I could really use some feedback on this. It's bothering me a lot.

I currently take 40 to 50mg Ritalin LA in the morning. It does exactly what it's supposed to do..concentration and focus. Problem is, I find myself emotionally numb until it wears off. I'm not the same person. I think differently. I feel different.

It's as if the pleasure-feedback mechanism of doing a good days work/working toward goals just isn't there. It is more difficult to hit the gym as I just don't give a crap. Hard time getting motivated to do things...it's hard to describe..it's like that "something" deep down is just shut off.

When I skip meds over a weekend, I start to feel more whole again. But, the catch 22, I'm all over the place without the meds. Which is cool for social activities...not so good for learning/reading.

Anybody else have this dilemma? I'm beginning to wonder if I should just join the circus and keep away from the meds.

Don't really know how to describe it to be honest.

Thanks

RC

Hey RC,

I take Ritalin as well. I don't have the same problem you describe but I do know that I can have trouble socializing while I'm taking it and I feel very irritable as it wears off! This is due to all the normal outside stimulations slowly affecting me again!
But, I know a lot of people have felt the way you do. Have you considered trying other meds? You don't necessarily have to commit yourself to the circus just yet (were you thinking trapiz or more like lion trainer??). You might want to talk to your physician and just see what they can recommend...just don't let them talk you into thinking it's okay to feel the way your feeling. I think the most important thing is to listen to yourself and don't second guess your instincts!

I DO know what you're talking about. I believe I felt it MOST when I took Concerta. Now I have been fortunate enough to be prescribed Adderall, and it seems not to do that even half as much. For me, the Concerta seemed to have a tad of a dysphoria undertone (just a wee bit, I don't want to bum you out more). With Adderall, it can give you a tad of a euphoric undertone (again, just a tad), and because of this I think that "other thing" you are talking about may be the reason that if is not as noticeable or troublesome.

Have you tried Adderall?

Sue

I find myself emotionally numb until it wears off. I'm not the same person. I think differently. I feel different.

This is exactly what happened to me when I was on Ritalin. Effects went away when I came off it.

Guys and gals, this has been most helpful. Setting up a new appointment to switch meds. I thought I was using too much or not enough of the Ritalin to make me feel this way..I tried halving it and doubling it...same old same old.

Much appreciated.

Thanks

RC

It may not be the best med for you, but you also may have been right about the dose. I was reading Brown (Attention Deficit Disorder: The Unfocused Mind in Children and Adults) who said that affective numbness frequently means too high a dose. Scattered

I find myself emotionally numb until it wears off. I'm not the same person. I think differently. I feel different.

Have you noticed that this happened to you after a while? i didn't notice it in the beginning, but noticed it later (the whole emotional numbness thing). By the way, I'm not sure what neuro-pathways Ritalin has affected in me, but I tried Ritalin after having been off it for a few years, and wham, I immediately felt the emotional numbness again.

All that being said...there are times in recent months where I actually FELT emotionally numb now, but that's a completely different thread :)

I didn't really start noticing it until 3 to 4 months into it...the last month has really been tough. The Ritalin started feeling "dirty" in the sense that I felt druggy and numb. It really messed me up when involved in social situations where I thrive on intuition, emotional conversation, enthusiasm, etc.....

I don't like this stuff anymore :)

As for too high a dose, maybe that's a factor also. But I do know that I get minimal affects with focus/concentration on smaller doses.

I am even considering something short acting where I just take it when I need it..at least I can control the numbness. I'll hit the doc up for some med changes and see what he says.

RC

I hope you find something that works better for you! Numbing out is a lousy feeling -- that happened to me on Prozac.


Take care,
Scattered