Where 2 get answers? Overdose?

[KimmyKimKim]

I hope I can ask this here because I cannot seem to get help anywhere else (even our 2 local emergency rooms say they cannot give advice over the phone). So please, just let me know if I should turn elsewhere because i'm pretty desperate right now for at least some advice from those in the forum who may know. I will make this as short as I can.

My sister, "Jane", called me early yesterday afternoon, very upset (getting divorce) and asked me to come over. I have spent yesterday evening and night here but had to call my brother to make up a story to get Jane out of the house to call the ER (no help) then try to look for answers. I know for a fact Jane has massively abused her Ritalin since around 5pm yesterday. She lied and said it was a mild Valium or something, and lied about dosage she was supposedly taking. After taking this supposed Valium at 5:00pm, 5:30 pm. 7:00pm, 9:00pm, 1:00am, AND 2:00am I had a feeling something was not right because she was getting massive energy and would not stop talking. I called my brother, he came at 7am and lied to Jane (take/forced her shopping) and I looked in her medicine cabinet and she has been taking Ritalin 20 mg...not Valium but it says only to take 3 times a day. I called brother on cell and he said she's fine, just talking a lot and fast but she does not seem to have anything wrong. I can't find online any info about how much is "too much" although I know she has already passed that. Should I take her to emergency room? Seems a little late now but what if she comes home and wants to take another? I'm sorry but I don't know where to turn since she seems fine...that was the 1st question the emergency room asked me and she made me feel like a fool for calling because she is technically okay, I suppose. Just, please...if it were your sister and if you had Ritalin knowledge, would you take her? I don't know what to do. They won't be home for about an hour.

I'm sorry it is long but I am worried and want to give all the info I know and thank you for advice. I know you guys aren't doctors and I am not looking for medical advice; just sister-ly advice. Thank you.

[KimmyKimKim]

Sorry..p.s. all times are approximate but pretty close to when she took them. thank you.

[Archon]

Ritalin is generally hard to overdose on but what you should watch out for is the "crash". It's going to be like someone quitting cigarettes cold turkey times a million.

Hide the pills and make sure she doesn't do anything insane while she's coming down. Citric acid found in orange juice counteracts the digestion and absorption too.

[KimmyKimKim]

Thank you very much for the fast response and I am greatly relieved. I've hidden the Ritalin and brother is getting juice. I have a feeling it is going to be a loooooong day. Thank you for the crash warning because I'm sure I would have panicked again, thinking she was in a coma or something.
Again, thanks so much.

[EYEFORGOT]

I hope your sister will be ok Kim.

When she's through the crash and on the other side of this bad day, see if you can convince her to see her Doctor.

Keep us posted if you can.

[Archon]

My pleasure.

On another note if you tell the doctor about this incident he will cut and run so fast your head will spin. Work out if this thing is likely to happen again and plan ahead.

[sarey]

ive overdosed on ritalin before, apparently its very dangerous as it can cause serious heart dangers like your heart stopping and such. if shes ok now, dont worry about it, just be cautious and look out for signs.

[livinginchaos]

if you ever have any inkling you or someone else has overdosed - go to an ER.

[trishcan]

I hope you were able to seek medical help for your sister. There are plenty of serious consequences to exceeding the dose of any medication, and a person can appear "okay" one minute, with heart failure the next. I know your gut instinct was to treat this situation as an emergency, and I hope you did so. It sounds like your sister may have some untreated mental illness or chemical depedency issues to take so many doses (especially at night). I hope you're all safe, and you can find a way to address whatever led to this behavior in a healthy environment.