To Medicate, or Not | ADHD Information
This is cheekydeeky and I've got another dilemma. As some of you may know, I'm supposed to be on Adderall XR. I was put on Strattera instead because it's a non-stimulant and I have a heart defect. Strattera still shot up my heart rate and I was taken off of it.
Now I will be having surgery done to correct my irregular heartbeat. I can go back on Strattera and possibly even try Adderall. I've still got a problem though. I'm concerned that these medicines could have a greater impact on my heart in the long run. But I want a greater quality of life and to achieve that, I'll probably need to medicated.
I know what's best for me and it's up to me to decide.
But if one of you were in this position, what would you choose?
The Perplexed Cheekydeeky
cheekydeeky38160.8613541667That is a hard one, I think first you should get a opinion by your doctor what they think, and maybe as well seek a second and / or third opinion. To get as much feed back from the doctors as to what they think you could safely handle.
Myself I would prefer to be on the medication if I could, but I can't answer for you, being that I don't have the real situation which you have for it to personally affect my choices.
No matter what it is still ultimately going to be your decision which way you go, but the best you can do is get as much feed back from the medical providers to at least feel comfortable when you do make that choice.
I know my mother awhile back had to go for bypass surgery, to loose weight, with her heart condition, and having already had a slight heartattack, it was a serious life threatening situation knowing if she could handle the opperation. They had to take so many more percautions with her then any other person going in for surgery. She had to accept the fact that she might not survive the opperation, and the doctors took quite a while reviewing to determine if they felt the risks might be worth it.
She did eventually go for the surgury, and this was last June, since then she has lost more then 150 pounds and it did in her case make a life altering difference, she is now more active then I have ever seen her.
hey i'm glad your mother is doing well nightstar...
and cheekydeeky i agree with nightstars' assessment...
only you and your doctor can make that choice ultimately (i'm sure you already know that)
but my humble , personal, and anecdotal opinion/question is this:
if after a period of recovery from your operation your heart is deemed to be in a healthy condition since they corrected the problem..why would then a higher rate of heartbeat be a still negative to your heart.
i could be totally stupid in asking this question..but i just think that if its fixed you should be able to run , have sex marathons , get scared often and take adderall....
sumi
Hi Sumi,
You'd think that wouldn't you? But apparently the surgery doesn't guarantee I'll be able to handle stimulants (says the doctor). As for running, sex marathons and fear, I don't think it will be a problem.
I hope this post didn't put too much pressure on people. Oooo... perhaps I should edit the original question. It's not like this decision weighs upon the opinion of those on the ADHD board, I just wanted to give people something to contemplate, while explaining why I wanted them to. If they had to make a choice, what would it be?
I'm young and I've got a long life ahead. But I want to live to be 90! But I also want a more fulfilling life and not be struggling as a non medicated ADDer. I know though that what I choose is entirely up to me and what is best for ne.
Thanks for your support.
Cheeky
cheekydeeky38160.861712963Cheeky - I have mitral valve prolapse and a slightly enlarge heart. I, too, had to make a decision. At this point, surgery is not required. As long as I keep up good eating and exercise, they said I probably won't need valve replacement.
I went on Strattera (knowing risks) and at 40 mg heart rate and bp shot way up! Got off of it and started much slower at 20mg and up. No more heart or bp issues. Got off of it because of the other side effects.
I'm now on Adderall. Yesterday was first day. Heart did feel a bit racey in the morning, but much to my surprise, no palpitations. I thought for sure I would.
Point being, in my case (and this may not be right for you), I thought it was worth the risk because I am going for quality of life. I'm miserable. Absolutely miserable with the issues I'm dealing with cause of my ADD. So I figured I could live a long miserable life or take a chance and maybe actually enjoy life for awhile. But YMMV. (Your Milage May Vary).
I fortunately do not have any known medical problem that precludes me from taking meds. But I am considering trying to get off the meds eventually. I just don't feel quite right on them. I feel a little high. Its not bad, its just not a natural feeling.
I am doing a lot of reading on diet, exercise, etc. I know that ADD is caused by a chemical imbalance. Diet, exercise, and mental & emotional activity all have effects on brain chemistry. Exercise definately increases neurotransmitter production. I feel very sure that certain foods reduce it. I know that there have been a few times in my life when I ate well and exercised very regularly. My problems seemed to dimish greatly.
I will keep you posted.
Hi Kimo, I also have mitral valve prolapse & i'm on adderall. ( no enlarged heart). sonetimes i do get palpations, but not bad enough to make me want to stop. For once i met someone who values the "The quality of life"& "not just the quanity"! I feel horrible without meds, and no one in my family seems to agree with me. If i was was told i only had 10 more yrs. to live w/meds or 40 more w/out, i would stick to the meds and have a somewhat good 10 yrs.
Cheeky, I agree with everyone else. See a doc, but the decision is yours to make. I think all of us we're put on this earth for a purpose(still trying to find mine)! But if you feel misrable, you're not going to want to find it. Best of luck whatever you choose