I'm a 47 y/o female and was diagnosed with ADHD at age 6 but I did not take the meds, (can't remember why). At age 44 I decided to get tested and was diagnosed as having ADHD (of the inattentive type). I've also suffered from anxiety all of my life. Since beginning Adderall XR 15 mg, now 20 mg for 2 months, I have been experiencing muscle pain, cramping/tightening and weakness. Adderall changed my life for the better, (except for the pain if that's the cause). Not thinking that my pain was caused by this med my Dr. began sending me to one specialist after another, a Psychologist, 2 Psychiatrists, a Neuro Surgeon, a Spine Specialist, a Neurologist, and a Rheumatologist. All specialist say there is nothing wrong. I've had a CT scan, 4 MRIs, a nerve test and several X-Rays. All show no abnormalities. I've had 4 months of physical therapy, 1 yr. of Chiropractic care and spent thousands of dollars on in home equipment to ease the pain. Nothing has helped and I refuse to take pain relievers, I don't believe covering up the problem is the answer... Recently, I was told by my Rheumatologist that I had "Myofacial Pain". REALLY?! I'm no Dr. but I believe that was the reason WHY I made the appt. to see him. What I'd like to know is the cause of my pain... :/ Needless to say, I'm completely frustrated and becoming increasingly depressed. It hurts to do simple household chores, I rarely leave my home, and out of desperation I spend up to 10 hrs a day on the internet looking for answers. I'm beginning to wonder if the Adderall XR is the cause. Has anyone else experienced these issues while on this med? If so, what ADHD med were you switched to? PLEASE HELP!!! (Sorry for the lengthy question) Thanks!
Is Adderall XR causing muscle pain, cramping and weakness?
Question posted by painhell on 16 Aug 2011
Last updated on 19 May 2024
Answers Page 6
Your dosage is probably too powerful for your body to handle. (size/weight)
Try switching to non-XR. I was initially prescribed 30mg of xr daily. However after about 4 months, I began to experience cramping & tightness in my neck, back & sometimes horrific headaches. I found temporary relief in stretching and yoga type movements. Finally, I decided to decrease the adderall build up in my and switched to non-xr 25mg twice or three times daily. That was the cure for me. Your dr. shouldn't have problem switching. Hope it works for you too. Adderall is great.
Dear jerzeygirl777;
Your post was really helpful to me! Will try the non xr, and if that's a problem, will move on to a non-stimulant type.
My best,
stopthepain99
I just started taking Rx 30mg of Adderall. I also am having tightening in my mussels, but other than that I feel so much better attention and comprehension wise. What do you suggest? I fear that I will not have as good as results or any in my attention and comprehension if I decrease my dosage.
I am soooo thankful this old post is still online. OMG! I echo the discomforts described. I am fatigued. My arms are weak. I have knots, sore to the touch, which relocate symmetrically. I had one under my rib cage that caused so much pain, it was difficult to breathe. Several tests @ Dr. & no findings. I've been excessively thirsty, not being able to quench my thirst. My psych said Adderoll didn't cause muscle troubles. When I got a massage, the mauseuss asked me what my job was because I had so many knots. She said knots are toxic, and can be caused by meds. So,
Saw this - had to respond. Am 41 y/o male - almost same experience.
- Been on adderall IR for last 7/8 yrs, then switched to XR about 6 months ago. about 2x yr would go to dr complaining of a sinus infection or tooth pain but couldn't ever find the cause. Have had 4 root canals on the right side of my mouth - so much pain I wanted root canals!
- After last root canal, pain didn't go away. Have been to ENT, neurologist, pain specialist - and my primary - trying to find the cause. Plus referred to psychologist for anxiety. Plus 2 oral surgeons to confirm the issue isn't with my teeth. Had CT scan which came up clean.
- With all of the MDs, have been to chiropractor, acupuncture, guy that does "neuro-rehab" massage/body work with stroke patients. thousands and thousands of dollars.
- The neurologist and pain specialist calls it a neuralgia - nerve inflammation, either in my trigeminal or occipital nerves, and likely due to muscle tension and compression of nerves over years. But - no one can seem to tell me why my muscles are so tight in my back and neck, and even after chiro, massage, etc - the tension just comes right back.
- The pain DR. gave me an occipital nerve block last week, which has helped a bit with the back of my head and neck. And next would be botox to help the muscles relax.
- No one, but no one has suggested it could be the adderall.
- But last week I got a wild idea and thought "gee, I wonder if it's been the the adderrall, and these mystery toothaches and sinus infections got much much worse after switching to XR. let me check online and see if anyone else reports the same thing?" Well lo and behold, seems like I'm not the only one.
- and I totally agree, it screws with your mind.
- So I've asked my Dr. to move off of Addrerall and to Focalin or something that's not such a CNS stimulant to see if we can decrease the muscle tightness.
- But I have nothing to share yet on getting either the muscles to release or nerves to stop hurting. Will report when I do. good luck to you.
I am taking adderall xr 25 mg and 20 mg in the after noon.i know how you feel my whole body hurt my legs arms my neck.i kept going to the doctor and they could not figure out what was causing the pain.well i stayed off my meds for 4 days and i had no pain at all..i started it back and had the pain again it toke 6 months for the pain to go away.
I would find a Lyme Literate physician. Go to ILADS.org. You would not believe how often this type of thing is caused by Lyme or another infection. Normal docs will not make the connection. It will only get worse if untreated.
Infections like Lyme also cause anxiety, depression, pain and ADD. My daughter had these things and was diagnosed with Epilepsy. it was Lyme causing all of it. treated naturally for 8 months and she is symptom free and EEG is clear. Neurologist having trouble coming to grips with it, but my Integrative medicine doctor was right. DO NOT bother with the typical Lyme tests or IDSA trained doctors. They are wayyyyyyyy behind the times with treating CNS issues and autoimmune issues like ALZ, Parkinsons, MS, ADD, Anxiety, Arthrities, Low Thyroid, Diabetes. All can be triggered by Lyme and co infections so you must treat those properly--(many different antibiotics and supplements for months or natural treatments like Beyond Balance or Cowden Protocol. ALL work, but you need a Lyme Literate MD. go to ILADS.org.
After much research we figured out that alot of pain with Adderall comes in the afternoon when the medicine has peaked. The adderall flushes the salts out of your cells so if you drink a powerade in the afternoon it replaces the lost salts. We have 3 people in our family with ADHD and we have found the powerade helps immensely.
After much research we figured out that alot of pain with Adderall comes in the afternoon when the medicine has peaked. The adderall flushes the salts out of your cells so if you drink a powerade in the afternoon it replaces the lost salts. We have 3 people in our family with ADHD and we have found the powerade helps immensely.
Hi
taking adderal I like the advances I made in my work.. but like you I was in pain.. weak.. leg cramps and dehydrated here is what worked for me.
1.) non generic adderall
2.) eating a meal before adderal dose
3.) taking magnesium/potassium before adderall dose..supplement took away the leg cramps
4.) no alcohol
5.) don't take adderal when I'm not working (weekends)
6.) getting I.V from my doctors to replace the lack of fluids with b12 1-2 per month.. try this doctors act like they don't know this med is causing this but it does..
This sounds so much like myself. Please let me know if you find any medications that work as well but no side effects as adderall thanks
A lot of our meds will cause a depletion or deficiency of magnesium. Most Americans (80%) are magnesium deficient. I took a ppi for years( Dr"s direction) and had severe neck, back and TMJ pain which I attributed to my line of work. Going to chiropractor and having massages helped some but there were times it came with a vengeance. I have been on adderall or for 2 years. There is more to the story but after being harmed by prescription meds I began to look at nutrition. The information is out there but not in mainstream medicine. I began to take magnesium and within a few days all pain was gone. I could even turn my neck without turning my whole body. You can"t take too much but have to avoid the ones that have laxative effect. Avoid mag oxide, doesn't absorb well. Citrate, chloride and others,Epsom salt baths, lotions are good.. I take ionic magnesium and still do. On adderall and it will deplete magnesium quickly.
Dr Carolyn Dean has written a very informative book called The magnesium Miracle. You can Google stimulants or medicines that cause nutrient deficiencies and there is a wealth of information. I take inositol, b complex, folate, b12, and vit c at night as an antioxidant. Hope you improve and God bless.
It is the Adderall xr, your dosage an weight makes a difference, over a period of time , dehydrates your body , including mouth, joints, reg. Adderall you have more control over, in an out of your body in few hours, if you feel you need more then take more, xr in yr body 12, 16 hours, if you need this medication, it comes with side effects , it's harsh on your body long term , also see a nutritionist, I have similar issues
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adderall, adderall xr, pain, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd), muscle pain, muscle
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