Ritalin Dilemma

[MegAtomic]

Hello all,

Just joined the forums, Good to finally find some like-"minded" people.

As you would expect from any new member I have a million questions but first a bit about me.

I am a 25 year old male who knew he had ADHD when he was 7 already. I was diagnosed back then. I know a lot about ADHD. but as you can guess not all and to my personal feeling not enough yet.

Ok enough intro for now, i'm drifting from the question at hand

The problem which is currently occupying my thoughts is the question wether or not to use Ritalin.

I'm sure many of you are already familiar with it. So therefore I hope you can help me. Or at least tell me of your experiences with it

I am thinking of using it because I can fairly control my ADHD. not all of it off course. But to my own feeling I am not controlling it enough. I have been with councellors, Shrinks, trainings and the like. And although they helped it's not enough. And I am running out of other options. I view the possibility of using Ritalin as a big step. I don't want to rush into this.

I have browsed the internet a bit. I know that for some it helps. What concerns me however is what it will do to me. I have heared a lot about the bad side of it. Only I do not know what of it is true. I have heared the following good and bad things about Ritalin. Feel free to comment on them.

Good things:

1.It makes ADHD "patients" able to concentrate
2.It makes them more "docile". Less busy

These 2 are my main motivations for Ritalin.Although I am not even sure if they are true. Now for the bad things I heared.

Bad things:

1.It can be highly addictive
2.Every time you take it it reminds you of ADHD. A harsh reminder.
3.It's a pill, I hate taking pills. It seems can never get myself swallow the things under 5 minutes.
4.I heared that its strong stuff. containing some VERY heavy components. Combined with point 1 this sounds very bleak to me. I already losts friends to addictions to drugs. So I already have a fright for that.
5.when I take it, and it does do the 2 miracle things mentioned above for me. would I hate myself for not taking it sooner? Or what if the other bad points kick in. If I then decide to take it regardless won't it kill "ME"?
(with this I mean there is no me without ADHD. what will be left of the person I am now. Will it also stop the good things about ADHD. the creativity for instance?)
and If I don't take it while it works will I be able to live with the knowledge of knowing what it is like NOT having ADHD?
6. Big rumor: Ritalin has a crapload of side-effects. will these be bearable? and what would they be?

I'm sure I forgot half of what I wanted to ask or say here. I'll add that to the post later. (probably tomorrow)

Please give me your opinion and experiences. For me this is a choice between to evils. ADHD and drugs. Now I need your help to figure out which is the lesser one.

Kind Regards,

Megatomic

[waywardclam]

Welcome Megatomic... I have a couple of points to make..

I certainly understand your dilemma.

1. If/when you go to get your Ritalin prescribed, be aware there are other options. You don't have to take Ritalin... there are people here on Strattera and Adderall and Effexor and a bunch of other things, I personally have just started Wellbutrin.

2. You can start any drug with a mild dosage, and increase it later if necessary.

3. Nobody says you have to stay on a drug if you don't like the effects. You can quit it and either go back to being drug free or you can try a different drug.

It is true that many drugs do have side effects, and the problem is that there is still a lot unknown about the brain... drugs work differently for different people. There is always a risk involved that cannot be reduced to zero.

I've tried for the last couple of years to cope with unmedicated ADD, and I just gave up four days ago and started the Wellbutrin.

Some people here at the forums swear by the drug they are on, like it is a miracle for them. Others have had bad experiences or mixed results... unfortunately the only way to know for yourself is to try them...

At any rate, welcome to the forums, glad to have you here!

[Flyfisher]

Hi MegAtomic,

I will share my personal experience with Ritalin which was prescribed to me last January. I talked to my family doctor who sent me to the proper authority to be tested and I was diagnosed with ADD. This doctor sent me back to my doctor with a diagnosis and my family doctor prescribed Ritalin. I believe she prescribed that in particular because that is what she is most familiar with. Like Wayward said, there are many other options.

I have stuck with it because for me, Ritalin has worked very well. Here's my experience with it and a few comments on your concerns:

1. I can noticiably focus much better, I can litterally feel when it
has kicked in. It feel like it takes my scattered energy and
streamlines it, is the best way I can explain it.

2. Everytime I take it, yes it is a reminder that I have ADD but
not a negative one. A harsh reminder for me is not being able
to complete tasks, not having stuff done on time, failing my
my family, etc. The meds help me conquer my difficulties.

3. The pills are very small. Maybe you could crush them and add
them to something. Your doc might have suggestions.

4. Addiction? That was a concern for me but I have not had a
problem. In fact, my problem is I forget to take it and am very
irregular with it. My husband will say to me, you haven't been
taking your meds, since he can see the difference if I haven't
been. Maybe set up follow up appointments with your doc to
stay on top of the addiction concern.

5. It hasn't dampened my creativity one bit! Just helped me act
act on it better, succeed, and complete my creative visions.


Here's the problems I have had

1. Dry mouth for a short period of time.

2. Don't mix with too much caffeine! I think I unconciously
medicated myself with caffeine prior and it was hard to slow
down on my pop when on Ritalin. A few times, I found myself
bouncing off the walls, lol. My solution was to take a brisk
walk and drink lots of water.


I hope this helps and this is my personal experience but everyone's can be different. Overall, mine has been a great improvement.

Also, the meds were not a cure all as I had first expected but definitely help. Another bonus was being diagnosed and realizing that I need to operate diffently than others and that it is OK.

[Slowpoke]

hi
I just thought that I would put my two cents in...
About AD/HD meds...
They are addictive if you are not responsible when you use them. Addiction happens when you take too much, and you get the pleasurable effects. Your body/brain craves more. If you stick within the dosage that benefits you the best, then the likelihood that you will become addicted is slim. This goes for a lot of medications... (biopsych 304 in university taught me this). For someone who takes ritalin 4 times a day, at 15mg/dose, I am NOT addicted to it, as I never "crave" it... I can go through a day without taking it. Mind you, I get less done, but it`s totally different that having side effects of NOT being on it, or craving it.
It is only `strong stuff` if you take a lot of it. You adjust accordingly. I once overlapped dexedrine (i used to be on that) too much and I got really perky and hyper... I felt absolutely moronic... so that was `too much` for my system. I didn`t enjoy being so hyper, so I knew I`d mistakenly taken it too close before the last dose had worn off enough.
I find that most adults are so frustrated by their age about having to deal with ADHD that they understand dosages and just want to have a productive and successful day (however you define sucessful is up to you of course). Taking medications responsibly, finding out what dosage and what brand is best is also part of that process.
If you have a supportive doctor or specialist, he/she will help you find the right dosage and help you monitor it.
My doctor initially thought I might be becoming addicted b/c I am very petite and am on a higher dose, and I had jumped to a higher dose... but that was because I had just started it and was finding a dose that worked (typically I think it is a dose that lasts about 3.5-4hrs) the best for me. BUT I have kept at that dose (sometimes I take more if I didn`t get enough sleep or if I`m sick).
You are abosolutely right to be cautious - that is a really good attitude to have.
I would like to point out though, that if you can inprove the quality of your life by taking medication, which would help you be more productive and thus more confident about yourself, then why not look into it? It may or may not work, but if done carefully and gradually, there should be little risks, if any.
As for being reminded that you have ADD every time you take the meds, that is an issue perhaps you can work on... accepting that you have it and not allowing yourself to feel as though it makes you any less of a person will help a lot! I used to feel as though I had to apologize for it, but now I don`t. I just shrug and say I have ADD, and I have my own ways of dealing with it. I find that people respect me for being matter of fact and not allowing it to bother me. By putting yourself in a position where you feel in control of it (and how you feel about it), you are empowering yourself.
I still feel odd about taking the meds sometimes, but I know that it helps me be the person I want to be - more organized, less "noise" in my brain all the time, and more productive. Most people are able to do this with their own efforts, those of us with ADD struggle with that, so trying really hard to do it, and not getting results points toward that we benefit from medication (and other treatments) and that we have a disability/condition/challenge.

That is my 2 cents... or more. 2 cents plus tax?
Hope this helps.

[Wheel1975]

Addiction IS when you do something for the wrong reason!

Take small amounts, under a doctors suppervision, don't go off on your own until your doctor tells you the limits in which to work, if he thinks so.

Discuss the warning signs of any problem that concerns you, additicion or whatever.

Be your own best friend, try it, watch it, be honest.

Ritalin is dangerous for those who don't need it. For most of us with ADHD, we all hate pills, hate taking them and forget too often to be a "good" drug seeking addict.

Pay attention to your self, but don't be controlled by your fears.

[Jenna8888]

Ritalin has worked wonders for me. I also have anxiety and take one xanax a day. Talk about feeling like a druggy! But if you need glasses, you wear them right?
I have not increased either drug. Xanax makes me sleepy if I'm not anxious. I have tried the SSRI's and they all make me super anxious and parionoid. I saw something during a search on dopamine and serotonin that said if you have Generalized anxiety disorder it's because your brain has too much serotonin! Using drugs that increase serotonin make GAD worse! Ritalin increases dopamine levels and has almost completely eximinated my depression/mood swings. I tried dexadrine and it did not work as well as ritalin. It made me alert but spaced out. Also, I only use Brand name Ritalin, the generic did not work, made me grumpy. There is a difference for some.

[LM30]

i have all these concerns and i take adderall . i wonder about the good out weighing the bad but i am 30 and know many years already have spun out of control for me . medication in areas of productivity , focus , ease of concentrating , and stick-to-it-ness make career advancement , college , virtually any endevor worth it. yes you'll do okay w/o meds but no change because i can't grow out of add likeness. in my life i want change and acountability that i felt i can acheive better with med. my way of dealing with stuff : ignore and run. but i can't run from myself. i had thiss challenge since seven too.it is a discission between you and a listening doctor . tell he/she what is important to you and see what they say. i am new to med but feel better.

[sred]

I've taken ritalin for five years now. When I started taking it I worried that I would get addicited and about manyof the same things that you are worried about.

It isn't addictive like alcohol or exercise or drugs for fun.. because it just doesn't feel like a fun drug. I am not worried about taking too much or something. I take less than I am suposed to take and my meds end up lasting me three months instead of one.

However, I find that when I am really tired like I could use a cup of coffee to wake up to do something like pack for a trip at 2am I think of it and at moments like that it feels addictive. Anyone might be tired and unfocused at 2am would they turn to a drug to help them then... I don't think that is the best use of ritalin and sometimes I mis-use it.

However it is also addictive in another way...that "I am not sure I can function as well without as I can with it." So, I have lost some confidence in my own ability to survive without it. And this is something that you may say now "well, I'll never feel that way".. but it is a real danger the addiction comes with the way the drug works best.. in a regular pattern that you start to internalize and learn to listen to others and focus etc... however there isn't a support team that stands by to help you learn to do this on your own and to slowly learn to not need the drug any longer. It is not in the business to be out of the business like a good teacher. It is in the business to stay. That being said.. I am still taking it and I am very happy and healthy and probably better off with it for the moment... I am just lazy to really try to find ways to do on my own what ritalin does so easily for me...

I love to read a hard book with ritalin I was never able to do this before and I'd like to learn to do this without ritalin but that is a tough challenge in such a busy full life.. I do have plans to stop ritalin soon because I am getting pregnant.. So If you have it in you to research the alternatives that may be a good use of your time.. and you know that ritalin and the likes is always there for you if your life goes to hell or you have to write a thesis or something like that.

good luck.
Red

[Wheel1975]

Originally posted by sred

However it is also addictive in another way... that "I am not sure I can function as well without as I can with it." So, I have lost some confidence in my own ability to survive without it.
Red

I am confounded by the facileness of claiming "addiction" status for a drug because "when I take it it does what it is supposed to, and when i don't take it, it doesn't do it anymore!"

Excuse me?

That is not the definition of addiction, that is the definition of an effective drug!

Isn't it?

(~Falling of soap box in a hurry!~)

[Andrew]

I would have to agree with Wheel here. Just because you function well on a medication, and not as well when you come off the medication, does not mean you're addicted. It means that the medication you're on WORKS, as its supposed to!

According to Dictionary.com...

ad·dic·tion ( P ) Pronunciation Key (-dkshn)
n.

1.
1. Compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance: a drug used in the treatment of heroin addiction.
2. An instance of this: a person with multiple chemical addictions.
2.
1. The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or or involved in something.
2. An instance of this: had an addiction for fast cars.

It sure doesnt sound like you've been "jonesing" for some meds, you havent escalated into snorting your meds, or increasing your dosage beyond the recommendations of your doctor.

Be happy your med works for you, and feel comfortable knowing you're not addicted.

[MegAtomic]

Ok then after seeing these replies and those on other boards I visit. as well as consulting my (anti drug) parents, I am talking to the presriber. I will let him know the 3rd of Februari if I will take Ritalin or not. I will ask him about alternatives. (which I know nothing about so its about time I start browsing more). As I stand now I will ask him to prescribe it for a short period. To se what it does. Time will tell if I did the right thing. Expect a reply here after the 3rd

[Wheezie]

Thanks MagAtomic, for writing the question that I've been trying to write.

Thanks also to everyone who responded!!!

[Wheel1975]

good luck!

[MegAtomic]

Originally posted by MegAtomic
Ok then after seeing these replies and those on other boards I visit. as well as consulting my (anti drug) parents, I am talking to the presriber. I will let him know the 3rd of Februari if I will take Ritalin or not. I will ask him about alternatives. (which I know nothing about so its about time I start browsing more). As I stand now I will ask him to prescribe it for a short period. To se what it does. Time will tell if I did the right thing. Expect a reply here after the 3rd

Okay time for an update. I hpe some of you find this sounding familiar because I don't understand it

I have been on Ritalin for a week now. 5 times a day 0.5 grams a time (half of a VERY small pill). I talked to my prescriber and we agreed on trying it for 3 weeks. as that is according to him the time it takes to notice any effects.

The first pill made me a bit more hyperafter a while, which I suppressed with relative ease. although I felt like running around the company grounds 7 times (which is university size. and normally the urge feels like 3 times) Which I refrained of. Although my coach said to go ahead. (hey it was raining). And a feeling in my head as if something is in it. As if I felt my brain being there. Which was odd

I was getting close to my normal me (still busy but not as much as the boost) when I took the same pill. I was expecting (and NOT looking forward) to get another boost but instead it did nothing at all to my suprise. after a short while I was my old me again. And that remained since. I still take them but as of yet no effect. Except for a headache when I wnet to bed on sunday. As soon as I was horizontal it hit me suddenly and hard. But it did not stop me from sleeping and the next morging it was gone. I still get an occasional headacheshot. Which vanishes as soon as it came. Other than that no headaches.

Sleep has not been disturbed. I used to lie down an hour and sleep at daytime after getting back from work. but only on days that I had a lot on my mind. I use that nap to clear it a bit. With Ritalin this still works fine. even if I took it 60 minutes before it.
My apperite has also not decreased. (which would have actually been welcome as I eat too much. I'm on a "diet" now but it's still hard to do.

What puzzles me is that it's not working, I think it would be the low dosage but how would that explain the first boost?
I will continue to take it as I said until the 3 weeks are up. But if this stays like this I will discontinue using it. As I see no benefits.

[Els]

@MegAtomic... Ben je Nederlands? Hallo dan!

What kind of doctor are you seeing? As far as I know it might take a lot of fine-tuning to find out what medication works for you and in what frequency and dosage. I think you should discuss this with your doctor. I've called mine after two days and together we decided on changing the time between two pills from 4 to 3 hours which made a big difference. Don't give up and tell us how you're doing.