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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by harry b. on May 2, 2000, at 10:24:28
I began taking Ritalin yesterday. I took 10mg in the
afternoon. I took 10mg this morning.I have noticed
little, if any, effect. Since this med has a very short
half-life, I expected an immediate effect. My reason
for using a stimulant is to help me become less lethargic,
help me from staying in bed all day, and to help me
become more productive. I'm also planning to go back
to work soon.For those of you who use or have used Ritalin, could you
share your experiences with it? Was the effect immediate?
Did it help energize you? What dosage seemed to work
for you? (I'm 6' and 180lbs)I had asked for Adderal, but my doc said she has had
better results with Ritalin. She also said that in her
experience Adderal is more likely to be abused.thanks
Posted by harry b. on May 2, 2000, at 10:33:52
In reply to ritalin, posted by harry b. on May 2, 2000, at 10:24:28
Another question. My doc said that the Ritalin
should help alleviate the sexual dysfunction
caused by Celexa. Has anyone found that Ritalin
helped with this?thanks again
Posted by kazoo on May 2, 2000, at 11:49:44
In reply to PS, posted by harry b. on May 2, 2000, at 10:33:52
> She also said that in her
> experience Adderal is more likely to be abused.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Greetings to harry b.Remember, harry, what goes UP must, ultimately, come DOWN.
Your therapist is correct, although all stimulants are easily
abused, and this includes caffeine (does anyone *really* drink
coffee for its taste?).
> Another question. My doc said that the Ritalin
> should help alleviate the sexual dysfunction
> caused by Celexa. Has anyone found that Ritalin
> helped with this?^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
No. But given the nearly infinite amount of variables when
one mickey-mouses with their neuro-chemicals, you may be one
of the lucky ones that may be helped in this area.Why not Viagra? Now *that* would be something!
kazoo
Posted by Noa on May 2, 2000, at 14:04:14
In reply to Re: PS, posted by kazoo on May 2, 2000, at 11:49:44
about the ritalin helping with the sexual effects from other meds--yes, I have found that to be true, but timing is everything on a short-acting drug.
As for feeling more energized, there are two ways the ritalin might help with this. One would be the direct stimulation of the overall nervous system. The other would be by boosting the actions of one or more of your other meds. This second aspect of ritalin often takes longer to be noticeable.
I still would give the ritalin a week's trial. You might notice less sleepiness, etc. Don't expect a total makeover in energy level, tho.
Posted by harry b. on May 2, 2000, at 19:37:58
In reply to Re: PS, posted by Noa on May 2, 2000, at 14:04:14
Thanks Kazoo & Noa.Today I saw my therapist. He's kicking me in the ass
trying to get me to catch up on all the mundane
things that I've let slide for several months. He
actually has made a list for me.I got home from the appt, looked at the list, but
did not want to do those things. My little sailboat
has been setting in my backyard all winter. I have
a slip at the local lake but have been too tired/
apathetic to get the boat there yet. I decided today
was the day. It was a lot of work, uncovering her,
checking the rigging, towing her to the lake, raising
the mast, getting the lines secure, etc, etc. But I
did it! That's the most physically demanding activity
I've done in months. I just took some Advil for my
aching back.Maybe there's something to this Ritalin after all.
Now, Noa, you said timing is everything with the
Ritalin and sex. Can you be more specific? Have you
conducted any long term experimentation? Is it
documented, and, if so, by another party or parties?
After taking the Ritalin, on an empty stomach,
what is the optimum window for an orgasm? ;)
Posted by Cass on May 2, 2000, at 20:47:08
In reply to ritalin, posted by harry b. on May 2, 2000, at 10:24:28
Hi Harry,
I was recently prescribed Ritalin for ADD. The doctor said I could take 10 mg, three times a day, but I can't seem to take that much and still sleep at night, so I've just been taking it twice a day. It had an immediately energizing effect for me. I feel like exercising and getting more things done, but I'm not really sure if it helps with my concentration and organization which is the real reason I am taking it. It definitely helps me with lethargy, though. I am surprised that your doctor would prescribe it just for lethargy, considering how controlled the drug is. Adderall was very agitating for me, but I heard that it was the drug LESS likely to be abused. Maybe you just need to increase the dose. Good luck.
Cass
Posted by Cass on May 2, 2000, at 20:50:59
In reply to Re: PS, posted by harry b. on May 2, 2000, at 19:37:58
Effexor XR has really wiped out my sex drive, and unfortunately, I don't notice Ritalin helping any. Who knows, though, maybe it will for you.
Posted by Janice on May 2, 2000, at 22:44:05
In reply to PS, posted by harry b. on May 2, 2000, at 10:33:52
Hi harry b,
It's nice to see you participating on the board in 'non-emergency' types of situations.
Sounds to me (unmedical advice, of course) that the dosage is too low.
Now, as for the sex. The only way I could imagine a stimulant being good for sex is by improving concentration. If you are easily distracted during sex or cannot concentrate on the pleasureable sensations, then I would imagine Ritalin would help.
Best of luck, Janice
maybe it could help your sex life just by giving you the power to get out of bed… and by giving you the physical energy to be out and about. I mean the chances of having a good sex life when you are in bed asleep all the time are pretty bad.
i don't know. let us know though when you do.
Posted by harry b. on May 2, 2000, at 23:12:50
In reply to Re: PS, posted by Cass on May 2, 2000, at 20:50:59
Hi Cass,
Lethargy wasn't my only reason for wanting a stim,
I too need to get organized. The depression, and
the other meds, while improving my mood, have left
me unable to concentrate. My thoughts seem to come
and go, I'm unable to grasp one thought and hang
onto it. Maybe that is why my posts seem fragmented.The doc who prescribed the Ritalin is a new doc for
me. Before I made the appt I talked to her by phone
and asked if she was opposed to prescribing stims.
She told me she has a number of patients who use
them. I thought Ritalin was more apt to be abused
than Adderall also. She says not.I have a plan, to get back to my job within a few
weeks. I'm not yet up to it. My job includes reading
plans and technical specifications, writing and responding
to letters, purchasing materials, writing contracts
and subcontracts, preparing schedules, meeting
with county, state, and federal representatives.
When I took leave in Feb, I had 4 to-do lists,
each with 2 catagories, critical and do asap.
Right now I can't even take care of my personal
affairs. Maybe my plan to go back to work is too
ambitious, I don't know.Re: the sex problems. After reading Noa's somewhat
encouraging post, I decided to try. How do I put
this?..... OK. I live in Pa. in the Pennsylvania
Dutch area, along with the Amish. There are several
quaint and amusing names of towns here.
1)Intercourse 2)Bird in Hand 3)Blue Ball, etc. Let's
just say I spent an hour or so with #2 and now
I've got #3 plural. No Joy.I hope the Ritalin does help both of us.
Posted by harry b. on May 2, 2000, at 23:31:59
In reply to harry b., posted by Janice on May 2, 2000, at 22:44:05
> Hi harry b,
>
> It's nice to see you participating on the board in 'non-emergency' types of situations.
>
Janice, Hi.Yeah it is a novelty for me to post without being
in dire need. As I posted above, I got my boat to
the lake today. Tomorrow I mow the lawn and attack
weeds. I've also made it mandatory to take a 30
minute walk each day. Even if the excercize doesn't
help the sexual dysfunction, it will help in other
ways.By the way, your observation of not being able
to concentrate on having sex while attempting it
is accurate.
Posted by JohnL on May 3, 2000, at 4:26:37
In reply to ritalin, posted by harry b. on May 2, 2000, at 10:24:28
At this board as well as my own experience, I have seen just the opposite of what your doctor said. Ritalin is the one that seems very abusive. And best results seem to be with Adderall. Since we all know our mileage may vary, and responses are quite different from one person to the next, I hope your doctor is at least open to trying Adderall if Ritalin disappoints. Personally I found ritalin to be an inexpensive legal form of cocaine. Highly abusable. Adderall is much smoother, without the peaks and valleys of ritalin.This might be interesting...one controlled study showed that a positive mood response to Ritalin predicts a positive response to the antidepressant Desipramine. A neutral or negative mood response to Ritalin predicts a positive response to Nortriptyline instead. Granted, the study is rather old and we haven't heard any followups on it, but it was a valid study with a fairly large 'n' with statistical significance. Though we often think of Nortriptyline and Desipramine as being similar and almost interchangeable, the ritalin reponse test shows they are quite different. Just some trivia. And for what it's worth, my views on ritalin and adderall are exactly the opposite of your doctor's. That's based on my own personal experience and many comments at this board.
JohnL
Posted by Noa on May 3, 2000, at 8:24:05
In reply to Re: ritalin, posted by JohnL on May 3, 2000, at 4:26:37
Hooray for Harry!!
That is so amazingly wonderful that you got your boat out to the lake. It is a big accomplishment, and obviously one that gave you a sense of satisfaction, plus gives you access to an activity that will give you some joy.
It looks like maybe the ritalin IS working, afterall. You are sounding ambitious now. A word of caution: don't overdo your ambition, ie don't expect TOO much of yourself all at once, because then you might be setting yourself up to feel very discouraged if you don't meet all of your expectations at such a quick pace. There will be days when your energy is not surging, and I hope you will allow yourself those days without self-reproach. In the meantime, if you have the desire to do the lawn, exercise, etc. go for it and enjoy.
As for the sex/ritalin thing: I have found that it counteracts the sexual blunting effect of effexor. But ritalin is so short acting--it lasts 2.5-4 hours. It takes about an hour to kick in fully, so I consider about 1.5 hours after taking it to be about right. Unfortunately, ritalin also keeps me from sleeping, too, so taking it at night is out.
But as with every other med issue, what works for one person, doesn't necessarily work for another. Racer has talked about amiheptine, an antihistamine, to counteract the sexual blunting of effexor. Your doctor might know of this or other strategies.
I am so thrilled that you had a good day. For myself, I am trying to learn how to appreciate a good day, or even a good few hours, for what it is, and not get wound up about needing to keep it going, just reflect upon it and feel good for myself that I had a good day. This actually has helped me to relax a bit about my fears of being pulled back down into the depths of despair.
Wishing you many more good days.
Posted by grrrilla on May 3, 2000, at 13:09:34
In reply to Re: ritalin, posted by Noa on May 3, 2000, at 8:24:05
> Hooray for Harry!!
>
Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!It's great to hear you doing so much better! The sailboat sounds like it would be so much fun. I just dug out an old ritalin to see if it makes me want to cut my grass(so far-No). Best wishes
AperilA.
Posted by harry b. on May 3, 2000, at 15:20:34
In reply to Re: ritalin, posted by grrrilla on May 3, 2000, at 13:09:34
> > Hooray for Harry!!
> >
> Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!
>
> It's great to hear you doing so much better! The sailboat sounds like it would be so much fun. I just dug out an old ritalin to see if it makes me want to cut my grass(so far-No). Best wishes
> AperilA.Thanks for the encouragement. Don't mean to dishearten
you, but I mowed my lawn today. I wasn't able to
tackle the mess of weeds that my modest landscaping
attempts have evolved into, that will be another
day, another challenge.Take care
Posted by harry b. on May 4, 2000, at 11:22:21
In reply to Re: ritalin, posted by JohnL on May 3, 2000, at 4:26:37
Hi John-
I agree that the posts to this board indicate that
Ritalin is more likely to be abused than Adderall.
It could be that my doc's patient base is for
some reason atypical, as she was referring to her
own prescribing experiences, not any studies.This is my 4th day of use and I haven't had any
inclination to take more than the one tab every
4 hours, as prescribed. In fact, I've forgotten
to take it several times. The effect of the Ritalin
is very subtle, so subtle that I wonder if there
isn't a placebo effect happening here.The study you mention is interesting. I've never
used Desipramine or Nortriptyline but wouldn't
it be great if there was an innocuous agent(s) that
when used for a short trial would predict which
med would be most likely to offer greatest long
term benefits.Thanks
Posted by DC on May 4, 2000, at 16:25:03
In reply to Re: ritalin, posted by Cass on May 2, 2000, at 20:47:08
Has anyone taken the extended release Ritalin? I'm sure I heard about this. Is it not available yet? I take adderal, but wonder if I might get more of a mood lift from Ritalin--but I would want the extended release. --Dwight
Posted by Noa on May 5, 2000, at 15:21:42
In reply to What Extended Release Ritalin?, posted by DC on May 4, 2000, at 16:25:03
Yes, I take methylphenidate sr. I prefer it to the short acting version, because I don't experience the little dips, or mini-crashes as I did on the regular, in which I would get spacey and a bit irritable and tired. On the other hand, it seems that the sr takes longer to kick in. I might ask my pdoc if I can take a 5mg pill of the regular along with the 20mg sr in the morning. BTW, a 20 mg sr tablet does not deliver 20 dose, but a lower dose over a longer time. So, the effect feels slightly weaker. Right now it is taking me over 2 hours in the am to think straight and get my act together. Partly because of the increased serzone, and partly because I really should go to bed earlier.
Posted by harry b. on May 5, 2000, at 16:58:03
In reply to Re: What Extended Release Ritalin?, posted by Noa on May 5, 2000, at 15:21:42
Noa- How many of the 20mg SRs do you take per day?
Or, more to the point, what is the duration
of the SR?I don't take the SR, but individual doses. 10mg
every 4 hrs. Usually 2 or 3 tabs/day.Interesting, I can't feel the med take effect, nor
do I experience a dip or crash after the 4 hrs.
It does seem to be helping but as I said before
it is VERY subtle.
Posted by bob on May 7, 2000, at 12:30:59
In reply to Re: What Extended Release Ritalin?-Noa, posted by harry b. on May 5, 2000, at 16:58:03
I take 20mg ritalin sr in the AM and afternoon as well. I never notice it take effect but--you're dead-on about this one, harryb--it *is* very subtle. I *do* remember how I was before I started taking the ritalin, and I know that's not how I feel right now. Ergo, it must be doing something.
Personally, I preferred the regular 20mg in the AM -- about 20 minutes later, my eyes would POP open and I'd be much more energized than with the SR. But 20mg of the regular stuff in the PM, no matter how early, gave me some nasty headaches.
Yeah, I know -- my pdoc has suggested getting a prescription for both, but I'm too cheap a b*st*rd to pay two co-pays for the same med.
cheers,
bob
This is the end of the thread.
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