Apparently I am my doc's first patient ever to report that Ritalin makes me sleepy.

While different meds work well, I am very curious as to why a drug that's a controlled substance because of its effects to stimulate would cause sleepiness. If he paradox model theory of giving a stimulant to someone with hyperactivity to calm them down were still creditable, it would make sense, but it's not the current reasoning.

Anyone have any knowledge or ideas?

Yea its weird. It does the same for me, but with Concerta (which is also a slow release stimulant). I would love to know the reasoning behind this. :eyebrow:

Many threads on this; no conclusions. Search under Adderall, as well.

I have no answer for that mystery but it does the same to me (Ritalin LA, Concerta, Daytrana). It's like nailing me with a tranquilizer dart.


J

I reminded me of a dozy relaxed feeling, like before a tournament, or a military exercise. The real difference was that I couldn't shake it off.

It was almost pleasant, but not useful.

I reminded me of a dozy relaxed feeling, like before a tournament, or a military exercise. The real difference was that I couldn't shake it off.

It was almost pleasant, but not useful.A sense of calm? Half an hour after taking my first pill of Ritalin, I felt like I had just swum laps in the pool. I gathered that was how it felt not to be hyperactive. Children will use the word "tired" when they mean "calm".

The affinity of methylphenidate for norepinephrine is lower than as with the amphetamines, but I have a suspicion that the sedating effect many people experience with methylphenidates is related to a touch of anticholinergic activity, ie as with OTC antihistamines, and certain dangerous weeds ...

my doc started me on ritalin sr 20mg for 2 days then 40mg. today was the first time to take the 40mg, and after breakfast i had to lay down because i about fell asleep standing up. i took a good 4 hour nap.. is this normal??? i still feel very tired, but i have already slept nearly 14 hours since last night!! i still havent seen a difference in my concentration(maybe its still to early to notice, i dunno).

matt

I take it your doctor hasn't the experience of having seen hundreds of patients on stimulants, perhaps?

Some people go to sleep on wellbutrin, ritalin, dexedrine, caffeine, etc. Yes.

Some people on this Board have to take their stimulant meds to in order to GET TO SLEEP.

It is certainly not unheard of... [so I am surprised that your doctor is surprised].

Too high a dose CAN cause sedation and sleepiness, too. I know if i forget and take my meds 2x [in 4 hours], i will get sleepy, til they wear off.

Too high a dose CAN cause sedation and sleepiness, too. I know if i forget and take my meds 2x [in 4 hours], i will get sleepy, til they wear off.
I agree!;)

My experience is just that; when I was on a higher dose of Ritalin IR I had times of sleepiness. I thought I needed the higher dose....however when I was "coming down" I would rebound with irritability and sleepiness. I then tried a decrease in dosing and that has helped with both symptoms.

I told my Dr ritalin made me sleepy. Adderall made me grumpy. Strattera made me dopey. Dex she will not prescribe because I could abuse it. Um hello I am a 35yr old female who doesn't have a drug or drinking problem. I do have a nicotine problem however. I think that is rude!! So I go back and forth with being sleepy with Ritalin or grumpy with adderrall. Now that the seasons are changing, living in the far north I don't need to be anymore sleepy than I already am. SADD disorder is rearing its ugly head. I have an appt next week to change my meds again. I want to try Vyvance. Hopefully it will be a happy medium. Uggh!!

Ritalin made me sleepy too. It paridoxally made me less alert and less able to conentrate. Mom reported to the doc that my concentration and attention span got worse. It got worse on Ritalin LA, Strattera, Metadate CD, Zoloft, and Cymbalta.

I think that is rude!!I agree. Very well said. ;)

I feel that it's unfortunate that some doctors are more concerned with preventing a condition that has not even come into existance yet (addiction in this case), while at the same time refusing to explore all the possible treatment options for a condition that does exist (ADHD).

I had a similar issue with a doctor who informed me that he would not refill an earlier prescription of tramadol for back pain (herniated disc), because "it can be addictive." I can understand if I had a history of addiction to narcotics, or if I was asking for a controlled drug. However, to refuse an adult patient a non-controlled drug on the basis of its potential to cause an addiction is very "rude" IMO.

All I could think of as I walked out of his office (shaking my head) was how hurtful that drug hysteria can potentially be to people who are legally and medically justified to receive these potentially addictive drugs.

Addiction is nothing to ever take lightly, and it's certainlly something that a Dr should always be on the lookout for when prescribing these drugs. I just wish more doctors would wait until there is an indication of a potential addiction before assuming that every patient is going to get addicted. Sorry to ramble on about this, but I feel very strongly about this issue. :o

I think part of the problem is that she's not an ADHD specialist. She will send me to a consult with one who will be moving into the area this month.


It's funny that your doctor would think that Dex is likely to be abused. From what I've researched it's considered to be low risk for abuse.