I have a preexisting irregular heartbeat. My cardiologist cleared it with my psych to let me try Adderall under the condition that at some point (about a week after starting the med) I would do a Holter monitor test (basically a pack you wear on your belt connected to about 6 electrodes that measure your heart over 24 hours). Just last year I had the Holter test done, so I don't think my cardiologist would be giving me the thumbs up on Adderall if there was some huge risk. I've had extensive testing in the past and it has always been concluded that my irregular heartbeat is totally safe. Infact, I was told that many people have one and never really know. I was cleared as completely healthy.

So I've been on Adderall XR 10 mg for 4 days now. Positives have included a noticeable increase in concentration, though nothing major. Also, a noticeable increase in sociability and general happiness.

Side effects so far include slight loss of appetite, some irritability, some minor aches, and today my ear popped a few times (anyone experience this while on Adderall? Went away totally after about 30 minutes). No loss of sleep whatsoever. I've noticed at times my heart beats a bit faster. I was moving some boxes around at my job today and I could tell it was beating a bit faster then it normally would be (but then again I was doing some pretty heavy lifting, so it would have went faster even without Adderall). The only thing that would be of concern is this: after days 2, 3 and 4 about 9 to 10 hours after taking the pill (aka the comedown period), I've felt a slight, slight uncomfortable feeling in my chest. No sharp pains or anything, just maybe a weird, different feeling every now and then. As I've stated, I've only really felt this later in the day after the Adderall is pretty much worn off.

I also noticed today about 4 hours in I was feeling a little foggy, but then the XR seemed to kick in and I felt fine again. I think this might have a lot to do with my low 10 mg dose.

I really feel that if my dose were doubled, all my positives listed above would increase dramatically, but I'm a little worried that it might be bad for my heart.

Anyone have any comments?

Badtown

I'm glad you have all checked over with the cardiologist. I am not add but have regular pac and pvc's. I do get a weird feeling in my chest when I get both pc's at the same time. Not sure if this is what you are experiencing or something else, but its always worth checking over with your doctor whenever something weird is happening.

Possibly someone who is taking similar meds can offer another take on this.

good luck

cs

One thing I could pose to anyone here taking Adderall:

Did anyone feel any difference in their heartbeat (besides it just beating faster) that went away over time?

Even with having PVCs, I've never actually felt them. If I was never told by a doctor that I had them, I would probably never have known. This makes me think that possibly my body is just adjusting to the Adderall, and the slight funny feeling I have in my heart will go away after extended use.

I am glad you are keeping a good perspective on this. The heavy box thing would make your heart beat faster with or without Adderall!!!!

I don't have a heart thing that I know of however when I first started taking Adderall I did notice a feeling of slight shakeyness in my hands. The feeling went away after about three weeks on the medications.

Also my decrease appetite went away totally after anbout two months of Adderall. Now after seven yeras it seems like the Adderall makes me hungry. I do NOT believe the medication actually makes me hungry because the hungry thing doesn't happen if I take my medication right after eating. However if I take the Adderall and I haven't eaten in four or five hours then I get hungry when the medication begins to take effect. I believe it is because the medication allows me to realize I am hungry!!!!

Maybe the meds allow you to feel or become aware of feelings that have always been there. Beside with all the pubilcity about Adderall and heart stuff I could help be "looking" for palpatations. I do agree it is best to check out any funny feelings in your chest with cardiologist!!! Better to be safe than sorry!!!!

Welcome to the forums!!!!!

Day 5 was today and I would have to say, if everyday was like Day 5, I would probably just leave my prescription at 10 mg. Didn't really notice any negative side effects. Eating seemed normal, focus seemed better then any day yet. Never felt anything with my heart.

I am doing the Holter monitor this Friday. After I get off work at 3 PM, I am walking to the hospital (very close to where I work), and getting it put on.

I have my next appointment with my psych sometime next week. If everything keeps going smoothly, I think I'll ask to try 15 mg to see how I react.

When I take claritin with adderall then I have popping of the ears and pressure all over my head. When I use my inhaler, 2 puffs, I shake for around two hours. Do you take any other meds?

Bad Town, Thanks for the posts. I have just started a low dose or Ritalin (5mg X 2 daily) and had much ado to clear it with my cardiologist. Had to have Psych. Dr. fight her with the quality of life issue. :mad: I have noticed some benefits right away; but not in the area that I really need immediate help in (disorganisation, procrastination, getting started on something) so I'd like to go up on my does. Also I get really tired when the does wear off so I'd like to do a longer acting one.. I guess we'll see. I don't know about you, but after 3 open heart surgeries and 3 pacemakers, I was blaming a lot of the problems I was having on the heart condition (social, memory, disorganisation, starting things and not finishing them...ect.). I am now realizing that the docs were right when they kept saying no it wasn't the meds and it wasn't the heart condition... it was "something else") Well, I finally figured it out at age 39 on my own, and am hoping for an improved quality of life.:) Just having the ADDFourms has been a huge help as I finally feel "understood" and as if "I found my people!" :D That makes things so much better!!:D Anyone else there with ADD and serious heart problems? There seems like like there might be a connection because we tend to get less oxogen in our bodies as a result of the heat condition... sometimes WAY less and that's probably what happened in my case. BTW, I only seem to notice irregular beats that are abnormal (I have always had some 'normally') when I forget to take my heart medication and am on the Ritalin (like last night). Otherwise it's been okay. Casey

When I take claritin with adderall then I have popping of the ears and pressure all over my head. When I use my inhaler, 2 puffs, I shake for around two hours. Do you take any other meds?

Claritin is a decongestant, throat, inner ears and nose all "connected" When sinsus drain some times a popping sound occurs in the inner ear due to the change of pressure.

Inhalars for asthma cause the shakes period, Adderall may inhance this effect but I have allergy to grass when some one moews and I am too close I have to use an inhalar. I get the shakes for a couple of hours weather I have taken my Adderall or not!!!!

I am not too sure which is worse the difficulty breathing due to allergy or the shakes due to the inhaler I take for the allergy. Needless to say I do NOT use my inhalar unless I am having a really really hard time breathing!!!

Questions concerning the effects of mixing different medications such as a paticular inhaler or over the counter decongestant can often be answered by pharmist. Chemical effects medications have on the body happens to be their specility!!!!