FND and ADHD medication

[Alienbunnies]

My 18 year old daughter was diagnosed with FND about 2 weeks ago after sudden speech and gait problems.

She has been taking ADHD medication for 5 months and having trouble finding a drug/dose that suits her.

At one point she was told to stop her ADHD meds as it may have been causing her “stroke-like” symptoms.

Has anyone had experience with FND and ADHD? If so, does medication help or not?

Thank you!

[kev60]

hi, no ADHD but medication. I took Gabapentin low dose for 5 days ( for nerve pain) and then developed problems with walking, talking and thinking and spent three days on a stroke ward. No stroke found but 19 months later diagnosed with FND caused by adverse reaction to medication. So there is the possibility that the medication may be the cause and it’s good your doctor is looking into this. Good luck in the future. Kevin

[Alienbunnies in reply to kev60]

That’s really interesting. Thank you for your comment. Best wishes to you.

[210272 in reply to kev60]

kev60, it's rotten that it was adverse reactions to medications that caused the symptoms of FND for you. I wonder if you have had the chance to contact the Akathesia (sp??) alliance about this since people with that condition (which is also caused by taking/withdrawing from meds) consider that FND is a misdiagnosis for them. Jill (the founder of the Akathesia Alliance) is lovely and is doing all she can to educate doctors - especially those involved with FND - so that iatrogenic harm can be avoided.

[Melstarz]

I have no doubt my FND was caused by the covid vaccine hence medications can cause irreversible sumptoms that can last for years after a medication has stopped or become permanent. Many drugs have been taken off market because of this. Something like a stimulant could certainly cause this. There are products that aim to help like everyday dose which is a supplement drink. It might be wort finding a more natural approach for sure.

[Alienbunnies in reply to Melstarz]

Thanks for your comment - we do think the adhd meds might have contributed to the FND. I’m not sure that anyone from the medical profession will admit that though! Best wishes.

[Smich in reply to Melstarz]

Makes me angry vaccine injured are shoved under the FND umbrella. The way functional was explained to me was there is no physical/organic cause. 1000's are campaigning to get covid vaccine damage recognised. I reckon it's going to be years before they admit it.

[Loveliferegardless]

Hello, I don’t know if the relationship is cause and effect, but about a month after I started taking a stimulant adhd med, I was under a lot stress, and I developed similar symptoms. Almost like my sympathetic system was on all the time. I had diplopia, vocal cord dysfunction, tremors, I could write, I couldn’t walk, pseudo seizures. I am sooooo much better now through intensive physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, mental health therapy, and taking 4 psychotropics meds. I did get off the adhd med right away.

[Alienbunnies in reply to Loveliferegardless]

Thank you so much for your reply - it is very interesting to hear that you experienced this too. My daughter has had several health reactions to her ADHD meds and has tried three types in 5 months. She’s experienced Raynaud’s phenomenon, depression and a dermatitis-type condition. She was told she was highly sensitive to stimulant meds. She never wants to take them again.

[Koalaas]

It's not uncommon for the FND to come on suddenly like this, mine started with stroke like symptoms and a few weeks later a bunch of severe symptom arrived within 3 days. ADHD medication is different for everyone and there are alternatives that are not stimulants, they're just not as fast acting so not commonly prescribed. It can take a while to find the correct meds and dose even when you are "normal" .I have a friend with FND who was diagnosed with ADHD and autism some years after, she has had less seizures and has been seizure free for months as a result of starting ADHD medication. I would recommend she looks into the Facebook group ADHD for smart as women and know that the menstrual cycle can affect ADHD medication effectiveness and FND. I hope your daughter finds relief soon.

[Misstea]

As an ADHD coming into full suspician that ADHD burnout might be a thing and it might be similar to ASD burnout. It is NOT the same as neurotypical burnout as it can last for days, months, or even years and can really do a number on those affected by ADHD and/or ASD.

Back to the subject, I have not taken meds for ADHD for a very long time. They did nothing for me whatsoever. I was better helped when I found myself eating close to a balanced diet and working a mildly physically demanding job (I was an active lady when I was able to lift more that 20lbs.) That's not to say what worked for me should work for your daughter. I can only offer this little nugget to think about: they never really studied how these medications affect the female brain.