The Forums › Forums › Medication › Ritalin › New Guy vs Ritalin › Re: New Guy vs Ritalin
Whenever you start a new medication or treatment, you should be keeping a journal of how you’re feeling, how much medication you took and at what times (since taking it at the same time each day is best), and the effects (good & bad) that you noticed. Also note any external factors that may have affected your mood—for example, a fight with your spouse; a looming deadline at work, etc.
Since most of us can’t remember what we ate for lunch two days ago, there’s no way we can remember a month’s worth of details of how we felt when taking ___mg of ________ each day. You and your doctor will need these details to determine what changes, if any, are needed, in your medication.
As for the thumping in your chest, it could signify dangerously elevated blood pressure. Get your blood pressure checked, even if you just use the “test it yourself” thing at the drugstore. It could also be a sign of anxiety, since a pounding heartbeat is often a symptom of a panic attack (as well as a heart condition). Either one could be a side effect of the Ritalin, which acts as a stimulant on the central nervous system. Talk to your pharmacist about this. S/he can answer your immediate questions, but you will need to see your doctor before making any changes to your medication or dosage.
One tip: Both Ritalin and Concerta are the same drug, but Concerta is long-acting. Evidence suggests that long-acting, slow-release medications are more effective in controlling ADHD, because they release a controlled amount, over a long period of time. This eliminates the roller-coaster effect you get as each short-acting dose wears off and you take your next dose.
Discuss all this with your doctor, and ask him/her to check your blood pressure and heart rate, since, if they’re too high, then stimulant medications can be dangerous for you. If that’s the case, then you’d need to try one of the non-stimulant ones.
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