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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by delna on December 21, 2009, at 10:50:04
Hi,
It's me again . Back with a desperate situation :(
Sorry.
I really need your help.i just started Ritalin 20mg for the extreme tiredness I was experiencing. It has really helped me but I have developed the same 'Tardive pain syndrome' as I did on Geodon. Apparently Ritalin can also cause TD in susceptible people
I want to stop the Ritalin immediately as I am **absolutely terrified** since this is such a dangerous side effect. I can develop other motor symptoms at any moment.
I have been on Ritalin 20mg for 4 days. Is it safe to just stop it or will it increase the chances of worsening the TD symptoms and causing new ones?
My doctor won't answer his phone so I don't know what to do. Ideally I want to stop it at once- I don't want to taper. I don't want it in my system- its just too scary. Can I just stop since I have only been on it for 4 days?
I'm prepared to deal with the rebound tiredness/ depression if that happens because of rapid withdrawal. I just don't want to increase the chance of developing more TD symptoms by doing so.If I do manage to stop and all goes well in terms of the TD, do you feel that other stimulating drugs (that also effect dopamine) will likely cause this? Like wellbutrin or reboxetine?
Thank you greatly for any help
Love
D
Posted by Maxime on December 21, 2009, at 12:00:54
In reply to TD on Ritalin. How to stop? Please Help!!, posted by delna on December 21, 2009, at 10:50:04
I agree. You need to stop the med. Stop it and continue trying to get in touch with your doctor.
Have you ever tried Adderall? Is it available where you live?
Posted by Phillipa on December 21, 2009, at 13:08:58
In reply to Re: TD on Ritalin. How to stop? Please Help!!, posted by Maxime on December 21, 2009, at 12:00:54
I'd also stop Delna such horrible problems done with medical testing? Phillipa
Posted by bleauberry on December 21, 2009, at 17:00:25
In reply to TD on Ritalin. How to stop? Please Help!!, posted by delna on December 21, 2009, at 10:50:04
I would feel comfortable in stopping immediately with no weaning. The dose is not high and its only been 4 days. I am very sensitive to things and have been able to immediately stop just about anything including ritalin after just a few days. You are wise in expecting the rebound tiredness and depression because that is a likely outcome, but should be confined to 2 or 3 days and then you should be back to where you were pre-ritalin.
Just a thought, but it could be helpful if you can afford it to shop around for another doctor who does answer urgent needs. If nothing else, it never hurts to have a second doctor in the wings for second opinions or new ideas. Sometimes we can get into a rut with the same doctor. They only have their own vision. Someone else's take on it can be helpful.
I do not believe this means all stimulating drugs, or all norepinephrine drugs, or all dopamine drugs, will do the same thing. These meds are so much different from each other, even ones that do similar mechanisms, and their actions that we are aware of are probably only 10% of all the rest of their actions we have not yet identified. In the fine print of just about any med it is admitted that its function in treating the disease is not known...only assumed through very broad general theories. All the little details are a mystery to mankind.
My best guess is that Adderall would have a good chance of sparking the same kind of TD, but that other NE/DA meds such as Savella, Reboxetine, Nortriptyline, Desipramine, or Wellbutrin would not be likely to. The TCAs in general I would think would actually be helpful, especially with a tiny dose SSRI to go with it.
My two cents.
> Hi,
> It's me again . Back with a desperate situation :(
> Sorry.
> I really need your help.
>
> i just started Ritalin 20mg for the extreme tiredness I was experiencing. It has really helped me but I have developed the same 'Tardive pain syndrome' as I did on Geodon. Apparently Ritalin can also cause TD in susceptible people
>
> I want to stop the Ritalin immediately as I am **absolutely terrified** since this is such a dangerous side effect. I can develop other motor symptoms at any moment.
>
> I have been on Ritalin 20mg for 4 days. Is it safe to just stop it or will it increase the chances of worsening the TD symptoms and causing new ones?
>
> My doctor won't answer his phone so I don't know what to do. Ideally I want to stop it at once- I don't want to taper. I don't want it in my system- its just too scary. Can I just stop since I have only been on it for 4 days?
> I'm prepared to deal with the rebound tiredness/ depression if that happens because of rapid withdrawal. I just don't want to increase the chance of developing more TD symptoms by doing so.
>
> If I do manage to stop and all goes well in terms of the TD, do you feel that other stimulating drugs (that also effect dopamine) will likely cause this? Like wellbutrin or reboxetine?
>
> Thank you greatly for any help
> Love
> D
>
>
Posted by Justherself54 on December 21, 2009, at 18:13:49
In reply to Re: TD on Ritalin. How to stop? Please Help!!, posted by bleauberry on December 21, 2009, at 17:00:25
I'm sorry to hear you're having such a rough time. I would stop it immediately also. I have called the psych ward at the hospital and spoken with a pysch nurse when I have been unable to reach my pdoc regarding medication questions. I don't know if that's an option for you, but it may ease your mind.
I hope you feel better soon,
Posted by delna on December 22, 2009, at 11:15:40
In reply to Re: TD on Ritalin. How to stop? Please Help!!, posted by Maxime on December 21, 2009, at 12:00:54
> I agree. You need to stop the med. Stop it and continue trying to get in touch with your doctor.
>
> Have you ever tried Adderall? Is it available where you live?Thanks for your reply.
Adderall is not available in India- it is illegal.
I finally got in touch with my doctor and he advised that I should not stop suddenly. So today I am down to 10mg.TC
D
Posted by delna on December 22, 2009, at 11:25:21
In reply to Re: TD on Ritalin. How to stop? Please Help!!, posted by bleauberry on December 21, 2009, at 17:00:25
> I would feel comfortable in stopping immediately with no weaning. The dose is not high and its only been 4 days. I am very sensitive to things and have been able to immediately stop just about anything including ritalin after just a few days. You are wise in expecting the rebound tiredness and depression because that is a likely outcome, but should be confined to 2 or 3 days and then you should be back to where you were pre-ritalin.
>
> Just a thought, but it could be helpful if you can afford it to shop around for another doctor who does answer urgent needs. If nothing else, it never hurts to have a second doctor in the wings for second opinions or new ideas. Sometimes we can get into a rut with the same doctor. They only have their own vision. Someone else's take on it can be helpful.
>
> I do not believe this means all stimulating drugs, or all norepinephrine drugs, or all dopamine drugs, will do the same thing. These meds are so much different from each other, even ones that do similar mechanisms, and their actions that we are aware of are probably only 10% of all the rest of their actions we have not yet identified. In the fine print of just about any med it is admitted that its function in treating the disease is not known...only assumed through very broad general theories. All the little details are a mystery to mankind.
>
> My best guess is that Adderall would have a good chance of sparking the same kind of TD, but that other NE/DA meds such as Savella, Reboxetine, Nortriptyline, Desipramine, or Wellbutrin would not be likely to. The TCAs in general I would think would actually be helpful, especially with a tiny dose SSRI to go with it.
>
> My two cents.
Thanks sincerely for your reply.
I spoke to my doctor and he strongly advised against suddenly stopping. So I am tapering.
I have really shopped around for doctors and always ended up going back to this one. Even though some of the others are more available, I would not trust their opinions since they are clueless. He's the only one who has any knowledge.Thanks for the tips on the other drugs too. I think reboxetine will be next. I have had wellbutrin in the past and I find it really ineffective. TCA's, I cannot take because of the sedation. Nortriptyline really knocked me out.
I just *might* give ritalin another chance since it has worked so well. Sometimes I get the pain randomly so I am not sure its Ritalin that caused it. I will have to see.
Thanks for you help and concern
Take care
D
Posted by delna on December 22, 2009, at 11:31:57
In reply to Re: TD on Ritalin. How to stop? Please Help!!, posted by Phillipa on December 21, 2009, at 13:08:58
> I'd also stop Delna such horrible problems done with medical testing? Phillipa
Phillipa,
Am tapering as advised by pdoc. Am on 10 today.
No, medical testing is still going on but I am not getting any real answers. Apparently I don't have hashimoto's since my antibody levels are not high enough to warrant diagnosis. Still the endocrinologist wants to treat me for thyroid problems . He feels that clinically I have all the symptoms even though the results appear normal.Unfortunately the T4 is making me dizzy.
Also I am checking for PCOS and metabolic syndrome which apparently I appear to have. I have gained 10 kg's in the past 3 months. Its insane.
Thanks again Phillipa.
I really appreciate your concern
Love D
Posted by delna on December 22, 2009, at 11:36:46
In reply to Re: TD on Ritalin. How to stop? Please Help!!, posted by Justherself54 on December 21, 2009, at 18:13:49
> I'm sorry to hear you're having such a rough time. I would stop it immediately also. I have called the psych ward at the hospital and spoken with a pysch nurse when I have been unable to reach my pdoc regarding medication questions. I don't know if that's an option for you, but it may ease your mind.
>
> I hope you feel better soon,Thanks for your reply. Apparently I need to taper to avoid worsening things. So today I have taken 10mg.
If I get through this awful spell, I will surely be doing something for mental health as here in India we have no psych wards or support at all. No helplines- nothing. Maybe that will give me some meaning :)
Thanks again
Love
D
Posted by Phillipa on December 22, 2009, at 20:32:35
In reply to Re: TD on Ritalin. How to stop? Please Help!! » Phillipa, posted by delna on December 22, 2009, at 11:31:57
Delna I just bought a book called "Thyroid for Dummies" seriously there are dummy books for all conditions. This one is good seriously it delves into other types of thyroid illnesses and what might help. It doesn't have to be hasimotos for the thyroid to be out of wack. Strange as about three months into synthroid I had severe vertigo neccesitating an ER visit. Couldn't turn head eyes or walk. Given 2mg Im ativan and also antivert for the dizziness. Love Phillipa
Posted by delna on December 22, 2009, at 22:23:49
In reply to Re: TD on Ritalin. How to stop? Please Help!! » delna, posted by Phillipa on December 22, 2009, at 20:32:35
> Delna I just bought a book called "Thyroid for Dummies" seriously there are dummy books for all conditions. This one is good seriously it delves into other types of thyroid illnesses and what might help. It doesn't have to be hasimotos for the thyroid to be out of wack. Strange as about three months into synthroid I had severe vertigo neccesitating an ER visit. Couldn't turn head eyes or walk. Given 2mg Im ativan and also antivert for the dizziness. Love Phillipa
Phillipa,
Maybe starting slow helps. I was put on 50mg T4 to start with but I think I need a smaller dose till I adjust. Anyway my endocrinologist is going to review the situation. He is a strong believer that thyroid function should be determined by clinical findings and not by tests. He wants to treat me inspite of lab results that appear normal- which is a good thing, I think. Anyway I will know the situation next week.
Thanks Phillipa for the book recommendation- I may have a problem getting it here though.
Love
D
Posted by Phillipa on December 23, 2009, at 20:24:47
In reply to Re: TD on Ritalin. How to stop? Please Help!! » Phillipa, posted by delna on December 22, 2009, at 22:23:49
Yes a good endo will go by symptoms and not labs. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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