Ritalin/Dex & emotional upheaval

[breakFree]

I'm trialing both dex and ritalin.

Ive been on ritalin for the day and have been quite emotional all day. I heard somewhere that meds allow you to access your feelings alot better and when you start taking them both good and bad feelings come up??

I know there are alot of things I haven't dealt with being diagnosed only last year. Could this be whats happening?

I took the dex yesterday and as a comparison, the dex gave me much clearer thinking, I felt pumped most of the day but only slept a few hours, that was on only 15mg with the last 5mg at 3:30pm. One thing I noticed was that I started thinking angry thoughts as it was wearing off.

Anyone else have similar experiences they would like to share?

Steve

[Andrew]

Yep. Happened to me too. Here's my theory:

When you're unmedicated, you spend a good deal of your mental energy trying to focus on daily tasks, and keeping your emotions in check. You're spending so much energy trying to accomplish what has to get done (and getting frustrated, etc. when its not accomplished because you've jumped to a hundred other tasks) , that we don't give ourselves much time to experience our emotions. I don't mean we don't laugh or scream, but I think those emotions come out when the relief valve lets them.

When on meds, you're able to handle the tasks at hand with much greater focus, and the brain has to spend much less time keeping you from being distracted by yourself. The results? Its like the emotional floodgates have been opened up.

I was on Ritalin for more than 12 years, and one of the long term side effects I noticed from this med, was that I felt almost emotionless. Once I stopped taking Ritalin and moved to Strattera, all the emotions came flooding back...I had to retrain my brain to throttle my emotions.

It took a while, but I'm able to manage most of my emotions fairly well now.

[fasttalkingmom]

I've taking Ritalin and I'm now on Dex. I haven't noticed being more emotional or more in touch with my emotions on either med....What I feel is calm and pulled together on both med.

Off meds. I tend to get angry too quick, I cry to easily and in general way too emotional about everything.

I just thought of something.... Over the past 7 years, I've made some very big changes in my emotional health. I was thinking this was due to me getting older and wiser...lol.. I've been on meds for the past 7 years also. Hmmmm, interesting.... I've not connected the two before....

[breakFree]

Andrew,
Just wondering if the emotions you felt were normal daily emotions or were they also past hurts and things which started to come up.

How do you find Strattera?
Steve

[Andrew]

Steve,

I would have to say "both".

You can find information on Strattera at www.Strattera.com, and from your doctor.

[breakFree]

Andrew,
I meant how/what is your experience of strattera.
Steve

[becca]

I have just been prescribed Ritalin. I have been on the meds for a few days now, and the emotional thing has been something that I have been curious about. I feel like I have no emotion at all. I have been going through a lot of stress in the last week, fighting with my boyfriend, and my friends, and even though I have tried to cry, I just can't. I just feel like I am a blank. I have been finding some upsides to the Ritalin, and I guess I will just see how I go in the next few weeks, and take the dosage adjustments as they come.

[Andrew]

Originally posted by breakFree
Andrew,
I meant how/what is your experience of strattera.
Steve

Strattera has been quite a positive experience. Only side effect was dry mouth, but only in the beginning. Now I am more alert (when I get enough sleep), more focused on task, and not as edgy as when i was on Ritalin.

[Andrew]

Originally posted by becca
I have just been prescribed Ritalin. I have been on the meds for a few days now, and the emotional thing has been something that I have been curious about. I feel like I have no emotion at all. I have been going through a lot of stress in the last week, fighting with my boyfriend, and my friends, and even though I have tried to cry, I just can't. I just feel like I am a blank. I have been finding some upsides to the Ritalin, and I guess I will just see how I go in the next few weeks, and take the dosage adjustments as they come.

This is EXACTLY what I felt like, when on Ritalin.

[iced_cooly]

There were some days when I was on Ritalin when I felt like I wanted to cry, like I should've been crying, but couldn't. It felt exactly like my brain was sending signals to start crying but I didn't have the ability to cry, it was pretty weird.

edit: I just read what Becca wrote, wow I guess that really was what was going on.

[diesel]

If your feeling emotionally flat, according to my Doc. your taking too much.

Big Said..

" When on meds, you're able to handle the tasks at hand with much greater focus, and the brain has to spend much less time keeping you from being distracted by yourself. The results? Its like the emotional floodgates have been opened up. "

I completelly agree.

[Els]

I was on Zoloft for 6 months and last week I've changed to Ritalin. Contrary to what others experienced my feelings are returning. I felt like crying watching Star Trek (very strong trigger of emotions ;-)) and have a strong tendency to overreacting. When my boyfriend asked me something for a second time I didn't just want to say NO, but I felt like throwing him out of the window. Fortunately I didn't do it. This is my third day on Ritalin and I've been on an emotional roller coaster. It seems like it has to do with this rebound thing. Last night I didn't have an extra dose where I felt I actually needed one and went into rebound. First I couldn't sleep very well and this morning started with a hangover-feeling and I've been emotional all day. Only late in the afternoon (it's almost midnight here) I felt more balanced and even did a lot of work.
Tuesday I have to report back to my shrink and we'll discuss the dose I need. Right now I think I should take 10 mg every 2,5 hours. That would add up to 6 or 7 doses a day.