Posted by Molybdenum on January 30, 2008, at 23:36:42
In reply to Ritalin not helping yet., posted by SteelyDan on January 29, 2008, at 20:16:35
Hi,
I've been on the same mix, albeit the Ritalin was for narcolepsy from sleep apoena.
The Ritalin should reach peak blood concentration in about 1 hour & then slowly taper off over the next 24. If you don't feel better after 1 hour, you need to increase the dose.
It's not like the anti-depressants that have an accumulated effect over time. Ritalin is like gasoline. It burns fast & when it's gone, it's gone & you're down again. :(
Hence I wouldn't recommend taking it in the afternoon as you may have trouble sleeping.
I used to take up to 80mg a day in total - which I broke up into several doses (assuming you have the little 10mg pills). Say take 20mg to wake up at 7am & another 20mg at 10am. Maybe another 20mg midday. Your day will be a "bumpy" ride though.
I'd feel outgoing & optimistic on the highs & then when it wore off, realized I only felt good 'cos I was high. Not what I really needed...not sure anyone needs that. Not a good mix with work, driving, well - anything really.
Anyway, if Ritalin works well for you then you might want to try Ritalin-SR (slow release). From the graph at =>
http://www.medscape.com/content/2003/00/46/27/462703/art-pharm462703.fig6.gif
...you can see it looks like a smoother ride. It's likely a bit more expensive in this preparation though.If stimulants are right for you as a short term thing, then I would ask your Dr if they would prescribe you modafinil instead. I found it much more mood-brightening than Ritalin. It's not a bumpy "high then low" ride like the Ritalin either. I used to "regret what I'd said earlier" much less often with the modafinil. ;)
It's definitely more expensive though. :(
Good Luck :)
poster:Molybdenum
thread:809638
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080124/msgs/809845.html