OT~ I NEED SERIOUS HELP WITH RITALIN

I posted this on the main board and the wls grad board but I need help anywhere I can get it. My doc put me on ritalin for ADD. I love the stuff, or used to. It does help me concentrate so I can work better. And for the first time in my life I feel like I can do anything I set my mind to. But it is seriously making me aggrevated and anxious. Angry to the point that I can throw something. And jumpy. Anything sets me off such as loud music, tv, lights, talking. Shoot, I get so that when I want something done I want it done yesterday. I am very impatient now. Yesterday Dan was driving the car and even though we were only 5 miles over the speed limit, it was like slow motion to me and I wanted to get home. I refrained from telling him to go faster but I just wanted to tell him to pull over and I'll drive. Today my son was going to do some adding for me on his calulator, and for me, it took forever for him to get ready. I KNOW IT WAS ALL IN REGULAR TIME TOO. I wanted to snatch the calculator and do it myself. I went off the pills for a while cause of this and I didn't get aggrevated but then I couldn't concentrate, work, or accomplish anything. Is there anyone out there on this and had a reaction like this? What did the doc say? Is there anything to counteract the side effects? I have an appointment with my doc but that is, not sure when, a couple of days maybe. I need help asap. Joanne Only good side effect was I wasn't hungry. That side effect went away.

Here's some info I found that may be of help ... (definitely talk to your doctor about these side effects): In most cases the Ritalin side effects are mild but some, though rare, are life-threatening. Nervousness and insomnia are the most common adverse Ritalin side effects. Common Ritalin side effects are: difficulty sleeping loss of appetite irritability nervousness stomach aches headaches dry mouth blurry vision nausea dizziness drowsiness ticks Other Ritalin side effects can include: hypersensitivity anorexia palpitations blood pressure and pulse changes cardiac arrhythmia anemia scalp hair loss toxic psychosis Mary

Joanne, Another site I found specifically stated that under no cir****tances was the pill to be crushed or broken etc. It was to be taken whole only. Not sure how you are taking it, but felt it was worth mentioning as crushing etc changes the meds and how it reacts in the body. Mary

Another site newideas.net/ritalin_side_effects.htm states that irritability/anger can be the result of eating/drinking caffeine while using this meds. Don't know if you do caffeine, but it can impact the meds. Remember caffeine exists not only in sodas (pop) but in coffee, tea and even chocolate. Got a little long winded. But was searching so posted what I found. Hope it helps. Mary

Joanne, You know some meds react differently to stomach acids which we now do not have maybe this is the case here. Maybe Ritalin is one of those drugs that is weaken by stomach acids so you are getting the full strength so maybe you should try half dose and see how you react, just a suggestion. Nancy

Joanne, My 21 year old daughter is an ADD kid (now adult) and we've tried it all. Ritalin worked well for a while; then quit being effective. I also hated the "rebound" moody-weepiness that came everytime the Ritalin wore off the in the afternoon. She then tried Adderall, which worked very well regarding the concentration and caused her to lose some weight as well, but it made her so angry and depressed. She told me kids at school would ask her what was wrong; she wasn't herself and I was terribly worried about her. She was ALWAYS angry, bitter and upset. And she slept 16+ hours every day. Very typical symptoms of severe depression. We had to get her off of it. She is now taking Stratera, a drug specifically recommended for adult ADD patients. She's been on it for about 2 years and seems to tolerate it very well. She just graduated from college (a BIG accomplishment for her) and I know she could not have done it without the Stratera. Even she has said she can "feel" the difference in her emotions. She's far less likely to fly off the handle and she can take criticism which was impossible before. She said she feels "calmer". There have been 2-3 times when she's decided to try to quit taking it, but she always goes back and that's kind of pain because for the first 6-8 weeks, it can make you pretty tired until your system adjusts to the meds (that information from my pharmacist son). It's a once a day pill that she takes in the morning and it doesn't seem to upset her stomach at all. I would recommend that you talk to your doctor about Stratera and see what he says. Also, there are some wonderful websites dealing with Adult women and ADD. They will encourage you and make you feel very normal. They've been quite helpful to Brittany. Good luck. I know how hard it can be the find the right medication for you. (((hugs))) Julie

I just came back from the doc. She doesn't want to put me on stratera because she had a few patients who had bad side effects. I think it was the liver problem I mentioned earlier. She lowered my dose to 20 mgs from 40. I took one today and it is still making me angry and irritable. So I am calling her tomorrow. I can't stand this feeling. I haven't taken any in about 5 days so it isn't like a build up that caused this. It is plain out and out, the meds. Joanne

You're right; it's not build up. Ritalin does not remain in the system. Too bad about the Stratera. I'll have my son (pharmacist) do some more research on the liver side effects of Stratera. Did you ask about Adderall? I hope they can find something to help you.

Joanne, my husband also has ADHD. I found a wonderful doctor here in mass that had Chris fill out a hundred page survey. He says that there are what he calls the big five. ADD/ADHD, OCD, Anxiety, Depression and Bipolar. Having one or more of these can cause you to self medicate with the Big Seven. They are Food, sex, gambling, video games/internet, shopping, alcohol, drugs. He then diagnosed Chris with a severe case of all but a mild unnoticable OCD. He said people dont just have one of the Big Five you have combos of all. He then treated my husband accordinely: Celexa - Depression - once a day Wellbrutrin - Anxiety - three times a day Adderall - ADHD - three times a day Zyprexa - Bipolar - once a day It sounds like an aweful lot but once he began the program, I had a completely different person. The rages are a form of the bipolar. When he would flip out over nothing or the smallest thing. I have been married for 11 years and we are just discovering who we are ourselves and together. (my bypass has changed me I am down to 247 from 456) He couldnt hold a conversation, we would go out to dinner and stare at other people because we had nothing to say to eachother. He couldnt focus long enough to have a conversation. Now that he has been on this program since January 2005 it is starting to get so much better. But let me tell you...he thought to go off it for a week or two because he thought he was fixed and it was nothing short of hell. I cant recommend this doctor enough. His name is Dr. Jeffrey Speller and he has offices in North Chelmsford and Andover Massachusetts. Dr. Speller believes these are chemical imbalances instead of trama/bad childhood etc. I think that it would be worth the ride for you to meet with him. You doctor could at least give you the Adderal or Ridelin but she/he need to give you an antidepressant to counter balance the ADD drug. Hope that this was helpful and if you need any more info send me an email. Would be more than happy to help. Best Regards Lisa [email protected]