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Originally Posted by Medicated
I just started ritalin on Wednesday for possible ADD which is causing my depression. (Or thus sayeth the shrink.)
I took 5mg Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, and 10mg this (Friday) morning. I'm not really feeling much (any?) effect though. I'll admit that because I'm not in school or working right now, my life is still pretty unstructured... but when I try to start a task, I'm just as averse to it as before. Mentally, my outlook and ability to focus seem essentially unchanged. I don't feel buzzed at all, my appetite is normal or increased... basically, I don't feel any different.
Part of me wonders if the pharmacy gave me placebos. I know they didn't, but 10 mg should do SOMETHING, shouldn't it? Am I not using it right? Is my lifestyle preventing me from seeing the effects? I most certainly have things to do (studying, thesis paper, bills, etc), but they're still not getting done. I feel like it's my fault... like I have this help now, and I'm still failing because I'm doing something wrong.
I have an appointment to see the shrink on wednesday, but for my information, do you think a higher dose would help me? Might a different drug (like adderall) work better for me? Are my expectations just completely unreasonable? What has your experience with ADD meds been?
Thanks for your help!
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5mg of Ritalin is a really low starter dose. They usually tend to start patients on the lowest possible dose and then titrate upward to the effective dose.
I have read in different scientific publications on ADHD that Ritalin (methylinphenadate) doesn't always work as well for adults as mixed amphetamine salt preparations do (such as Dexedrine, Adderall, Vyvanse, etc.).
I've never been on Ritalin, but when I started on Dexedrine, the immediate release formula didn't work well for me. They increased the dose, and still no good. We switched to Dexedrine XR (extended release spansules), which worked well, but we also upped the dose.
Now I take Vyvanse, which works much better. Takes some playing around to really get the effective medication/dose. Make sure you tell your prescriber as soon as you know that the medication isn't working and need to up the dose and/or change meds.
I recommend calling the prescriber in between appointments as soon as you realize the medication isn't working. That way, you can speed the process along instead of waiting around, frustrated. I also recommend that you call your prescriber if you experience any unpleasant side effects too.
