Posted by paulbwell on February 15, 2006, at 5:30:59
In reply to my 2 cents, posted by mike99 on February 10, 2006, at 15:49:29
> So the FDA says there were 79 serious cardiovascular incidents w/ stimulants from 99-2003. 25 deaths, 19 of them children.
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> I am a healthy 28 year old. I took Ritalin for several months starting at age 25, but it gave me chest pain.
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> Stopped and had my heart checked for an underlying condition (EKG, echocardiogram). Everything OK.
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> Tried Strattera. Didn't help.
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> Switched to adderall--had to call an ambulance after taking less than 20 mgs total over 3 days.
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> Had my heart checked again, but this time more in depth and by 2 different cardiologists. MRI, stress echo. All good.
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> Switched to Dex... 15 mgs over 3 days landed me in the ER. My heart was just about pounding out of my chest... heart rate over 160, high blood pressure. They had to rule out a heart attack/stroke.
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> A week later EKG showed sinus arrythmia and incomplete right bundle branch block. Echo was normal except for "minor hypertrophic focus". Doc says nothing to worry about, but I still don't like the findings.
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> I am in a very competitive graduate program. The only time I've ever really been able to focus in my life has been on stimulants.
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> Nonetheless, I am thankful I have not exhausted my nine lives as some of the people did as referenced by this new report. My unmedicated life w/ ADHD is not easy, but I'm thankful to be alive and healthy.
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> I'm not against stimulants, but will personally never touch another. Of course all drugs have risks. However, IMHO I don't believe for a second, for example, that stimulants are safer than say NSAIDS, which are the cause of many injuries and deaths themselves.
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> I guess I really don't have a singular point to make, but just wanted to post my experience. I'm glad stims help many people but I also think it is important to continuously evaluate all data regarding their safety, especially given the recent increase in age, time duration and number of people taking them.
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> GIVEN THE PREVALENCE OF ADHD AND MARKET FOR IT'S TREATMENTS, I HOPE THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES CAN COME UP WITH NEW ADHD DRUGS WITH SAFER CARDIOVASCULAR PROFILES. I have personally been trying to get enrolled in such trials (ABT-089 by Abott and CX-717 by Cortex Pharmaceuticals).
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> I think stims are probably safe for lots of people and should stay on the market. However, the risks should not be minimized.
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> PeaceThought it's a widespread belief that amphetamines kill a lot of users, data doesn't out the idea at all. In fact it seems amphetamines are remarkably safe, as was thought from their beginnings.
California criminologist Dr Roger Smith who headed some drug rehab programes was responsible for an exhaustive study of amphetamine use.
Smith found cases of peole mainlining speed in amounts of 15,000mgs daily, and he found that folks could withstand IV amounts of 400-500mgs, even if they had never used before, The normal dose orally is no more than 30mgs orally, 5-10mgs is more typical.
In 1967 a Tom Simpson (UK) a tour de france cyclist hopped up on Meth/Amphetamines died of heat exhaustion as he pumped his way up a mountain rd. Death from speed and hyperthermia is rare, but it's a bad idae to mix extreme physical exertion at high tempteraturates. The combo can cause heart failure and blurst blood vessules, EVEN in healthy people.
So once in a blue moon amphets cause death. The rest are killed in accidents. Mundaine accidents. Cars are crashed, deadly bactaria is i'v into vains.
Dextroamphetamine has been around for 80 years, and has a remarkably safety record, when used as directed, Some folks have taken the damn stuff for 50 years, without becoming "speed freakes".Ritalin has been around for 50 years, and many fol,ks have taken the stuff for 40 years, with no apparent ill effects.
Speed can kill, if you are chasing a high and are stupid, or are the 3 in a million who unfortunately suffer heart failure.
Cheers
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poster:paulbwell
thread:608122
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060212/msgs/609695.html