Posted by jealibeanz on February 8, 2007, at 12:12:49
In reply to Re: Metabolism and Controlled Release Drugs, posted by med_empowered on February 8, 2007, at 11:10:05
> I think its pretty normal...when I took Ritalin LA, it would come in spurts: on, off, way too on, off again...kind of the same with adderall xr, but to a lesser, more tolerable extent.
> Would your doc rx straight up, generic Ritalin (or amphetamine) ? IRs are cheaper and personally, I find it easier to work out the right dosage and right dosage schedule when using them, b/c they're so predictable: take on an empty stomach, avoid fatty foods and fruit juice for about an hour, and see how you feel. Plus, you can divide the dosing up as you need it--usually 2-3 times a day.
> There's a ritalin patch out, I think--daytrana, maybe?--but paying $$$ for a patch when a pill would do just as well seems a bit ridiculous to me.I'm sure my doc would do IR if I asked about it. Since I've been trying to get a methylphenidate drug to reach therapeutic levels for 4 months now, without much luck (Concerta and Ritalin LA).
I hate the idea of constant dosing, but I do it with Xanax and I do it with my coffee and diet coke, so it's not much different. Plus, it would allow me to control the amount needed on a daily basis. He's pretty liberal and trusting of me.
Both meds seem to work like magic... for the first day. Then just sorta poop-out, but not completely. If I don't take them at all I feel fluish.. tired, achy muscles, cranky, sore throat...
I was on Provigil for a few months. This actually has that "magic effect" for months, rather than a day, then eventually gave little benefit. I think Provigil is just an immediate release drug with a long half-life, but I may be wrong. (and it's not this magic drug that allows people to stay awake for days without fatigue or sleep debt, at least not if taken regularly. Haha, I hate when the media makes comments about this drug... as if it's new and mysterious.)
Although, taking breaks helps to jump-start the therapeutic effect, I simply can no longer function without any meds for a day. I'm far too tired and accomplish nothing.
This isn't good since I'm a full-time student, was overloaded x2 as a grad student for the last 6 months, and am currently trying to get into a med school. I need energy and focus and memory and stamina! I a very physically fit person and eat healthily, so I don't have those issues to deal with. Plus I sleep great with the help of Lunesta.
I do take Ritalin or Concerta on an empty stomach, and do eat fatty meals.The only reason my insurance is covering Ritalin right now is because finalllly, after 4 months, we had to jump through enough hoops with the pharmacy, insurance company, and doctor's office to get it approved... for narcolepsy. It was initially turned down for ADHD, since I'm not between ages 5-18. Then it was turned down for narcolepsy until the insurance company told my doc exactly what he had to say, due to other meds I'm on, to get it approved! Whoa! Quite a process.
Anyway, I'm not sure he could get the Daytrana patch approved for narcolepsy. But I'm unsure.
poster:jealibeanz
thread:731085
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070207/msgs/731114.html