strange side effects from methylphenidate
 

I am a 27- year-old female with ADHD (also diagnosed with depression). I have suffered with depression my whole life, and was not diagnosed with ADHD until the beginning of college. I have been on antidepressants since 13, and have done well. When I was diagnosed with ADHD, I was prescribed Ritalin, and slowly began to abuse it. I switched medications and have taken Concerta, Adderall, you name it, and every medication I slowly increased my dosage until I was taking 2-3 times what I was prescribed. This went on for about 3 years, until it made me sick. I began to retain water, had severe swelling in my extremities, heart palpitations, and very strange skin symptoms- I actually had deposits of some kind coming out of my skin. I went to a doctor (at this time I was still in denial that I was an addict), adn showed him what had come out of my skin, and he asked me if I had ever heard voices. Convinced that I was crazy and my health going downhill, I stopped taking my medication cold turkey right after college and stayed off of it for several years. I told my parents and close friends that I had stopped taking it because I didn't need it anymore, too ashamed to tell them I was addicted to it and afraid that they would think I was crazy if I told them about the strange symptoms I was having. Years later, I informed my psychiatrist about my previous addiction and I had started to go back to school, and she just gave me the Daytrana patch so that I could not alter the dosage. I have been on it for a week, and the strange symptoms are slowly beginning to come back- the swelling, and now joint pain. My question is- has anyone ever experienced symptoms like this from methylphenidate, and why would I tolerate it so well for years and all of a sudden it is making me ill, especially now that I am on the correct dosage. I am going to quit using it but would still like to know how it is affecting my body and what about the medication would cause these strange symptoms.

I can't say what would cause it, but abusing stimulants--even if it's "just" ADHD meds--can cause permanent changes. If your previous overdoses changed your response to the drugs--maybe even had your body react to them as it would to an invader--then you could actually have developed a sensitivity where one didn't exist before.

You do need to go see your doctor about this. The symptoms you describe are pretty far into the "unacceptable side-effect" category.

I know it might sound weird, but have you tried drinking coffee? It does work for some people with ADHD; and caffeine is a stimulant just like ADHD meds are. You'll have to go caffeine-free on weekends to prevent developing a tolerance and losing the effect, though.

If it turns out you can't take medication, have you considered an ADHD coach? Someone trained to help you organize yourself--like a personal secretary and skills trainer in one--is often a great help, whether your ADHD is medication-resistant or whether you're on meds and need additional help.

The swelling may be due to increased blood pressure. Stimulants increase blood pressure, and then the kidneys cannot function as well as a result.

Since you are older now, your body is more vulnerable to the effects of aging. It wouldn't hurt to buy a manual blood pressure cuff and take your pressures first thing in the morning, during the day with the patch and at night before going to bed. It will show if you are reacting negatively to the stimulant.

Stimulant drugs increase heart rate, and constrict blood vessels. So you may get cold hands/feet as well.

If you are worried, you can get your doctor to run a renal panel and some other blood work as well. Attention to thyroid testing may help. If you are hyperthyroid, you would be reacting negatively to any stimulant.