Re: Ritalin

[Anonymous]

These posts are wonderful! When I read about other people’s experiences and feelings, I feel “normal” and not so isolated in my ADD world.

I’m in my early 50’s and have been on ritalin for about 15 years. I will never forget the first time I tried it. I was very nervous so I took it on my day off, sitting on my porch with tea and a book. Guess what! I could read with clarity for the first time ever!

I’m still learning about ADD and am so gratefull for ritalin and this website. Ritalin seems to smooth out my bumpy roads.

I take 5 mg, 3x at day (working 12 hour shifts). Every few years I’ll go off ritalin for a few months just to see how I cope. My red flags are that I forget to pay my bills, don’t ever seem to finish anything, and my moods jump around.

One thing I’ve found with 5 mg ritalin is that after a few months, it seems less effective (or maybe I get used to that nicer way of life) so I sometimes take 10 mg in the morning and afternoon then 5 to “come down” before evening. I personally like the low dose for 2 reasons:

1. the side effects are less

2. there isn’t such a huge difference in my behaviour. (the up and downs during the day are more moderate)

I tried SR for a few months but didn’t like it as well. I am very sensitive to changes and could feel medication releases throughout the day. The short acting pills make me feel more in control. Besides, what if it’s your day off and you want to have a productive morning followed by an afternoon nap?

The biggest thing I’ve learned about ADD is that it’s all about stimulation. My limit is 3 things at once no matter what. eg. digesting food, listening to that bird chirping outside and writing this. (I had to turn off the radio to concentrate.)

To sum up, ritalin has been a life-saver but only in combination with a supportive doctor, lots of self education and daily reminders that my behaviour is a disorder, not a chosen set of behaviours.

P.S. It may be a topic for another blog but right now I’m going through a time where my family and friends are not very supportive of my ADD. Thankfully my new Doctor is a “believer”.

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