ADHD medicine side effects and issues

[TurnTabels_Turning]

I’ve spent the last two years hitting burnout before I was aware what burnout was. I’ve recently been diagnosed with severe ADHD so I did what most do and hyper focused on educating myself. It’s a mass amount of stuff to grasp. A lot makes sense when I look back. I don’t have regrets from realizing it later. I think I just see a lot of positive in it. I see where the world needs ADHD people honestly.

My issues have been the meds. I’ve been on most stimulants and had bad side effects from all of them. The least side effects came from Ritalin. Was having some issues with anxiety which in turn raised my blood pressure. The other night my BP spiked to 171 over 110 with resting pulse at 142. The stimulants just don’t work well with me honestly. It’s been a whirlwind of experiences honestly. Just a really rough road to find meds that give me a bit of relief so I can start adding in a good foundation for myself.

I was just wondering if anyone else had issues with stimulants and what was there path through that. Ideally I’d like to be able to deal with it without meds but that’s not an option at the moment. Any help would be great. There’s just so much out there my brain can’t organize anything that well to move through this a bit easier. The anxiety has gotten worse and in turn has affected my PTSD which I have a decent handle on originally.

[Mamamichl]

my partner and I haven’t experienced this side effect yet. I do believe STEM_dad may have had a similar experience and is on non stimulants. I hope he comments on your post as well. This is definitely why docs always heck out blood pressure though, so it must be common. Have you thought about trying a gene site test?

[TurnTabels_Turning in reply to Mamamichl]

I was thinking of a gene test site. I need to find a good one that doesn’t share the info from the testing. I remember there was one in Canada but forgot the name. It seems with the stimulants I’ve had issues with side effects on all of them. It’s just been a really rough go with these. Bouncing in an out of somthing working a bit then the drop off and swing the other way.

[Mamamichl in reply to TurnTabels_Turning]

My partner had adverse effects on the gene site test for all but one, and it has been quite helpful for him.

[TurnTabels_Turning in reply to Mamamichl]

would you happen to have the link for the testing site?

[Mamamichl in reply to TurnTabels_Turning]

When I was living in the area, I went to places like this:

ADHD treatment center Portland Oregon

[KentuckTD in reply to TurnTabels_Turning]

FYI, my son's psychiatrist did the gene site test for him. Yes, we had to pay out of pocket (insurance did not cover), but the doctor's office handled all of the details and a follow-on discussion of the results.

[STEM_Dad]

Welcome to the community!

Stimulants weren't for me. (At least, Adderall XR wasn't.) My initial dose was 10mg, which helped somewhat, but didn't treat my ADHD symptoms well enough. My doctor then increased my dosage to 20mg, which didn't improve my treatment, but gave me tachycardia.

You mentioned being on a blood pressure medication. Have you ever been on guanfacine (Intuniv) or Clonidine? They are blood pressure medications which have been proven again and again to also be helpful in treating ADHD (at least the emotional dysregulation from ADHD, if not the other traits as well).

* My dad and grandma (my mom's mom) have both had ongoing issues with high blood pressure, so I know that there are so many medications because (like ADHD) one medication won't treat all people with the condition. My dad has tried at least 3, I believe. (I'm sure that my grandma has had to try more over the years.) My dad seems to be the more ADHD parent, but his hyperactive-impulsive side seems to have calmed down a lot over the years. ...and now I realize that I don't know what blood pressure meds my dad has been on.

[TurnTabels_Turning in reply to STEM_Dad]

Its been w whirl wind of meds. Adderal Xr, Ritalin Xr, immediate release on both as well. Ive been through about 8 at this point I think. Both Concerta and ritalin were attempted. The last ones I was on were Ritalin Xr and guanfacine in the am togather with clonidine at night before bed to help with night terrors. Even with all that Ive noticed a big uptick of anxiety which leads to the high blood pressure. The last recorded panic attack noted BP at 171 over 110 with resting pulse at 142. that one was horribal cause the panic attack came with flashbacks due to PTSD. Since then Ive been to scared to take the meds. Ive updated the doctor and have an apt the 3rd. Shes very good at what she does but my body hates meds in general as Ive always had a bit of an issue with them.

Its honestly not surprising that im having such issues with all this. Kinda how it goes alot of times for me. I just dont understand why. The emotinal regulation is deffinantly somthing that is there. I often have a hard time understanding whats going on with myself. now if its something with another person of quantum therory i can dicet that and understand it pretty well. The adhd is a bit new and being able to wrap my head around it has been a chore so I been learning from everywhere I can to try and get a grasp on in. My mom has it but has lived untreated. I dont recomend the untreated route to anyone as it has its very large drawbacks.

The main goal as of now is to be able to get a foothold so I can build a foundation. After hours of calls and searching ive landed a program that has a medication specialist as well as a very qualified therapist landing around the end of january. Im hopeful once again.

I think the next try at meds might be "Qelbree" possibably as the doc had mentioned it before. I should hear back tommorrow on her recomendation.

im gonna stop there cuase I could write a book.........maybe I should write books and sell them lol. Thank you for the reply and the welcome to the community. Im very glad to be here and its a relif to find this place and having yourself and Mamamichl reaching out was a joy. Thank you both so much.

[TillyWillyWooWoo]

I was okay for a few months on 36mg XL methylphenidate but when I jumped up to 54mg it triggered heart palpitations and an irregular heartbeat. My hair also became very thin quickly. I had to stop taking them and had the roughest week of my life mentally. One week after I stopped them my heart returned to normal and I’m hoping my hair starts to grow back thicker again.

[TurnTabels_Turning in reply to TillyWillyWooWoo]

I gotta be honest I’ve went through a lot of meds over my lifetime but these meds are very rough. I Deffinantly hit the irregular heartbeat but as far as hair thinning I’m already bald so there’s no worry there for me. I did notice a guy named “Dr. Legrand” on Instagram. In my head his approach to adhd issues makes sense. I’ve seen a lot of people who has side effects from these meds and issues with meds working. Having certain levels off in the body like dopamine, Vitamin D, etc, etc can have an overall effect of the body processing the meds I’d like to think personally. I think I’m gonna give his ideas a try. If I can supplement my issues without a med that would be the best case for me. When I didn’t have issues from adhd I was working out regularly and useing supplements daily which were found in the workout supplaments I was taking. Here’s to hope.

[samami]

I was prescribed Guanfacine when I was first diagnosed with ADHD in april at age 59. I found that the Guanfacine really helped to lower my blood pressure (even on top of my regular blood pressure meds) and helped big time with anxiety. I really recommend it. I eventually went of it in October because I just felt too tired and unmotivated all the time. Because the Guanfacine had lowered my BP so much, I was able to go on a low dose of Methylphenidate which I really like. If the BP starts to go up again, I will go back on the Guanfacine. My doctor just added Atomoxetine to the mix as I am still suffering with memory and motivation problems as well a bit of anxiety & depression - but no wonder really. I am not unhappy - just trying to work things out as best I can - and to be as happy as possible. i try to put other things in place - prioritizing sleep and structuring in exercise and time with friends.