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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 11, 2004, at 12:21:54
Me again.
I was wonderinng if anyone knew or could point me in the direction for info on any studies of long-term damage from Ritalin use.
The basic backstory is that I took Ritalin or it's generic equivalent from age 6 to 14. I think in the neighborhood of 10-20 mg. I stopped it because I didn't like how I felt. No serious side effects, I just felt "off".
Below is a list of drugs I've tried over the years. It's long because it's pasted from a word doc, but you can get the general idea.
---snip---Zoloft-no response
Paxil-no response, fatigue
Amytriptaline-partial response, confusion, fatigue
Desimpramine-no response, agitation, anxiety, confusion, delusions, heartbeat irregularities, palpitations, rapid heartbeat, restlessness, worsening of psychosis
Neurontin-partial response, fatigue, mild tics, tremors, cognitive trouble, nausea, allergic reaction
Prozac-Abnormal dreams, anxiety, diminished sex drive, dizziness, dry mouth, gas, impotence, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, sleepiness, tremors, upset stomach, chills, confusion, loss of memory, allergic reaction?, yawning
Lexapro- pervasive fatigue, Constipation, decreased appetite, decreased sex drive, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, impotence, indigestion, nausea, sleepiness, abnormal dreaming, gas, heartburn, hot flushes, decreased appetite, irritability, joint pain, lack of concentration, lack of energy, light-headedness, muscle pain, neck and shoulder pain, pain in arms or legs, palpitations, tremors, vertigo, vomiting, yawning
Lithium-hand tremor, mild thirst, nausea, body tremors, changes in taste perception, confusion, dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, gas, increased salivation, indigestion, involuntary tongue movements, irregular heartbeat, loss of appetite, muscle rigidity, muscle twitching, painful joints, poor memory, restlessness, sleepiness, slowed thinking, slurred speech, startle response, weight gain, pervasive cognitive and short term memory problems, pervasive fatigue
Tegretol-Dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, unsteadiness, abnormal involuntary movements, abnormal sensitivity to sound, aching joints and muscles, agitation, chills, confusion, fatigue, involuntary movements of the eyeball, leg cramps, loss of appetite, loss of coordination, reduced urine volume, ringing in the ears, sensitivity to light, skin rashes, speech difficulties, moderate cognitive and short term memory problems, mood wings
Effexor- Abnormal dreams, anxiety, appetite increase, chills, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, frequent urination, gas, headache, impotence, muscle tension, nausea, nervousness, sleepiness, tingling feeling, tremor, upset stomach, weakness, yawning, flue-like symptoms, cognitive and short term memory problems, agitation, anxiety, hostility, mood swings self injurious behavior, sleep disturbance
Lamictal-headache, flu-like symptoms, sore throat, sharp muscle pain: left hand and elsewhere, self injurious behavior, difficulty hearing and discerning words, general muscle pain, uncoordination, ligtheadedness, fatigue, sleep disturbances, GI upset
Perphenazine- tics, throat tightness, nasal congestion, sleep disturbances, hallucinations continue
Abilify – Anxiety, constipation, cough, headache, insomnia, light-headedness, nausea, restlessness, runny nose, appetite loss, flu symptoms, hostility, jerkiness and rigidity, nervousness, shortness of breath.
---snip---
So.... If you can find a pattern here then you're smarter than me. I'm beginning to think that maybe the Ritalin set the stage somehow to cause psychotropic drugs to be neurotoxic. Any ideas?
Posted by King Vultan on March 11, 2004, at 14:12:38
In reply to Child use of Ritalin causing adult problems? LONG, posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 11, 2004, at 12:21:54
While it sounds like you may be overly sensitive to psychotropic drug side effects, my opinion is that this is likely not due to childhood use of Ritalin. The neural pathways that Ritalin and Lexapro work on, for instance, have little or nothing to do with each other.
What is your diagnosis? I'm wondering if you are psychotic or BP, and how much therapy you've had.
Todd
Posted by HappyGirl on March 11, 2004, at 17:04:37
In reply to Child use of Ritalin causing adult problems? LONG, posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 11, 2004, at 12:21:54
Hi:
In my knowledge, those who was on 'Ritalin' and other form of ADD/ADDH drugs in their childhood, regardless their age, have a tendency of developing psychiatric problems in their later lives, especially in their early 20's. The #1 category seems Bipolar Disorder. However, this is just 'rough/general statistic' polls, no any definite proof on this.
However, in my guess, if there is a family/genetic history as to mental disorder, you might have more prone to get mental disorder whether you took any psycho.med. in your childhood.
As having said that, if there are numerous adverse effects due to 'Ritalin,' possibly many of those who was on Ritalin already went to the court to 'sue' its maker. If this did never occur, then I just dismiss this suspicion concerning any bad stories related to Ritalin. Rather, to me, there are many of those who was/are on Ritalin seem quite happy about good results from Ritalin, otherwise their academic performance might have 'a big impact.'
If you want to know more about the adverse/bad effects from Ritalin, you may ask your pdoc. straightforwardly whether Ritalin causing your currect 'Med. Sensitives' to number of psycho.meds. you were on.
Also, as someone suggesting, ... I too agree that you may get a benefit from 'talk therapy,' as seeing you have some 'unsolved' or 'deep inside' emotional and psychological problems aside from your Bipolar. But, this is just my personal opinion based on my own personal problem originated from my childhood.
H.G.
Posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 12, 2004, at 2:02:42
In reply to Re: Child use of Ritalin causing adult problems? LONG, posted by King Vultan on March 11, 2004, at 14:12:38
> While it sounds like you may be overly sensitive to psychotropic drug side effects, my opinion is that this is likely not due to childhood use of Ritalin. The neural pathways that Ritalin and Lexapro work on, for instance, have little or nothing to do with each other.
True. It does make me worry about how many types of neural paths may be messed up, given the variety of paths the meds I've had work on.
>
> What is your diagnosis? I'm wondering if you are psychotic or BP, and how much therapy you've had.Truly I don't know. My pdoc is treating my issues as a depressive disorder but he won't elaborate. I seem to fit BP in a lot of ways. my mood cycle every few hours. I'm in a dysphoric state 80% of the time. I also have psychotic symptoms. I get hallucenations, mild ones and I get persecutory delusions. Despite this, my contact with reality is still fairly solid.
>
Posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 12, 2004, at 2:07:59
In reply to Re: Child use of Ritalin causing adult problems? LONG, posted by HappyGirl on March 11, 2004, at 17:04:37
> Hi:
> In my knowledge, those who was on 'Ritalin' and other form of ADD/ADDH drugs in their childhood, regardless their age, have a tendency of developing psychiatric problems in their later lives, especially in their early 20's. The #1 category seems Bipolar Disorder. However, this is just 'rough/general statistic' polls, no any definite proof on this.
> However, in my guess, if there is a family/genetic history as to mental disorder, you might have more prone to get mental disorder whether you took any psycho.med. in your childhood.There is a history, but not severe.
> As having said that, if there are numerous adverse effects due to 'Ritalin,' possibly many of those who was on Ritalin already went to the court to 'sue' its maker. If this did never occur, then I just dismiss this suspicion concerning any bad stories related to Ritalin. Rather, to me, there are many of those who was/are on Ritalin seem quite happy about good results from Ritalin, otherwise their academic performance might have 'a big impact.'
When I was on it, I did well for the most part.
> If you want to know more about the adverse/bad effects from Ritalin, you may ask your pdoc. straightforwardly whether Ritalin causing your currect 'Med. Sensitives' to number of psycho.meds. you were on.
I plan to. This was sort of a new idea. My pdoc either doesn't want to tell me or doesn't know why I get these sensetivities.
> Also, as someone suggesting, ... I too agree that you may get a benefit from 'talk therapy,' as seeing you have some 'unsolved' or 'deep inside' emotional and psychological problems aside from your Bipolar. But, this is just my personal opinion based on my own personal problem originated from my childhood.
I think a lot of my probs are bchildhod based. Sadly I can't afford talk therapy.
Posted by HappyGirl on March 12, 2004, at 22:04:08
In reply to Re: Child use of Ritalin causing adult problems? LONG, posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 12, 2004, at 2:07:59
Hi:
I agree that everything related psycho. stuff is VERY expensive, ... just rich folks afford(laugh). However, if you could access 'talk therapy' is quite beneficial, through the experience I went in the past.
However, some of the problem stemmed from your childfood, relationship and etc. you just need 'time' to find the good answer even you're on counselling sessions. Those folks are still a kind 'business' to keep us coming back, ... not all, but some of those. Then, finding a good one is a challenge, ... like anything else, especially a right pdoc. In my case, I went through four different pdocs. to find a right pdoc. that is current pdoc. The same saying to a counselling. If you're not able to find a right one, just talk to someone who has 'good ears' along with 'good and sympathetic attitude.'
Another thing is that you sound like very sensitive to psycho.meds. For that, you need some 'good' resource,' ... possibly it might be more than psychophamacologist.
Try to talk Med. University close to your residence whether your condition allows you to get on 'Free Med. program.' On this, I did once through my pdoc. First, you need to call to find about this program.
H.G.
Posted by Yolanda on March 14, 2004, at 2:30:04
In reply to Re: Child use of Ritalin causing adult problems? LONG, posted by HappyGirl on March 12, 2004, at 22:04:08
> Hi:
> I agree that everything related psycho. stuff is VERY expensive, ... just rich folks afford(laugh). However, if you could access 'talk therapy' is quite beneficial, through the experience I went in the past.
> However, some of the problem stemmed from your childfood, relationship and etc. you just need 'time' to find the good answer even you're on counselling sessions. Those folks are still a kind 'business' to keep us coming back, ... not all, but some of those. Then, finding a good one is a challenge, ... like anything else, especially a right pdoc. In my case, I went through four different pdocs. to find a right pdoc. that is current pdoc. The same saying to a counselling. If you're not able to find a right one, just talk to someone who has 'good ears' along with 'good and sympathetic attitude.'
>
> Another thing is that you sound like very sensitive to psycho.meds. For that, you need some 'good' resource,' ... possibly it might be more than psychophamacologist.
> Try to talk Med. University close to your residence whether your condition allows you to get on 'Free Med. program.' On this, I did once through my pdoc. First, you need to call to find about this program.
> H.G.
Ritalin as a treatment for add/adhd was born in the 30's. It wasn't until the late 90's that its action was understood,according to the pharmaceutical industry.For sixty years this drug was prescribed to children without any physician or psychiatrist knowing how it worked? It never had to pass FDA testing, according to several articles I've read, because it was already in use as a treatment for narcolepsy. Even in the 90's long term studies were based more on self reporting than actual med/psych data. My father was a pharm. rep for 30 yrs. Question everything, accept no assurances without imperical evidence,do your research, look for non-pharmaceutical alternatives whenever possible. Counsellors, therapists and psychiatrists may have an eye on your wallet, but so do the pharmaceutical companies...they make huge amounts of money counting on people going for the "quick fix" of meds rather than the slow and painful process of therapy.
Posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 14, 2004, at 15:22:06
In reply to Re: Child use of Ritalin causing adult problems? LONG, posted by Yolanda on March 14, 2004, at 2:30:04
> Ritalin as a treatment for add/adhd was born in the 30's. It wasn't until the late 90's that its action was understood,according to the pharmaceutical industry.For sixty years this drug was prescribed to children without any physician or psychiatrist knowing how it worked? It never had to pass FDA testing, according to several articles I've read, because it was already in use as a treatment for narcolepsy. Even in the 90's long term studies were based more on self reporting than actual med/psych data. My father was a pharm. rep for 30 yrs. Question everything, accept no assurances without imperical evidence,do your research, look for non-pharmaceutical alternatives whenever possible. Counsellors, therapists and psychiatrists may have an eye on your wallet, but so do the pharmaceutical companies...they make huge amounts of money counting on people going for the "quick fix" of meds rather than the slow and painful process of therapy.
>I agree with a lot of what you said. By all accounts, I was a classic Ritalin kid. My daughter is having the same problems. Fortunately, I have my ex convinced to try Omega-3 fatty acids before drugs and she was quite alarmed by my theory. If it comes to meds, it will not be amphetamine based.
As far as therapy is concerned, it never worked in the past. through elementary I tried all kinds, including EMDR and hypnotherapy as it turns out. Until my SSDI gets approved (many months out) I can't afford a T anyway. I've exhausted self help stuff. One thing, though. I'm acutely aware of my behavior. The problem is my internal watchdog is unreasonably hpercritical. I will say that if anyone knows how to get a T for free in Utah without medical coverage, I'm listening.
Posted by Yolanda on March 15, 2004, at 6:28:47
In reply to Re: Child use of Ritalin causing adult problems? LONG » Yolanda, posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 14, 2004, at 15:22:06
> > Ritalin as a treatment for add/adhd was born in the 30's. It wasn't until the late 90's that its action was understood,according to the pharmaceutical industry.For sixty years this drug was prescribed to children without any physician or psychiatrist knowing how it worked? It never had to pass FDA testing, according to several articles I've read, because it was already in use as a treatment for narcolepsy. Even in the 90's long term studies were based more on self reporting than actual med/psych data. My father was a pharm. rep for 30 yrs. Question everything, accept no assurances without imperical evidence,do your research, look for non-pharmaceutical alternatives whenever possible. Counsellors, therapists and psychiatrists may have an eye on your wallet, but so do the pharmaceutical companies...they make huge amounts of money counting on people going for the "quick fix" of meds rather than the slow and painful process of therapy.
> >
>
> I agree with a lot of what you said. By all accounts, I was a classic Ritalin kid. My daughter is having the same problems. Fortunately, I have my ex convinced to try Omega-3 fatty acids before drugs and she was quite alarmed by my theory. If it comes to meds, it will not be amphetamine based.
>
> As far as therapy is concerned, it never worked in the past. through elementary I tried all kinds, including EMDR and hypnotherapy as it turns out. Until my SSDI gets approved (many months out) I can't afford a T anyway. I've exhausted self help stuff. One thing, though. I'm acutely aware of my behavior. The problem is my internal watchdog is unreasonably hpercritical. I will say that if anyone knows how to get a T for free in Utah without medical coverage, I'm listening.\\\You're lucky to have an inner watchdog at all! My brother was on Ritalin most of his childhood and he seems to lack the ability to think of his behavior as anything but perfect, regardless of the consequences. And the consequences have been many and, at times horrible.
There are aspects of ADD/ADHD that are actually
positive rather than negative. Some of the most charming, exciting, most energetic people in the world have it, and many are extremely creative. Impulsive behavior is only a problem when there is no inner censor present to tell you the impulse may have negative consequences. Don't be too hard on yourself!:)
This is the end of the thread.
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