Posted by Sara T on July 13, 2000, at 22:02:30
In reply to Does Ritalin cause tension? Karen, Noa, etc., posted by Libby on July 11, 2000, at 13:48:57
> The Ritalin has made a huge difference in my life.
> I can easily handle both home and work situations
> now that my brain is working. However, I notice
> that after taking my third dose, my facial muscles
> and shoulders get very tight. For the past few
> nights, I've had terrible headache from the tension.
> Has this happened to anyone else? Suggestions?
> Thanks,
> L.Libby-
I experience the same sort of thing, very tight facial muscles and jaw muscle tension. It gives me a headache too. I am on Zoloft and Metadate (new extended release form of methylphenidate, or ritalin). I have read that Zoloft can cause muscle tension in the jaws and bruxism. But I seem to experience the facial muscle tensions and headache if I take the Metadate too late in the day. It's supposed to be a once a day dose, and it does last longer then Ritalin SR, but my day lasts a long time, so I often do take a morning and afternoon dose. I notice that if I am tired I have tight facial muscles, I find myself grimmacing.Stimulants bring out tics, and certainly muscle spasms (tight muscles and tension in the facial muscles are a sort of spasm). That's why they can't be used with people who have Tourettes.
Are you taking the name brand or generic? it makes a difference. The name brand is alot smoother. I had alot of headaches and tension from the generic. However, I don't think I experienced the amount of facial and jaw tension that I have been lately with the Metadate.
I try various things. I take Ibupropen, because it is a muscle relaxant. I drink a cup of Linden tea, which is a relaxant, and I cut as much caffeine out as possible. And I try not to take it too late in the day. I also try relaxation and medation tapes. They take you through a series of tension reducing exercises, tighten you face and brow and then release, and so on.
And, of course, another med maybe be alot smoother. The Ritalin SR is ALOT smoother that the regular Ritalin.
Hope this helps.
Sara T.
poster:Sara T
thread:40071
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000708/msgs/40371.html