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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Angel1 on January 26, 2003, at 13:32:42
HI,
I take regular ritilan 5mg prn. 5mg lasts about 4-5 hrs. before it starts to wear off. However,
when it does wear off, I seem to get irritated and angry, everything bothers me. If I take a second ritilan I feel good again for another 4 hrs. and then the same thing happens compounded with a headache. Any words of wisdom for me? I do feel good when it is in my system and working, but coming down sucks and makes me not want to take it anymore. Would slow release help this problem. I have chronic dysthymia and take ritilan along with 75mg desipramine for a boost.
Thanks for any help, this is a new drug for me.
Angel1
Posted by BrittPark on January 26, 2003, at 14:08:08
In reply to Need RITILAN advice!!!, posted by Angel1 on January 26, 2003, at 13:32:42
I was on 10mg t.i.d and experienced much the same see-saw effect you do. My psychiatrist switched me to concerta 36mg and that has very little see-saw to it.
Take care,
Britt
Posted by Festus on January 26, 2003, at 21:49:44
In reply to Re: Need RITILAN advice!!! » Angel1, posted by BrittPark on January 26, 2003, at 14:08:08
I,too,was on the IR Ritalin(10mgx3) and hated those slumps after 3-4 hrs.I tried the time-released Rit and that was much better.problem was ,it was MUCH more expensive,so I ended up on 10mg Dexedrine spanules.They are stronger,last longer,and are not toooo costly.Good-Luck,Britt!
festus
Posted by Luka62 on January 26, 2003, at 22:17:08
In reply to Re: Need RITILAN advice!!!, posted by Festus on January 26, 2003, at 21:49:44
Angel...Since my son started taking Concerta 56mg and it made a lot of difference in stability. Hope you can find something that helps, that see-sawing is awful, I know.
Posted by not exactly on January 27, 2003, at 15:29:50
In reply to Need RITILAN advice!!!, posted by Angel1 on January 26, 2003, at 13:32:42
Angel,
It's possibile that you're taking too much. Yes, I know that 5 mg is the lowest-dose pill that they make, but when Ritalin is used as an add-on AD enhancer, small amounts can make a big difference. Also, you may be hypersensitive to stimulants (many people are, including myself).
Try taking only 1/2 a pill B.I.D. and see if that helps. You may find that gives you all the benefits without the roller-coaster. Even as little as 1/4 pill may be sufficient. In general, taking the smallest effective dose will minimize side effects and rebound.
You could use a pill splitter (available at drug stores), but I find that the tiny pills tend to crumble. I get consistently better results by pre-scoring with a sharp knife (using a sawing motion rather than pressure) and then snapping the pill in half with my fingertips. For 1/4 pill doses, pre-score both ways (+) before breaking.
Another method is to dissolve one pill in a small quantity of water (put in a vial, soak & shake) and drink half the solution. Make sure you use all the solution within a day or 2 so it doesn't deteriorate.
Hope this helps.
- Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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