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
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
77 Answers Page 2
I began adderall 3.5 years ago and am now prescribed up to 60mg (instant release)/day. I had only been taking 20-40mg a day up until recently but the pandemic has made everything so much harder and I began taking my full daily dose a couple weeks ago. I have been experiencing horrible calf cramps, no matter how much water I drink. I notice it is worse when sitting all day and doing desk work. It’s only been a couple weeks but on the days I take 40mg or less, I *typically* don’t feel the leg cramps.
That said, I’ve had terrible back, neck and jaw muscle spasms the last three years regardless of dose. Some of these I had long before adderall and some have noticeably worsened. A lot of it may be due to the desk job I started 3 years ago too, but it seems to me that adderall and muscle cramps over time are unfortunately very related. :( Someone else online mentioned that trying another stimulant that’s not “sodium based” could help alleviate muscle cramps from adderall, but I haven’t personally been willing to deal with all the side effects of switching to try this out. Best of luck and sorry you’re in pain! Highly recommend getting frequent 2 hour massages and working with a PT to strengthen your core and offset back pain.
Yes, same pain, from add 20 xr, it restricts blood flow , an can severely dehydrate you . 5 years now , magnesium an hydration, don't overdo with water, it can flush electrolytes out , as the Adderall probably makes you urinate more, Pedialyte, mild exercise, sit in the sun for warmth if possible
How many of you have also suffered from anxiety? If so, are the reported flare ups usually in the parts of your body where you hold tension?
Yes bad anxiety & the area with the pain is definitely where I hold tension.
Hi, I’ve experienced almost the SAME exact thing. IYes, definitely think there is a strong correlation between Adderall (stimulant ADHD drugs) and body pain. In my experience the pain was dose related, higher the dose worse the pain. With my doctor I worked to find the right dose to manage both symptoms and my body pain. Essentially she lowered my dose, spread it out and I faithfully started doing mild exercise.
Hope this is helpful.
My story:
I started Adderall In 2013 and it changed my life for better. The initial problems occurred when my pharmacy switched generic manufacturer, got jaw clinching and muscle aches. That cleared up when I started taking the brand Adderall. Over time my dose from 10mg went up to 10mg in am & 10mg early afternoon. The dose worked great at same time my body started feeling 100yrs old however the connection to ADHD drug was overlooked. I tried Adderall XR, which didn’t work for me and then a newer drug Vivance. That drug sent me over the top with pain. I was convinced I had gout in both big toes they hurt so badly; my body felt like it was coated In Icy Hot, I couldn’t handle taking a shower; was bedridden for days. I ended up on lyrica diagnosed with fibromyalgia and being told it most likely all anxiety induced. Stopped taking Vivance, over a matter of weeks the symptoms disappeared. Went back to Adderall at 10mg am/pm symptoms came back but at lesser degree. That’s when I knew it was the drug causing all my problems. I lived with all my body issues for 4 years and was incapacitated for days on end. I understand and feel your frustration that no doctor took the time to put our puzzle together. If it isn’t a skin deep issue, toss your hands up, there isn’t an issue.
I am 39 years old and three years ago I had to stop taking adderall due to an on set of auto immune issues. Before my health went South, I was perfectly healthy. Since being taken off the drug, I have tried getting back on it. The times that I did I never will forget. My whole body hurt from shoulders, hands, legs, etc. The first day I was put back on it was great, but that night was horrible... Night Sweats, Muscle Aches, and so much more. I finally told myself having ADHD untreated is way better than my body aching all day. Your symptoms are real!!! And I am pretty sure it is coming from the meds. Just talk to your doctor about another ADHD Medicine. I will never take that medication again. I sometime think it triggered my auto immune disease.
To those concerned about the side effects of adderall I would highly suggest monitoring your blood pressure and heart rate throughout the day for a week - especially if you are increasing the dosage. In hindsight I can’t believe my DR never asked about the side effects - there was no monitoring at all. When I wAs on 60mg my Resting heart rAte was 15-20bpm faster than normal and my blood pressure was through the roof. Of course this is going to cause other issues. Numbness, soar muscles, shortness of breath, etc.
It’s the Adderall. I’ve had the same problem. Stop taking it for a week and your pain will be gone.
I’m no doctor but I do study vitamins and deficiencies. One thing you can try which would not hurt you in the least and you’d only be out a few dollars if it didn’t work, is magnesium. A lot of these medications we take, come at a cost. Most of us are magnesium deficient anyway and then we deplete more by taking medications which use up our little bit of stores. You have to find a really good easily digestible form. Health food store powdered kind that’s mixed with vitamin C (helps it digest). At night before bed, it will also relax the heck out of you and help you sleep. If you have loose vowels to begin with, it may make it a bit worse until you are use to it. Remember it’s a bit of a muscle relaxer (which our body needs desperately). Remember you hearts a muscle too and needs these minerals that we get so little of. Good luck.
Yes. I was put on Adderall when I was about 10 because I could not get out of bed and had extreme fatigue and could not pay attention in class. I could fall asleep standing so I was put on that message and I am not 29. Last year around July I got a generic version of the medicine and I felt very strange and odd. It didn’t not feel the same. Took it the second day and felt a little panicky. 3rd day I was terrified and lost it at work. This intense weird kind of pain in my shoulder got worse and worse and crept up the side of my neck pulling on the back of my head and jaws. I’ve had pain before this but nothing as severe and handicapping as this has been. I have spent thousands of dollars and currently on medical leave. Unfortunately I’m scared because I’ve been to so many doctors and none of them
Can tell me what it is and it’s caused me severe depression. I don’t know how I am going to perform my job. I now have severe anxiety and the tension is just too much to bare. The Adderall has also cause me to gain abnormal amounts of weight in areas of my body and I am a man that works out regularly. I have tons of cellulite behind my legs and high estrogen levels and cortisol. I wish I had never been put on this medication because the withdrawals are so severe and my dose is high and trying to get lower. I could go on and on but I know deep down it’s the Adderall and your situation sounds exactly like mine. I would try to reduce or get off it ASAP. Good luck keep you in my prayers.
I see that this was posted in 2011 but i am in desperation. I have been dealing with the worst symptoms for 6 years now. It started with little symptoms here little there and then got full blown. No one can tell me whats wrong or how to fix it. I stopped the adderall when i suspected it was the trigger. It made the symptoms less but never went away. I started adderall again after the first time i stopped taking it and the symptoms came back 10 fold. I do not want pain meds i dont even want sympathy i just want to know it is not dangerous and that i will be ok and maybe find out how to get it settled down. It most deff was the adderall. 100 percent. I wish more people were talking about this. I have had cat scans saw an ent have been on antibiotic after antibiotic i take advil like its going out of style. I search the internet with prayers someday i will live comfortably.
Im not crazy this is real and im grateful i saw this post even if you never see my comment. Thank you for your existance. You have given me hope! I hope you are well and overcame your symptoms! Prayers to anyone else struggling with things beyond your control.
Check out the other comments about magnesium, Pedialyte, dehydration and stretching. After reading through I know exactly what my problem is along with everyone else’s. I’m not drinking enough water, I think my many magnesium levels are definitely low and I’m definitely not stretching or exercising because I’m stuck in a certain position constantly in front of the computer.
Hi I'm 47 also I take 30xr 2 x a day ..I also experience the muscle cramps and spasms along with my fingers cramping up. I found that magnesium oxide works wonderful for this. I take 2. 400mg pills a day and drink water and the symptoms pretty much go away... Good luck to you. I hope this helps . Make sure it's magox .
On May 13, the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research approved safety labeling changes for ADHD drugs, to add rhabdomyolysis to the list of possible adverse reactions that may be caused by amphetamine-based medications. The warning comes as the drugs continue to be prescribed to children at increased rates.
Rhabdomyolysis is a side effect associated with several different types of medications, which causes muscle fibers to begin to break down, releasing a protein called myoglobin, which can damage the kidneys as they attempt to filter it out of the bloodstream.
Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis include muscle cramps, tenderness, stiffness, pain or spasms. The illness is usually reported in patients over 65 years of age or those who have renal impairment or uncontrolled hypothyroidism, however these drugs are prescribed heavily to children and young adults. Over time, rhabdomyolysis can lead to kidney damage and even kidney failure. Some may require dialysis or a kidney transplant.
The list of drugs that must now carry the rhabdomyolysis warning includes Adderall, Adderall XR, Concerta, Daytana, Desoxyn, Dexedrine, Focalin, Focalin XR, metadate CD, Methylin, Quillivant XR, Ritalin, Ritalin LA, Ritalin SR, Strattera and Vyvanse.
Try taking L-Tyrosine for the muscle cramp problem. Take it on an empty stomach. It might work for you. You have to take enough of it, so do your research and figure out how much is right for you.
Look, here’s the deal. Doctors tend to believe they know everything because they have so much education. But the truth is the human body is a complex system and doctors base a lot of what they do on belief and speculation.
If they can speculate, then I can too, and I will at least admit that is what I am doing here. So take this with a grain of salt just as you should a doctor’s opinion. Unless otherwise indicated, you can verify everything I am about to say on wikipedia and the citations there.
It has been theorized that ADHD is caused by low dopamine in the brain. Stimulant meds increase dopamine by forcing the brain to release dopamine it already has (as opposed to causing the body to make more dopamine).
Dopamine is involved in muscle contraction. If dopamine gets to low, you can get cramps. For instance, this happens in tardive diskinesia.
This is what I believe is happening with ADHD meds (my idea/not on wiki): the meds somewhat deplete dopamine, causing cramps. To fix this, you need your body to make more dopamine (my idea). The body uses L-Tyrosine, an amino acid, to make dopamine (on wiki/look it up). L-Tyrosine —> L-Dopa—> Dopamine. Therefore, if you take L-Tyrosine, you will at least give your body some of what it needs to replenish the dopamine the stimulant meds released.
You can also try mucuna pruriens. It is L-Dopa, but L-Tyrosine works better for me, IMO.
take a lower dosage, seems to only happen to me when i over do it
So I'm a 37 yo male who just got put up 20 mg IR Adderall because focusing at work has become an issue. I had my appointment Sunday and filled my scripts. I have never taken adderall before, so I took 1 pill as prescribed, just to see how it would feel. I didnt really notice a difference except that I did seem a bit more focused and talkative, but that's about it. Next day, I woke up and took 40 mg this time. I also noticed that my right leg was sore, as if I had worked out or something. I shrugged it off and kept working. By the end of the day, I could barely walk. It felt like the worst muscle pain I've ever experienced. I ended up in the ER. I told the doc about the 3 meds I take everyday and he didn't seem concerned. Did blood work, a cat scan on my back to see if it was my sciatica, and an ultrasound on my leg to check for blood clots.
The only thing that came back was my Creatine kinase enzyme levels (which have to do with muscle deterioration) were pretty high. He gave me 4 days off from work, no meds surprisingly, and said to come back on Friday for more blood work to see if anything has changed. I may be going back earlier than that because it seems to be spreading. Started with my right calf, then my right knee and up my thigh. Now my left thigh muscle is sore as hell as well as my right tricep (tho that could be from having to use my arms to get up out of chairs and such). So I reallly dont know. I guess I'll know more in the coming days
Related topics
adderall, adderall xr, pain, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd), muscle pain, muscle
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