Heart damage with Adderall??? - ADD / ADHD Message Board

adderallboy · 12-14-2005, 03:06 PM

I'm 22 year old male with ADHD. I have been taking Adderall 10mg 2x daily for the past few years. The adderall worked wonders with my life. BUT...about two weeks ago I was cramming for two exams late one evening and I found myself unable to concentrate. After considering what I felt to be the pro's and con's, I greatly exceeded my daily dosage to help me cram. Before I realized it, 8-10 hours had passed. I'm not sure how many I actually took. But I'm estimating 5-7 in addition to my dailiy dose. So an estimated 80-100 mg in a 24 hr period. I did ace both exams the next day, but aside from insomnia my chest hurt.

I didn't take any adderall the next few days in order to get my supply back on track. Then I took my first adderall, and about 30 min found my heart racing uncontrollably. I thought I was dying. I called 911 and went to the ER diagnosed me with Supraventrical Tachycardia. They gave me Tenormin 50mg "take as needed", but tagged the event as an anxiety/panic attack. I did tell them I had just taken the adderall, but didn't mention anything about the previous adderall overdose.

Being concerned, the next day I wore a heart monitor used during exercise to count calories when I took my adderall. The same thing happened, and my heart rate went from about 70 to 150bpm in a matter of seconds almost exactly 30 min after I took my dose. I followed the necessary procedures to low my HR and took a Tenormin, and other than chest pain was fine. I tried that again two days later. Same thing.

I fear I have caused permenant damage with overdosing with the adderall, and I'm scared to take it again. I'm also hesitant to tell me regular doc about overdosing as I fear he could pull me off the meds for good. I dont want that because the adderall has helped so much with my life. For the first time in years I feel accomplished, but at what cost? Could the damage be permenant? What could it have caused?

MuskokaMommy · 12-14-2005, 09:32 PM

I don't have the answers you are looking for, but if no one here answers your question, I would suggest going back to your family dr. and being honest. Not speaking up isn't worth losing your health over. Good luck! There always seems to be lots of lookers on here, but not too many people stop to answer.

addprogrammer · 12-15-2005, 12:32 PM

adderallboy,

I am not a doctor but I am on adderal and years ago abused methamphetamine. Based on my experience and research into a class of drugs that has affected me personally, Adderal is very dangerous when coupled with existing heart conditions. Many people have conditions and don't know it. As far as I know, it has not caused heart conditions at the 100 mg level.

The subconscious mind can play tricks on us. You know you abused a dangerous drug and could be punishing yourself for it. Whether psychological or physical, the only way out is to fess up.

All amphetamines carry an insidious deadly risk - addiction. Not you, you say? Baloney. You cheated to pass your exams. You lied once. You abused a Schedule II drug once. The first time is the hardest. Second is easier. Third on you won't think twice about it.

Am I being hard on you. You betcha. Better you hate me than ruin your life.

Bob

airey · 12-15-2005, 12:41 PM

I took Ritalin for a few years back when. I started having chest pains. They were going to continue me on the ritalin but with Inderal which is a heart medication. I discondinued both. What I'm trying to say is you most likely are having a side effect from adderal but I don't think it's permanent damage. You should be honest with your doctor. Maybe you are just in a panic because what you think you caused heart damage. I don't think heart damage would happen over one time of taking a few. I would check with your doctor.

adderallboy · 12-15-2005, 07:26 PM

Thanks for all the reply's. I did make an appt with a cardiologist for tomorrow. That was promted after having yet another tachycardia attack again this morning. This time seemed less severe, but my heart rate still hit the 130's from my resting rate of about 70. Later that afternoon I also got my medical records from my ER visit. My ECG was abnormal with a diagnosis of sinus tachycardia with possible left atrail enlargement and left ventrical hypertrophy. When googled, amphetamine abuse was listed among some of the likely causes.

So yea, I'm gonna suck it up the embarrassment and admit to abusing the adderall to get the "edge". It's just not worth risking my health. To all other abusers...as an engineering senior, I know my adderall runs DID help me through tough times with school. But what's it worth if we can't enjoy the rewards? Don't abuse it.