Strattera for ADD/ADHD?

i was perscribed Strattera from a pyciatrist today becuase i have ADD symptoms. I have a lot of the inettentive symptoms. not much for the hyperactivity except that i can talk A LOT with my friends and get hyper around them and that i fidget a lot, but mostly just inettentive problems. im getting tested in a few weeks but for now im supposed to try strattera to see if it helps, but im kind of scared. I'm 18 years old/female. im scared of the whole constipation and excess sweating that could be a symptom. my parents already got the perscription and im supposed to start taking it tommorow. starting with 1 a day for 7 days, then 2 for the next few days, and eventually ill be taking 3 a day (not sure what strength but probaly a low one.) should i take it? im scared :/

******oh and im a senior in high school. im tardy./absent a lot and dont have the best grades. i really want help becuase i want to make sure i graduate (even though i really have no motivation to do well in school even though i try to). i also cant get up in the morning on school days and i end up awake until 1 or 2 on school nights, just am more awake at night i guess. i plan to start at a community college and transfer to a 4 year after i get my associates. i really hope a medication will help me get motivated so i can have a brighter future :) (yes i know medication not alone will do this but it can help!)

I am in my 20's and was prescribed Ritalin. Its a super low dose but it makes a big difference. I cant believe how normal I feel on it. I feel alert, but not hyper. Its great, I have awesome focus on it. Try it for a week and see how you feel.

I understand the fear of trying new medications and they certainly can cause side effects. However, most of the time those side effects are mild or moderate and not dangerous. There are also short term side effects that usually go away and long term ones that don't unless the medication is stopped. My general rule of thumb with my clients is that if a client complains about side effects as a 0-3 on a 1-10 scale and I know that it is often a temporary side effect then I suggest they stay on the medication to see if it subsides. If it is above 3 then call the doctor and stop the medication. This reduces the fear and the problem.

In general however I have rarely seen Strattera really relieve ADD symptoms. I have found that either a stimulant like Adderall or ADD-care, which is an all natural supplement that rivals the stimulants, are more helpful.