Ritalin - making me sick? | ADHD Information

Hi, I am new here...desperate for some advice or insight

I have ADHD and have been taking Ritalin for about three years. I have
benefited from the medication in many ways, especially when it comes to
my work. I am an academic and it has helped my writing and overall
productivity immensely. However, I have been aware that for the past 9
months or so I have been feeling worse and worse - like a chronic illness
or something. I have been to my doctor several times, many tests run,
nothing seems to be turing up. But on a regular day, I feel fatigued and
unable to do anything for more than half my waking hours. I started to
suspect it might be ritalin when I noticed that I was having "crashes" not
more than 2 hours after taking my meds. I don't drink caffeine and I have
cut out sugar. I eat healthy and regularly - though I have lost a total of 20
lbs in the last threee years, without trying and probably because of the
ritalin. I feel incapacitated, too thin and unable to gain/maintain healthy
weight, and feel like my brain is becoming foggier than it is becoming
clear. In short, I think Ritalin is making sick - is this possible?
has anyone ever heard of this or had this happen to them? Is there any
literature on the long term effects of taking ritalin? thanks!

There are a lot of sources of articles on ritalin and other stimulants and long term use, u just have to do an internet search.  You have to be careful though and make sure they are from a source that is reputible.

You will find all kinds of articles to both extremes out there.  Have u tried stopping the medication for a non-med trial to see what happens???  I don't know what your sypmtoms were prior to medication - but some people at the wrong dose (as in too low) can get the effect u are talking about.  What does ur doc who prescribed the medication tell u???

Thanks for your reply. Actually I have been taking a break from Ritalin for
the past five days and have felt better. But I have also been taking a break
from my work. I am concerned that when I start taking it again the
symptoms will come back. I don't
think I could be taking a dose that is too low (20 mg 2 to 3 times a day as
needed), but maybe the does is too much for my body to handle? My
doctor thinks I am reacting to other environmental factors - family and
work stress, too little sleep, etc (though I think these things are all
interrelated).

Recommend any internet sites or articles off the top of your head? I have
never done research because for the most part (until recently) my
diagnosis and treatment have been sufficient to not warrant any further
reading. Thanks!mittens39063.5041666667