Adderall XR Side Effects | ADHD Information

I had such rapid heartbeat the other day that I had to lay down and "breathe" for about 20 minutes. If this ever happens to you again, try to lay down flat, on the floor or bed, and do some really slow deep breathing......to "calm" your heart and your mind. If you allow yourself to overreact or panic a bit, it will get worse immediately....but, if you realize you're experiencing a reaction to something (food, drink, situation,etc.) you can kind of detach from it....lay down flat to allow blood flow to even out, breathe deep and slow for several minutes and it usually subsides. Next, notice caffiene intake, in coffee, colas, chocolate, etc. and reduce it ......also, I was having such a strong afternoon "rebound" feeling (heartbeat, internal pressure, tightness in jaw, etc)....my Dr. lowered my perscription from 30 mg to 20 mg. It's helped tremendously.

I have an anxiety/panic disorder, and from what you have said in your post... that is what it sounds like... anxiety. Talk to your doctor more about it if it is a problem. You might need to adjust your med level slightly.

Yes! Actually I do drink coffee and that is when I notice the symptoms the most. That is good info, thank you!

Do you drink coffee or any caffeine? I've had to really cut down on caffeine intake, if not, I get the same symptoms you're describing. [QUOTE=dsamnick]

Hey everyone been on Adderal XR for a few months started out on 30mgs but my body adapted to that very quickly. Now I am up to 40mgs. Before I started taking the medication I weighed in at 178lbs. Two months later I am at 161lbs.

Anyone else having weight loss like this??? I have no desire to eat during the day. All I want is alot water for my cotton mouth and Blistex for my dry lips.

[/QUOTE]

Man that is NOT good. Why did you increase your dosage? Could you possibly eat a bigger breakfast each morning before taking your medicine? What did you mean by your "body adapting" to the 30mg?

I always enjoy eating : ) and yes, if I eat too much at one time, I definitely get a stomach ache. With the adderall xr, eating during the day is more of a "do it because it's healthy for you," but at night, I really look forward to a nice dinner.

Since starting on addxr, I eat something small every 2-3 hours all throughout the day. If I don't, I get a terrible headache in the afternoon and I feel really tired, as though the med quit working, but it's really just lack of food energy. Also, if I add more protein during the day, it seems the medicine works better.

At night, if I eat too much sugar or junk food, wow do I feel it the next morning, so sluggish and the addxr doesn't seem to work as well until afternoon.

I think the food we eat really makes a big difference in the effect we get with the medicine. It's been this way in my exprience for sure.

PS For the dehydration part, I eat canteloupe or honeydew melon during the day. This really helps to hydrate your body...and skin too. With adderall, you might notice your skin and hair seem to get dryed out...even cuticles on nails. If I add lots of hydrating fruits, this clears right up.

I'll have to agree with the uncomfortable eating thing. Sometimes i have to FORCE myself to eat because I know I'll get sick if I don't! But with the whole melon thing, for some reason, if I eat pretty much ANY FRUIT on Adderrall, my stomach feels like the acid is eating ITSELF! I just tend to eat more on weekends because thats when I choose to lower my dose because Im not working and don't need it as much.

I'm on 10 mg XR a day and it doesn't seem to really have affected my appetite. I'm not as hungry in the morning as I usually am but other than that, my appetite is normal.

I'm fairly happy with my weight right now but I don't think dropping a couple pounds would hurt either! But I don't think that will happen on this dose.

But I also have mitral valve prolapse and a slightly enlarged heart so I think there is a very fine line for me as to my maximum dosage in regards to my symptoms but also being heart friendly at the same time.

It's never easy, is it??

I better get all those things checked since they run in my fam. being that Adderall is speed, I should check into that huh! LOL

Does anyone on Adderall actually enjoy eating??

I have found that it makes eating a rather uncomfortable experience during both the swallowing and digesting of food. Anyone else get stomach aches after eating?

[QUOTE=dsamnick]

Anyone else having weight loss like this??? I have no desire to eat during the day. All I want is alot water for my cotton mouth and Blistex for my dry lips.

[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=RieHere] [QUOTE=dsamnick]

Anyone else having weight loss like this??? I have no desire to eat during the day. All I want is alot water for my cotton mouth and Blistex for my dry lips.

[/QUOTE] [/QUOTE]

I have only been on Adderral for about 4 months and my weight loss is ridicolous!Before i started it, I was weighing it at 167. They started me at 10mg, then a month later boosted me to 20. Now I am on 20 in the morning and the booster of 10 at around noon. Within this time my weight has dropped to 128lbs! I am only 5'2 so my Dr. isn't claiming to be worried about it as of yet, until I go beloe 115. But is that too much weight to drop in such a short amount of time? Hey all!~!

Has anyone felt any side effects of depression from taking adderall xr?

I have, but I'm not sure if it's from the med or not...

I am an ADDer with heart problems so I have some advice to post. First, if you are taking caffeine with stimulant meds, DON'T. In my humble, amateur opinion, it's too much. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant as well. My young heart can't handle a lot of caffeine and I'm only a little more sensitive than the average person.

Second, don't chalk it all up to anxiety. If it feels racey, take your pulse regularly to make sure the meds aren't elevating your heartrate too high, if you're getting significant symptoms.

While the feeling of rapid heartrate is a common symptom of anxiety, it doesn't mean that's what you're experiencing. There is a different physical sensation when it's just anxiety and when it's abnormally fast (tachycardia). If your heartbeat is strong, controlled but fast and you are able to function in daily activities, rest assured it's probably not tachycardia.

If you're feeling weak and heartrate is weak, fast and all over the place, it's more serious and you need medical attention.

Be cautious, don't ignore your symptoms but don't overreact. If your resting pulse is lower or hovering around 100, you have nothing to worry about.

Your rate is 50 bpm? That's actually on the slow side, bordering on brachycardia. Have you seen a physician recently? The average resting heartrate is 60-100 bpms. Lower than 60, you could have congestive heart failure.

Your blood pressure seems fine. I would quite the caffeine if I were you and see a doctor, just in case. 50 bpm can also be cause for concern.

I feel like my post might cause very anxious people to freak out.

For the general anxious folks out there, believe me, you're probably fine. I bet if you just checked your pulse you'd realize that you're just anxious and your pulse could help reassure you and recognize that you need to find a way to relax.

Hbone, I'm not on stimulant meds right now but the psychiatrist believes I may not have a problem because my brain will not react to stimulants the way a normal brain does. However, with strattera I had an episode of tachycardia and my heartrate was 242 bpm!

Despite all this, I'm still going strong. I exercise five times a week, watch my caffeine and I'm nowhere near dying.

Hope this helps, hbone.

Cheekydeeky

Anyone else having weight loss like this??? I have no desire to eat during the day. All I want is alot water for my cotton mouth and Blistex for my dry lips.

Cheeky - Thanks for your info. Are you on stimulant meds even with heart condition? Also, I am not sure if you meant my blood pressure vs resting heart rate being around 100. My pulse is around 50 bpm and last time I had my bp taken it was 100/60. All in all I am in good shape as I am an avid exerciser. Just wanted to confirm what you mean by resting rate around 100.

Thanks for the info.

Hbone

Hi Everyone - new to board. Recently started on Adderall XR back in late April. Currenrtly taking 20mg each morning. Overall I have been really happy with the results and don't feel a crash toward the end of each day as I did with other stimulant meds. However, I am noticing a heart rate increase/palpitation before I take the meds in the morning and toward the end of the day when the meds are wearing off. Also, almost like I have to make a conscious effort to take a deep breath because my breathing seems to be more shallow (possible anxiety, who knows). I had my blood pressure checked today and its low (102/60) so I am happy about that. Should I be concerned about the heart thing? Any insight would be great as I get totally paranoid about having something bad happen!

Hey Cherub,

My 12 yr old son says he feels "sad" when he takes it.....just so ya know.....it also makes him feel "drained" of physical energy...anyone else have that prob? Of course, it could be that he doesn't eat much (if at all!) when he's on it, which could be why he feels "drained".....but who knows......

"Also, almost like I have to make a conscious effort to take a deep breath because my breathing seems to be more shallow (possible anxiety, who knows). "

I just started on Adderal a week ago and have noticed the same thing. I will be driving or doing something else at a low physical level and realise that I have just taken a deap breath and exhaled. I guess my respiration rate has dropped and my body had asked for a little boost. Personally, I consider it a sign that I am more relaxed. I also have seen a drop in blood presure, also a sign of less stress. How about appetite? I'm almost having to remind myself to eat and drink. I could stand to lose a couple pounds, but I dehydate easily anyway so I'm making sure that I drink lots of water. Keep posting, maybe we can learn from each other. Don't fret, sounds like things are OK to me.

Hbone; Don"t feel alone. There are plenty of us out there. I'm pushing fifty and have just come to grips with this problem. I have been lucky enough to find a doctor who has a son with ADD and as a result has made it his specialty. I am better already just knowing why I am the way I am, and looking forward to getting better. I think my biggest problem has been toughing it out for years and not looking for help. Guys who race motorcycles and mountain climb and such aren't supposed to have such problems. Keep the correspondence coming.

I am glad to know I am not alone on these types of things. I am just always worried about this med. I have a young baby and I am always picking him up and everytime I get a chest pain or anywhere in that area near heart, I panic and think its the adderall. Hard time deciphering which is from lifting him and which may be med related.

I am a runner/avid exerciser and I called the pharmacy today to make sure that exercise is ok as the medicine can increase heart/cardiovascular system. Says that as long as you are used to this type of activity it shouldnt be a problem. I am just always worrying about having a heart attack or heart problems due to all the bad press out there, etc.

Thanks for all your posts. Always appreciated as I feel pretty alone with all this.

Hbone

I don't think you have to worry about a heartattack but BE CAREFUL and good luck!

CrazyIvan,

I can relate....I had the rapid heartbeat at first also. Maybe that will go away soon--It did for me. The loss of apitite thing, I have to remind myself to eat and then I have to MAKE myself eat eveyday! And if I don't eat SOMETHING, by the end of the day I feel horrible (headache, low energy).

Hang in there!

you can read about Adderall XR's side effects here - http://www.adderallxr.com/about_adderallxr/adderallxr_safety .asp

It's not a complete list so you should probably talk to your doc

I don't know if youve solved this already, but I would say it's definitely the caffeine. I used to drink coffee all the time, and felt that rush you describe. It became unpleasant after a while and I tried cutting out the coffee, and it worked 100%. There will still be some side effects, even stimulation-related, that you'll still feel; but those will decrease over time. It's just a matter of your body getting used to it. I've been on Adderall for 9 months now and I have almost no unpleasant side-effects anymore (they were completely gone after about 3 months). Adderall XR 30mg each morning here.. as far as results, it's worked miracles.. but i did start getting panic attacks and much higher anxiety levels on it... my temper increase enormously as well.

Klonopin took care of the panic attacks and SOME of the anxiety but my temper remained a problem, to the level of jeopardizing my marriage.

Doc gave me Lexapro, an SSRI (eg, anti-depression pill), not a big fan on anti-depressants personally (since i am not depressed) but it DID take away 95% of my temper and took care of most of the remaining anxiety (i have a high responsibility job, tight deadlines, etc).. so, that too has been very succesful (no side effects from it, apart from a headache if i am too late or early with taking the Lexapro).

The downside of all of the above.. all three decrease 'libido', and i am at a stage where i MUST take Levitra to get things.. eh.. 'started'. (Levitra btw, is MUCH better (for me) than Viagra). I can live with that really, been married nearly 5 years now, sex isn't as 'frequent' as it used to be.. especially with the 12 to 16 hour days i work lately.

Eating-wise.. the Adderall XR 15mg i started on more than a year ago, made me loose some 40 pounds in a few months (not good when you're tall and already on the thin side).. however, it looks like the Lexapro helped that as well as i eat myself silly lately.. with little to no weight gain (i maintain weight with rigorous weight based training, protein shakes 6x per day, 3 full meals, prolly a meal in itself in snacks, creatine and some other supplements for strength training). Oh, and for context, i have the metabolism of a rocket, been tested and i metabolize as much ASLEEP as a normal person RUNNING, body fat levels are 4% as well.. main reason for being a little underweight.. having to eat yourself nuts to keep up with your own metabolism is crazy, but that's the way it is i guess.

I also 'consume' daily vitamins (single pill, 2x a day, 'Ultimate Man' brand from Vitamin Shoppe), extra magnesium citrate (400mg (100% Daily Value) also Vitamin Shoppe), a whopper of a pill for fish oils (many times daily value, again, Vitamin Shoppe) and Melatonin 3mg at night before bed (REALLY does help you sleep Adderall XR users).. As a side note, NEVER _EVER_ use magnesium OXIDE with Adderall XR, it'll cancel the Adderall out.. citrate is practically the only way for Adderall XR users who take extra magnesium (and all ADD'ers SHOULD take it, it's been prove that we're often VERY low on magnesium and calcium (i drink some four to five gallons of organic, whole fat, milk per week)).

Hemmie38815.2350925926[QUOTE=kimo]

I'm on 10 mg XR a day and it doesn't seem to really have affected my appetite. I'm not as hungry in the morning as I usually am but other than that, my appetite is normal.

I'm fairly happy with my weight right now but I don't think dropping a couple pounds would hurt either! But I don't think that will happen on this dose.

It's never easy, is it??

[/QUOTE] if you download the prescibing information from adderall.com it will say do not take adderall if you have any structural abnormalities of the heart, you will eventually be tolerant to the 10's and the higher you go the more risk there is so be careful!!!never use m oxide?, holy crap, that's all i use! 1000 mg a day as a matter of fact. and i thought i was growing a tolerance at an incredible rate! i will stop the mag oxide immediately, thanx hemmie

Ten mg, daily. It does tend to wind you up, and increase temper. I have a physical job, and it doesn't matter.from 6am I can run till 1am. so I take trazodone to curb this. I sleep at around 10-11pm. and I am doing better.

The lower dose of adderall xr doesn't seem to affect my appetite as much as 20 did.

I think my happy medium is going to be close to 15 mg of adderall, and 75 mg of trazodone. I am not sure of lexapro, have not used it yet.

jerbear, Yeah, I know. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I am up to 15 and I know that there is no way I could tolerate more. I'm really in a quandry. Long story short, my job has totally changed . . . typical corporate america crap where they downsize to the point where everyone is doing the job of 5 people. I'm having a hard enough time *with* the drugs there, working this job without the drugs is *not* an option.

To take a job with way less responsiblity and way less pay is not an option as my husband lost his previous job and makes half of what he was making before so I am the major breadwinner. And I'm the one carrying our health insurance.

So I don't see any options. There is a song by Black Sabbath (I was a fan back in the 70's in high school ) and I think it's called "Killing yourself to live" That would be me.

Plus I am able to actually read a book (it used to take me literally months with very little comprehension) and watch movies (and know what's going on) plus create artwork (now that I have the focus) and I think if I had to work my job *and* not be able to enjoy my "free" time (like I can now) I think the depression would be unbearable. And that is the kind of depression that antidepressants cannot help - believe me, been there.

kimo38815.4560300926