MrCjolsen

And use an HRM?

I'm finding that there is a 10-15 bpm difference in my heart rate. It seems somewhat lower if I've not taken my ADHD medication recently. Mind you, I don't ride any slower and my power output seems the same.

Has anyone tracked what ADHD medication does to their heart rate?

Patriot

What most people need to realize, is that from what my doctor told me about these drugs, is that drugs like Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox, Ritalin, and a whole host of other anti-depressent and ADHD drugs are all derived from a similar chemical baseline. This baseline is essentially an Amphedamine based drug than when varied in its chemical production, provides differant psychological effects when taken.

Since many of these drugs are Amphedamine based, then it essentially acts as a stimulant, so an increase in heart rate would be a fairly common side effect. I find no surprise in how they are now finding there have been hundreds of deaths among our teens attributed to the prescription use of Ritalin. Hmmmm.... a mind altering Amphedamine base stimulant causing irreversible cardio-vascular and/or valve damage which resulted in heart failure and/or heart attacks in children. Go figure.

You wanna know the truth about ADD? I had ADD once when I was a kid. Yeah that's right. I was a hyperactive kid who couldn't pay attention. One time I was a bit hyperactive (screwing around) when me and my brothers were out baling hay in the summer. I forgot to pay attention to the hay bale as it fell into the wagon, and my brother almost got hurt as a result of my ADD.

After my Dad found out what happened, he got ahold of me, and my ADD was miraculously cured within a matter of seconds.

BroMax

Yes, there are safer, cheaper, faster, 100% natural ways to stimulate production of endorphins, dopamine and other neurotransmitters. I believe your dad treated your ADD or DCS (disobedient child syndrome) using traditional applied science that has been passed down through the generations. An occasional "retread" may be required but unlike the tablets, long-term daily dosage is unnecessary.


PS I know some kids and adults truly have mental health issues and I don't mean to make a joke at their expense; but I think some kids get drugged not because they are problem children, so much as they are children of problem parents.

MrCjolsen

Actually, I wasn't diagnosed until I was in my mid thirties. I didn't start the medication until I was 39. The medication has probably saved my career and my marriage.

My shrink made me get an EKG when all of those reports came out. The EKG was totally normal, and very good for a man my age. I've always had low blood pressure and low cholesterol. So I'm not worried about the cardio effects of the drug. In terms of intensity, the one or two adderalls I take have less of an effect on me than a few cups of black coffee. It just lasts longer.

But here is my question. Do people normally have a variance of 10 bpm in terms of their heart rate when exercising? I'm just wondering if it's not the time of day, sleep, or other factors. And I'm asking if anyone has actually studied this. I generally take one tablet very first thing in the morning, and two later in the day, around noon. I ride 13 miles to work and 13 miles home. My heart rate seems to be higher in the morning than in the afternoon. But in the morning I've also had coffee, I'm more likely to be in a hurry and I'm less tired.

I tested my max hr one morning and got it up to 203 in a sprint. At 160-170 I can carry on a conversation. At 140, I don't feel as though I'm exercising at all Yet, based on 220-age formula, my max should be 176 and I should start going anarobic around 150. That's just not the case.

My problem is what to use for my training heart rate, and if that rate should be adjusted as to whether or not I've taken my medication.

I've thought about not taking it in the morning until I get to work. But then I really would have issues getting out of the house and I'd probably be sitting here posting on BF when I was supposed to be on my way to work and then end up having to drive.

azwhelan

A two year study of adults treated with Adderall XR showed no mean change in heart rate or blood pressure. Everybody responds indiviually though and the best thing to do is consult your doctor preferably a psychiatrist. Unfortunatley the internet is the best place for misinformation(as you can read above). Glad to hear you've benefited from treatment.