Stimulants Shortness of Breath on Stimulants

[dhopeless]

Hi, I recently was diagnosed with ADD and have been taking stimulants to treat it; first focalin, then dexedrine. When I took the focalin it was almost impossible to breath, so I stopped taking it. I was so short of breath that I couldn't even smoke a cigarette or focus better, for that matter. So I switched to Dexedrine and for a couple weeks the shortness of breath was all gone. Then, all of the sudden it came back! Not nearly as severe as it was on the Focalin, but still annoying. The only thing that seems to help is benzos, which makes me think its an anxiety thing. I do have General Anxiety Disorder, but I've never had this happen when I was not on a stimulant, except during severe panic attacks.

Does anyone know what causes this, and what I can do about it? It's annoying, it's the only troublesome side effect I'm having and otherwise I'm doing a lot better on the dex.

 

[Phase0)))]

It is an anxiety thing.

When I do not take benzos or buspar, then I go through the day in constant major worry and panic. Pretty much the entire time I am holding my breath and can't catch my breath, I also breathe much slower.

Stimulants cause anxiety. It is most likely just anxiety. Crack specifically has caused shortness of breath feelings.

Hope this helps

 

[Crashing]

They usually co prescribe ativan or another benzo with ADD meds due to the side effects that amps give. If you're experiencing shortness of breath you should cut your dosage down because that indicates it is too strong for you to handle. Shortness of breath in a medical setting is actually a severe symptom and is not treated lightly by any means. If you walked into the ER with short breath due to ADD meds you would skip the entire line straight to a bed. That my 02

 

[dhopeless]

They usually co prescribe ativan or another benzo with ADD meds due to the side effects that amps give. If you're experiencing shortness of breath you should cut your dosage down because that indicates it is too strong for you to handle. Shortness of breath in a medical setting is actually a severe symptom and is not treated lightly by any means. If you walked into the ER with short breath due to ADD meds you would skip the entire line straight to a bed. That my 02

I did end up cutting back my dose and it did help a lot. On the days I take the amount I was taking before it sometimes happens again. Unfortunatly I don't get as much useful effects on the lower dose, but at least I can breath.

 

[shreddedlettuce]

Hi, I recently was diagnosed with ADD and have been taking stimulants to treat it; first focalin, then dexedrine. When I took the focalin it was almost impossible to breath, so I stopped taking it. I was so short of breath that I couldn't even smoke a cigarette or focus better, for that matter. So I switched to Dexedrine and for a couple weeks the shortness of breath was all gone. Then, all of the sudden it came back! Not nearly as severe as it was on the Focalin, but still annoying. The only thing that seems to help is benzos, which makes me think its an anxiety thing. I do have General Anxiety Disorder, but I've never had this happen when I was not on a stimulant, except during severe panic attacks.

Does anyone know what causes this, and what I can do about it? It's annoying, it's the only troublesome side effect I'm having and otherwise I'm doing a lot better on the dex.

It would be best to tell your doctor about this side effect.
I would do this ASAP, don't start self medicating because of this.
See your doc and discuss this with him/her.

 

[Captain.Heroin]

I was so short of breath that I couldn't even smoke a cigarette

Shortness of breath can happen from smoking cigarettes. I'd say to stop smoking cigarettes.

You can manage having ADD/ADHD without using stimulants.