High Blood Pressure? | ADHD Information

We just got back from the dr's office with what I thought was a bad tummy ache.  Will has been complaining off and on for almost 3 days that his tummy hurt. Well, today when I picked him up at school, he was in tears.  So I got an appt with his ped (who also deals with his ADHD), thinking he was just constipated, but I wanted to be sure. He was really carrying on and crying, so I was a bit worried that it was more.

Anyways, so his blood pressure average was about 165/100.  It was taken at least 6 times.  He is very small for his age. He is 8 years old and weighs just under 45 pounds. I was shocked that his BP could be so high. We're supposed to go back in the morning to have it rechecked and go from there. He said to not give him his Focalin in the morning, to see if it had something to do with it.

I always knew he'd end up with high bp, I was diagnosed at 30 years, but my baby is just 8 YEARS OLD!

Has anyone ever heard of this?

I am just so upset...

Some of the ADHD meds can increase blood pressure.  Our pediatric psychiatrist told us that on our first visit. She monitors him carefully, and it is checked on every visit.

I hope that it is something as simple as changing the meds and nothing serious. Will be praying for you.

Thank you, I guess it's just one of those things I never really considered.  I saw it as a side effect, but have learned to overlook the list.

I am a nervous wreck...

 

My doctor had stated to me that it only raises blood pressure about 5 points, so it is only a concern for those who already have high blood pressure.

I hope you can get the little guy's blood pressure down.  Good luck!

Higher Blood pressure is definatly a side effct of stims and it seems Focalin especially

We went back to the dr this morning for a recheck without any Focalin in him.  It was still very high.  He gave him some bp meds, did bloodwork and we will go back in a week.  His dr seems to think that Focalin is not responsible for this. He believes it's genetic (I have it, and so do both sets of grandparents) but at 8 years old?

Has anyone heard of such?

Just out of curiosity does anyone know what "normal" bp should be for a 12yr old prox 90 lbs????   I also had some bp issues last dr check for ds......dr cut his concerta from 45mg to 27...which  will do NOTHING for ds....... A normal b/p for a 12 year is the same as a normal adult pressure. About 100/60 to 120/70 [QUOTE=avamomof4]A normal b/p for a 12 year is the same as a normal adult pressure. About 100/60 to 120/70[/QUOTE]

Oh my.....thank you soooo much!!    That info is very valuable to me right now....

The experiences I've had with ADHD meds, my kids, and myself have not indicated a high bp. However, these were experiences with Ritalin and Aderall.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

If you're going to add a med. to decrease blood pressure, I'd ask the dr. about guanfacine if it's not suggested.  It's main purpose is to lower blood pressure, but it's also used to control ADHD (impulsivity and hyperactivity, not attention). 

I hope your ds feels better soon!

Thank you!

He is currrently taking Zestril, but that's a very good point.  Thank you for bringing it up.

We go back this afternoon for a recheck and hopefully he will refer us to a specialist. 
Here's my next question.  What type of specialist do we see if we don't know what's causing the high bp?  I just have a hard time believing it's genetic, at this age anyway.