[anxietyadhdboy474]

I am taking a total of 30mg of Ritalin every day, two 10mg tablets in the morning and one 10mg tablet in the afternoon. When i first began taking this drug, it worked extremely well for the first two weeks. One day i literally woke up, took my normal morning dose, and i felt nothing. I proceeded to take it without feeling any effects at all for a week, so then one day i decided to take three 10mg tablets in the morning instead of two. I had a terrible reaction where i was extremely dizzy, i was sweating, my heart rate was dangerously high, and i felt cold yet hot at the same time. I stopped taking it for a few days and then returned to my normal dosages and times, and still had no effects. I am now beginning my 8th week of taking Ritalin and i do not feel concentrated, stimulated, alert, or confident anymore. I am going to talk to my Psychiatrist about switching to a more effective drug such as Adderall or Vyvanse if Ritalin continues to show ineffectiveness.
My questions are:
1. What do you suggest taking if i switch to a drug like Adderall or Vyvanse?
2. Is there anything i can do to help Ritalin gain its effectiveness back?
3. Why did Ritalin just stop working?
4. And how should i talk to my doctor on making a switch to Adderall or Vyvanse?

P.S. I also take 1mg of Ativan for anxiety as needed, (my original dosage was 0.5mg but was completely ineffective, so my doctor gave me permission to take two 0.5mg tablets instead of one.) but it isn't as helpful as i'd like it to be. What should i do about this?

[kaliope]

hi anxietyadhdboy
sometimes meds just stop being effective. it is not uncommon. it is a mystery. it is not something you have to worry about discussing with your pdoc. just let him know that it is no longer working and you need a change to something more effective. you can let him know the Ativan is not effective at the same time. docs are used to changing meds around. this is so much a trial and error process until you find the right med that works for you. you really need to be a good advocate for yourself and speak up to your pdoc when things aren't working. welcome to psych central. you will find we have several forums where you can post about your concerns and receive feedback from other members. you will get a lot of support here. again, welcome

[ayana95]

I take Vyvanse. It helps me focus. It sometime interferes with my sleep if I take to late in the day. It a newer drug the Ritalin so it may be helpful. Discuss it with your doctor. I hope you find a solution very soon.

[Swabbingred]

30mg at once is a relatively normal dose. Although it isn't uncommon for someone to experience adverse reactions with 30mg +

When I abused Ritalin recreational, I use to administer 120mg in two goes. I suggest you talk to your doctor about it or try another medication such as Concerta, still Methylphenidate but an extended release where it is released through a 12 hour period. Making it harder to abuse too.

1. What do you suggest taking if i switch to a drug like Adderall or Vyvanse?

Adderal or Vyvanse are more effective in general.. Methylphenidate is only a backbone to pharmaceutical speed while Adderal and Vy are amphetamines.

2. Is there anything i can do to help Ritalin gain its effectiveness back?

Not really, besides stop taking it for a while... and reducing acidic and sugary intake. Never take Ritalin with soda or after you've binged on sugars and acidic food.

3. Why did Ritalin just stop working?

Your body may have suddenly developed a swiftly tolerance towards it and required more to feel the effects but too much of it became an adverse reaction.

4. And how should i talk to my doctor on making a switch to Adderall or Vyvanse?

Report what you've reported to us.

Experimenting with certain ADHD medications will be the appropriate thing to do.