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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jacs on March 7, 2007, at 10:02:26
Can anyone tell me if they have experienced this
shortness of breath and left arm pain and also my hand is cold. I just started taking 20 mg per day and I am scared that it is my heart. I work out, but was afraid to yesterday. If I cut the does down maybe this will help?
Tried concerta and it did not help me, but the Adderall was okay for starters and now this and it
is creating more anxiety because I am worried I am going to have a heart attack or something. I am healthy, not problems there, but this is weird and I am scared. Does this go away, should I cut back? I know I should call the Doctor too....
Please help if you can.Thank you so much
Jacs
Posted by dbc on March 7, 2007, at 10:29:18
In reply to Adderall and arm pain, posted by jacs on March 7, 2007, at 10:02:26
20mg is nothing man, im scripted 40mg of dexedrine which is about 60mg of adderall.
What you're describing could be referal pain but stereotypical heart attacks generally start in your chest and then the pain moves to your left arm/arm pit. Im pretty sure the coldness is due to changes in blood pressure.
By all means go to the doctor and get checked out but chances are you're just having minor panic attacks.
Posted by Phillipa on March 7, 2007, at 11:18:39
In reply to Re: Adderall and arm pain, posted by dbc on March 7, 2007, at 10:29:18
I'd call the doc too. You didn't mention your age or sex and with women heart attacks or angina are different symtoms. Love Phillipa
Posted by jacs on March 7, 2007, at 12:46:18
In reply to Re: Adderall and arm pain, posted by dbc on March 7, 2007, at 10:29:18
Thank you for writing me. I am 45 yrs old. Never had a panic attack. I had chest pain yesterday. I have had a heating pad onmy arm all afternoon to get it to warm up. 20 mg is a lot for me. I only weigh 120 lbs and I am 5 10 so anymore would kill me for sure.
All of this started with the medication. My BP normal is 113/70 and pulse 60, but yesterday I sat on my bike and took my pulse before exercising and it was 80--so I am nervous (understatement). The weakness in that arm makes no sense and so maybe I should get off it or lower it to 10 mgs. Thing is I stay awake during the day and that was the whole point and focus is good, but if it flips my heart out, then not good. Not sure what to make of it. Now this afternoon I can breath and I am okay, but after I take this 20 mg--- look out. I keep shaking my arm out but nothing helps. I don't get angina or anything and the my shoulder blade area is weird too. I just hope this is not a precursor to a bigger problem like a heart attack.
I don't know enough about these medications and without it I am alseep ....
I will send this now before I lose it again....I tried to send before, but the post vanished.
Posted by stargazer on March 7, 2007, at 12:47:59
In reply to Adderall and arm pain, posted by jacs on March 7, 2007, at 10:02:26
SOB with arm pain should be worked up immediately. Like Phillipa said, cardiac involvement can present differently for a woman vs a man, so not always typical to have chest pain.
Also, if one hand is colder than the other one that is not a good sign. It may be nothing, but why worry. It may or may not be related to the Adderall exclusively but we can all have adverse effects anytime we start a new drug. Drugs of all types can be lethal, even aspirin, so call your doc immediately just to be sure.
You can always start on less than 20 and gradual increase dose. Is it immediate or slow release(XR)?
Stargazer
Posted by jacs on March 7, 2007, at 12:53:56
In reply to Re: Adderall and arm pain/Have it checked out, posted by stargazer on March 7, 2007, at 12:47:59
what does SOB mean? Besides what I think it means. Just a little clarity.
I may go to the clinic today. Now I am more worried.Thank you for helping me though.
Posted by jacs on March 7, 2007, at 12:56:47
In reply to Re: Adderall and arm pain/Have it checked out, posted by jacs on March 7, 2007, at 12:53:56
He has me on regular-- not XR--so that I can modify the dose.
Posted by stargazer on March 7, 2007, at 13:12:02
In reply to Re: Adderall and arm pain/Have it checked out, posted by jacs on March 7, 2007, at 12:53:56
Sorry, as you stated you had shortness of breath SOB),a symptom that can be associated with a cardiac or pulmonary diagnosis when it occurs out on its own, unlike, occurring normally with exercise.
Stargazer
Posted by Joe Bloe on March 7, 2007, at 13:33:31
In reply to Re: Adderall and arm pain/Have it checked out, posted by stargazer on March 7, 2007, at 13:12:02
I had a similar problem on stims a couple of years ago. It was on Ritalin and I had similar problems with chest pain and sensations in my left arm. I went to the doctor at least 3 times I think over a 4-6 month period and had all my vitals checked out and even had an ekg once. The doctor's verdict was the same every time:"There is nothing wrong with you physically. Everything is normal. You are having panic attacks and obsessive thoughts about having heart problems. The increased anxiety is likely being caused by the stim."
Since switching to Adderall, I do not have the same anxiety and do not have the same chest pain.
That being said, I would DEFINITELY go get it checked out. Better to be on the safe side.
Posted by rjlockhart on March 7, 2007, at 13:57:59
In reply to Re: Adderall and arm pain, posted by Phillipa on March 7, 2007, at 11:18:39
I had a very serious problem one time with something that you describing, i took 60mg of adderall and had a terrible reaction after it wore off.
I thought i was going to have to go to the hospital, i was having a heart attack or something.
Its something, i have read that adderall can have i dont know what, i didnt have it when i was on dexedrine. I think its one of the Isomers.
Did you have a bad attack?
rj
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