Things to watch out for.... | ADHD Information

I've been reading with interest the postings about coffee and ADHD medicine, and it seems that there are pros and cons with it! Being new with medicine and my dx I was wondering of what I should be carefull with. For example I see that some days not drinking coffee will gime me the mother of all headaches, other days it will make me "hyper", some days it relaxes and "helpes" the med, while most days it doesn't do sh*t! So are there other "substances" or foods I should avoid?

When under lots of stress, I am very sensitive to migraine triggers. It is really yuckie when chocolate triggers my migraines.

my headaches migraines were daily until i started concerta,since NADA,i don't even need my beta blockers.

i think i had them because i had to extra concentrate all the time to do simple task,that and stress.

i found that i don't need coffee as much now,i used to need at least 5 in the mornings just to function,now i have only one.

all caffeine drinks made me jittery when i started my meds,now i drink decaff.

of course alcohol and by personal experience STAY AWAY FROM NICOTINE PATCH

The caffeine is the key - it opens up the blood vessels that clamp shut when a migraine hits.  I spent years with horrible migraines and these pills on the shelf seem to do wonders.  Just don't mix tylenol with cold or other meds as too much ibuprofen can cause liver damage.  Check the label.

 

Thanks Glen!

wow - some days I miss the old espresso machine.  Used to have it going all day and night.  Loved to make them for friends who were non-ADHD and watch them run circles like a cat with worms LOL.  Very funny! 

I used to in my youth have my espresso, my chocolate covered beans (yummy) and other caffeine treats.  Perfect for the young up-and-coming ADHDer! LOL!!

If you quit coffee there is tylenol migraine for emergencies - has a lot of caffeine and can remove a headache fast.  I keep them in my van for my migraines these days - they are rare but boy they hurt when they come!

My dad's cut way back on coffee but still has 2 every day watered down.  He's 74 and has to slow down LOL.  He admits his ADHD now and knows it helps - and his heart is solid and working fine thankfully.

I'm glad that he is going strong Glen! But the Tylenol? Whats that? I found that the only thing that takes away some of the pain is a combination Ibuprofen and paracetamol (if that is what it is called in english....)

Do you get headaches when the weather changes? I seem to do, and boy do they hurt!

I think tylenol is ibuprofen as generic.  The brand name tylenol migraine is essentially extra strength with an added caffeine kick that clears up my migraine before it starts.  I have to take it when I see halos or feel the tightening not when it's full blown or it takes way too long.

I don't feel the temp but rather the barometer.  When the pressure changes my sinuses flare up and my headaches come.  I think it's a combo of pressure with people turning on either air conditioners in summer and heaters in winter.  It dries me up and I feel awful.  Kind of like lately - had a few but taking allergy pills that seem to be working well now thankfully.

Thats what I ment, the barometer! High and low pressures! And with them comes weather changes ;)

Thanks for the explanation! I'll hear in farmacy if we have something like it in Norway :)Thanks folks Appreciate it!!! So thats why I've had a headache for the hole weekend! I didn't drink coffee!!!!

Anteros - funny story.

My dad about 2 or 3 years ago was complaining of massively bad headaches.  This is from a guy who gets a nail in the hand and says it's no big thing.  He was pacing around grumbly and totally like a bear with bad attitude.  We all felt bad.

This went on for about 2 weeks until my mother looked at the package from where she was taking the coffee by the scoop.  She gasped and discovered that it was decaffeinated!  It seems the bag was nearly identical but for a small decaf label and a slight color change.  My dad was withdrawing from coffee and never knew!  We all had a good laugh - even him once he got back on his stuff.

It can really be intense.  But if you feel it's unhealthy the withdrawl only lasts about 2 to 3 weeks - the psychological need a little bit longer.

I like my coffee - unless my heart every gave me reason to quit I'm drinking it until they pry my cup from my dead but happy hands!

The thing is that I normally drink 2-3 "milk glasses" of espresso a day Suddently with the meds I didn't feel the need for it.... So I just didn't drink it! I've had such headaches...., my God! Today I've been drinking some coffee, no headache And for your father...., if he had the headaches I've had I feel for him! Anteros39013.1081018519

One minor correction:

Acetaminiphen is the generic for Tylenol (with the liver affects).

Ibuprofin is the generic for Motrin (an anti-inflammitory).

When I am starting a migraine, I try to head it off with a cup of coffee and a decongestant.

vickie39013.3891203704Decongestant??? Care to explain?

My migraines can be triggered by sinus problems (as well as other triggers) and so I take a decongestant like Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride 30mg). This, with caffeine helps when I suspect the problem is sinus related (accross my forehead and through my left eye). When the weather changes (and the barometric pressure) I can get a bad sinus headache that can go into a migraine very easily. If the coffee and decongestant is not enough, in a couple hours I use  over the counter migraine med like Glen mentioned (caffeine, aspirin and acetaminophen). As Glen said, watch the acetaminophen. IT is helpful but can damage the liver if too much is taken (and it is in so many meds), or if you are taking other things that challenge the liver.

http://www.excedrin.com/products/migraine_pl.shtml

 

vickie39013.4089351852

the headache is the most common withdrawl symptom for caffeine.  Your blood vessels in the brain are constricting in expectation of caffeine - and when there isn't any they squeeze causing pain.  The other symptoms are irritability, anxiety and sleepiness.  Some people get all of them - some get none.  It's totally not dangerous just annoying.

Studies show coffee delivering caffeine is totally safe - there are no negative side effects other than what we already know about.  There isn't a way to drink enough coffee to cause serious side effects in a healthy adult either - you'd drown first LOL.

As for citrus - it affects how much gets delivered in an oral dose of SOME of the ADHD meds.  Mostly extended release.  The acidity is set by the manufacturer and if changed drastically the meds don't get broken down at the expected rate.  Highly acid and it slows down - take antacids and they speed up.  It can cause distress and anxiety but haven't seen it causing more than that.

Acid and antacid are the only regular products I've seen mentioned as dangerous.  Of course blood pressure meds and MAO inhibitors are very dangerous as are antihistamines containing pseudoephedrine.  The meds list all these in the inserts or on the box.  The pharmacist has detailed info that they will print for free.

 

Citrus juices or foods and stims ANY stims do not go well together. The citrus affects the delivery method and can make the meds less useful.Avoid citrus within 2 hours of taking any stim.