Adderall and Autoimmune Disease

Type I is insulin dependent, type II is non insulin dependent. Either can present at any age though type I is usually diagnosed in childhood and is rarely diagnosed in adulthood. In adult insulin dependent diabetes, there can be an autoimmune component. The condition is called latent auto immune diabetes. Ultimately, due to the immune system destroying the insulin manufacturing beta cells in the pancreas, the person with this disease will need insulin sub q.

My ADD doesn't have anything to do with wanting to have "high energy". If the Adderall affected you in that way (sleepless nights, etc) then you may not have ADD at all. I personally have never gotten an "energy" effect off of adderall, more like a "focus" effect. I have never been kept up nights from taking it, on the contrary it sometimes makes me drowsy. I also had an autoimmune disorder before I started taking it, which has been in remission since I started taking it and is now five months later flaring up. I just wanted to clear up the misconception that adderall had some type of meth buzz associated with it, because at least for me, that has not been the case.

I think you may have something there. After developing a severe autoimmune disorder, my doc stuck me on adderall to combat the endless fatigue and mental fog. I got back to my normal weight, can breath better, have less trouble moving, and can focus more during the day, allowing me deeper sleep at night. Every time I've quit, it all goes very downhill very quickly. Hundreds of lbs of weight gain, immobility, scary sh*t. When they let me back on the adderall it all improves. It's never great for my heart rate, but I'd rather take another heart med than deal with all of those other symptoms en masse. I think people with ADHD and ADD are experiencing the first part of their hormone disregulation which may lead to autoimmune problems.

This is a very interesting topic for me. I've been taking 10mg of adderall, 3x per day, for almost 4 years. I am 48 year old female. I had no idea that I had ADD, until I was treated for post-partum depression with Wellbutrin ar age 44, and suddenly found that I could function at work without my usual chaos and confusion, and could actually focus on listening to others and having conversations without being distracted. My fathers family has an alarmingly high incidence of genetically-inherited autoimmune disorders that run the gamut, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psioriasis, pilyarteritis nedosa, Crohn's Disease. I have had psioriasis since childhood, only localized thankfully, but have had to have steroid shots every year to control it. Since I started taking Adderall, my psioriasis is gone for the first time in my life. It has to be suppressing my immune response somehow. I've asked my dermatologist, PCP, GI doc, no one has a clue. I don't know if this is s good thing or s bad thing. Maybe if you have an overactive immune system (like I do), Adderall is beneficial. If you have a normal immune response, and Adderall suppresses it, it's a bad thing.

You are 1000% dead on!..I've been looking for years to understand my "SEVERE PLAQUE PSORIASIS " ..I've never had any issues until pain meds,addys combined with sugar etc..you the only person that has identified

This all sounds very reasonable. Thank you. Any further information you may have linking the diagnosis of ADHD (which responds well to Adderall) and psoriasis would be appreciated!

I have been on Adderall on and off for nearly 22 years. I can definitely say I feel there is a connection between my autoimmune issues. For six months I had urticaria to the extent my I visited the ER approzimately 10x. None of the medications I received to treat this did anything to alleviate hives and facial swelling. Only after a food allergy test indicated several foods contributed to a rise in histamines levels were discontinued did the hives dissipate. Not once was adderall ever mentoned as the culprit. Six months following the end of urticaria I developed diverticulitis. A trip to the ER and a CT scan later I was put on major pain meds, antibiotics, and bedrest. Took me almost a month to recover. Less than a year later I was diagnosed with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. I had to stop working, lost all my friends, and became very depressed. It has been four years now. None of the medication including biologics have any effect on my condition. Just yesterday, after careful deliberation I opted to discontinue Adderall use. For the first time in four years the continuous SURGE of pain has ceased. In the back of my mind I have always wondered if Adderall was a contributing fcator. I am fairly certain I know the answer.

I am so glad I came across this post. I am a 35 year old female, struggling with multiple autoimmune issues. I have ADHD and I am hypothyroid. I have been on Adderall for 10 years now. Over the last ten years I have developed numerous food sensitivities including gluten, dairy, eggs and all grains. I get hives all the time. My hair has been falling out for the last year. My voice is horse and it's getting worse. I develop random skin rashes monthly. I itch all the time and my eyes are really dry. I have been to multiple dermatologist and my endocrinologist checks my thyroid levels regularly. I have struggled to determine why I continue to develope new allergies and sensitivities as my doctors can't figure it out either. I have a masters degree in health and have read numerous books on autoimmunity and I could never figure out why I struggle so much with these issues. I workout everyday, I sleep, meditate, eat an organic, paleo, high quality, nutrient rich diet. I should have perfect health as my daily life is centerd around health and yet I struggle everyday with odd issues. In the back of my mind I always wondered if it could be the adderall. Perhaps I was afraid to Investigate because maybe unconsciously I knew it could be. I have literally tried elliminating everything else. Before I was on adderall my life was such a mess. Adderall helped me immensely but now I think it may be slowly killing me by making my body attack everything. It's so unfair because I have always taken the medication as prescribed. I really think Adderall is making me hypersensitive to everything and there is only one way to find out. Thank you to all the people before me that took the time to post. Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for giving me the courage to take action and step out of my comfort zone. Please keep sharing your stories. If my story resonates with you then Perhaps you will consider sharing your story too.

I had alopecia and all symptoms of thyroid disorder (hypo) and I actually have multiple sclerosis. They didn't catch it until my optic nerves flared and I went blind for a few months. I had YEARS of symptoms. Requesf and MRI and spinal tap.

Here is a new study published this past spring talking about a link without a mention of medication. I have been recently diagnosed with ADHD and 2 months later I got a rash that looks like a rare autoimmune condition. I have only recently been taking concerta but have had eczema and crazy skin reactions my whole life. I know that ADHD and food choices are connected which are similar to the Autoimmune protocol for food. I react to gluten, Eggs and dairy. I am now also cutting out night shades and eating for my genotype. I do still take concerta because I wanted a dopamine boost and will try to do it naturally moving forward. Maybe in the new year.

Did you try it? How is it going? Let me know if you want to connect.

Your story sounds similar to mine however I had eczema, autoimmune and food sensitivity causing sore stomachs and my hands being covered in rashes that cracked. (gluten since birth, eggs this past January, dairy since birth) PRIOR to getting the diagnosis of ADHD. My entire life I always had sensitive skin and crazy rashes that would appear out of no where. I am 36, 1.5 years after giving birth to my son. I started taking concerta 3 months ago amidst one of the most stressful times of my life after a crazy 4 years. My business is really struggling, I am overweight and I have risked way to much of my personal finance within the business. 2 months ago I got a heliotrope rash on my eyes which is a sign for dermatomyositis a rare autoimmune condition. It is a really bad one and my doc did some initial testing but my numbers came back normal. My rash did go away by eating mostly vegan and gluten free + using natural remedies. It did flair up again last week and hasn't gone away yet. I am super achy and have been since the birth of my son. I am going back to the doc this week because my lungs are sore and interstitial lung disease can be brought on by dermamyositis. I also will likely ask for a referral to a rheumatologist.

Adderal is legal meth. Are meth addicts healthy? If your adrenal system goes everything goes. Our body works as one unit. Find a natural healer.

Hi-I’m sorry to hear about someone else having an excruciating battle ahead of them. But your doing the right thing! Get the information! Ask questions! Do the work! You will get better because of it! I have Lyme Diease w/co-infections, CIRS and Mold Toxin Illness. Needless to say, I suffer from massive chronic fatigue. I have tried about 5 different stimulates over the years so that I can try and be awake and alert as much as I can like other “normal” mothers. Dexedrine is a bad idea Bcuz of the ups & crashes. The extended release still won’t be enough with real chronic fatigue and you’ll take an extended release and mid day another Dexedrine in pill form. Truthfully you’ll have to experiment with a chronic fatigue Dr to figure out what works best for your body, needs, and how it reacts with your upcoming extensive use of medications, vitamins, and supplements. There is no “fix it” for someone with chronic fatigue....you’ll still be tired and shut down. After 11years of being very sick, I have settled on Vyvanse extended release 60mg. When I have been in versions of remission I take my dosage down but never fully go off any stimulates. As soon as you are able to take yourself off of pharmaceutical medications do it! Then use food, vitamins and supplements to supplement your needs with fatigue. Any stimulate is very very hard on your body. You’ll need to find a chronic fatigue Dr for your “team of treating physicians” to work with for your stimulate Bcuz of all the restrictions with the FDA and they’ll best understand your needs and dosages. Best of luck and I hope this helps!

Took adderall for 15 years, then concerta for 6, all add meds have been taken as an adult. I have systemic lupus, systemic sclerosis, the beginning of sjogrens, fibro, raynauds, migraines with prolonged aura (upto 3 week long complex migraines), PCOD, and a few other fun club diagnoses. I’m an upstein-barr carrier. I do feel that Adderall sped along some of these conditions, but looking back I had a few symptoms during early puberty which was 15 years before an autoimmune diagnoses and 11 years before I began treatment for ADD.