Posted by Racer on February 27, 2006, at 14:04:16
Last week, my pdoc -- Dr MaybeGoodEnough -- prescribed Ritalin. I'd started Provigil again, just until I could see her, but Provigil isn't going to help long term, so we decided to see if a real stimulant would help.
Yes, so far, I think it has.
BUT, again, now I need a nap. It hits somewhere around four or five hours after taking it. And I mean I NEED a nap. My eyes start to close, whether I want them to or not, no matter what I'm doing. In fact, I literally fell asleep in my chair the first day, with a cat on my lap and a book open. This is part of the reason Provigil isn't the answer for me -- needing a nap. So far, no real crash on the Ritalin, which is a benefit over Provigil.
Now, Dr MaybeGoodEnough did start me at 2.5 mg, twice a day, so maybe it's just that the dose isn't nearly high enough yet. (Oh, nearly forgot, it's also making me want to eat everything in sight. I think I'm weird.) I'm supposed to raise it after the first week, but I think I may have to either raise it sooner, or give it up before then.
Other than a slight headache, which may have nothing to do with it, no bad effects so far. That's a good thing.
So, my question is, for anyone with experience with stimulants: is it likely that an increased dose will help with the closing eyes? Or maybe a longer acting version? (She said some people who do well on regular Ritalin don't do well on the long acting, so she starts everyone on the regular short acting.) Or a different stimulant? Any ideas?
Also, she lowered Wellbutrin, because she said that there was too high a risk of seizure taking both, and I wonder if she's being too cautious? Or is it that much of a risk? She plans to try me up to 5mg, twice a day, on the Ritalin, and has reduced Wellbutrin to 300mg from 450mg. So far, not bad, but I wonder if the 450 might be OK in case things start to go south?
Thanks!
Oh, yeah -- I know I'm weird. I usually can't drink coffee, because it upsets my stomach, but it will often put me to sleep if I do have some...
poster:Racer
thread:613790
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060227/msgs/613790.html