.  I'm just not sure, at this time, if that's whats going on or not.  

==== Previous Episode =====
Previous to being on the medication, about 2 weeks previous, I came down with a rapid flu like illness.  I was very lethargic, could feel my chest beating really hard, and was very tight, very light headed, vomiting, unable to keep even water down, and that lasted 4 days.  Movement is what triggered the chest pain, and hard breathing.  But, unlike the current episodes, this was hard, labored breathing.  I had to breath in very deep just to keep my body from going to sleep.  Laying down and going to sleep was the only resolve to this, and after about 6 days, total, I was feeling back to normal.

Primary Symptoms:
-----------------------------
* Short, rapid breathing following movement of any type, to include walking across the room, and nominal exercise (picking up kid, vaccuming, etc).
*lightheaded brought on by simply standing up, or sitting up from a prone (laying down) position
*dry mouth, however that's common in those taking Strattera
*minor increase in aggitation, minor things are annoying me, but not enough to make me completely angry or act out, just like when a mosquito bugs you too much
*tiredness, and decreased energy, it is difficult just to get up and walk around anywhere, I move slowely.
*decrease in appetite, since starting Strattera I have had less than 3 meals a day, mostly, i just am not interested in eating tons anymore (which is actually a good thing).

Note, sexual function hasn't decreased.

Improved Symptoms:
------------------------------
While taking the 40mg, I did notice minor changes in my behavior, however, nothing that I would call 'cured' for the ADHD side of things.  I'm able to concentrate just a tad more than normal, and constant motion around me doesn't make me so hyper that I can't focus on things.  So, I know the medication works.

I'm not super hyper anymore, even while on the medication, in fact, i'm more tired than usual while on the meds.

Any ideas?  I'll be calling my doctor in the AM, but i want to know if anyone else has seen/experienced these symptoms too.

[margypops]

aggravated not caused by.... sounds like a play on words, let us know how you get on with the Ritalin , hope all goes well if you ever feel you are able and of course with full knowledge from your Doctor I know a lot of people are going the Supplement way instead of the Meds that are prescribed, its tough isnt it to know whats the best way , there are many Natural remedies out there now .

[zackrspv]

Turns out, and my heart had to stop 3 times, and i had to be in the hospital for 3 weeks, but, I have chronic PE's (blood clots that get trapped in the lungs), the symptoms were showing that there is a huge clot making it to where i can't breathe, because the heart cannot pump blood to the lungs.  These symptoms were not caused by Strattera, but they were aggrevated by the Strattera.  Interestingly enough, i suppose.

[margypops]

Do some research , google Ritalin and side effects also any other of the other methylphenidates,another one is concerta,there is a lot of infromation and you can make your own mind up how you want to go.

[zackrspv]

Got a call from the doctor today who immediately ordered me to stop taking Strattera.  Apparently the symptoms described are a mild allergic reaction and can cause severe problems w/ my liver (which i now have to get tested).  They are, instead, putting me on Ritalin :/  I'm not too happy about that one.