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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Benjamin W on August 11, 2002, at 4:07:39
Greetings all,
I've been lurking for a while, searching through the vast heap of messages as they pertain to a medication I'm currently taking, Adderall.
I've been on it for a year and three months, taking 10mg three times a day. A long-time ADD'er, I've been on Ritalin, Concerta, and Welbutrin. Far and away, Adderall is the one medication that has worked the best, and it is the one that I want to continue to use. However, I couldn't be so lucky as to have a great medication with no side effect, right? Oh nooo..
I experience a variety of the common side effects. Sometimes I get a headache, sometimes I get dry mouth. These side effects I can handle. But there's a new one creeping in..
About three months ago, I started to get a middle-to-lower back ache about an hour after taking my first adderall. The pain gets worse and worse throughout the day. At first, of course, I didn't link the two. I couldn't fathom how a psychoactive drug would cause my back muscles to ache. After running out of ideas, I decided to take a few weekend holidays from the drug, and sure enough .. the back pain went away, until I took the next dose Monday morning.
I only have a few theories as to what may be causing the back pain. I considered dehydration, so I started doubling the amount of water & poweraid that I drink, just to insure that I was adequately hydrated. No change. I've bought a new computer chair. No change. I've been to a chiropractor. Temporary relief, but the pain comes back with a vengance. I considered that perhaps the Adderall is depleating a certain mineral in my body, so I started taking multivitamins. No change.
Has anyone else experienced something similar to this? I'm desparate for an answer. My psych was no help at all.. he just told me that he didn't believe that the Adderall would have anything to do with it. But I *know* it is. It comes on like clockwork when I take the meds.
I'm to the point where I may need to take myself off it. My MD was no help either, by the way. As opposed to giving me anything for the pain (I'd tried all of the OTC stuff.. Ibuprofen, etc), he just recommened that I get off the Adderall, as he isn't much of a believer in ADD.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
-BenPS > Some data on me, if it is of any help:
5'6, 26 years old, 150 lbs.
Also taking Prevacid for heartburn (it's a PPI class drug).
Posted by katekite on August 11, 2002, at 12:39:24
In reply to Back aches while on Adderall, posted by Benjamin W on August 11, 2002, at 4:07:39
I agree Adderall probably doesn't cause the problem. However I think it could accentuate it.
Adderall may increase or decrease your overall muscle tension which would put more or less strain on various muscle groups, altering strain on individual vertebral joints/disks. For me (ADD) ritalin is relaxing and I feel almost limp: I can imagine that I would unconsciously posture my back a little differently on it.
Or Adderall could modify pain sensitivity, maybe the rest of the time it is just under the threshold for you to be consciously aware of it.
Your average doc would know virtually nothing about Adderall so I would probably not give much weight to their opinion.
I'd say, see a orthopedic specialist about it, don't mention the Adderall except in passing to say it seems to accentuate the problem, stop any high impact sports completely for 6 months and start doing back exercises daily, plus a low impact exercise like Stairmaster or swimming. Back pain is generally only faintly helped by regular doses of Tylenol: you would have to try a triple or quadruple dose (which is safe once or twice now and then, if you are completely healthy and have no other problems). You could also try icing it. 26 is pretty young for back problems: try to get it properly diagnosed before letting a chiropracter do too much to it. It's painful enough you've bought a new chair, so that says something.
(I'm not a doc)...
Anyhow, hope it gets better. Pay attention to the pain and don't continue any impact sports: my husband slipped a disk at 20 after not paying attention to a couple weeks of mild pain.Kate
This is the end of the thread.
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