Posted by laima on August 27, 2006, at 21:14:46
In reply to Re: Tell Me About Longterm Ritalin » laima, posted by mayzee on August 27, 2006, at 20:37:04
Hi Mayzee-
Wow! 20mg sound like large tablets! Not surprised to hear that they are hard to chop up accurately. I've got 5mg tablets which I simply split to take 2.5 in am, 2.5 later. I bought a pill-chopper at the pharmacy which makes it easier and neater- it's kind of like a little guilitine with a razor blade, and it was very cheap. Ritalin is supposed to last roughly 5 hours or so, which is why I take it in AM and again at noonish. Yes, I am sure that the tiredness you are talking about is the "wearing off" "backlash". "Backlash" is too strong of a word, but I can't think of a better one right now.
My blood pressure has improved enough on the grand total of 5mg daily that I couldn't be more pleased! I'm so much more lively and functional, without being at all wired or jittery!
Maybe ask your doctor about your late-day tiredness and what he thinks of you splitting the dose up?
But in any case, I'm so happy to hear things are improving for you!!!
Laima
> Hi Laima,
>
> Thanks for the info about your current ritalin dosage and past experience re. side effects.
>
> I just started trying ritalin for the first time. So far I've just been taking 2.5mg in the morning. It seems to be helping! I do notice though feeling tired/sleepy in the late afternoon/evening. I guess when it wears off, huh? How long is ritalin supposed to last?
>
> Did you get prescribed 2.5mg tablets? or larger ones that you cut? Trying to save me money my pdoc wrote the script for 20mg tablets, but I'm finding it too hard to cut 1/8th for 2.5mg. Anyway he really wants me to take 5mg once/day, in the morning.
>
> Have you noticed your blood pressure improving?
>
> Mine is still quite low even at the 6mg EMSAM patch; but I think it's a little higher with the ritalin.
>
> best,
> mayzee
poster:laima
thread:678814
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060825/msgs/680675.html