100mg Ritalin per day | ADHD Information

I have not been formally diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, but have been working with a psychiatrist for two years now. My original diagnosis was mild bipolar, and the Lexapro and Seroquel have changed my life for the better. No more depression, no more anxiety, no more mild mania.

Six months ago, I began to research ADD/ADHD after reading some of the "diagnostic" materials on the web. I saw myself in those questionaires. I then began to find forums such as this one and read a large number of stories that sounded eerily familiar.

I spoke with my shrink about this, and he prescribe me 30mg Ritalin per day - to see how it might help my ADD-like symptoms. I found that the Ritalin helped me a great deal, but 30mg was not enough to provide all-day relief.

Over time, we have gradually increased my dosage to 100mg/day, which seems to be enough. I take 20mg 5 times a day and my life is so much better now. I can focus on my work (I'm an IT consultant and travel weekly and regularly work 70hours per week) and am on top of my game. I am much more patient, have more initiative, am able to finish my work on time regardless of the distractions, and my temper is completely under control.

I haven't seen where anyone else is prescribed 100mg of Ritalin per day, and wanted to see if that amount is considered "excessive" or dangerous. I've been on this amount for two months now and have been quite satisfied, but I still wonder if I am taking too much. Anybody else out there that takes this much? Does anyone take more? Please advise, I'm curious as to how my dosage squares with others.

Thanks,

tio

[QUOTE=IMac]What does your prescribing physician think? [/QUOTE]

Well, just because a physician prescribes it and thinks that is OK - doesn't mean that it is. Come on - there are more than a good share of idiot Dr.s out there. Too many in fact.

Personally I would compare notes with other people with ADD taking RItalin. I personally took Ritalin a while back and found that 80mg did the job. But I only took it for a short while. I'm 5'10' and 205lbs - and have a hamster metabolism. I'm on 60mg Adderall now and find it works well - and that could be considered a high dose as well.

Are your vital signs (heart, BP) OK? Thats the kind of thing all of us should keep an eye on - although many prescribing physicians "forget" to do so.

Sorry if I sound cynical. But its best to keep a close eye on your Dr as well. Keeping abreast of your own medical treatment is good practice nowadays. Congrats for doing so!

Jon
jonquiljo38819.1258449074

Tio Moco,

Have you tried Ritalin LA?

.IMac38947.4471180556

I haven't tried Ritalin LA, because I do vary my dosing schedule quite a bit, depending on what is going on that day. I prefer to be able to tailor my meds to meet the situation, and I lose that flexibility with LA, plus it's more $ and I take the generic stuff.

My Dr. has NO problem with the amount right now, as he has seen for himself how I am doing (and my wife has talked to him also, indicating that I am fine).

As for my BP and pulse, I don't believe they are elevated, but haven't had that tested in a while.

I don't know if anyone reading this also takes Seroquel (an atypical anti-psychotic) but I _was_ taking 25mg a night to help me sleep. 25mg is a small dose and the folks with delusions take 400mg and more. I find that this drug absolutely KNOCKS me out now. I don't need it for sleep anymore. I sleep like a baby now that I'm on Ritalin and am puzzled why I am so sensitive to Seroquel now.

tio

tioMoco38819.2930787037