Hello, I was diagnsed ADD last year and my doc switched me from 20mg Ritalin to 20mg Adderall a few months ago. On occasion, my dislostic blood pressure gets into the 90's and sometimes even pushes 100 while on the MED (usually a few hours after.) I have a home Blood pressure testing Kit so I can monitor my Blood pressure daily and make sure I dont get into dangerous levels. Im really quite scared of this whole Stroke thing that revolves around psychostimulants. When I wake up in the morning or before I go to sleep (when the MEd has worn off) my blood pressure is usually at an optimal level. (below 130/80) My top value hardly ever goes over 140 but its the bottom value (dialostic) that I become conerned about...especially since the bottom number is the one which represents STROKE:eek: It is only recently that my blood pressure has gotten into the 90's meaning I was checking my Blood pressure last month while taking the adderall and it was normal.(>130/80) I come on the internet and research this stoff for hours which only gets me more hysterical about HBP.

So now for the questions....is a subtle raise in blood pressure normal with adderall? (not common but expected)

IS intermittent high blood pressure not as dangerous as consistent? meaning, do I have less to worry about since my levels are only clinically hypertensive *stage 1-2* half of the day?

At what level will a stroke come on (I know the risk increases the higher the blood pressure) but should I go to the hospital if my dialostic starts gettin in the mid hundreds?


I know this may sound a litle paranoind but strokes scare me alot! Maybe the diet from my vacation this past week has thrown my system outa wack.
Well thanks for the help guys!
Peace, Erik

These flucuations are wacky too----

Took 10mg at 11:15 (I work a night job)
Before I wrote this at 12:20 my BP was: 139/101
Now at 1:00 by BP is: 125/73

Thats a 30 point drop in an hour
I just dont want a combination of a bad day (stress, sodium physical exertion etc) alongside the adderall to kick me up to 150/110 and make me a vegetable for the rest of my life yanno?

Welcome to the Forums, Erik!

I wish I could answer your questions, but I don't know the answers.

I think it would be best if you called your doc and asked these questions. Your doc (or doc's nurse) will know the answers and be able to answer any other questions that may come up during the discussion.

Best wishes!

Courtney

These flucuations are wacky too----
Perhaps you need to check it on another montor - and possibly get a new one. I'm middle aged and check my BP often anyway. I find that the wrist monitors are pretty bad in terms of reliability. You should be able to take it 5 times in a row and get similar numbers.

If the BP numbers are real - then I'd consider going back to Ritalin or another med. I guess another question would be - how high were your numbers before you started meds?

Ive always known my BP to be pretty normal in the past but I didnt get this testing kit until I researched adderall and found all these accounts of Stroke. My cuff is not a wrist one, it covers my whole bicep. I havent pushed 100 since I wrote this and Ive been checking quite a bit but even 90's is pretty high for somebody my age.

My BP was in the 140/100 range when I started Adderall about two years ago. My doctor was concerned, but decided to give me the Adderall along with a mild diuretic (usually the first drug given to fight high blood pressure). When I went back 30 days later, I was down to 125/90. The Adderall killed my appetite and I lost about 15 pounds in that month, which also helped a lot (I was about 240# when I started, so the loss was welcomed).

Anyway, here it is two years later and I no longer take anything for my blood pressure. My Adderall dose is up to 30mg 2x daily and, as of two days ago, my blood pressure is at 100/80. The only thing I do differently is monitor my sodium intake.

Talk to your doctor about your BP! He/she may want to consider some steps to reduce it without having to take you off of Adderall. You can also take some steps on your own like reducing sodium (salt) intake and trying to reduce your stress level.

Good luck.

even 90's is pretty high for somebody my age.90 diastolic is high for any age. I suspect you are on the young side (less than 35). The other possibility (and I'm sorry if I tread on a difficult subject) - is how is your weight and physical condition? I've seen too many people overlook these things - as they can be the culprit in many situations. Good physical conditioning helps in lots of ways. I have exercised a lot at regular intervals over the past 20 years and not only feel better in my 50's than I did in my 20's - but have BP in the 120/75 range (even with stress life over the top).

If these factors are not optimal - you might think about talking to your Dr. about some other med. Good luck.

Jon