Ritalin for Jock Engineer

Me in a nutshell.

Sex: M

Age: 43

Weight: 180

Height:  5’ 10”

Body Fat %: 9.8

Personality Type: INTP

Occupation:  Engineer

Love sports:  Still play competitive hockey (RMHL), lacrosse (USLAX), and tennis (USTA).

In 1999, I stepped down from my job of 15 years as an engineer and started my own business so I could be home for my kids, now 10 and 12.  I bought several computers and set up a home network.  I won jobs programming internet applications until 2003.  Now I have lost some interest in programming due to the downturn in the business, do not generate much revenue from my own work, and I feel worthless.  I am a good father, but I want to feel productive and stay on task.  I have plenty of money, and my wife enjoys her job and makes good money.  We both love each other.

MY ADHD

I have had ADD all my life, but never treated it until 10/22/04.  I researched the internet and talked to friends with ADHD or had ADD children.  After my research, I decided to try Ritalin.  I spoke to my Doctor about my problem since 2003 during my annual physicals, and tried some homeopathic remedies for 2 years that she recommended with only slight success.  Last physical, I tested normal, and my Doctor asked me if I was making progress on my depression.  I said no, and suggested she prescribe something.  She described two paths, and I clearly needed the path requiring a stimulant.  I got the generic form of Ritalin called Methylin 10 mg Tab Mallin.  Two tabs by mouth 4 times a day.  I told her I was concerned about becoming dependent on a drug, and asked if I could take Ritalin on an as needed basis.  She said yes.  My Doctor has trust in me, and said we could work together to zero in on the correct dose.  She told me to slowly titrate myself with the medication, and once I figured out the right dose, she would prescribe a more convenient pill size.

My results:

10/25/04-10/29/04: 1 tab after breakfast and lunch.  Slight progress, and do not feel that I will become a different person.  My wife, also an engineer, finds some of my research and I inform her about Ritalin.  She does her own research and decides I am not mental.

11/1/04-12/3/04:  1 tab every four hours.  No effect from morning dose.  Ritalin kicks into gear after second dose.  More productive and have more interest in talking to people.  I don’t take Ritalin on the weekends.

12/6/04-12/13/04:  Two tabs at 8:00 am.  Swallow one tab and bite the other.  Follow with 1 tab every 2 hours and 45 minutes.  I figured out that I metabolize Methylin at a rate of 10 mg every 2.75 hours.  I am extremely productive.  Start to measure my blood and body chemistry at home.  Parameters I measure are glucose, blood pressure, resting pulse, weight, body fat, and the same parameters after running on a treadmill for 12 min. and average 1.4 miles in this time.  I also tested ketones in urine for a while, but it was always negative, so I stopped testing.  I also measure heart recovery by measuring pulse immediately and 1 minute after running.  Pulse drops from 140 beats per minute to 110 on average.  I do these tests at 6 am before taking my meds on Tuesday and Thursday.  No change in athletic performance since I started taking the medication and my heart feels fine.

Now, here is my horror story.  Yesterday, 12/13/04, I needed to get a bunch of things done.  I was occupied in the morning and did not have time to take my meds.  I started at 11:30 am with 2 tabs, then the following schedule.  I was very productive until 2:00 pm

2:00 pm 1 tab, no effect, but mild depression

3:10 pm 1 tab, no effect, but mild depression

5:15 pm 1 tab, little or no effect, but mild depression

7:15 pm 1 tab.  I researched Ritalin for the rest of the night because I could not get to sleep until 2:40 am.

12/14/04.   I’m too scared to take my meds.  I stayed off Ritalin all day.  Ate right, exercised, and drank lots of water.  I had a productive day, and feel good.

Conclusions:

I messed up on 12/13/04 when I screwed up my dose.  I like the ups and hate the downs associated with Ritalin.  I don’t like that I have to take a pill every 2.8 hours.  I feel like I made progress, until I screwed up my dose.  My body and athletic performance did not suffer by taking Ritalin.  If I continue to take Ritalin, I should take only on an as needed basis, and never start dosing mid afternoon.  I have a doctor’s apt. tomorrow, and I think I will ask her if I can try Adderall XR.  This group is extremely valuable and more knowledgeable then I.  Please let me know if this seems like a good path.

Thanks