I've been on Ritalin (generic) for the past 4 months. I started with a 5mg (3x a day) dosage that was ineffective. My physician recommeneded that I increase the dosage to 10mg, which became seemingly effective. However, after a week or so, I was no longer feelign it's effects. For the past four weeks I have been on a 20mg (3x a day) dosage. I'm making A's in my classes (17 hours) and am working very hard, studying nearly 37 hours a week.

However, lately I've noticed a decline in the effects that I feel from this drug. I don't feel as if I'm being as productive as I've been in the past and I sense this going apathy towards doing my work. I'm a very motivated person however and I am very interested in the material that I study. But, lately I just feel 'overwhelmed' and as if my mind is just too crammed with information to process any additional. I feel as if I'm less and less productive during my study time.

Also, I have this odd anxiety and stress coming over me very often. Quite frankly I just don't understand it. After a week of exams I had this past week basically free. However, I was studying anyway to keep up with the new material. This was going well but I was still stressing out constantly -- I simply don't know why. I also feel a sense minor depression, just a real flat feeling and useless feeling that is at times in effect when I become 'stressed/overwhelmed' while I'm studying. I also often feel very tired despite eating often (4-6 times a day), exercising regularly, and getting ample sleep (6-8 hours a night).

The biggest thing that bothers me is just how overwhelmed and stressed out I feel all the time. This was not the case before and I'm very capable of handling my courseload (hence making A's and still going out on the weekends).

Would you guys attribute feelings like this to the Ritalin? Should I perhaps contact my physician and try another medication?

No reponses in well over a week?

Hi
I am no expert but from what I understnad, the body can develop a sort of tolerance for the meds, so sometimes increases in the meds work, or otherwise peole take "drug holidays" where they go off the meds for a certain time frame (perhaps 1 week) then when they resume the meds, it has the effect it had in the beginning.

As for the minor depressed feeling, is it all the time or just when you are "coming down' from the Ritalin? I dont take my ritalin daily, but when i do take it i notice when its wearing off I am cranky and feel like everything is wrong, nothing is right. I attribute it tot he meds wearing off and not any persistent feelings. if I feel any sort of depression other times, not on meds, its a different type, see.
I hope this was helpful, like I said I am no expert.
Good luck, maybe speaking to the Dr about it may help, he may suggest the drug holiday or something
-A

what you were saying is almost identical to what happens to me with the meds. I've been on it a lot longer than you and it has started to have effects on my life which has caused my grades to plummet. I suggest that you talk to your doctor. It's weird because I never used to be bothered at all by what anyone says about me or anything, but now when I hear something that is poking a little fun, but not in a serious way, my mind will dwell on what they said. I've talked to my doctor about these side effects and she suggested that I stop taking ritalin and i switch to an anti-depressant to treat my ADD. Talk to your doctor and be completely honest with them.