Ritalin and "side effects"/initial probs | ADHD Information
Started out on tuesday on 20mg on a daily basis, had one of the best days of my life, second day the same! I was smiling, polite and having a great time feeling hope for the first time in my adult life. Second day was much like the first, but my dose was increased to 40mg since I told my shrink that it kinda wore out sooner then it should (was like clockwork, should be effective for approx 4hours, but after 3H and 10 minuttes it wore off)! 3rd day I was feeling tired, thought it was due to lack of sleeping (not because of meds), but still feeling calm, unaggressive and so on, but a little bit "nervous" (like drinking to much coffe!)... Now the 4rth day its like the 3rd, but I'm dead! Like I've been smoking to many joints! Is this normal?And now it happened again, it sort of goes and comes in waves..., now I'm "awake" and feeling clear! Strange!Anteros39004.2976388889Come to think of it, its like having one of my headaches without the pain!
ANTEROS.
how are you doing now,any improvement???
Thanks for asking SM (Ooooo, I like your short ;)! I'm realy doing fine, the nervousness comes and goes, but its been a week on meds so I guess it will wear off! At least much less now! Life is better than it ever was! No zombie state at least, feeling clear and awake and as I wrote earlier, haven't lost my temper once in a week! Normally I loose it at least once a day
Even my daughter at 10 months seems to "understand" the change! Before she loved playing with me, now she gives me hugs and comes to me cuddling and sitting in my arms just being calm! I see a future for the first time in my life! Anteros39007.1961574074YES IT IS GREAT ONCE IT START WORKING,I FOUND MYSELF A BETTER MUM ALSO,BEFORE LIKE YOU I HAD A SHORT FUSE AND MOST OF THE TIME,I DID NOT KNOW WHY.NOW I AM MUCH CALMER AND I DO A LOT MORE WITH THE KIDS AS I HAVE MORE ENERGY.AND I NEED IT WITH A 4 YEAR OLD ADHD.
MY SHORT NAME DO SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING DIRTY
,BY THE WAY I HAVE BEEN MISSING MY SPARING PARTNER,I HAD TO HAVE A GO AT MY HUBBY INSTEAD
HE IS NOT OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED,HE IS BEING TREATED BY A PSYCHOLOGIST BUT HE WON'T BE ON MEDS(IF WE DECIDE)UNTIL HE IS 6.SO IT IS NOT ON HIS MEDICAL RECORD AS YET AS THEY DON'T WANT TO LABEL HIM SO YOUNG. [QUOTE=scotmama] HE IS NOT OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED,HE IS BEING TREATED BY A PSYCHOLOGIST BUT HE WON'T BE ON MEDS(IF WE DECIDE)UNTIL HE IS 6.SO IT IS NOT ON HIS MEDICAL RECORD AS YET AS THEY DON'T WANT TO LABEL HIM SO YOUNG.[/QUOTE]
OK, so in the UK its more like in Norway then? Here they may have suspicions if it runs in the family, but no meds or DX before 6. I'm just curious Thinking of your own childhood, wouldn't you have given yourself meds knowing what you know today? I would! I look back and think of all the things I could have been spared for! Anteros39007.5024421296No,no meds until they are at least 6 years old,in scotland anyway.and yes although here they have the suspicion of genetic link,my ADD is from brain damage(long story)but jude is probably genetic,we are still not sure if we will put him on meds yet. [QUOTE=scotmama] No,no meds until they are at least 6 years old,in scotland anyway.and yes although here they have the suspicion of genetic link,my ADD is from brain damage(long story)but jude is probably genetic,we are still not sure if we will put him on meds yet.[/QUOTE]
OK, that meens that you didn't have it as a child I guess? And I ment meds after a certain age! Sorry to hear about your brain damage SM! But at least it seems as you have a good life, at least that is what I can feel/read in your postings
the brain damage was at 6 months old and resulted from a coma,the only sign of it is my ADD,apart from that i am normal(almost).until a few months ago,we thought i had no residue at all from it until i was diagnosed with ADD.i have a above average IQ so i have no problems,hey maybe i would have been a genius without it
GOD SEXY,BRAINY AND ADD,I HAVE IT ALL
did i mention i used to be a chef so you see except for the explosive temper,attention of a goldfish,memory like a sieveand energy of a sloth.
I AM PERFECT(WELL ON MEDS ANYWAY)
[QUOTE=scotmama]YES IT IS GREAT ONCE IT START WORKING,I FOUND MYSELF A BETTER MUM ALSO,BEFORE LIKE YOU I HAD A SHORT FUSE AND MOST OF THE TIME,I DID NOT KNOW WHY.NOW I AM MUCH CALMER AND I DO A LOT MORE WITH THE KIDS AS I HAVE MORE ENERGY.AND I NEED IT WITH A 4 YEAR OLD ADHD.
MY SHORT NAME DO SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING DIRTY,BY THE WAY I HAVE BEEN MISSING MY SPARING PARTNER,I HAD TO HAVE A GO AT MY HUBBY INSTEAD
YOU HAD A SHORT FUSE?????
I've been missing you to sweetheart ;) Don't be to hard with your highlander Yes, I can believe you need it! I find it strange that in the UK and US conclude so "early" in age the ADHD, here in Norway no shrink will do it before age 6! That wasn't critism BTW, just a thought I guess you might be right Thanks! Anteros39006.0100115741Anteros, sounds like you are figuring out what dosing may be right for you. Ds has always metabolized meds quickly and when he was on short acting ritalin, we fine tuned the dose to 16.25mg (breaking pills) every 3 1/4 hrs. His doctor is of the opinion that every one is different and encouraged us to try cutting, breaking shaving off the edge of pills to get the dose just right.) Of course you can't do that with concerta. We arrived at 3 1/4 hrs by deciding when the med was wearing off and then giving the next dose about twenty minutes before that. Good luck!Hi Anteros -
As you wrote a few posts ago - you got the main three reasons for feeling sleepy.
Regarding that 'coffee nervousness' - here are a couple of thoughts:
If you are prone to anxiety, it may be that the ritalin is increasing it. Watch for this if the sensation doesn't go away after days of use, or you seem more anxious than you normally would. If this is the case, then you may need to try another medicine - which may include strattera (which has been shown to decrease anxiety more than the stimulants).Ritalin can increase your heart rate and blood pressure. It should be a small amount - but just be sure with your doctor that for you - it isn't a large amount.
I hope this helps.
All the best,
Kenny
[QUOTE=Kenny35] Hi Anteros - As you wrote a few posts ago - you got the main three reasons for feeling sleepy.Regarding that 'coffee nervousness' - here are a couple of thoughts:If you are prone to anxiety, it may be that the ritalin is increasing it. Watch for this if the sensation doesn't go away after days of use, or you seem more anxious than you normally would. If this is the case, then you may need to try another medicine - which may include strattera (which has been shown to decrease anxiety more than the stimulants).Ritalin can increase your heart rate and blood pressure. It should be a small amount - but just be sure with your doctor that for you - it isn't a large amount. I hope this helps. All the best, Kenny
[/QUOTE]
Thanks, very helpfull indeed! What I've been experience today is that it started out with nervousness but suddenly dissapeared! And the rest of the day has been wonderfull! The heartrate and bloodpressure is normal :) So I think personal problems, "od" of ritalin, new on medicine made me edgy and nervous.... At least I hope so :) Coffee seemes to calm me down when I experience it though ;) But I can assure you that I will keep it in my thoughts for the next weeks, if it continues I'm sure that you might be right even though I can't say that I feel familiar to anxiety.... [QUOTE=John D] Hmmm.... Ritalin inspired you to clean your house?!! I better not tell that to my dear wife...she'll request that I switch my medication from Adderall to Ritalin!!
No, it didn't inspire me, nor did I like to do it! But I saw what I had to do, the difference was that I started and didn't feel that it was overwelming! I started one place, and finished it! I normally had a problem with where to start And I'm glad to say that this day has been as the first days on ritalin! So I guess I won't take double dose in a while Anteros39005.5909722222I was hoping that some of the "experts" here would answer my questions, not doing so I searched for "ritalin" in the boards and understood why some didn't answer I guess when you answered it 20 times already you get tired of it!
Anyway, I found out a lot!
1. Zombie may be related to too high dose
2. it may be a initial start effect that will wear off
3. You might have the wrong med!
This to them that may wonder!
Today I took half the dose, and I'm still experiencing the "cofee nervousnes", but I do not feel like a zombie! So I guess that taking 2 time delayed 20mg Ritalin didn't work for me!
Thanks anyway, and if you are of another opinion I would love to hear it! I'll even give you a
since I became so attached to them
1,5 hour into the dose I feel mostly like I did the first 2 days, clear, awake and focused... Still nervous, but I guess that is normal if you have issues in your personal life that is hard to cope with Normal people get nervous and angry as well, I guess it is harder (yet easier in a way) for us to deal with it under medication since it is a new existence for us Anteros39005.0894675926
I THINK IT IS TOO HIGH OR YOUR BODY PROCESSES THE MEDS TOO FAST,THAT IS WHY I WAS MENTIONNING THE SLOW RELEASE ONE(CONCERTA).
I HAVE BEEN DOIND QUITE A BIT OF RESEARCH ABOUT IT AS MEDS COULD BE A POSSIBILY FOR MY SON IN THE FUTURE AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT TAKES TIME TO FIND THE RIGHT MED AND THAT MOST PEOPLE RESPOND BETTER TO CONCERTA THAN RETILIN.ALTHOUGH IF YOU ARE NIPOLAR IT COULD BE A DIFFERENT PROBLEM AND COUNTRYGIRL WOULD BE THE BEST ONE TO SPEAK WITH.
DO CAFFEINE HELP?
Mine is ritalin, but slow relase... Should be in the blood for 4 hours, it starts to wear off in 3,10! Then at 4 hours I can feel the rest coming.... No, I can't see myself as bipolar.... But I'm undergoing neuro psycologiacal tests..... Well see Anyway, thanks! Appreciate it! Maybe someone else has something to say that might help me?YES GLENN IS PRETTY GOOD AT THAT KIND OF THINGS AND MY SON IS BOUCING OFF THE WALLS,I BETTER TRY TO CALM HIM DOWN BEFORE BEDTIME I take 60-80mgs of short acting Ritalin a day. I take 3-4 doses of 20mgs each. The slow release Ritalin and Adderrall never worked well for me, and I was allergic to a chemical used in Concerta. I think my body metabolizes the meds too quickly and so I feel "normal" for the first few hours, and then crash, when for others it is lasting a lot longer. Have you tried the short acting Ritalin? I feel like it gives me better control and depending on what my late afternoon, early evening, will require of me, I sometimes only take 3 doses instead of 4. I know some people don't like the regular Ritalin, because they feel the effects of coming off of them more so than other meds, but it works well for me. But I also take Topamax for temporal lobe problems, so I think that helps to lessen the negative effects of coming off of the meds.
well, I'm afraid I've not much insight or experience to offer here Anteros. "Tiredness" what's that! I haven't had that sensation since on Adderall, that's for sure! So based on others' comments in other threads, sounds like a) might not be the right med for you, or b) might be the right med but not enough, or c) might be the right med but too much, or d) you might need a combination of meds to cover all the issues.
As long as your doctor is one willing to work with you on the med thing, and is a doctor competent to come up with the correct diagnosis(s), seems like you are on the right track. And yeah, if the pricey extended released form is no better (or is worse) for you than the less expensive regular release form--try it out and save some $$.
Then I think its to much to soon! 2 days going great on 20, 2 days sleeping on 40...... But thanks anyway No, never tried them, just started 4 days ago! Well, I'm of to bed, 9 in the evening and I go to bed! Don't think I can remember the last time that happened! And if its a crash I'm having, it can't go on the whole day can it? Even though I did have some "good" periods today, but they lasted 10 minutes each! But I got warned by others that my meds could be "strange", they told me to use the ones u use. Next time I'll ask for them! Cheaper as well
I've never experienced "coffee nervousness" (coffee always calmed me down!) but I know what you mean. I remember now, I too experienced a similar feeling my first few weeks after starting Adderall. I remember at the time describing it to my wife like this: It feels like my brain is relaxed but the rest of my body is running at a high idle speed. After a couple weeks my body made its own idle speed adjustment and that "edgy" feeling went away. [QUOTE=John D] I've never experienced "coffee nervousness" (coffee always calmed me down!) but I know what you mean. I remember now, I too experienced a similar feeling my first few weeks after starting Adderall. I remember at the time describing it to my wife like this: It feels like my brain is relaxed but the rest of my body is running at a high idle speed. After a couple weeks my body made its own idle speed adjustment and that "edgy" feeling went away. [/QUOTE]
Thats incredible John D, you put the words in my mouth! And cofee calmes me down as well, always has! I can sleep like a baby after 7-8 espressos! And what you are telling, thats exactly how I feel! And today I'm not tired after taking half the dose of the 2 last days! I even started cleaning the house, I did it in half the time, and without any distractions.... And that has never happened before
Hmmm.... Ritalin inspired you to clean your house?!! I better not tell that to my dear wife...she'll request that I switch my medication from Adderall to Ritalin!! 
[QUOTE=scotmama] that was they call it when the meds were off and some people really get tired,like they are drained of energy,some get really hyper.[/QUOTE]
Well, I don't think I'm crashing earlier, but it goes in waves in a way! One moment I'm awake, the next just gone! And its like I'm having this headahce without having it when I'm "down"
But drained of energy covers what I feel!Anteros39004.4139699074
is it before your next dose is due?maybe 30 mns before it is due,then when you take your next dose you are ok.
i also found that if i get stressed my ADD symptoms get worse and the med don't work as well as they should.make sure you write it down for your next appt.it is a long journey to find the right med or the right dosage.maybe a slow release one would be more suited to you and your lifestyle(if you have a stresfull job for example)
or a battle of wit on the computer with a french psychotic ADDWell yes and no, I use the ones in 2 parts, so I can feel when the second part kick's in after 4 hours, but I also felt it the first day! But I am a little bit stressed for personal reasons, and I guess that doesn't help! But I do have "control" over the stress, had it been 4 days ago I would have been my "usual" self! But its the whole day! Woke up tired after 9 hours sleep, took the meds, and felt tired! The hole day just sitting without any energy! [QUOTE=scotmama] or a battle of wit on the computer with a french psychotic ADD[/QUOTE]
Hmmmm, no, I rather enjoy a good fight
The more that are up against me the merrier YES I ALSO ENJOYED TRYING TO GOAD YOU FOR A GOOD FIGHT
BUT SERIOUSLY,YOU SHOULD NOT FEEL THAT TIRED,I AM ADD SO THE EFFECTS ARE DIFFERENT,I FEEL MORE AWAKE SINCE BEFORE I HAD THE ENERGY OF A SLOTH.I THINK SOME PEOPLE MENTIONNED THE ZOMBIE STATE THAT SOMETIMES OCCUR AND IT IS BECAUSE THE DOSAGE IS NOT RIGHT.WHEN IS YOUR NEXT APPT?
Next week, I'll try a lighter dose tomorrow, see if that helps I felt more awake as well, so today came as a shock to me! I realy liked the feeling I've had for the last couple of days! Is it to low or high if get the zombie state??? you could have a high metabolism,like me,retilin was just making me all psychotic(more than usual)now with the concerta,it is better.Thank you Scotsmama!But I don't feel psychotic (even though some may think I am ), I just feel tired and "nervous", but recognice the good effects from the first days as well!are you crashing earlier than the first days [QUOTE=scotmama] are you crashing earlier than the first days[/QUOTE]
Crashing???that was they call it when the meds were off and some people really get tired,like they are drained of energy,some get really hyper.
[QUOTE=Anteros]Now the 4rth day its like the 3rd, but I'm dead! Like I've been smoking to many joints! Is this normal?
And now it happened again, it sort of goes and comes in waves..., now I'm "awake" and feeling clear! Strange![/QUOTE]
Depends..... have you been smoking to many joints?