Meds for ADD for folks over 70 yrs. Old

Posted by sharpy1946 @sharpy1946, Aug 10, 2022

I’m 75 yrs old and have been taking Adderall XR 20 mg daily for 25 yrs. My MD wants me to go off of it because it can cause HTN in the elderly. I have always had low blood pressure so I don’t think this will be a problem.
I also have hypothyroidism & a low normal # of red blood cells which (I think) make me prone to fatigue. I do take levothyroxine which works well. I got off of adderall and started on some natural vitamins/minerals which actually seem to help with my ADD. However, I am exhausted and, even with 11 hours of sleep nightly, I still take an afternoon nap.
Can I safely take my Adderall at my age. I feel I am sleeping my life away & need to get revel up a little which adderall certainly did. I have taken the same dose for the 25 yrs. But when I was working I sometimes took an additional 10 mg if I was working late. Thanks for any advice. I’m feeling s/w desperate . I also take Effexor XR 150 mg for intermittent depression. It has been a life saver for me.

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carolee888 | @carolee888 | Aug 15, 2022

In reply to @esthermayo "I hope you are doing better than you expect." + (show)

Thank you, I am a part time job unpaid job for my husband, have loads of autoimmune diseases and co-morbids. I had no idea that I would be constantly going to the doctor when I got older. Thank you for the kind thoughts.

carolee888 | @carolee888 | Sep 3, 2022

I saw a psychiatric nurse yesterday about my sleeping problems. She consulted her advisor, a pychiatrist and I have a prescription to try, Will pick it up on Monday if it is ready, for 1/2 Trazadone for sleeping. I hope that it will help.

The nurse thinks that I have anxiety, maybe not ADHD. I agree that I have anxiety but I don't agree with her that I may not have ADHD. I was given three websites for therapists. I asked about POA, and other legal documents and I have websites connected to the state. I am hesident to start on them because I want to move. Now wondering if any of the documents would be good in another state, I can do that research myself.

carolee888 | @carolee888 | Sep 4, 2022

In reply to @carolee888 "I did an Internet search and found a lot of information like: Healthline.com/health/are-there-natural-alternatives-to-adderall-and-do-they-work#precautions, Now seniors are..." + (show)

Update, I saw the nurse and have a prescription that may help me sleep, I can pick it up on Monday. I am to try 1/2 of the pill. Will let you know if it works. I was very disappointed in the other two problems that I asked her about. I was given links to websites for one that I defintely feel I needed more guidance on it. Inside of ADHD, she thinks that I need to work on anxiety. I do anknowledge that I have that but I still feel in my gut that I have ADHD. I had read a lot of books about it and I think she is missing the mark. Again, I received links for therapists. Grrrrr! I am hoping that the medicine helps me and it will take a long time before I figure out what to do with the rest of my problems. Last night I took 10 mg of Melatonin and got enough sleep to feel refreshed.

jenatsky | @jenatsky | Sep 5, 2022

In reply to @carolee888 "I saw a psychiatric nurse yesterday about my sleeping problems. She consulted her advisor, a pychiatrist..." + (show)

It might be more beneficial to your health to instead see a sleep specialist and find out if you have a sleep disorder vs. taking an anti anxiety meds that will make you sleepy. These types of meds are not recommended for older adults for the purpose of sleep. The side effects can be worse than the reason for taking it.

carolee888 | @carolee888 | Sep 5, 2022

In reply to @jenatsky "It might be more beneficial to your health to instead see a sleep specialist and find..." + (show)

I had four sleep studies, I had severe sleep apnea. I tried three kinds of machines and four different kinds of masks. The noise of the machine kept me awake and all the masks cut into my face. I gave up on that and then found that I could have an operation to help me. The UPPP , my tonsils were removed and I don't have sleep apnea now.

jenatsky | @jenatsky | Sep 5, 2022

I’m glad you found a cure for your SA albeit odd from my knowledge base. But I will check out this treatment. Do you have any info?

brandysparks | @brandysparks | Sep 6, 2022

In reply to @jenatsky "I’m glad you found a cure for your SA albeit odd from my knowledge base. But..." + (show)

Ditto - about to try a mask with the softer "nasal pillow" and the hose going to the top of the head rather than to the side (as I am a side sleeper with many pillows due to LT back issues). Had last tried a mask about 10+ years ago, with no success.

Have researched/inquired about all the options - here's what I've found &/or understand so far:
- Inspire [TM] implanted device that stimulates the vagus nerve to affect the position of the tongue during sleep (when activated);
- removal of the uvula (writer above had this?); and/or:
- removal of tonsils;
- palate surgery (also above)
- repositioning of the jaw forward to open more space in the throat (seems like significant/major surgery in scope).

Having just completed my second sleep study in my life, I wanted to know what the options are, along with running these all by my PCP. Beyond the mask, he was favorable of Inspire, if one was willing to have something implanted.

Trying the sleep mask first.

Hope at least some of this helps.

Best wishes.

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Sep 6, 2022

In reply to @brandysparks "Ditto - about to try a mask with the softer "nasal pillow" and the hose going..." + (show)

@brandysparks, I'm a side sleeper also and the hose was a problem when I first started out with CPAP. I found a hose stand that I slide under the mattress at the top end of the bed and it keeps the hose out of the way. It's fairly inexpensive also -- https://www.amazon.com/Cpap-Hose-Holder-Sleeping-Tangle/dp/B07MKPG5VG/ref=sr_1_3_sspa

brandysparks | @brandysparks | Sep 6, 2022

Wow! Thanks so much @johnbishop! Just checked it out on Amazon & would've never known that was an option! Looks like it's $18.99 right now. Really helpful. May look further there on Amazon for other innovations.

BTW - though I don't know if I can sleep with this CPAP set-up, are there any Mayo Clinic or other credible sources that have guidance on keeping the mask/system free of bacteria, moisture, whatever else can happen? Hope the whole thing is not too high maintenance, but if I can tolerate it successfully, it will probably prove to be well worth a good night's sleep, less brain fog and less/or no more daytime drowsiness!

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Sep 6, 2022

In reply to @brandysparks "Wow! Thanks so much @johnbishop! Just checked it out on Amazon & would've never known that..." + (show)

I started out washing the mask daily and the hose weekly along with all the other recommended cleaning procedures but after about a month or so bought a SoClean machine which makes it easy. I have a SoClean 3 now and have had it about a year and really like it. They are pricey and some people can't tolerate a small smell of ozone which is what it uses to disinfect the mask and hose. To be honest, I have never smelled any odor coming from the machine or when I put the mask on.
https://www.soclean.com/soclean3/product/soclean-3