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r/adderall•
TheDoctorEngineer

Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)

Discussion

Apparently I've got SVT, and my prescription may hang in the balance as a result. The condition on its own is semi-benign, and can be cured (I think) with surgery. But it presents with some pretty scary symptoms - the most obvious being palpitation "episodes", wherein heart rate leaps from its resting state up to 180+ BPM (200+ with Adderall) almost instantly, maintains that rate for a couple minutes, then crashes back to resting rate in the span of less than a second. When it happens to me, I get a bit weak in the knees and my head starts to hurt like hell, but as soon as it's over I feel completely fine. I spent a while reading about the potential consequences, and I couldn't find any direct link to heart attack or sudden death. These episodes must be dangerous, though to what extent I'm not sure.

I'm not looking for doctors' advice or anything, by the way. I saw my physician yesterday, and I'm going to see my cardiologist once an appointment opens up; I know I can't just ignore this. Right now, though, I'd mostly like to know if I'm not entirely alone here.

So, does anyone else have experience with SVT? Obviously I want to stay on Adderall. It's way too dang useful to give up because of some moderate discomfort that cumulatively works out to maybe 20 minutes per year. I doubt anyone here has the same condition, but maybe one of you guys knows someone who does? If by any chance someone here does have SVT, or knows someone with it who was/is taking Adderall, I would be thrilled to hear what you have to say.

Posted Mar 3, 2018, 6:18 AM UTC · edited

53
raintech24•

So I dont have SVT but my dad does. He saw his doc and a cardiologist as well they are pretty nonchalant about it in terms of seriousness. He's not on Adderall tho but depending on the dose I doubt it'll be a problem (maybe dependent on how high of a dose).

SVT is rarely life threatening, they'll probably just make you wear a heart monitor for a while and if all is good then they'll send you off with your Adderall and some meds to use when another episode happens.

TBH I'd stay open to other alternatives because personally I'd be paranoid all the time if I used Adderall and had SVT. Hell, I'm paranoid about my heart giving out sometimes when I'm on Adderall without SVT lol. Hope things work out

3
skipowderallday•

Yes I got this also out of nowhere, after years (~10) of adderall use. Had one major episode of SVT, which I am sure came close to a heart attack. I figured I would take a break, and it would go away, but it hasn't. I took days off, then weeks, then months, then year. I now get palpitions / arrythmia's from other things. Like just walking up the stairs. Or working out.

Needless to say, I had to quit adderall. I wish there was some magic 'reset' drug or program. I wish I could take small doses of adderall still to handle shit I need to with my life.

2
TheDoctorEngineerOP•

See a cardiology specialist and get an ablation procedure! It's an extremely low-risk surgery that has a high probability of fixing SVT forever (if you've got the right kind). My physician recommended ablation to me, but the cardiologist decided my case was too mild to go ahead with it. You sound like the perfect candidate, though.

1
lillyloo422•

Does HR increase mainly when you stand up? If so look up POTs syndrome.

1
stairwaytoMARS9•

Do you take any heart/blood pressure meds? Beta blockers would probably fix that issue well, and using beta blockers and Adderall the beta blockers completely take away the heart rate increase from the addy. They work really well, ask your doc about them.

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