Just got put on Ritalin

My dr tried to get me on Concerta, but that wasn't washing with the prescription people, so she put me on Ritalin. I noticed yesterday that my pulse was around 114, which is normally in the 80s, but my blood pressure was ok, so I thought it was probably a side effect of a new medication. Today after two doses of Ritalin my pulse seems to be dropped down into the 80s again, and I feel much more organized and remembering what things I need to be doing. I do notice that I am warmer than usual, is this also a side effect of Ritalin? Just when I get used to not having hot flashes, now I am warmer than usual all the time. Sigh. I hope this goes away after the adjusting period is over.

Jewels

I noticed yesterday after taking mine (generic version, long name, begins with m), I felt really warm. There are days I take my meds and I can feel my heart beating faster and that gets you nervous because you're thinking "what if it's a heart attack?" But it's only happened a couple of times.

am still experiencing problems with the ritalin...i can't sleep for one...even if i take the pill at 4 pm, i was awake almost all night long last night because i just couldn't quiet myself down...so I got up and did the dishes,straightened out the living room, straightened out my bedroom, got my regalia ready for the powwow I am going to today, and still was wide awake...I think I finally dozed off about 5...and my daughter woke me up at 620 saying mom, we have to get up...it's almost time for my bus...and i felt like i had enough sleep...weird...still getting those rushes and then the crash/burn after the pill wears off...i hope that when i see my pdoc again she will call the insurance company and tell them the ritalin isn't working and to let her put me on concerta xl...that will provide a constant state for me instead of the constant crash/burn and rush cycles that occur with every pill i take...heres hoping she can do it this time...

Jewels

You should definitely take the pill before 3pm, that's what my pdoc told me otherwise you won't sleep. I take trazodone as well for my depression and that stuff puts me right out.

now for the last couple of days, i am so tired i can't stay awake...i wonder if my system has gotten used to the meds and i need a higher dose to help...i am not noticing that i can focus much now either...it does not seem to be having the same effect it did in the beginning...does this mean that it is losing its edge?

Jewels

I'm not sure if it's losing its edge, in my experience some days are different from others. I'm starting to not like it, because it makes me feel great at first (not high, just more alert and focused) and then I crash right down and I am all nerves. I am going through alot of stress right now, but I seem to get it worse when the Rit wears off.

I've been on the med for a couple of weeks now and after the first week, I really didn't feel any different so my Doc doubled the dose. I am on the long lasting script -- I take two pills in the am. So it must be different than the one you take as I can't take it in the afternoon as it will keep me up . . .
Anyway, I am afraid to tell the doc that I really still don't feel any different. Why would that be? I think maybe it helps a bit in the morning but by noon to one -- I'm so ready for a nap and the headache from trying to concentrate starts. No problem sleeping, no jittery feeling, no chest pain, nothing I was told to watch out for. I am still in the "hot flash" stage to I could get warm, but wouldn't know what was causing it. I guess I was hoping you guys would be able to tell me what is it the Ritalin is suppose to do/feel like? I still drink a ton of coffee and I haven't noticed any difference in my appetite. Could it just not work for me? Or is a larger dose needed? I was told about a dose that is for break-through times -- like if you know you need to concentrate extra -- you can take a dose of --- I don't know -- maybe it's fast acting or something? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Dreamdust