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Post by Coulditbe on Oct 17, 2012 10:32:00 GMT
Diagnosed a couple of months ago been trialing different doses of Methylphenidate since. I have stuck with it for weeks hoping that the side effects will subside but they are not and are getting worse (anxiety, panic, very sore mouth - disturbed sleep, nightmares) I am on 10mg twice a day, I pushed it up to 15mg for a week or so which is when I really noticed a marked difference in my ADD symptoms - glimpsed the help it could give me but the side effects were too much. I don't think I can tolerate this medicine at a dosage level required to be beneficial. think I'll have to call it quits and accept I need to try something else. I'm feeling really down beat and this might be the end of the road for meds, so delighted to have got a diagnosis, a glimpse of some help and feel it's been snatched away. I'd welcome anyone's thoughts who's had similar experience on this drug and whether they have been able to tolerate anything else.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2012 23:00:31 GMT
Sorry to hear you're having a bad time on Ritalin.
When do you feel the side-effects coming on? Is it 4-5 hours after taking it or does it happen straight away? It doesn't stay in your body for very long, so when you start to feel rubbish you know it's probably time for your next dose. The withdrawal on Ritalin is awful.
I take concerta which releases the methylphenidate into your system more slowly. It lasts longer and the side-effects are slightly less extreme. However it is quite expensive and the GPs seem quite reluctant to give it out.
Sadly I believe that ADHD is one of those things they haven't found the correct treatment for yet, the side-effects on all the drugs prescribed for it can be undesirable or even dangerous.
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Post by Coulditbe on Oct 18, 2012 8:41:29 GMT
Thank you for your reply, mostly I feel fine when it is working (for about 3 hours then I literally crash and want to lie down, the anxiety symptoms are usually worse later in the day, I have been tolerating all of this hoping it will get better (I had been feeling really nautious but that has now gone) however I now have a REALLY sore tongue all the time and that has got unbareable so I have not had my dose today and think it's time to call it quits. I have an awful headache and suspect that is the withdrawal. I'm concerned that slow release is essentially the same drug so will cause the same symptoms?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2012 9:08:56 GMT
It is the same drug - just a different delivery system.
The crashes are due to the drug being used up quickly - it's withdrawal.
Paradoxically a higher dosage might be the solution, or a move to Concerta (or other extended release formulation) where the delivery is smoothed out over a long period so you don't get the crashes.
It might be that MPH just isn't for you. Both dex and strattera (atomoxetine) are viable alternatives (dex seems to last longer even though it's a 'similar' drug to MPH).
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Post by Coulditbe on Oct 18, 2012 10:42:41 GMT
Planet Dave, Thank you. I am realising today that I am not taking it that I was getting more benefits than I realised. I am again feeling overwhelmed by the tasks facing me, I can't concentrate at all, I am forgetting what I am doing, what I read a second ago, zoning out etc etc, I guess now I'm tuned in to my ADHD I can see what's going on I am no longer in any doubt at all about my diagnosis! Controlled release may well be an option for me as I was very up and down but the crashes were manageable it's more about the other symptoms, sore tongue, panic etc that I can't deal with. I'm so sad today I truely recognise now that I have real difficulties (I thought everyone was like this) I feel disadvantaged and I guess want a magic pill to make my brain work properly - feels as if it has been snatched away - I know it's early days, hopefully something else will help. I don't want to take amphetamine as I used to take it recreationally. (years ago mind!) great while I was on it, severe paranoia, anxiety and depression afterwards!! I know the dose probably wouldn't be quite the same Gosh these drugs all seem so hardcore, If I didn't need to work and provide, I wouldn't go near them but I need to be able to achieve something! Thanks again for listening
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Post by Coulditbe on Oct 18, 2012 14:28:01 GMT
Thank you. the drug is definitely the cause of my sore tongue it subsides if I don't take it - I find that I push my bottom jaw forward and tongue to the top of my mouth on the meds and I expect it is irritated by this and possibly dryness. I have been waiting for anxiety to subside but it;s been 7 or 8 weeks now and the symptoms are worse rather than better.
I have quite disturbed sleep, very vivid dreams where I toss and turn and talk and shout (I never do this normally) I can can wake in a panic shortly after or whilst drifting off, again not getting better - I will stick with it if it is likely these things will subside.
I'll let my tongue settle down and start it again in a couple of days - it is a few weeks before I have a review so I'll try to keep going till then - I have been next to useless today
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lisablue
Member posts quite a bit
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Post by lisablue on Oct 19, 2012 20:26:14 GMT
Hi,
Listen..your not on your own with the meds issue!!!! It has too me some time to get to grips with it and thank God I got some sound advise via this site. I am on 72mg concerta and at first it made me feel ill. I was told to take both tablets at once (2x 36) that made me feel sick, I had massive dips where I felt I needed to sleep...but someone suggested on here that I take one and then wait an hour before I took the next one. That has solved my problem of the physical side effects. One of them being a very dry mouth!! (bit like speed effect) Maybe you are better on a delayed release (concerta) and staggering your meds? I can tell you its a long process getting it all right with the medication...dont worry ur not alone and I think we have all had to 'tinker' with it till we find the solution...chin up...ur on the road at least :=)
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Post by couldit be on Oct 24, 2012 9:28:43 GMT
Thanks Lisa, I have stopped taking them as my anxiety was worryting - I have previously suffered from anxiety disorder, panic attacks and OCD and whilst this has been stable for years could feel all the symptoms coming back, some of which are quite physical and unpleasant, I am certain it is the meds causing it. After stopping these symptoms got much worse for a few days however seem to be settling down, mouth all better now - I was also becoming concerned about being addicted to the meds as despite the side effects I wanted to take them everyday. I miss them my head was so much clearer, I no longer felt overwhelmed, I got more done. Nt sure what to do now, I have been quite ill in the past with mental health issues and I'm scared of sending myself back there. I will try again if the psyche thinks I should but I'm wondering about non stimulant meds. Anyone any experience of these. I've checked and they cost several times more so don't know if I'd get any joy with shared care. Thanks for listening all
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2012 10:30:52 GMT
I got really bad anxiety on Methylphenidate, to the point of having to stop taking it.
Non stimlant medication had too many side effects, and was not really beneficial to me.
Dexamfetamine, while it doesn't help so much with focus on uninteresting tasks like MPH did, It does lessen my anxiety, makes my moods more stable, allows me to concentrate a little better than normal, and slows down my thoughts to a point where I can think straight.
While all people react differently to medication, don't write off all stimulants until you get a chance to try them.
John
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Post by coulditbe on Oct 29, 2012 13:44:16 GMT
John that's really interesting thank you
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Post by Lon Don on Nov 6, 2012 18:10:18 GMT
I think you'll be better off adding small dose SSRI/SNRI to MPH if only anxiety is problem. Also moving to Concerta would def help. Sugar free gums and drinking plenty of water will hopefully make dry mouth more manageable.
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Post by Notlonelyinacrowdnow on Nov 6, 2012 20:50:38 GMT
I've been given a new med its non stim it's something Am?? Can't remember but get script in a few days apparently takes up to 4-6 weeks to work hmmm I'm not sure ya know I enjoyed the quickness of Concerta but due to Palpitations I had to stop haven't had any meds over 2 months and it shows I'm back to my usual scatty forgetful anxious wound up self I'm wondering if an anti depressant would help more xx
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2012 3:43:20 GMT
If it's Amitriptyline then it's sometimes used off label for ADHD. It's also used to treat Anxiety and it is a Tricyclic Antidepressant. It's sometimes also used to treat Insomnia, and can work quite well as a painkiller. Quite a wonderdrug (if it works for you!) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AmitriptylineJohn
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Post by Notlonelyinacrowdnow on Nov 7, 2012 8:02:12 GMT
No don't think it's that John it sound Fluxetine but begins with Ame I think ( I hate the way I can't remember ) I mentioned Strattera and he mumbled something so I'm not even sure if its another name for that lol
Alls I know is I'm a mess without any meds and the specialist said 'Something is better than nothing ' I pray it works I know the stimulant changed my stress levels immensely just gutted its not suitable .. Ill message you Jon when I finally work out what I have been given xxx
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Post by Lesley on Nov 7, 2012 9:21:26 GMT
Atomoxetine? Strattera is a brand name for that.
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Post by Notlonelyinacrowdnow on Nov 7, 2012 15:06:09 GMT
Yes that sounds more like it Jon How do you rate it?? I'm a little worried but feel I need something to ease my Restless mind...xx
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2012 15:21:44 GMT
I didn't get any benefit from Atomoxetine, and got quite a few side effects. Saying that though, there are a few people on here that have got on quite well with it. You can only give it a try, and see if it's the one for you or not. (That wasn't me that replied above ) John
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Post by Notlonelyinacrowdnow on Nov 7, 2012 15:51:03 GMT
I realised afterwards Doh symptom of my issues race ahead without thinking or taking in all the facts ha ha., I'm worried about it as with having Palpations on Concerta I've heared this one can also cause issues I've not read up yet as usually it puts me off trying at all.. It's so difficult finding what works xx
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2012 16:15:16 GMT
It's got quite a long list of side effects, but so do all anti depressants (Straterra was initially produced as an anti depressant, but didn't get past trials for that). I'd try not to worry too much, and just see how it goes.
The only side effect my Psychiatrist was concerned about when I tried Strattera, was possible liver damage. (rare but serious)
John
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