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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sigolene on October 6, 2000, at 14:51:34
I take ritalin since 4 days now 3x 10 mg. (also 50 mg amisulpride and 25mg trazodone for sleep)
I've a problem with Ritalin because when i take it i feel very well and concentrate.... but after only one hour, suddenly i become very depressed, feel like crying for nothing, and tired.
What's happen ? has anyone an idea what i should do ?
(don't tell me to take adderal we don't have it in Europe)
Sigolene
Posted by Michael K on October 6, 2000, at 21:40:31
In reply to about Ritalin, posted by Sigolene on October 6, 2000, at 14:51:34
> I take ritalin since 4 days now 3x 10 mg. (also 50 mg amisulpride and 25mg trazodone for sleep)
> I've a problem with Ritalin because when i take it i feel very well and concentrate.... but after only one hour, suddenly i become very depressed, feel like crying for nothing, and tired.
> What's happen ? has anyone an idea what i should do ?
> (don't tell me to take adderal we don't have it in Europe)
> SigoleneHi, Sigolene
Ritalin is enervating, but has a very short life. I have used it from time to time with the same results that you had. I have not tried any other stimulants, which might be longer lasting. Based on my experience, stimulants work best for those occasions when one cannot afford to be depressed such as at work or when waiting for an anti-depressant to kick in. Otherwise, you build up a tolerance too quickly. It's unfortunate, because they are the only thing that make me feel outgoing, (except liquor, of course).
Mike
Posted by JohnL on October 7, 2000, at 4:36:32
In reply to about Ritalin, posted by Sigolene on October 6, 2000, at 14:51:34
> I take ritalin since 4 days now 3x 10 mg. (also 50 mg amisulpride and 25mg trazodone for sleep)
> I've a problem with Ritalin because when i take it i feel very well and concentrate.... but after only one hour, suddenly i become very depressed, feel like crying for nothing, and tired.
> What's happen ? has anyone an idea what i should do ?
> (don't tell me to take adderal we don't have it in Europe)
> SigoleneSigolene,
Are you taking the extended release form of Ritalin? If not, that might work better. Ritalin does have a very short halflife, and thus the roller coaster ride you experience. Ritalin is well known for that roller coaster up and down feeling.Ritalin's halflife I think is about 3 hours. It peaks in 1 to 1 1/2 hours and then starts to fade. That seems to fit your pattern exactly. That's also what I've noticed when I've taken it. You could perhaps take 5mg 6 times a day, instead of 10mg 3 times. Or, get the sustained release version which lasts longer. I've heard of some people using both regular Ritalin and extended release together. The regular Ritalin is taken in the slight trough between doses of the extended release Ritalin. For example, your first dose of the day might be extended release, then later regular tabs, then another extended, then regular, and so on. I've heard of people doing that to overcome the up-and-down swings of Ritalin.
John
Posted by Sigolene on October 7, 2000, at 7:36:37
In reply to Re: about Ritalin, posted by JohnL on October 7, 2000, at 4:36:32
Hi Jhon,
1) Thanks for your precise answer. But maybe you remerber, i'm french/swiss and i'm not sure i understand what you mean by the following expression:
"and thus the roller coaster ride you experience. Ritalin is well known for that roller coaster up and down feeling. "
could you explain ?
2) After one hour, when the med begins to fade, suddenly i feel VERY depressed, more than normal time (i'm disthymic) during the following 1-2 hours. I think this is due to internal tension caused by the remaining Ritalin. But i'm not sure. Does it mean i should stop the med, diminish/augment the dose, or wait untill my body adjust to it.
For the moment i feel really bad with these mood swings, but as i'm preparing university exams, the med help me to concentrate (during one hour). So i really don't know what to do stop, continue, diminish, augment. I don't have the sustained release tablets.
Any others experience or idea will be wellcome
Sigolene
Posted by JackD on October 7, 2000, at 13:26:36
In reply to about Ritalin, posted by Sigolene on October 6, 2000, at 14:51:34
Ooh I know! I'm taking Wellbutrin SR 150mg right now, and not only does it work to the same effect as ritalin (if not better), it seems to increase ritalin's half-life and extend it's effective time. Try either Wellbutrin SR, or if that's not enough, try that with a Ritalin every now and then. Good luck.
Posted by noa on October 8, 2000, at 10:12:18
In reply to Re: about Ritalin, posted by JackD on October 7, 2000, at 13:26:36
Sigolene,
I take sustained release ritalin for this reason. It releases a less intense, but more consistent amount of the med over about 4 hours (supposed to be 6-8) whereas the regular ritalin gave me an intense effect for about 2.5 hours and then I had a crash in energy, mood, and attention. This is often referred to as "rebound".
Even though I am now wondering if the ritalin is doing enough for me, I do not have those sudden let-downs like you describe, tho I had them on the regular form of the ritalin. It is a "smoother" experience.
I had taken 10 mg 3x day, now I take 20 mg SR 2x day.
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