Normal symptoms or time to seek medical attention? - ADD / ADHD Message Board

telamela · 05-29-2009, 12:32 AM

I was prescribed Ampheta S/Combo 20mg 2x a day (generic Adderall) for ADD. I have been on the prescription 7 weeks. I am a 23 year old female, 148 lbs. I have experienced TM joint pain (for the last 2 weeks), tenderness of the jaw muscles, sometimes pain radiating to temple region. I visited an oral surgeon bc I thought it was my wisdom teeth. He said it's from grinding and clenching my jaw during sleep(even though I do need to get them out, he said my pain wasn't coming from them). My PCP just believes it's stress-related. I have a decreased level of stress right now. I am conscious of my heart beating, when this is normally sub-conscious ? It may feel like it's racing, however I am not out of breath? So I am not sure if it is? I was trying to sleep, and could feel jaw moving P-A, A-P, and tongue moving left and right, without my control. My teeth are also aching in front on the top and bottom. Help! Are these temporary side effects just appearing now, or signs I need to switch dosage or medication? I also started Bupropion (generic Wellbutrin) 150mg 2x daily 8 days ago, however I had all of my symptoms including insomnia, increased anxiety, and irritability before I started the Wellbutrin. These symptoms only occur when I am off the ampheta. While on Ampheta I am calm, relaxed, not anxious.

Thunor · 05-29-2009, 03:49 PM

I would contact your doctor and consider reducing your dosages or eliminating one of your meds.

Adderall acts on the brain, stimulating the release of dopamine and norepinephrine. Wellbutrin acts to inhibit the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine. Both serve to increase the levels of these neurotransmitters available to the brain, but by different processes, and the combined effect may be resulting in too much of said neurotransmitters.

It's likely that your issues can be solved by simply tweaking your dose, but anytime your heart is racing for no reason, it's time to call the doctor.

janewhite1 · 05-30-2009, 08:09 PM

I agree, you probably need your meds adjusted. Your side effects are common, but still problematic.

telamela · 05-31-2009, 05:31 PM

Thanks for your input. I did contact my doctor. I thought he would reduce the dosage, but he had me stop taking the adderall this weekend. Tomorrow I am trying samples of strattera (non stimulant). I am afraid that it won't work as well. The adderall has helped me significantly in academics. I hope this one works the same.

Thunor · 05-31-2009, 10:54 PM

Because it's not a stimulant, you're going to have to give Strattera some time, sometimes as long as a couple of months, to see if it's working for you. It does seem to work for a lot of people, so give it a chance. Hopefully, the Wellbutrin will keep your dopamine and norepinephrine topped up so you won't see too much change from coming off the Adderall.