u/noisemonsters

So I’m a huge fragrance lover, and I’m so excited that we’re getting our very first perfume convention in the city! It’s at Fort Mason Center, and I guess it’s a conference solely focused on niche and indie brands. It’s running from 6/26 - 6/28.

My problem is that I’ll be going alone and I can’t get any of my friends to jump on a ticket. I’ll be attending on Friday. I know it’s Pride weekend, so people are gonna be busy. If anyone else plans on going, do you need someone to wander around with?

I’m also fine with just exploring by myself, but I figured this would be a cool opportunity to hang with some other ladies over a common interest at a really cool event.

I’m 35F, a professional tattooer of 16 years, painter, wildlife lover, cat person (dogs are cool too) and my favorite fragrance notes/accords include: dry vanillas, natural woods, rose, spices, dark fruits, leather, incense, light florals, black tea & patchouli. If you sound like my people and want to hang out, send me a dm!

Since so few success stories make it onto this sub, allow me to share my experience after a full year on Strattera! This medication has absolutely changed my life in the most subtle and powerful way.

I started April 2025 on 25mg, and am now steady on the therapeutic dose of 80mg. I started with Camber, and am now taking Dr. Reddy’s. I’ll keep this brief since we’re all here because we have ADHD ;P

The positives:
DRAMATIC reduction in anxiety and depression. Incredible prolonged focus (not hyperfocus. I can get up from an activity, do something else, and return to said activity no problem). Much improved task initiation, working memory, and mental organization. Inner monologue is silent, rumination significantly decreased.
Time management is highly improved, and I can mentally order tasks chronologically. I no longer crave sugar or food as a means of dopamine-seeking. My cycle is now regular, and I almost never have nightmares (whereas about 80% of my dreams used to be nightmares). I can now go to bed at a reasonable time.
I’ve also lost 35lbs since starting this med and am now coasting at a healthy weight - 35, 5’6” 150lbs F

The neutrals:
I have music playing in my head constantly. My dreams are way more vivid and I can remember them easily upon waking. ASMR sensations are much more intense now.

The negatives:
I still have ADHD lmao. I still procrastinate and avoid emotionally difficult tasks. Also, the constipation and dehydration/diuretic effect is no joke. I have to very intentionally make sure to supplement a lot of fiber into my diet or else I’ll go up to two days without pooping and it sucks when it finally happens. Sometimes the dose will make me drowsy mid-day, but it’s very infrequent and can be solved with either caffeine or a short nap.
My heart rate is higher and I have experienced arrhythmia, but that was MUCH worse when taking the Camber generic vs Dr. Reddy’s. Similarly with getting lightheaded when standing up. Horrible on Camber, almost nonexistent with Dr. Reddy’s.
Also, atomoxetine has over 400 negative drug interactions, so I have to be very careful about what I ingest. Not being able to take acetominaphin, ibuprofen, or naproxen sucks. I also have occasional Reynaud’s symptoms, but they disappear within the hour of onset.

All in all, I just feel way more grounded, calm, and confident. I feel like I’m actually sitting in the driver’s seat of my life instead of being dragged around by my hair. The glow-up from losing weight and being healthy (I’ve also quit drinking since being on this drug) has been HUGE. I’m doing things with my career that I’ve always wanted to do and never fully been able to materialize. I’ve also almost completely eliminated my credit card debt, and I now have a decent chunk of savings. This was not possible previously unmedicated.

Thanks for reading, and I hope this post gives some hope to people who are nervous about starting Strattera. This drug isn’t for everyone, but unfortunately most of the time people only are vocal when having negative experiences. Stimulants didn’t work for me, and my only real regret is that I didn’t know about Strattera 15 years ago.