Posted by mike99 on January 8, 2006, at 16:52:33
In reply to Re: Cardiovascular Stimulation-Strattera vs Stimulants » mike99, posted by ed_uk on January 8, 2006, at 10:43:02
> Hi Mike
>
> >I've ended up in the ER twice on extremely low doses of stimulants (tachycardia, chest pain, way high blood pressure) and am concerned that given this extreme hypersensitivity to adrenergic effects I shouldn't even give Strattera a trial.
>
> Tell us more about this. Which drug? What dose?
>
> EdRitalin at 10 mg bid-tid caused me chest pain and mild tachycardia, but not so bad w/ the blood pressure. But the chest pain was very concerning.
The first day I took Adderall I took about 10 mgs (too much to start in retrospect) over several hours, and then about 7.5 each on the second and third days...Everything seemed fine until the third day when my heart just started beating and racing uncontrollably. I mean it was beating monstrously heavily, at about 160/min and my bp went up to around 165/100. This resolved on it's own over a few hours and after calling an ambulance. I subsequently had my heart checked and it was fine (echo, stress echo, even an MRI). The cardiologist said only to take stims "as tolerated".
About a year later I tried Dex, hoping perhaps cutting out the L-isomer would be of benefit and deciding to go much slower. I took only 1.25 mg twice for two days and then four times a day for the third and fourth days...again, no problem until on the fifth day my heart just started beating uncontrollably harder and faster over a few minutes. It finally settled down a bit in the ER, so I didn't have to be admitted, but it was still beating much harder and faster than usual for about 7-10 days after this episode. They had to rule out a heart attack and everything and the ER doc said not to take any more stimulants (not that I needed him to tell me that). The EKG read "incomplete right bundle branch block"...which scared me to death but he and at least 2 other cardiologists said my EKG was of no concern and just to stay away from the stims.
I honestly think I would die if I ingested a single 20 mg dose of Adderall or Dexedrine, which young children take all the time.
Honestly, after these experiences I will never under any circumstance (ie with an alpha/beta blocker) try another stimulant again.Interestingly, even L-Tyrosine and Zoloft have caused me chest pain (I took 50 mg Zoloft on the first day and just about dropped to my knees with chest pain and threw the bottle out). I'm only 28. I think I'm just supersensitive to the adrenergic stimulation. I have to admit, I've never heard of SSRI's causing chest pain--even my 88 year old grandmother tolerates them, so I often wonder what the heck is wrong with my physiology.
The few months that I took Ritalin were amazing...yes I hate to be dramatic but it was like an awakening...and although I only took Adderall and Dex for a few days each, I was able to focus for the first time in my life. Unfortunately I just cannot tolerate these drugs. Without them I have no physical problems -- I'm actually quite an avid runner and stay in good shape.
I'm just so frustrated that the few drugs that actually work on the symptoms that have so long plagued me I simply cannot tolerate.
That's why I'm thinking about Strattera, but I'm really not sure if I want to try it...I'm quite gunshy at this point. Anyhow, sorry for the long-winded response but I hope I answered your question.
poster:mike99
thread:595951
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060108/msgs/596699.html