Posted by Calis on May 2, 2008, at 13:17:14
I was prescribed ritalin for inattentive ADD 6 weeks ago and while it really improved my attentional difficulties I am finding the sympathetic nervous system stimulation to be too great. My heart rate tends to go up quite a bit on it, once to the point that I had a very uncomfortable feeling of tension in my chest running up my throat.
I'm also finding that it makes me feel like crap once it wears off, like I've been totally burnt out - very lethargic possibly even mild depression. I have low levels of androgens and adrenal hormones anyway (which I'm also receiving treatment for) and ritalin seems to be making things worse, it has totally destroyed my exercise performance and libido. I found a study somewhere mentioning that it decreases LH and FSH and I'm sure it probably causes even more stress for my already overworked adrenals.
On the positive side it has allowed me to work effectively for the first time in my life, I finally feel like I may be able to fulfill my potential at university (which up until this point I have been on the verge of failing despite having a high iq and finding the material very easy). I also have pretty bad social anxiety which it has helped quite a bit. I have tried SSRIs and GABAergic drugs for this in the past but found them dulling and counterproductive. It seems that mentally I respond very well to stimulants just not physically.
I'm trying to get myself a prescription for dexedrine as I've heard that it can be better for some of these side effects, but, living in the UK, finding a doctor willing to prescribe dex is proving problematic.
Can anyone suggest any alternatives to ritalin that may be beneficial in my situation, or anything that I could try taking with it in order to help calm some of the physical sides?
I would really appreciate any help.
Calis
poster:Calis
thread:826825
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080430/msgs/826825.html