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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by sleepylucy on May 14, 2003, at 8:29:15
I'm taking Dexedrine for narcolepsy and am finding that I have shortness of breath. I can't seem to get enough air.
Does anyone know anything about this?
Posted by Ritch on May 14, 2003, at 9:29:58
In reply to Dexedrine and shortnes of breath, posted by sleepylucy on May 14, 2003, at 8:29:15
> I'm taking Dexedrine for narcolepsy and am finding that I have shortness of breath. I can't seem to get enough air.
>
> Does anyone know anything about this?It stimulates respiration generally. When I took it I liked that quality. Are you getting a subjective feeling that you aren't getting enough air because you are breathing often and deeply? On Ritalin (and higher dose Wellbutrin) it was just the opposite for me-I would feel like my breathing had stopped entirely and I needed to "remember" to breathe all the time.
Posted by sleepylucy on May 14, 2003, at 9:49:22
In reply to Re: Dexedrine and shortnes of breath » sleepylucy, posted by Ritch on May 14, 2003, at 9:29:58
I did have this feeling on Ritalin as well, but not as bad (I'm also on 300mg of Wellbutrin).
I am not breathing heavily or often, every few minutes I need to sigh or yawn in order to get enough air to breath. Its frustrating when I'm trying to get air and I can't. I'm getting light headed from all the deep breaths.
Posted by Ritch on May 14, 2003, at 13:46:15
In reply to Re: Dexedrine and shortnes of breath, posted by sleepylucy on May 14, 2003, at 9:49:22
> I did have this feeling on Ritalin as well, but not as bad (I'm also on 300mg of Wellbutrin).
>
> I am not breathing heavily or often, every few minutes I need to sigh or yawn in order to get enough air to breath. Its frustrating when I'm trying to get air and I can't. I'm getting light headed from all the deep breaths.It (dexedrine) could be interacting with the Wellbutrin. I remember when I was retrying higher dose WB recently that when I went from 100mg > 150mg/day I noticed a definite respiratory depression of sorts. It was like I "noticed" that I hadn't breathed for awhile and I kept thinking about it and it hyperfocused my attention on it-which is bad because I've had panic attacks in the past and that was what it felt like it was starting to develop into. That problem did fade after about a week or so, however. What does your doctor say? If you are getting light-headed that tends to sound like hyperventilation (too much breathing).
Posted by katalina on May 14, 2003, at 15:53:07
In reply to Dexedrine and shortnes of breath, posted by sleepylucy on May 14, 2003, at 8:29:15
I know exactly what you're talking about. I just resumed Adderall consumption today after a 4 day miserable vacation (if you could call being lethartic and irritable a vacation)from it due to that same feeling.
I thought that feeling may be a diaphragmic tic. The need to get a deep breath, and being unable to get one is so annoying. It's like needing to yawn to get a full breath of air. And what's worse is to keep trying to yawn and still not being able to fill your lungs and then your jaw hurts from opening it 500 times.
anyway, I just took a 4 day break from the Adderall (haven't taken a break in 7 months or so) and it went away the day I stopped. I started back today at 20 mgs. and feel fine. I don't know if it's the dopamine building up or something, but it's happened to me before and used to happen more when I was on Effexor and Adderall. I now take Adderall, Lexapro and Klonopin at night. This combination has been great until last week when the breathing thing got out of control. I'm hoping it doesn't resurface again. Maybe you could try a break from it and see?
Katie
Posted by sleepylucy on May 14, 2003, at 17:54:44
In reply to Re: Dexedrine and shortnes of breath, posted by katalina on May 14, 2003, at 15:53:07
Spoke to my doc.... He also mentioned cutting down on the Wellbutrin (they both affect dopamine, but I have no idea how that would affect breathing). He said he has never heard this type of side effect.
Tomorrow I'll just take 150mg.I really hope that helps.
Posted by BekkaH on May 14, 2003, at 18:35:48
In reply to Dexedrine and shortnes of breath, posted by sleepylucy on May 14, 2003, at 8:29:15
Hi Sleepy Lucy. Please contact the doctor who prescribed Wellbutrin and Dexedrine for you. As Ritch said, the two drugs might be interacting adversely with each other. It's also possible that you could have shortness of breath on either one of the drugs alone. You should definitely discuss this with your doctor. He/she may want to monitor your blood pressure and pulse as well.
Posted by Ritch on May 14, 2003, at 22:01:11
In reply to Re: Dexedrine and shortnes of breath, posted by katalina on May 14, 2003, at 15:53:07
> I know exactly what you're talking about. I just resumed Adderall consumption today after a 4 day miserable vacation (if you could call being lethartic and irritable a vacation)from it due to that same feeling.
>
> I thought that feeling may be a diaphragmic tic. The need to get a deep breath, and being unable to get one is so annoying. It's like needing to yawn to get a full breath of air. And what's worse is to keep trying to yawn and still not being able to fill your lungs and then your jaw hurts from opening it 500 times.
>
> anyway, I just took a 4 day break from the Adderall (haven't taken a break in 7 months or so) and it went away the day I stopped. I started back today at 20 mgs. and feel fine. I don't know if it's the dopamine building up or something, but it's happened to me before and used to happen more when I was on Effexor and Adderall. I now take Adderall, Lexapro and Klonopin at night. This combination has been great until last week when the breathing thing got out of control. I'm hoping it doesn't resurface again. Maybe you could try a break from it and see?
>
> KatieKatie, thanks for posting this. I've had tics from stims in the past (Adderall-sipping water, and Focalin-swallowing air and burping, but no tics with plain IR dexedrine). I had never thought the "breathey" thing could be a tic. This means I get a tic from WB at higher doses, too. It is interesting that a "need to get a breath" is perceived and acted upon by yawning, etc. When I was on dexedrine it seemed natural and unforced-wonder what the difference is? (why does plain dexedrine not cause a tic and the other stims do).
Another thing..... I've had similar shortness of breath reactions from SSRI's. Increasing Prozac and Celexa from tiny to close to therapeutic dosages created the same things. It was bad enough that I had to stop and sit down at work (doing light physical activity) and catch my breath. I was talking about tics with my pdoc last week... this is interesting.
Posted by jemma on May 15, 2003, at 12:52:15
In reply to Dexedrine and shortnes of breath, posted by sleepylucy on May 14, 2003, at 8:29:15
I've had this symptom intermittently since I was at least ten - I remember it specifically during a piano recital I was anxious about at that age. I consider it a symptom of anxiety - yawning is often an anxiety response. I never considered the diaphragm-tic theory, but it makes sense, especially as I'm prone to eye-tics when very stressed.
Perhaps your stims are at too high a dose and are triggering an anxiety-tic response? That would make sense to me.
- Jemma
Posted by zenclearer on May 15, 2003, at 23:48:20
In reply to Dexedrine and shortnes of breath, posted by sleepylucy on May 14, 2003, at 8:29:15
I actually the problem -- for some -- may be a type of bronchial inflammation, as part of rebound or withdrawal from a stimulant. That's what asthma is, broncial inflammation. And stims are broncho-dilators, formerly used to treat asthma.
So when the body undergoes a chemical withdrawal and/or rebound, the rebound response is exacerbated.
For example, the rebound vasodiation can also, for me, cause terrible nasal tissue inflammation, eg, sinus inflammation.
I hate this about stims. For me, the problem can being even before rebound, and get worse and worse, as the body seems to to develop tolerance and needs more of the drug to regulate its own normal processes.
I also mentioned this to my docs, and both, one an internist, the other a psych, said they'd never heard of it.
But geez, it doesn't take a genius to understand that broncchial inflammation, eg, asthma, could be an exacerbated effect ofc rebound or tolerance.
Posted by katalina on May 16, 2003, at 10:16:23
In reply to Re: Dexedrine and shortnes of breath » katalina, posted by Ritch on May 14, 2003, at 22:01:11
> > I know exactly what you're talking about. I just resumed Adderall consumption today after a 4 day miserable vacation (if you could call being lethartic and irritable a vacation)from it due to that same feeling.
> >
> > I thought that feeling may be a diaphragmic tic. The need to get a deep breath, and being unable to get one is so annoying. It's like needing to yawn to get a full breath of air. And what's worse is to keep trying to yawn and still not being able to fill your lungs and then your jaw hurts from opening it 500 times.
> >
> > anyway, I just took a 4 day break from the Adderall (haven't taken a break in 7 months or so) and it went away the day I stopped. I started back today at 20 mgs. and feel fine. I don't know if it's the dopamine building up or something, but it's happened to me before and used to happen more when I was on Effexor and Adderall. I now take Adderall, Lexapro and Klonopin at night. This combination has been great until last week when the breathing thing got out of control. I'm hoping it doesn't resurface again. Maybe you could try a break from it and see?
> >
> > Katie
>
> Katie, thanks for posting this. I've had tics from stims in the past (Adderall-sipping water, and Focalin-swallowing air and burping, but no tics with plain IR dexedrine). I had never thought the "breathey" thing could be a tic. This means I get a tic from WB at higher doses, too. It is interesting that a "need to get a breath" is perceived and acted upon by yawning, etc. When I was on dexedrine it seemed natural and unforced-wonder what the difference is? (why does plain dexedrine not cause a tic and the other stims do).
>
> Another thing..... I've had similar shortness of breath reactions from SSRI's. Increasing Prozac and Celexa from tiny to close to therapeutic dosages created the same things. It was bad enough that I had to stop and sit down at work (doing light physical activity) and catch my breath. I was talking about tics with my pdoc last week... this is interesting.
>
>Ritch,
I found the tic answer to be interesting too. I can't remember where I got that information, it may have been on this site or Web MD. When I mentioned it to my neurologist, he verified that a diaphragmic tic was a real possibility.
On my next visit, I'm going to mention switching to Dexedrine. As you might know, Adderall contains 4 amphetamine salts and Dexedrine 2. I think it's the l-isomer salts (in Adderall) that cause more peripheral side effects, and therefore a lot of people find Dexedrine less bothersome (although not all) because Dexedrine contains just the 2 d-isomer salts. Adderall has been great, but I don't like feeling wound up sometimes.
When I experienced that awful yawning/breathing sensation I thought I was the only one. It's nice to hear I'm not the only one with certain weird side effects.
p.s. I'm also prone to tics more than the general population, too.
Katie
Posted by Ritch on May 16, 2003, at 12:55:37
In reply to Re: Dexedrine and shortnes of breath, posted by katalina on May 16, 2003, at 10:16:23
Posted by kellog on July 16, 2003, at 2:31:58
In reply to Thanks for the reply! (nm) » katalina, posted by Ritch on May 16, 2003, at 12:55:37
You mean someone else has this problem? I have been reading and reading up on it and yawning is not an admitted side affect.
I do not take any other psychiatric drugs, but I am an asthmatic. Is it possible that anxiety for me is not being able to breathe? Do you think the yawning will go away? I have only been on the med for 2-3 weeks and still finding my dose...
People at "The Italian Job" must have thought I was in respitory distress the way I yawned took deep sighing breaths through the entire flick ;)
~Kelley
Posted by sleepylucy on July 16, 2003, at 9:33:26
In reply to Thanks for the reply! (nm) » katalina, posted by Ritch on May 16, 2003, at 12:55:37
All the stimulants (Ritalin, Adderall & Dexedrine) caused me to yawn, and only went away after I went off of them.
The Dexedrine didn't do ANYTHING to help me stay awake or alert. So I've stopped taking it.
I'm totally at a loss as to what to do now.
Posted by blondegirl47 on July 16, 2003, at 10:59:40
In reply to Adderall and yawning, posted by kellog on July 16, 2003, at 2:31:58
I thought it was just me, that yawned on adderall. I figured I must be becoming immune to the stuff. I take 25mg in the morning(5:30ish) 2 20mg adderallxr with 5 mg reg adderall to jump start it. Sometimes I feel awake and sleepy at the same time.
My pdoc just added 100 mg provigil twice a day, which I don't know if its making me sleepier or not. I seem not to procrastinate as much with it.
Be sure you get enough water with it, being dehydrated will make you tired. Also, it works much better on an empty stomach.
later Blondegirl
Posted by blondegirl47 on July 16, 2003, at 11:11:24
In reply to Dexies don't work! What now?, posted by sleepylucy on July 16, 2003, at 9:33:26
Dexidrine tablets didn't work for me either. Have you tried Dextrostat or Dexidrine spansules?
Also be sure you aren't drinking acidic drinks, pop or caffiene with your med. Eating before taking Ritalin cancels it out for me and eating before adderall slows the onset by a couple hours..also reduces how it kicks in.
Continuous release stimulants don't seem to kick in enough for me, so I take a very small amount of reg with it.
I am kind of where you are it seems very hard to find clarity and energy these days
Blondegirl
Posted by sleepylucy on July 16, 2003, at 13:34:17
In reply to Re: Dexies don't work! What now? » sleepylucy, posted by blondegirl47 on July 16, 2003, at 11:11:24
I'm taking the spansuls at the moment. I do drink coffee with my dexies... Do you think that is making me sleepy? Wouldn't that make me feel more awake?
Posted by blondegirl47 on July 16, 2003, at 13:49:11
In reply to Re: Dexies don't work! What now?, posted by sleepylucy on July 16, 2003, at 13:34:17
The way it was explained to be is that coffee makes your urine more acidic, thus you eliminate your dex quicker.
If you do a search on adderall + food you will find a post that explains about how different thing effect the absorption of your medication. Dex and coffee will dehydrate you, if you are dehydrated you will be more tired...hope this helps
Blondegirl
Posted by kellog on July 16, 2003, at 13:53:46
In reply to Re: Adderall and yawning » kellog, posted by blondegirl47 on July 16, 2003, at 10:59:40
I am taking 20mg Adderall XR in the AM. I think that is the same as Dexedrine spansuls. My doc initially recommended the latter, but my insurance was a pain in the neck about it. If people say the yawning is better on the straight dex (maybe less salts to dehydrate you?) then I will try it. At this point I think my doc thinks I am a pain in the ass.
I tried taking an afternoon dose of XR, but that didn't help. I asked for a short-acting for mid-day, but my doctor prefers not to mix XR with regular.
> Be sure you get enough water with it, being dehydrated will make you tired.
I have also theorized that it is dehydration (the yawning). I know water can't hurt. I am inclined to think though, after reading up on other people's reactions, that it really is a weird kind of tic. Like an anxious need for a breath. Are you a smoker or an asthamtic, Blondegirl? I am trying to rule out cause, I am both, and overweight...
>Also, it works much better on an empty stomach.
And since I have acid-reflux, I feel that. I also can't take my Prilosec until the Adderall has been in my system for 2+ hrs. Of course, since I am dieting, it is important to get my metabolism moving... good ol' Catch-22.
Damn, I am wordy, but more focused then I used to be, despite the attacks of yawing. =)
Thanks so much for your help! Plenty to think about.
~Kelley
Posted by blondegirl47 on July 16, 2003, at 14:11:44
In reply to Re: Adderall and yawning, posted by kellog on July 16, 2003, at 13:53:46
I have acid reflux too. I take my adderallxr with 40mg of prilosec. I call the pharmisist to make sure, he said it wouldn't lower my absorption. I have taken it without and it has no effect either way except my heartburn of course.
I think you need a new pdoc. Mine says its good to have the long acting for the day at work and a short acting to help you through what you have to do in the evening.
For the sake of my budget I might being going to just generic adderall for a while, especially since I am taking 200 mg of provigil too.
adderall xr is DEXTROAMPHETAMINE and AMPHETAMINE.
I don't smoke, but I am overweight. I have noticed that my meds to make my throat feel a little tight sometimes, maybe it is the acid reflux thing making up feel like we can't breath that well. Sorry to be so windy, meds are kicking in :) later Blondegirl
Posted by noa on July 17, 2003, at 17:56:46
In reply to Adderall and yawning, posted by kellog on July 16, 2003, at 2:31:58
I don't have the yawning problem in general, but when I exercise, I get the yawns, along with the feeling that I'm not taking in enough air. I get the urge to yawn to get more air, only I can't really get a full yawn in--it goes half-way and then I have to kind of force it. I've suspected it could be due to one or more of my meds. One of them is adderall xr.
It also affects my swimming--coordinating the breathing gets kind of tricky.
Posted by kellog on July 17, 2003, at 20:17:28
In reply to Re: Adderall and yawning, posted by noa on July 17, 2003, at 17:56:46
>I get the urge to yawn to get more air, only I can't really get a full yawn in--it goes half-way and then I have to kind of force it. I've suspected it could be due to one or more of my meds. One of them is adderall xr.
Since we have the exact same experience, I bet it's the ADDerall XR. Damn. People say maybe Dexedrine spansules would work just as well but without that desperate unsatisfying yawn bit.
Luck to us!
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