untreated Adhd due to AF heart issue.anxiety help 🫣

[Creighton]

hello,

Diagnosed with adhd when 55. Due to AF heart problem couldn’t treat me.Suffer mostly from anxiety especially early morning.Can Anybody help any suggestions gratefully received. Good health to all of you adders .

Maurice

[STEM_Dad]

With AF, I understand how stimulants couldn't be considered for treatment. What about non-stimulant medications? There are several non-stimulant options now.

My first ADHD medication was a stimulant, but when I developed side effects, I asked my doctor to try me on Strattera (atomoxetine). It worked even better for me than the stimulant, and without side effects (as long as I take it with food, brief nausea otherwise).

[STEM_Dad in reply to STEM_Dad]

Creighton there are lots of other things that you can do to help to treat and manage ADHD, including: exercise, diet, supplements, mindfulness, meditation, counseling/therapy, coaching/training...and peer support (like this community).

I think that any effective treatment will require a combination of things. Figuring out what works best for you will take some trial and error.

[Creighton in reply to STEM_Dad]

Thank you for taking the time will consider your suggestions.God bless🙃

[STEM_Dad in reply to Creighton]

I normally give more elaboration. (I was a bit distracted when I wrote that response.)

If you have any questions about specific interventions, ask away.

[Creighton in reply to STEM_Dad]

Hi there,

I have one major problem don,t know if its AF or ADHD.I go bed fine get enough sleep ish. But at 5 o clock every morning wake to this growing anxiety without fail.Like my body clock is involved. I do feel my heart weird feeling🤔Have to get up and pray it passes.Hell to live with.

Take care

Maurice

[STEM_Dad in reply to Creighton]

For me, it happens at about 3am.

From what I have learned, this is a somewhat common occurrence, triggered by the body's circadian rhythm.

In the evening, melatonin levels increase, to make us sleepy. In the early morning hours, melatonin levels decrease and cortisol levels increase, to prepare our bodies to wake up.

For several years now, I have been waking up between 2-4am, and often have trouble falling asleep again. For about 2-3 years, my regular daily anxiety was so bad that I could not get back to sleep after that. (I was living on about 4 hours of sleep each night that whole time.)

• I finally went to counseling for the anxiety (and got a new job away from the difficult boss that caused a lot of the anxiety in the first place), so that broke the cycle. I've also found a sleep supplement that helps me to be able to fall asleep more easily if I do wake up in the middle of the night, which I take before going to bed. [GABA, the "nerve signal deactivating" neuromodulator; I do not know if GABA can have an effect on AF, so check with your doctor before considering it].

Getting enough restful sleep is necessary for good executive functioning during the day, so not getting enough sleep can definitely make ADHD struggles worse, which can elevate anxiety levels, which disrupts sleep... It's a vicious cycle!

I don't know enough about AF, but I'm sure that not getting enough restful sleep can't be good for it. Cortisol is also persistently elevated with chronic stress, and chronic stress does have a negative effect on AF.

The early morning elevation in cortisol levels is normal. However, having persistently elevated cortisol levels is not. Having some anxiety now and again is normal; having persistently elevated anxiety levels (as I did) is also not normal.

[Rodster]

Yep. I take 2 probiotics that have changed my life. One is from seed.com and he other is Neuralli. I’m odd adhd pills because of them

[Blimeyohriley]

I have AF and was diagnosed with ADHD about 8 months ago. I was prescribed atomoxetine by my psychiatrist which is a non stimulant for adhd. I had ecg’s prior to taking it and started on a very low dose incrementing very slowly. My psychiatrist communicated regularly with my cardiologist/EP too. I’ve now settled on a dose which most people start at, it just took a while to get there due to being cautious with my AF. It has increased my heart rate and blood pressure (both common side effects) but as both were very low for me it isn’t a problem - in fact it’s a bonus!

[Mamamichl in reply to Blimeyohriley]

Does the atmoxetine help with calming your thoughts and actually living life in the moment? My partner tried a non stimulant once and he only got brain fog. My anxiety helps me not panic but I still have the million thoughts a moment issue that comes with afhd. I want to be able to just breathe and be in the moment.

[Blimeyohriley in reply to Mamamichl]

My thoughts and (severe) impulsivity have significantly calmed down. I suffer from anxiety and although not as debilitating as it was, it’s still bubbling away. I’ve recently increased my dose so I’m hopeful it will improve further. I find it takes up to 2 months to really take effect for me though. Titration has been a slow job …….

[Mamamichl in reply to Blimeyohriley]

Luckily my impulsivity is mitigated by my anxiety to an extent. The only thing my impulsivity is super debilitating is in my speech since I can’t second guess when I’m talking in the moment. I end up digging myself deep though.

[Blimeyohriley in reply to Mamamichl]

My complex ptsd made mine worse. I felt if I didn’t act on my impulses something terrible would happen. Emdr trauma therapy helped enormously followed later by the adhd meds. It’s certainly been an eye opening few years discovering undiagnosed complex ptsd and adhd after years of different diagnoses, therapies, yoga, meditation, hypnotherapy etc etc. I’m 63 and hoping for a relaxing retirement eventually 🤞

[Mamamichl in reply to Blimeyohriley]

For socialization, my anxiety makes my impulsive blurting worse. My actual actions I find I process it many times and it keeps me from doing things impulsively.

It took me 20 years into my adulthood to finally get a doc to say that we needed adhd testing. My anxiety was diagnosed in my early 20s, but adhd and ptsd didn’t get diagnosed until 38. I’ve never heard of emdr therapy. I will have to look for a counselor that provides that.

[Blimeyohriley in reply to Mamamichl]

I can’t recommend it enough. It’s brutal but effective. Be sure to get an experienced EMDR trauma therapist. Unfortunately it’s not cheap. Good luck.

[Mamamichl in reply to Blimeyohriley]

I presume insurance wouldn’t help with it either, 🤔

[Blimeyohriley in reply to Mamamichl]

I’m in the UK so don’t know. It is available on the NHS over here but waiting lists are long and the amount of sessions are limited. My therapist and others do accept insurance but it’s no measure I guess of the system in the US. Having said that I think I’ve seen US citizens mention their insurance on a FB EMDR forum. (Hope I haven’t dreamt that / made it up 👀)

[Mamamichl in reply to Blimeyohriley]

Interesting to know. I will looki to it.

[Mamamichl]

There are non stimulant meds you can try I believe. Some people also do homeopathy or otc medications like magnesium. I’m unmedicated because I have been changing insurance for the 4th time in 16 months. The meds I tried so far haven’t helped yet either. I’m waiting on a gene site test. Have you tried drinking tea in the mornings to keep calm yet have a bit of caffeine to help your adhd symptoms? I use the calm app whenever I have anxiety. They have meditations that help ground you.

[KentuckTD]

In addition to the older non-stimulant ADHD meds, a new one, Qelbree, was approved in the past couple years. It’s non-stimulant as well. Unfortunately, finding the one that works is a game of trial and error. A med that works for one person might have no effect for you.

[Phianoposis33]

Try a non stimulent med

I also have AF

How are you dealing with your AF because that in itself can cause alot of anxiety. You don't say how long or how often you go into it- maybe look into The Wolf Mini Maze.

Are you on any meds for it?

Maybe talk to your EP about a beta blocker like metopropolol that slows the heart rate down. Look into a product called Heart Calm on amazon. Many people in my AF facebook group swear by it. Helps me.

Get your magnesium, potassium and Vitamin D levels checked. Stay hydrated. Avoid alcohol. Find some meditation to listen to on youtube. All of these can help with anxiety.

I also have some ativan but don't take it every day. That's when my anxiety is really bad.

I take melatonin in the evening to help sleep.

[AuDHD3245]

I'm not a doctor so please research this information. There's a mushroom called Lions Mane which is said to be the natural ADHD equivalent of the medication. Omega 3, and vitamin B's will enhance brain activity, Ginkgo Biloba is a herb that opens up the arteries in the brain to the extreme for increased blood flow. Nitric oxide is said to be the 'cure all' for health. Chloryphyll is a good one. Shilajit also another recent good one for overall health. Sea moss is good, Bee pollen. There are lots and lots. Caffiene tablets may cause worse heart problems but worth looking at to see if you can?... That's all I got.

Good luck

[NorthWildling]

SSRIs which are not amphetamines work on anxiety quite well for most.

[PinkPanda23]

Welcome! I was diagnosed at 54 and able to do well with Vyvanse. But when I had chemo & radiation, I stopped taking it. After treatment, I no longer tolerated Vyvanse or any other of 8 more we tried, so no more meds for me for the past 9 years. I do take Cymbalta/Duloxetine for neuropathy from the chemo. It gives me a little mood lift and calms my anxiety as well. You might discuss this type of medication with your provider, as it does help a little.

Almost 4 years ago, I went into heart failure and had episodes of AF. A pacemaker was implanted, so stimulant medications are no longer an option anyway.

We who can't medicate do seem to have a harder time managing our symptoms and lives, but those who can medicate still have their share of ADHD issues and side effects, as you will read here. Good luck!

[PurpleRules]

Have you been tested for sleep apnea? I have it and AF, they often go together. I used to be afraid to go to sleep before using the CPAP machine, but didn't know why. I still wake up early in the morning and sometimes can't go back to sleep, but I have less anxiety about it.

[JustKeepSwimming123]

I'm sorry but I can't seem to find on Google what AF is? Have you tried drastically upping your magnesium? Maybe that's too simple a solution but I had anxiety and panic attacks for 2 years. Found out most ppl consume way too little magnesium and the neurological result can be really dramatic, like causing the 12 hr panic attacks I was having. I way upped my magnesium and easily got off the Xanax and they went right away and have never come back 6 yrs later.