Week Two On Ritalin

hmmm. it's true.. this stuff has to be monitored and carefully tuned in dialogue with the doctor.. there are reactions, side effects, and important subtle variations between the different types.. ritalin/ritalin SA.. /concerta./ on top of dosage control. I need more monitoring myself, honestly.. but i've seen with my daughter that it's worth fine tuning.. Ironically, my ep 'habit' and late nights coincide with my ritalin-prescription..both since around a year ago.. That's a scary enough evidence of side effects and how it can change things. in a person's life!.. proceed with caution, but let's do proceed!~..

Oh my. I recognize your description well from watching my son go through this same type of struggle. In fact...my son finally couldn't stand the cloudy feelings anymore...since he's a creative soul like me...so he decided to take some time away from Ritalin when he switched careers. I do remember it being harder on him when his body transitioned from a boy into a man...because he had to start his search over for a med that would work for him once again...since he was now an adult...and his body had changed enough so that his med of serveral years was no longer working. It's completely trial and error...and no two people are alike. I do know that he found taking an extended release tab once a day was a lot easier on his system...and this way he wouldn't feel so blocked creatively. I think the clouds you described...as well as the eating issues were his biggest complaint. He either had zero appetite...or he could eat enough for 3 people at one sitting. He would only take a second dose when he was playing sports in the evening...or he had a particular task that was time sensitive that he really needed to concentrate on to complete. He did find a fit...but ulimately decided to change careers and forgo meds completely. I do know it works out for a lot of adults...I hope things settle down for you soon.

I get where you're coming from. My story's a bit different (diagnosed with ADHD at 5 or 6...got kicked out of kindergarten), but around 17/18 something (well, everything) in the mind changed, and I went from not being able to notice any effect from the stimulant, to being totally overwhelmed by it (Concerta, but it's the same chemical, Methylphenidate). Last time I took it (18), I thought my mind was going to fly apart.

I have a *really* poor tolerance for stimulants (but smoke a pack a day; how's that for irony?)...even 1.5 large coffees from Mickey D's (I don't drink coffee...always hated the taste and can barely stand it now, but I was running on 36 hours or so of no sleep and was falling asleep behind the wheel. The coffee put that to a grinding halt.) jolted me into a place that was surreal (eyes even dilated).

Lucky for me, I'm functional enough without medication (managed to pull a 3.5 GPA at university while working 35 hours of week, and I'm good at my job, pizza delivery). Sure, I'm a terrible procrastinator and all but have to feel like my back's against the wall to buckle down and get things done, but that's the price I pay, I suppose. I don't recall the meds doing much for me anyhow. I was a terrible student that only half "reformed" by necessity, i.e. 400 level econ classes.

That said, mileage and diagnoses may vary. In my case, the school threw the book at me and ADHD was agreed upon because it was most palatable for the parents. I suspect the diagnosis was incomplete (comorbidity is the rule with ADHD, not the exception, per the psych textbook), but alternatives were not allowed to be contemplated, and I scraped by in the meantime. As things are, ADHD is the least of my problems. Anxiety, on the other hand (along with a barely in control drinking problem), is a fantastic weight loss tool, lost 40lbs last year with very little effort.

That is some scary stuff. Is your system supposed to settle into it?

damn this sucks

*sigh* I do so worry about you my dear. (((Sonnet)))

Gosh Sonnet. This sounds very unpleasant indeed. I sure hope it helps. At the moment it sounds like it's clouding things over for you :(

soups, chowders, pasta & fish (if possible)

*preps ingredients* :)

I hope you settle in and it works for you.

I hope this really does help in the long run, and I hope you're OK. *hugs*

I also take ritalin. The only side effects I had was a lot of energy & a loss of appetite. I love the energy & lost some weight. Things did calm down for me after a couple of months. I suggest talking to your Dr if it's too bothersome. A possibility is lowering your dose at first. I wish you the best.

I feel your pain. The drugs have some of the worst side effects don't they? After a month or so you should get your equilibrium back and learn to compensate. Good luck!

I admire your persistance and commitment to your health and wish you all the best.

Monitor yourself sonnet. Keep a record of how you're feeling as best you can and give it your best shot if you feel that taking it is the right thing to do. I hope you can find a balance with it. ((hugs a plenty))

The eating thing notwithstanding, what are the dream states like? How are the headaches?

Is it a good dream, at least?

If it stays like this, would you rather have this, or the way it was without meds?

Hope these affects wear off in time C., I love can sweet corn, with a little butter, salt and pepper. Always eat popcorn with salt when i need bland stuff..as well as minestrone and pasta figole soup, hot with pepper....saltine crackers and cheese work sometimes too.

and...until you get better...yes you may have the last word...lol

stool brightener is good for the soul, but you really need to try and eat something more substantial.

huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuug
thats ab ig hug for my wee sonnet

Hello,

I've never taken ritalin but I am taking Concerta 54mg have been for a while, I also take lamictal (also have bipolar) and it destroyed my appetite at first but it has improved a lot.

Do you take a good multi vitamin?

I know the feeling i still feel like I disappear in my own mind sometimes it usually doesn't last long though and if it's really bad i listen to music or watch something really interesting on TV I don't know why but it helps.

Good luck I hope it get's better :o)