Posted by bleauberry on January 15, 2014, at 7:31:02
My NP prescribed for me Ritalin. I've got both the time released and the regular to work with.
She says I have ADHD. I do not believe in that diagnosis....however I do believe in its symptoms....and when I took the ADHD diagnostic questionnaire almost all of my answers were strongly consistent with what is called ADHD.
To me it simply means....NE and DA are weak. No surprise there. Anhedonia for more than 2 decades. Much improved with antibiotics but still lingers at a lower level. Anhedonia is pretty much in the NE and DA circuits. In my condition, or actually any of our conditions, stress on the adrenal glands is I believe a major factor is all the physical and mental breakdown we suffer. I've had cortisol tested three times to monitor my adrenal gland function and every time it was on the low side.
Ritalin happens to be a good med in lyme or any condition where these symptoms are concerns: Brain fog, fatigue, anhedonia, motivation, focus, depression, sleep (paradoxical response). My NP says it is a favorite med. I asked why. The answer was that it helps so many people with so many different issues.
Anyway, here is my problem. My questions. I need some advice, suggestions, mentoring, on how to dose it.
The regular stuff has some pretty significant peaks and valleys as it kicks in and wears off. A 5mg dose will last me maybe 2 hours, a 10mg maybe 2 1/2 to 3 hours. It feels "drug-ish". But it works. I get stuff done. Motivation to do chores, interest to get that project I've been proscrastinating done, talkative, energy, improved mood. It is all so short-lived though.
The time release version is smoother on the peaks and valleys, but does not seem as effective overall.
Both tend to worsen my short term memory, yet ironically improve cloudy thinking and brain fog.
My major problem with Ritalin: It makes me feel worse the following day....lyme worse....physical stuff. Aches, pains, exhausted, no zest, no motivation. My NP said for me to try it for at least a week, two weeks better, on a daily basis. Because at this point we don't know if those side effects or after-effects will mellow out with regular usage or whether they will get worse.
Theories. Maybe since I feel better on Ritalin and do a lot more activity I exhaust the already weak adrenal glands? I mean, on one hand Ritalin is assisting the adrenals by supplementing extra NE and DA. On the other hand, the adrenals are being taxed by the extra energy and calories being spent.
I know from studying stuff that most meds have other mechanisms we do not yet understand. For example, zyprexa turns up/on the volume level of about 30 different genes (including the gain weight genes! :-) ), and at the same time turns down/off about 30 other genes. I wonder what genes Ritalin might interact with? I wonder how it plays into the immune system?
All silly questions because answers are probably not going to be available. But questions I have nevertheless. Even if we knew in detail exactly what Ritalin is doing on all fronts, there is still no way to predict how that will play out in any person's unique physiology.
Anyway. I like Ritalin but I do have some issues with it. For now it looks like the best thing to do is give it daily dosing for a week or two and see what happens.
Advice, suggestions, mentoring, information, personal experiences, science....all welcome. Thank you!
poster:bleauberry
thread:1058587
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20140104/msgs/1058587.html