I am 23 and just finding out that I have ADD. About 4 months ago I went to my Dr. complaining about depression. My grades, social life, and life values were all messed up. I always have the greatest of ideas, but mid way through I fail to complete. I love relationships, but I usually screw these up too. I would jump into the relationship hardcore. I would buy the girl flowers, dinner, and movies. Bam!! Out of the blue I would not like the girl anymore (usually a month or 2). I have no explanation for the way I acted and the girls usually wonder why.

After telling my doctor about these situations he said, “I think you have ADD.” After some research I have too decided that ADD is the most likely cause of my depression. The doctor started me out on Concerta 54mg. The dosage was too much for me so we went to 18mg and built up to 36mg. I hated Concerta it made me feel like I was having a panic attack followed by a terrible headache for the rest of the night. Let me add that I am a very sensitive person when it comes to drugs. I also worry like its my job. I think I may induce some of the panic myself making the side effects worse.

I went back to my dr for an evaluation for the concerta. We decided to switch to straterra. Straterra did not help with concentration, but it did make me way too tired. I was too tired to sit in class, do homework, or even go to church. Even after stopping the straterra I felt totally out of the norm. So today I went back to the Dr for another evaluation. Im now on Ritalin.

Its like musical meds. LOL. No, so far I like the Ritalin, but its only the first day. Im taking a half of 20mg generic (so 10mg) every 4 hrs. I like the control of dosage, but I can see how remembering each dose will be a hassle. I do have some ?’s about Ritalin. I hope some of you will be able to answer. Do you feel a little panicked the first few days? I always read the warnings (side effects) and automatically start to think I have them. They feel real at times, but I think it might be my self inducing the thoughts. I hate writing papers. Wow!! Look how much I have wrote so far!! How long can the effects of Ritalin last? I know the standard is 4hrs but can it last longer? I hope the music has stopped playing for good and I can quit musical meds.

oh my name is craig

Craig,

I also just started Ritalin, so we're in the same boat. I started out with 20 mg, but that was too much for me to take at once. I was more productive with my studies than I ever have been in my life, but I also felt like I was on speed. I wasn't exactly feeling panicy, but I was definitely edgy. I couldn't really talk to anyone...about all I could do was sit and read like a maniac. And the meds definitely lasted longer than 4 hours...probably b-c that was a high dose for me. I too am somewhat sensitive to meds. I've toned the dose down a bit, and am now not really experiencing the speed-like side effects. Give your dose a couple more days, but if you are still crawling out of your skin, bring it down a few mgs. I'm not sure how your previous meds helped you focus, but none of the SSRI's I've tried in the past came close to working as well as the Ritalinn does for me. My ability to focus is amazing...it's like a new world has opened up for me. Sort of makes me wish I had this stuff during undergrad.

Well, good luck, and let me know how things go for you. If you are really uncomfortable after several attempts, don't dispair...there are many, many alternatives (including non-med options such as regular excercise).

Best,
Buckley

Also, remember that AD/HD very rarely comes by itself. The panicy feeling could be anxiety which stimulants can make worse when take alone.

Hey Craig,
What's up? I am 23 and recently diagnosed too! Cool. Anyway, I am also familiar with "musical meds" only I played that with antidepressants (6 different antidepressants in two years). Ritalin was my first and only ADD med, however. I started out on 10 mg three times a day of the generic methylphenidate. With that I experienced nausea the first few weeks and that was about it. Because I did well, my doctor doubled my dose to 20 mg. I heard that brand name Ritalin works better than generic so I tried that the second month. It did work better, which is strange. I have had 20 mg of generic and 20 mg of brand name, and brand name allows me to focus better and longer. I don't really have side effects on the 20 mg except for headaches, but I get frequent headaches anyway so it could be something else. The one problem I have is that I am a big diet coke drinker (3 or more cans a day) and if I drink caffeine with 20 mg I do get a little "speedy" and then I can forget about sleep for the night. Other than that, I have found it to be a great med. It lasts about three to four hours. I generally don't take it three times a day though. My doctor said I can take it when I need it, like if I have to study or take a test or something. Good luck with everything, I hope it works out for you.

thanx for your replies!!! i am not on 20mg anymore, although i might go back up...I am currently on SR 20mg and loving it. Works good, but would like to try non-generic kind. i dont feel as weird anymore. i do get fast heart rates when im doin exercise. i try to scheduel my meds around physical activities.

My 7 year old just got put on Ritalin SR 10 mg once a day. The Doc told me we would notice a difference that day. Is that true or not? Also what should I watch for. And when should I be concerned?
Thanks Robin

Ritalin works pretty fast - people often notice a difference the first day, depending on the dosage. The primary goal of the ritalin is to increase attention, and at higher doses, impulse control. Don't expect too much difference in motor hyperactivity if your child is hyperactive.
Trouble to look for would be bad side effects - trouble sleeping, poor appetite and weight loss, stomach ache, headaches, mood swings when as the drug wears off - that sort of thing. The side effects should slowly get better over the course of 4 or 5 weeks.
Ritalin is a very safe drug so there are no real dangerous side effects to worry about or watch for, mostly just unpleasant ones, if that.
I hope it works for your child - Ritalin is helpfull for about 60-70% of people who try it.
Regards,
Greg