qwerty3
01-22-2008, 08:34 PM
I was recently given Ritalin to help with my "always sleepy" problem. I have a horrible time getting up and the whole day I have no energy, I am always tired and I could always take a nap. I sleep at least 9, 10 hours a night, eat healthy and exercise. I took sleep tests and I do not have apne, restless leg syndrome, anything like that.
She gave me Ritalin because it is often given to people with Narcolpesy. Does anyone else take Ritalin for "Always tired" problems?? If so what is your dosage and has it worked for you? Any comments would be great... it just sucks being tired all the time - being moody, non productive.. i can't handle it!
She gave me Ritalin because it is often given to people with Narcolpesy. Does anyone else take Ritalin for "Always tired" problems?? If so what is your dosage and has it worked for you? Any comments would be great... it just sucks being tired all the time - being moody, non productive.. i can't handle it!
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PinkFloyd1
01-22-2008, 09:25 PM
I have been diagnosed with 3 sleep disorders. Narc being one. I have tried Provigil, Ritilin, and am now on Adderrall. The first two did nothing for me. I can only take Adderrall a few times a week because my body builds a quick tolerance to it. You will have to experiment till you find something that works for you. It can get very frustrating!
wisangel
01-23-2008, 03:57 AM
I also have narcolepsy and was on Ritalin for over a year before discontinuing it in October, 2007. I took the medicine 2 times per day and was at the maximum dose one is allowed in a day. Still, I had no relief or improvement in my level of fatigue and tiredness. I could easily fall asleep anywhere and often times did, especially when I got home from work. Prior to Ritalin, I had also tried Provigil and found the same problem: I felt just as tired on the meds as I did off the meds.
Now I take Adderall, 2x/day, and I can honestly say that this medicine has been a "miracle" success when it comes to my fatigue & constant feelings of tiredness. I can actually get through a day without feeling like I need a nap. Heck, I can even stay up late if I want, something I haven't been able to do in years, and with or without meds. But everyone is different and not every drug will work for everybody.
Now I take Adderall, 2x/day, and I can honestly say that this medicine has been a "miracle" success when it comes to my fatigue & constant feelings of tiredness. I can actually get through a day without feeling like I need a nap. Heck, I can even stay up late if I want, something I haven't been able to do in years, and with or without meds. But everyone is different and not every drug will work for everybody.
qwerty3
01-27-2008, 12:45 PM
I have been taking 1 Ritalin two times per day for the last almost week now. I think it has been helping a bit, but I still get tired. I am going to start taking 2 pills two times a day.
My question is: Can your body get immune to Ritalin?? Let's say it works a bit for me NOW...but what about if I keep taking it every day for 2/3 months..can i start to have less affect on me? That's what I'm afraid of. Any comments or answers would be GREATLY appreciated!
My question is: Can your body get immune to Ritalin?? Let's say it works a bit for me NOW...but what about if I keep taking it every day for 2/3 months..can i start to have less affect on me? That's what I'm afraid of. Any comments or answers would be GREATLY appreciated!
PinkFloyd1
01-27-2008, 01:56 PM
Yes your body can develop a tolerance to it. Everyone is different so it is hard to say how long it will take. I took Ritalin and it did absolutely nothing for me. I am now taking Adderrall but can only take it 3-4 times a week if I am lucky. I gain tolerance quickly. It sucks! If you find the Ritalin not doing much, see if you can try Adderrall. It kicks in right away so there is no waiting. Some drugs have to build up in your system first. Good luck!
2tired2type
01-29-2008, 10:14 PM
I took ritalin for 12 yrs. give or take a few years ,what you need to do in my oppion ,to avoid becoming immune, is to take a drug holiday.about once or twice a month just don't take the meds on a non work day orweekend. on the drug holiday take a power nap when possible to offset the eds. and if you can't deal with out meds just take 1/2 the dose the doc. gave you. this should help you not become immune.i have also taken cylert, provigil (modafinal) vivactil for cataplexy gamma in it's infant stage and xyrem as i called now. they allworked in there own way some better some worse ,but what i have found in my own ( i am not speaking for all narcs just myself )trial over many years is they make life easier but there still just a bandaid fix . so let keep praying for that cure. i no i am:cool:
PinkFloyd1
01-30-2008, 12:50 AM
2Tired is right. That is what my Neurologist originally told me. Unfortunately, my tolerance develops quicker then most people =(
qwerty3
02-15-2008, 09:38 PM
Thanks for the information. I go in for a follow up appointment soon so I will mention that, or ask how to not become immune.
I have been taking ritalin for about 1 month now. I started off with a low dosage, then medium and a higher one. I noticed it more at the beginning whe nI first started taking it. I have noticed a plateau affect now. But I feel like it's still working - still tired though..
I have been taking ritalin for about 1 month now. I started off with a low dosage, then medium and a higher one. I noticed it more at the beginning whe nI first started taking it. I have noticed a plateau affect now. But I feel like it's still working - still tired though..
bethsheba
02-15-2008, 11:41 PM
I was recently given Ritalin to help with my "always sleepy" problem. I have a horrible time getting up and the whole day I have no energy, I am always tired and I could always take a nap....
Are you taking medications or over the counters for any other conditions?
I found that I was sleeping anywhere from 16-20 hours per day due to a SMALL dose of medication that I was taking for another condition. Neither my primary, nor my sleep specialist, nor my other health care professionals figured it out...I was the one who figured it out... but only three years later after I had missed doses due to sleeping around the clock. Stopping the medication confirmed my suspicions.
I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and with periodic limb movement syndrome, but nothing disabled me with fatigue like the side effect of the medication.
Bethsheba
Are you taking medications or over the counters for any other conditions?
I found that I was sleeping anywhere from 16-20 hours per day due to a SMALL dose of medication that I was taking for another condition. Neither my primary, nor my sleep specialist, nor my other health care professionals figured it out...I was the one who figured it out... but only three years later after I had missed doses due to sleeping around the clock. Stopping the medication confirmed my suspicions.
I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and with periodic limb movement syndrome, but nothing disabled me with fatigue like the side effect of the medication.
Bethsheba
qwerty3
02-17-2008, 08:04 PM
I'm not on any other medication other than birth control pills.
bethsheba
02-18-2008, 09:55 AM
I'm not on any other medication other than birth control pills.
I doubt it's the bc pills, but you might want to check as some do cause fatigue....and please, don't rely on what your doctor tells you...some of these things you have to check out yourself.
Although, some of these side effects may be considered "rare", it's of no consequence if you are the one who experiences them!
Take care.
Bethsheba
I doubt it's the bc pills, but you might want to check as some do cause fatigue....and please, don't rely on what your doctor tells you...some of these things you have to check out yourself.
Although, some of these side effects may be considered "rare", it's of no consequence if you are the one who experiences them!
Take care.
Bethsheba
qwerty3
02-18-2008, 06:54 PM
Thanks.. on another note.. those of you who are taking Ritalin for a sleep disorder type thing what is your dosage? I have 5mg pills and I take 3 of them twice a day. My doctor started me off with 1, then 2 and said 3 was the max.
I def. feel like they are working but I still feel tired.. or they wear off. I don't want to to overdo it and ask my doctor to take more but I feel like it might push me over that tiredness hump.
So I was wondering what dosage you guys take if you wouldn't mind... thanks.. I go to the doctor this week so I plan on *maybe* asking her opinion.
I def. feel like they are working but I still feel tired.. or they wear off. I don't want to to overdo it and ask my doctor to take more but I feel like it might push me over that tiredness hump.
So I was wondering what dosage you guys take if you wouldn't mind... thanks.. I go to the doctor this week so I plan on *maybe* asking her opinion.
qwerty3
02-21-2008, 09:36 PM
I just went into my doctor after a month of being on ritalin. she told me i can move to 3 5mg pills 3 times a day or 4 mg pills 2 times a day.
i asked her about being immune to ritalin and she made it seem like it was unlikely but possible. she said she has seen many patients for years that have not gone up on doasge. i am hoping i dont get immune to it.. but like some of you ere saying i think i will take a day or randomly when i feel like i dont need it or can get some extra sleep!
i asked her about being immune to ritalin and she made it seem like it was unlikely but possible. she said she has seen many patients for years that have not gone up on doasge. i am hoping i dont get immune to it.. but like some of you ere saying i think i will take a day or randomly when i feel like i dont need it or can get some extra sleep!
Sunnycal
02-24-2008, 01:32 AM
My husband, who takes many medications causing drowsiness for chronic pain, uses Strattera. He tried Provigil and it didn't make any difference. The Strattera makes him more alert and able to concentrate. It does not seem to make him sleep any less (still 10-12 hours a night), but he is more alert when he is awake. He takes 160 mg a day. He also has sleep apnea, but won't used the mask because it leaks. I think that he might sleep less per day if the apnea were under control, but I don't know that for sure.
Sunny
Sunny
wisangel
02-25-2008, 12:24 AM
...Those of you who are taking Ritalin for a sleep disorder type thing what is your dosage? I have 5mg pills and I take 3 of them twice a day. My doctor started me off with 1, then 2 and said 3 was the max.
Up to & including the last day I was on Ritalin(for narcolepsy), I took a total of 60mg per day, which is the maximum daily amount allowed. My doctor prescribed the 10mg tabs and I took 3 of them in the morning(or 30mg) and 3 in the afternoon(or 30mg). Unfortunately, I never had any improvement in my level of tiredness & fatigue while on Ritalin...which is why I'm not taking it any longer....[see my response(dated 1/23) to your original post].
Up to & including the last day I was on Ritalin(for narcolepsy), I took a total of 60mg per day, which is the maximum daily amount allowed. My doctor prescribed the 10mg tabs and I took 3 of them in the morning(or 30mg) and 3 in the afternoon(or 30mg). Unfortunately, I never had any improvement in my level of tiredness & fatigue while on Ritalin...which is why I'm not taking it any longer....[see my response(dated 1/23) to your original post].