I have high blood pressure, for which I take meds. When I was diagnosed with ADHD a few years ago, the psychiatrist tried me on several medications, but all of them made my blood pressure skyrocket. She said she could do nothing more for me in that respect. I'm muddling along without medication but feel like I could be more productive with them.
Does anyone take ADHD meds that don't cause an increase in blood pressure?
When I first was prescribed Vyvanse, my blood pressure went up, and I had to stop until I talked to my primary physician. Being older and already being treated for high blood pressure, I was devastated that I might no longer have the benefits of stimulants to help manage my life.
Luckily, my doctor is wonderful. She tweaked my blood pressure medication and my BP went down and was stable, even after a dosage increase of Vyvanse. I'm also working even harder on my physical health and losing weight - which is easier with the Vyvanse.
Talk with your doctor. Make sure they know about your ADHD and how it impacts you. Then ask about options that might allow you to go back on your ADHD meds. If that is not possible, there are non-stimulant meds out there which may also help.
Don't stop at the"nothing else to do" statement. Sadly we with ADHD have to push for treatment at times and keep asking questions.
Best to you
Thanks! I don't recall if Vyvanse was one of the medications that the psychiatrist prescribed. I'm on a low dose of BP meds, so maybe it's possible to increase that so I can take Vyvanse, or at least something similar. I'm also older and also working on losing weight, exercising more, and eating healthier.
Is your prescribing doctor your regular doctor? I thought I had to see a psychiatrist to be prescribed ADHD medication. It would be nice if that weren't the case, but I have a feeling that my regular doctor isn't willing to do so.
No, my psychiatrist prescribes the Vyvanse and my primary doc handles the rest. And as they don't consult one another, I am the "go between". 😀
Ah, OK. I'll have to look for a new psychiatrist, because my last one was supremely uninterested in searching for alternatives. 😕
There are blood pressure meds you can take with the ADHD meds that can help with that. Also, non-stimulants are another option for blood pressure issues. They work differently though.
I do take blood pressure medicine, but my blood pressure skyrocketed, anyway, which alarmed the psychiatrist. She felt that it was too risky, even with my BP meds. I will need to do some research on the non-stimulants, thanks.
There are certain blood pressure medications which are known to help treat ADHD symptoms: Guanfacine or Clonidine.
Sometimes, they are prescribed off-label to treat ADHD. I understand that they are safe to use with other ADHD medication.
It should be worth a try talking to your doctor about those.
Thanks! I just was given the name of a good psychiatrist at an ADHD support group today and will ask about those medications.
hi KCgardener, You can lower your blood pressure by my other means. I went on a whole food plant based diet and it made a difference.
I'm working hard at changing my diet, exercising, and trying to lose weight. I'm in Weight Watchers and need to lose 20 more lbs. I've cut out all meat but chicken and turkey. It's very encouraging to hear that a plant-based diet worked for you. I may eventually end up doing this, too.
I have autoimmune dxs too so I’m trying everything to get off of medication. Loosing weight is hard when you cannot stay active. Eating becomes the replacement for all of that free time. I’m glad to hear I’m not alone. 😊
Hello KC the gardener, I was recently diagnosed and prescribed Adderall slow release (generic equivalent) but my physician was concerned about blood pressure because I already take losartan 100 plus HCTZ 12.5. and I am age 60.
One thing I have found really helpful is tracking blood pressure at home to get a realistic picture. This is because I find a visit to the dr's office get's my blood pressure up like nothing else, I have some social anxiety like many ADHDers and so I think I often give an elevated reading. I took my BP every day at home for week before starting meds and then every day for week after, and it did not move significantly. I also feel less social anxiety and I feel calmer. So that has been a positive so far but it is early days.
The situation with BP has made me more determined to address the high BP holistically to ensure stimulant medication remains an option, so I am working keeping my weight down (easier said than done), pretty regular physical activity such as swimming and yoga, limiting salt intake, and I'm planning on learning mindful meditation. For weight loss I have tried to replace carbs with high fiber high protein foods and cut back on dairy, that's the plan!
We're on the same page with trying to treat blood pressure holistically! I'm following a similar diet and exercise regime. I'm on Weight Watchers and have lost 10 pounds so far. Will be interesting to see what my blood pressure and cholesterol readings are when I've finished losing weight (20 pounds to go). I have a BP cuff at home that I've calibrated with the one at the doctor's office to make sure it's accurate. I take a fairly small dose of blood pressure meds so I'm guardedly optimistic that losing the rest of the weight will make a difference. Best of luck to you!
These comments have all been helpful for me. I am 72 and only just diagnosed with ADHD and have had my BP Rx increased recently too. Thankfully I have been able to maintain a healthy weight for the last 23 years with the support of Overeaters Anonymous. I lost and have kept off 50 pounds. Thanks again for sharing your medication experiences.
I have been suffering from clinical depression since 2008, visited several psychiatrists in my country. One of them prescribed me Atomoxetine at a very low dose alongside SSRI and mood stabiliser to help me cope with lack of motivation I was having at that time, so I think you can try Atomoxetine (Strattera). It is non-stimulant ADHD drug unlike other ADHD medications like amphetamines or methylphenidate so my bet is it won't affect your blood pressure. Hope it works but make sure to consult a psychiatrist before using it. Good luck with your ADHD symptoms.
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