PVCs and Adderall

[MoshingMoM5]

Does anyone have a history of PVCs and take adderall? I really want to restart my medication. My heart has been rigorously tested and everything has came back normal but I'm struggling w some anxiety about it.

[Gettingittogether]

Did you tell your cardiologist exactly the dose and frequency of Adderall you want to take? What did they say? You might want a second opinion to quiet your anxiety.

Sorry no personal experience, but I can see how this would be a scary decision.

[BlessedLady]

Talk to your cardiologist about prescribing a medication that might help with the PVC. Did you drink anything containing caffeine and/or smoke when you had the PVC before ?

Your doctor may or may not prescribe you Adderall again. Knowing your history of PVC. It could be considered medical malpractice for any doctor to prescribe you a stimulant.

Did your cardiologist send a report to your doctor that prescribed you Adderall? Depending on what the report says . It could make your doctor less hesitant to prescribe stimulants. If your doctor did receive the report and refuses to prescribe you stimulants. Get a copy of your medical records from your cardiologist. Doctors often put things in reports to other doctors they do not tell patients.

How old are you ? The FDA made manufacturers of stimulant put a warning on their medications about 5 years ago. The warning is regarding patients with cardiac problems and those 65 and older being prescribed stimulants.

It is common for those with ADHD to also have anxiety issues. It is also common for doctors to prescribe stimulants and medications for anxiety together. If you are seeing your PCP for your ADHD. He may or may not refer you to a psychiatrist for your ADHD and/or anxiety

[MoshingMoM5 in reply to BlessedLady]

I am 38. I did a ecg and a zio patch for contraindications regarding stimulant use. The report came back fine and low risk for complications. According to cardiologist PVCs are normal. Nearly everyone has them, some just may not notice. I big trigger for me it was to much caffeine, carb load and sugar. I have went through the proper steps and have been prescribed my adderall again but I cannot quite my anxiety. My doctor said it also part of my adhd talking.

[BlessedLady in reply to MoshingMoM5]

Talk to your doctor about prescribing medication for anxiety.

[Gettingittogether]

Absolutely do some therapy and or medication for the anxiety. As for the risk here, untreated ADHD is disastrous in terms of early mortality. Just disastrous. You can't necessarily trust your anxiety. Does your anxiety flare at the problems and risks involved in not getting treated? ajmc.com/view/psychologist-...

[MoshingMoM5 in reply to Gettingittogether]

Absolutely

[BlessedLady in reply to Gettingittogether]

Untreated or under treated ADHD can be dangerous. Unfortunately, the vast majority of doctors are more concerned about prescribing stimulants to a patient with cardiac problems. Doctors do not fear being sued for medical malpractice if a patients ADHD is not treated. They do fear being sued for medical malpractice for prescribing stimulants to a patient with a history of cardiac problems.

[Crazy_busy]

When I took adderall, I had trouble with feeling nervous, high blood pressure, and symptomatic PVCs. I was worried about the long term effects of those symptoms, so my doctor switched me to Adzenys. Definitely a 180. I now have no symptoms and the medication works great for my ADHD. I even feel more calm on my medication in stressful work situations than I do without medication because it helps me take a step back from the rush. Maybe consider a different stimulant?

P.s. Do your research. I tried 8 other medications before I landed on one that gave me no symptoms and works very well. It may take a while to figure out, but it’s worth it!

[Betterlatethanlater]

Hi! Do you know if they’re PVCs or PACs? Premature atrial contractions are harmless but more evident after stimulants, even coffee. Also occur with lack of sleep even without meds. Any of these things going on with you?

[MoshingMoM5]

Hey... good eye! They are PACs I do most definitely feel them on my days with little sleep or before menstruation. Caffeine doesn't seem to trigger them. I'm just so tired of living in a fog but to scared to take my meds as I'm afraid of bad side effects. I just need to do it. This is all my adhd talking, never ending cycle. So exhausting.

[LifeAfterDiagnosis]

I have PVC's and take Adderall. Meds don't seem to affect my heart, and while PVC's are really annoying, they're very benign. They scared the crud out of me when they first happened 35 years ago, but I don't worry about them at all anymore. I hope you find that you don't need to either. 🙂

[brego_mom]

I've had PVCs and episodes of tachycardia (up to 1 hour long) since my late 30s. They've been better since I quit caffeine and alcohol (still eat chocolate!) and started taking magnesium supplements a few years back, but two Zio patches in the past eight years have shown that they're still happening, usually very short bursts.

I'm 71 now and just started Adderal in December. My psychiatrist insisted on a cardiology okay. The cardiologist reviewed my chart and listened to my heart and said that the weird electrical activity I have is benign, and gave the go-ahead to start with a small dose, build up gradually, and report to her immediately if I had any unusual symptoms.

I started at 5mg for a few days, then 2 x 5mg for two weeks, 15mg XR for 2 weeks, 20mg XR for a month, 25 then 30 each for a month. No weird heart stuff. Gradual improvements in mood and productivity throughout the titration.

I reached what is likely my target dose of 40mg XR ten days ago, and my get-er-done engine finally leaped into action. I still do freelance web development, and I've logged more work hours in those ten days than in the previous five months. I am still learning executive function skills but finally have the capacity to put them to use. (Focusmate is AWESOME.)

Anyway, one big thumbs up here for using Adderal on an old lady with a twitchy heart. 👍 Cautious is good but as was pointed out above, there's a big cost for being untreated as well.

[brego_mom in reply to brego_mom]

Also, Kathleen Nadeau recently presented a really informative webinar called "Regret and Resolve: How Women with ADHD Can Transform the Challenges of a Late Diagnosis." additudemag.com/webinar/wom... I recommend the whole thing (YouTube youtube.com/watch?v=Ht_Vx0k...(Not working as expected?) but specifically at 55:18 she talks about the importance of women getting a diagnosis even in their late 70s. She cites William Dodson, saying that the risks associated with not being treated are underplayed and that the risks of taking stimulant medication as an older adult are exaggerated.