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09-25-2002, 08:15 AM
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#1 | | Newbie
Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
Posts: 2
|  Breathing problems with Dexedrine
I was originally put on Ritalin 10 years ago and that worked fantastic for about 5 years, then I began to crash severely from it. I was switched to Dexedrine about 2 1/2 years ago and it has worked fantastic but for the past year now I’ve started to have breathing problems with it - shortness of breath, can't catch or get a deep breath. Trying to make long story short, one doc thought it was allergies with no relation to Dexedrine the other referred me to my psychiatrist because he "would know more about the side effects". Well when I told my psychiatrist the problem he just looked perplexed and not to concerned. Through my own trial and error I have found out that I only have this problem when I take Dexedrine but I have not been able to find a single thing anywhere about this being a side effect. I’m a healthy person, have never had allergies, there’s no asthma in my family, and I’ve always responded well to medications (never a problem with side effects). Does anyone know anything about this being a side effect? Dexedrine has worked so well for me and I’m scared to death to have to stop taking it, I can't go back to Ritalin and scared other alternatives just won't work as well. Any little bit of information anyone can provide will be a blessing!!
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09-25-2002, 01:08 PM
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#2 | | Inactive
Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Banned, Ca
Posts: 452
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Well the only thing you can really do is try another med like adderall, or even a longer acting ritalin like concerta. If you have the side effect with another med then you know it's not in a direct relationship with dexedrine, if not maybe another med will work even better. I ask your pdoc about adderall.
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09-25-2002, 10:04 PM
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#3 | | Inactive
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 162
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I don't know for sure what is happening, but I do know that "anxiety" symptoms (nervousness, and the breathing problems) are almost always on the list when it comes to withdrawal and "tolerance"
If you crashed after several years use, could be you developed tolerance(you needed higher and higher doses for regular effect)and now maybe even once again, developing tolerance to the new med. The longer one is one psychaitric meds, the more likely they will run into this problem, although some people can develop it sooner than others. Tolerance produces withdrawal symptoms, although the person is STILL on meds. Tough spot to be in. Some people slowly taper off their drugs(to taper fast can be disasterous!) and wait patiently(understatement) for the withdrawals to end in their own time. Other people opt for other drugs, such as benzodiazepines to calm them down; only problem is benzos are addictive too and tolerance will become a future issue.
At any rate, this is a tough place to be, IF indeed, that is where you are. I really can't be certain...with psych drugs, it is always hard to pinpoint and everyone reacts differently. I read alot about this, but am not a professional. Maybe if you could find an addictionologist, they could maybe determine what is happening; that is IF you are developing tolerance withdrawal of stimulants,...?
It may not be the answer, but surely worth exploring.
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09-26-2002, 04:12 PM
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#4 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Maryland
Posts: 29
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I have been on Dexidrine for 7 years and had no problem with shortness of breath. Very seldom do I get anxiety, I guess I've been very fortunate with little side of effects that come from the Dex. The only side effect is that while I'm on it I have a "tunnel focus vision" and I'm not the "bubbly happy go lucky" person that I love when I'm off of it.
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dinel
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10-01-2002, 06:34 AM
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#5 | | Newbie
Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
Posts: 2
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Thanks for the responses! I am going to see my doctor next week hopefully something good will come out of it. I think it comes down to me getting off dex and trying something new (which really bothers me because dex has been so great). Has anyone been switched from dex to something "they feel" is better or just as good. Can't go back to ritalin.
Thanks again all!
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10-02-2002, 11:30 PM
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#6 | | Inactive
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 162
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As far as stimulants go, how 'bout lots and lots of caffeine? It's cheap, and comes in yummy things like Coca Cola and delightful coffees and teas. It will get you going and keep you going all day. Oh, but doctors will say caffeine is bad for your heart, as if Ritalin isn't.
Oh wait, you don't need a doctor to get caffeine thus he makes no profit for services...now I get it. 
[This message has been edited by Megherc (edited 10-03-2002).]
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