[cj3w]

@larynxa thanks for the input. I know what you mean about shift work, but it is required for my job. It’s temporary duty for the next few months so I won’t complain too much about it.

As far as speaking with my girlfriend, I know she’d be okay with it but I just don’t want to disappoint her. However you never really addressed my question if I should ask to go back on Zoloft with my current meds or something else. im assuming you would recommend that due to your response.

I think it’s easier for an outsider looking in to give advice such as take  each thing one at a time but for me, I have to juggle all of these things and my current meds aren’t helping like they should. My doctor switched me to 15mg ritalin just a few days ago and wanted me to update him within 2 weeks but I don’t think this will work for two weeks. Id rather take lower doses such as 10mg it x4 daily. Not sure what to do at this point. I know general practice says switch one drug or dosage at a time but I stand firm on my belief that adding Zoloft and taking away the 15mg dose of ritalin would work.

C

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[cj3w]

I hate shift work, luckily I only have to do it for two weeks, every 6 weeks (rotation with others). I am very much looking forward to going back to day shift next week.

I spoke with my doctor, he is upping me to 15mg morning / 10 mg early evening. I didn’t really want that, but I figured I’d give it a shot.

First time I took 15mg, I was anxious. Anxious beyond any anxiety I’ve ever had. It was about nothing, but about everything at the same time. Hard to concentrate, weird sexual craving. After two hours it started wearing off, but didn’t seem to leave. I took my 10mg later on that day and it didn’t have the effect that it used to. Still difficult to concentrate, couldn’t nail down my school work. Second day, same thing. I decided I didn’t want to do 15mg again today, so I took 10mg, then 5 mg a few hours later, and then 10 again at the normal time. It seemed to go okay. I know the community doesn’t condone experimenting, however, this is what I did, at it seemed to be more smooth. But at the same time, none of the doses had the therapeutic effect that they did in the first 2 weeks.

My question is – where do I go from here? I hate the feeling that the 15mg dose gives me. I’m afraid it will take away from my productivity instead of allowing me to focus. Is there an adjustment period? I didn’t experience this at all going from zero ritalin to 10mg IR.. and I don’t want to do extended release because I haven’t had good luck with it and it is literally 3x more expensive due to my insurance than several IR per day.

One thing I’d like to add – my doctor switched me from zoloft to wellbutrin several months ago, before my adhd was diagnosed. I went off of zoloft due to decreased sexual cravings and disappointment (maybe perceived) from my girlfriend. Without going into to much detail, I see her once per month (long distance) and she feels ‘randy, baby’ all weekend when I see her. It was a struggle to perform several times just due to the physical inability to maintain an erection by the 4th day. Otherwise it hadn’t been an issue. However, 50mg zoloft kept me more mellow, easy to communicate with and overall more happy than 150 or 300mg wellbutrin ever did. If anything, the wellbutrin increased my anxiety (I’ve read it does that to people). I noticed it more when I ran out of wellbutrin due to my insurance company screwing with me. When I finally got it refilled and started taking it again, my anxiety has been at least twice what it usually is. As far as energy and depression, the wellbutrin seems to do well. But anxiety wise, the zoloft takes the cake. Should I ask to trial a low dose of zoloft again along with my current meds?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks 🙂
C

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[cj3w]

“As for the dose, 10 mg is pretty low. If you have been taking it for at least 2 or 3 weeks with no side effects it is probably time to increase it to the next level. But that is up to your doctor.”

Thanks for the welcome 🙂 and yes I will be speaking with him directly about this. I have found that I do much better when I take them one after another, as if the therapeutic effect lasted longer and was of more quality. Tonight I did an experiment while doing boring school work and ended up taking 3 10mg, spaced 3 hours apart. It worked very well. I could concentrate on my work, get the things done that I needed to, and I feel accomplished at the end of the day.

I have kept an adhd journal to help communicate the way that I react and feel to my pdoc. It includes time at work, at home, with schoolwork, and the like. I would have forgotten half of the things if I didn’t write them down.

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[cj3w]

Larynxa, thanks for your input.

I don’t know about my sleep cycle, it could be more just getting used to 2nd shift work, it doesn’t depress me, but has certainly affected my internal clock. I used to get seasonal depression (more gloomy in the winter than usual) but when I started wellbutrin (buproprion), it doesn’t seem to affect me.

As far as taking my medication for adhd, I can’t take it at the same time every day because of it’s lack of effective time. I need to prioritize when it comes to work and school. What is more important to focus on that particular day? That is something that I try to figure out daily. Sometimes its school, so I take it as I’m leaving work. Sometimes it’s work, so I take it when necessary, sometimes both. I know I need to talk to my doctor about it, and I plan to for sure.

What is the max prescribed dosage of methylphenidate IR per day in adults? If it helps, I’m 5’9″, 165lbs, and 27 years old (male). When do I know it’s time to step up to the next strength drug?

Thanks, C

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[cj3w]

I forgot to add, one thing that has changed is that I am just physically drained and want to sleep a lot more than usual. This happened when I switched from 1st to 2nd shift as well. So I’m usually awake while it’s dark out. It just seems like it is a lot harder to get out of bed than it used to be. This may or may not be an effect of the medication and / or my schedule change.

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