ADHD Medication and Training

OrangePeel76

I am in a serious dilemma. I've been diagnosed with ADHD as a child and as an adult. My doctor really wants to put me on Adderall or Ritalin or some other stimulant medication due to deterioration in my life *quality*. <br /><br />I'm really hesitant in taking these types of meds due to how it will affect my training. I think these meds make your HR go up. <br /><br />So - what if I do decide to take these meds? Do I need to RETEST my Lactate Threshold Heart Rate and Training Zones or should I use the typical training zones I'm using right now (via Friel's Training Bible). I'd really like to do my base training right this year. <br /><br />Any advice will help!!!<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />OP

Vo2

You are 100% right in asking for a second opinion.<br /><br />May I help by pointing you to the following websites.<br /><br />The first site is ADHD.com &amp;gt; Click here<br />The second site discusses the types of ADD and types of medicines used &amp;gt; Click here<br />The third site is ADDitudemag.com &amp;gt; Click here<br /><br />I'm certain you will find some expert advice there.

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2LAP

Let us know what you find out, this is really interesting to me! Is anyone else in a similar situation?<br /><br />I think this will impact more on your pre-competition training rather than base training, as base training is always dead easy and volume is important (no need to ride to heart rate really)!<br /><br />Oh, if in doubt go slower.

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adamholck

Ritalin's chemical name is methylphenidate and it is an amphetamine. Ritalin will dramatically improve performance and the ability to lose weight. This is precisely why it is a banned substance in all professional sports. If you are an amateur racer and are willing to cheat, Ritalin or Adderal or Dexedrine will give you a significant advantage over your competitors. However, when you become a member of the UCI or whatever, and are required to discontinue the drug, a great lethargy will likely occur, rendering you helpless when it comes to a sport like cycling. Of course, this fatigue will only last about a month or so.

lumpy

There are some new and interesting ways of treating ADHD besides drugs, like dietary changes and certain behavior modification techniques. I'd start searching them out if I were you. You may find a solution other than what your Dr. is pushing.

Tim

adamholck

Actually, there is a class of drugs called SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) that can improve concentration. Drugs in this class include prozac, zoloft, wellbutrin, paxil, effexor, etc... Effexor is most commonly used as an alternative to stimulants like ritalin. Its a catch 22, though. Many of us cycle because it provides us with pleasure and we wouldn't be too happy without it. The increase in serotonin from an antidepressant may cause some people to abandon activities that they once required for happiness prior to medication. Just make the right decisions regarding your mental health. It's as important as cycling............... Well, NOT QUITE!

LJB

There is a new treatment for ADHD called strattera, a non "speed" based drug. Check out the website. None of the side effects of ritalin etc.

The Pelican

Good for you, and Ritalin can make a big difference in your life.

Granted, the drug Ritalin might change the way your heart-rate and body responds during exercise, but just to keep perspective, so does a drug called caffeine. Caffeine also has the similar focusing effect for ADHD. Considering the level of the doses that Ritalin is prescribed, it is not as if you are going to turn into Tommy Simpson. Your overall well-being is important, so get treatment, and continue to ride.

I would like to read a study to learn how Ritalin affects cyclists. Until then, I would ride with a heart rate monitor, watch it, learn how your heart-rate may change with the medication. I know caffeine changes heart-rates, I would surmise Ritalin will too.

If you do decide to take Ritaliin, you may find you *do* benefit from performance enhancements; being able to schedule and organize your time will make you a better cyclist. Poor time management can cause you to miss training rides, and even show up to a race with little time to get ready, even getting yourself to a starting line late. In addition, not being able to effectively organize your training schedule within your daily life can have a detrimental effect on your long-term goals as a cyclist.

If you are worried about "testing positive", remember that Ritalin has a very short half life just as caffeine does: You can stop taking it the day before you race and, and it will quickly leave your system. Ritalin will not be present during the event and you will not be doping.

Caffeine has been removed from the doping banned list, but Ritalin has not. Getting treatment for ADHD with Ritalin is not cheating in my opinion, but just like Jonathan Vaughters who could not take cortisone in the Tour de France for a wasp sting, you cannot take Ritalin without testing positive under the current doping rules.

One hurdle a person diagnosed with ADHD has to overcome is the stigma perpetrated by a society that simply does not understand the condition, hang tough while we all learn.

Hope this helps.

Fixey

I believe the current school of thought is that thermogenics such as these, eph, caffiene ect will not improve performance (other than any weight lose benifits) and have been un-banned by the IOC.

tysmom

Hello everyone my son was diagnosed with adhd on Thursday and the doctor wants to put him on two different types of meds that I have never hear do treating adhd and i was hoping maybe someone could give me a little advice on them ? or if they know or if there kids are on them it is just scary to me because every where I have looked I have not found any thing about them treating it

thanks for your time

Piotr

I traded SSRI's for cycling a few years ago and never looked back. Living with passion is the best medicine.

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Piotr

ADHD develops due to an inappropriate lifestyle (environment) and it can be managed by changing that lifestyle. It is a developmental problem not something anyone is born with, so throw away all his video games! They're not his parent nor a babysitter. Since this is a cycling forum, get him passionate about bike racing. Unless of course you'd rather have him on drugs.

Disclaimer: You didn't provide any details when asking for advice, so I provided you with advice without knowing any details.

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swimmer88

I have ADHD too and I take Adderall. I've never taken Ritalin, but I've heard they are fiarly similar. Adderall, if anything, will increase your performance on the bike. It is an amphetamine. In other words, it is a legal form of the drug Speed. Don't take that comparison the wrong way. Adderall serves a purpose and that is treating ADHD, which it does very well. When I ride, it really doesn't make a difference if I am on meds or not. Cycling is a sport where you are focused on many different variables all at once (pedaling, steering, staying away from cars, drafting off other riders, looking for objects in the road). Its not like you are sitting in your room trying to read a book...

Yes, it does raise your heart rate, slightly. But I wouldn't worry about that. I knew plenty of athletes in college who took Adderall and they were just fine.

jimmypop

While I think ADHD is diagnosed far too often (and medication is still seen as a silver bullet), your statement is so full of stupid that my eyes hurt just reading it.