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Post by langking on Feb 18, 2018 21:01:24 GMT
I have just started taking ritalin, this really helps me at work stay focused etc. Is the general idea I stay taking this drug for the rest of my life? Is that what people do? Or do you take it for, say, a few years until you develop new habits and you no longer require ritalin.
Any success stories with it?
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Post by langking on Feb 18, 2018 21:03:35 GMT
I have recently started taking ritalin which has improved my concentration at work. Is this something you have to take for the rest of your life or is something that you take for, say, a few years until you develope new habits and you no longer require the drug?
Any success stories?
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slangking
Member's not posted much yet
Posts: 8
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Post by slangking on Feb 18, 2018 21:19:40 GMT
Why is forum so hard to operate?
This is the third time I've written this message.
So.
Taking ritaling.
I'm taking 3 tablets of 5mg three times a day. Work has since improved, which is great.
Is the general idea i continue to take ritalin for the rest of my life or do i slowly taper my intake until i form new habits and no longer require ritalin?
Any first hand experiences of taking ritalin would be great to hear.
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Post by vagueandrandom on Feb 18, 2018 22:42:06 GMT
As a new member, your posts will have to be approved by admin
before they're visible on the (non-mobile) forum. .
as it's your third, it may have been automatic. . .
don't ask me why . . .
as to mph . . . I don't know. .it made me worse . .everyone's different. . .
if it works for you, there's no reason why you shouldn't keep taking it as long as it's working
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Post by Beowulf on Feb 18, 2018 23:02:01 GMT
I am also taking it, just started.
The way it was explained to me, they have to review it periodically (at least every 12 months) and the long-term idea is that while you are on it you can start to form habits that will make it unnecessary, which will mean that they can wean you off it. Now I don't believe that for a second, because I spent years forcing myself into a routine that made work possible, and if that didn't form a habit, no drug is going to do it... but I think it is the official line.
Did you find much of a change over the first few days? On day 1, after 10 mg I was talking to randomers and getting obsessed with anything I so much as glanced at, but by day 3 10mg was not that noticeable.
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Post by vagueandrandom on Feb 18, 2018 23:16:16 GMT
I am also taking it, just started. The way it was explained to me, they have to review it periodically (at least every 12 months) and the long-term idea is that while you are on it you can start to form habits that will make it unnecessary, which will mean that they can wean you off it. Now I don't believe that for a second, because I spent years forcing myself into a routine that made work possible, and if that didn't form a habit, no drug is going to do it... but I think it is the official line. Did you find much of a change over the first few days? On day 1, after 10 mg I was talking to randomers and getting obsessed with anything I so much as glanced at, but by day 3 10mg was not that noticeable. Meds have to be reviewed annually to make sure your BP’s OK and you’re still getting benefit. This whole ‘wean off’ mentality is bullshit! If it’s helping you, continue! If there were NHS courses in developing coping strategies and adapted CBT available, then maybe. . . Some of us are offered NOTHING and others, just meds I have an underactive thyroid and take thyroxine every day. . . do I have to be 'weaned off' because my levels are now 'normal'? and what about insulin if you're diabetic?
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Post by jp on Feb 26, 2018 12:49:41 GMT
Just to say I've been on MPH - Concerta - for a month now.
Similar to Beowulf the first few days I was a new person; talking to strangers, genuinely interested in them (!) confident and full of energy.
Now I barely notice it.
However I'm still noting a few positives: Mood seems more stable I am getting things done, albeit only the small easy things. Focus, motivation and persistence is better. Working memory is better. Sleeping much better now.
I've also started coaching and it seems there may be some hope for new habits forming.
However there are negative side effects - I think my anxiety is worse. Actually I'm really struggling right now. Just had my 49th birthday and I've got nothing much to show for those 49 years in terms of house, career, savings etc. It feels like I'm starting again; scary and depressing! Lots of mourning and feeling sorry for myself. But on a good day its... good ;-)
I don't know about long term prognosis. If I can find the right dose - whatever that may be - I'd take it forever. If the right dose helps build positive new habits I'd hope to come off the meds.
My psychiatrist was talking about measuring improvements - hard to quantify - but I could maybe say there's a 5% improvement right now. He'd hope for 50%. I'm thinking that even 5% is infinitely better than 100% shit! And if I can only get 5% I'd still be very very pleased.
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lisablue
Member posts quite a bit
Posts: 144
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Post by lisablue on Feb 27, 2018 20:45:56 GMT
Tricky question.
Been on high dose for few years, then had to come off for a bit for high blood pressure. Life got all scatty and complicated again, didn’t like it.
Back on them now so I’m not sure learning coping strategies worked for me whilst on them...go straight back to classic adhd when stopped!
Like I say bit of a tricky one
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Post by jp on Mar 5, 2018 10:20:47 GMT
Tricky question. Been on high dose for few years, then had to come off for a bit for high blood pressure. Life got all scatty and complicated again, didn’t like it. Back on them now so I’m not sure learning coping strategies worked for me whilst on them...go straight back to classic adhd when stopped! Like I say bit of a tricky one Damn What did you try? Did you establish new habits whilst taking MPH? Or were you just being, how can I say, shoved through your ** TO DO** list by the meds? Perhaps 'shoved' is a tad pejorative! It seems to me like I have more motivation, but I do feel a little hurried along - like there's my conscience or something snapping at my heels. Maybe that's what higher doses of MPH feels like... Or maybe that's what 'normal' feels like? Anxious?!! People often remarked how calm I was pre-meds (which seemed ridiculous to me) BUT it does seem that fear of one kind or another drives a lot of what constitutes 'normal' in modern Western society. Not had any feedback on calmness since I started...
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Post by easilydistracted on Mar 6, 2018 17:04:11 GMT
Calmness!
The thing the MPH has done for me and thats to turn down the volume of the inner noise.
Not having that ping-pong of thoughts rattling around has been the most remarkable change, in short it gives me time to think. It also means I can stick to things once I get them started...
Which rather nicely brings us to -
Routine! I've got a coach now and we are trying to introduce some into my life - to move away from living life on the reaction.
It's early days, but I'm quite optimistic - we are starting small and the plans being put in place are small and, crucially, doable.
The plans make sense, they are small, practical, and get results. All of those are necessary - as you say - the big todo list just does. not work.
Like you I have *mumble* years of chaotic living to try to unhabit, so it's not going to be a quick process, no doubt it will not be without the odd hiccup along the way - I can de-rail myself even without the normal day to day challenges that come along.
Now, what was my point...
Oh yeah, getting de-railed...
So, the routines are one thing, the medication the other, neither will work without the other.
Medication alone just means you can live in chaos in a more efficient manner.
Routines alone just mean we start (but not finish) things more regularly...
With the two ( and yes, it's still early days ) I really think I can make some effective and long-lasting changes to the way I live and work.
And that's sorely needed, desperately wanted and long overdue.
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