Ritalin and anxiety attacks? - ADD / ADHD Message Board

ostrich · 02-07-2008, 05:27 PM

For the most part when I take Ritalin, I'm fine. I can focus, I feel more confident in my abilities, and I'm more ambitious. However, I always get an anxiety attack or two. I only take one 20 mg pill a day and about 30 mins to an hour in, I start gagging and feel like throwing up. I call it an anxiety attack, but I dont really know what it is. Mentally, I dont start freaking out or anything. My body just has this strange physical reaction, I think when it first starts absorbing the medication. Has anybody else experienced this? Any explanation for it? It can be embarrassing when I'm around people because I'll suddenly stop mid-sentence or walking, and just dry heave repeatedly for about a minute until I stop, and then I go back to being normal.

addprogrammer · 02-07-2008, 06:42 PM

ostrich,

You may be able to avoid your "attacks" by splitting the pill. Take one half, then about an hour later take the other.

Better yet, ask doc for 4 5mg tabs daily. Take one every hour.

If taking 4 pills incrementally works but is too much bother, ask for a extended release version such as Concerta.

I'm almost sure your problem stems from too much stimulant hitting your CNS at once.

Bob

whitejerry · 02-09-2008, 02:09 AM

Actually I have had the same problem before and I have a question for you, do you smoke? Or do you live with a smoker? Because every time I have what you describe as a panic attack its because im in the cold, smoking, while on my ADD meds. What I'd recommend if you are a smoke, is to only smoke half of it, then put it out, that seemed to work with me.

ostrich · 02-13-2008, 10:59 AM

Hey guys, thanks for the responses. Sorry, was out of town the last few days. Funny that you should recommend splitting the pill Jerry, because I did that and 10 mg at a time seems to work better, although it's still 50/50 whether I get an attack, but when I do, it's not as severe. No, I don't smoke, but I do think it's worse when I'm in the cold. I already have this chronic condition that comes back every winter where I start dry heaving/gagging when I'm suddenly out in the cold, especially after eating. So I would get those attacks once in a while...but with Ritalin, it was almost guaranteed after taking 20 mg.

index.html · 02-14-2008, 02:46 AM

This may sound obvious, but be sure you are taking your Ritalin with food. Sounds like it is upsetting your stomach.