Dealing with the comedown | ADHD Information

Hello all, I'm new to the site, and am I ever glad that I found you guys!

I'm 29 years old, and have just recently been diagnosed with ADHD (primarily innatentive). After reading online about ADHD, it's clear that I've had this my entire life. So many things in my past make so much sense now!

My doctor started me on Ritalin at 10mg twice a day, first in the morning, and then at lunch. The first time I took it, within 45 minutes I knew something was different. I could actually go do something and get it done! I did feel a sense of euphoria as well, but at the time I just thought it was because I had finally found the solution to my problems. The problem was that it was so short lived. I took my first pill at 8, and by 10:30, I could tell that it was wearing off. Instead of doing my work, I would suddenly find myself wandering away or looking at websites. It was like a switch had been turned off.

The first two days, I got more work done than I had in the previous week. It wasn't hyper-active working either... it was simply deciding to do a task and then doggedly sticking with it until completion (or the meds wore off!).

The problem was, after 3-4 days, I started getting really depressed and irritable in the evenings. I was sooo down... Negative self-talk, thoughts of suicide, the whole she-bang. I also found that I felt anxious and jittery while I was on the meds. At this point, the negative side effects were outweighing any benefit from the medication.

I decided to stop taking Ritalin, while I researched online other medications.

My moods improved, and although I wanted to try Strattera, it isn't available here yet. So I decided to try Concerta.

The problem is, it's very expensive, and being self-employed, I don't have any prescription coverage. I asked my doctor for just a 10 day supply of the 18mg pills, so I could try it out. I was hoping that the sustained release would minimize the extreme highs and lows, but I didn't want to waste my money if it didn't.

The first day I took Concerta, I noticed absolutely nothing. I was cleaning my Apt. that day, and it took me 9 hours to complete something that should probably only take 3. I was constantly starting one thing, only to wander away and start something else.

That night, I looked up the recommended dosage on the Concerta site. They reccomend 1.1-1.4mg per kg. As I weigh 82kg, that would be between 90 and 115mg! No wonder the 18mg wasn't doing anything! I also noticed that Concerta comes in multiples of 18mg... how handy! I decided that I would up my dosage, and see if that had any effect.

The next day, I took two 18mg pills for a total of 36mg. Still no noticable effect.

Today, I took 3 18mg pills, for a total of 54mg. I was hoping that this would have some effect, but alas, it appears not. I really don't know why the 10mg Ritalin had such a pronounced effect, yet the 54mg Concerta had none???

So, I'm considering other options. I've heard a bit about Adderall XR, I may try that... Or I may just try Ritalin again, but take 6 x 10mg doses a day.

Sorry.. I know this is long, and I find it to be a bit funny that I would expect anyone to read this whole thing, considering what site I'm on! But I need to ask... Does the extreme lows ever go away? Are they only temporary?

Thanks!BC Girl - Unfortunately, I'm out in Ontario... Although I'd love to move out west!

Strattera will apparently be made available in Canada in March 2005. So not too long to wait. The jury's still out, as I have not heard many positive review on it online. It also takes a few weeks to come into effect, so it may take a month or two before you know if it's going to work for you. The big downside in my mind is the risk of sexual side-effects. I suffered when I was on Paxil with the innability to reach orgasm.

BOBEL - Funny you should mention that... For the past 14 months, I've been eating clean and staying away from simple carbs. I have also been going to the gym every weekday morning for 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of weight training. I've had to settle for going in the morning, because quite simply I would never end up going if it was later in the day.

As it is, it's part of my routine. I can only procrastinate so much, and there isn't anything to get me really distracted in the morning.

The ritalin did work. Perhaps I just need to take another dose or two to get me through the day. The problem is, how many? I'm surprised that you don't have a problem with the 5:30 -> 11am stretch.Well, I read your entire post... but I'm not on meds yet so I can't offer any advice! All I have to say is that now I'm a little freaked to try them.  I've heard lots of good things about Stratterra, but yeah... it sucks that we can't get it here in Canada yet. I've read on other message boards that it can take a lot of trial and error to get not only the proper med, but the proper dosage, down pat. There are also tri-cyclic antidepressants to try as well, so I wouldn't quite give up yet.

I hear you on cleaning the apt. - I start out with the best intentions ("I really have to clean the bathroom today"), and then three weeks later it still looks like it is going to crawl away. I'm not a total slob - I don't know where in Canada you live, but here in BC the water is very acidic - it literally eats the finish off your fixtures over time, so the dirt tends to stick a lot more readily. My bathroom should be cleaned at least once a week - I'm lucky if it gets done once every two months.

I haven't really experienced a comedown. i take  10 mg ritalin 530am, 11am and about 3pm..... I go to bed at 9:30  and fall right to sleep.

Have you changed your diet since being diagnosed? My Dr. insisted I stop sugar, food additives, dyes, preservatives  and limit  white  flour, potatoes, pasta  and fruits. I eat lots of vegetables  and  fish now.  I really think the diet has helped.

 

i exercise  5 days a week to.  I normally go about 4 in the afternoon  for a n hr of 90 minutes. It's great for mood. Maybe it's why I am not having the down at night.  When I first started the meds I took 10mg twice a day it wasnt enough. i needed a middle dose. In the middle of the day i'd be grouchy  and irritable.