Interesting . . .

[Thunor]

So, now that things are on a little more of an even keel, I decided to tinker with my meds a little to see if I had better effects on something other than Dexedrine.

A little over a week ago, I went to the doctor and asked for Ritalin. After a little time and convincing (he's afraid that Ritalin is more addictive than Dex, and apparently it's harder to prescribe), I got a prescription for Ritalin SR and I'm giving it a try. Now I believe I ended up with generic, my bottle says Methylephenidate, so I'm guessing it's not brand name Ritalin.

First impression: Some good, some bad.

1. I don't think my motivation is as good as it was on Dex, but then my situation is different, so we'll see how things go.

2. My working memory is incredible! I can't believe how well I'm remembering things! I save a lot of time at work not having to double check things all the time, it's great! My memory wasn't anywhere near this good on the Dex.

3. Temper. Possibly the most worrisome side effect so far is that I'm on an extremely short fuse. We're having a lot of frustrations at work, and I'm flying off the handle for the smallest things . . . so far I haven't said or done anything I regret, but I worry that it's coming.

I'll pop back with updates as time goes on. I'm considering giving Adderall a try as well, but I haven't decided for sure. I'm wondering about people's experiences with Focalin or Strattera as well. Let me know how things go on those and other options.

[addprogrammer]

Thunor,

Doesn't surprise me at all. It took me awhile to get it but I got it ... different meds for different folks - sorry it doesn't rhyme.

Be careful blamming meds for any difference in your personality when other factors may be responsible or you never, for example, had an anger management problem before.

us + stressors = reaction is sometimes the all of it.

Bob

[addprogrammer]

I really should try thinking before writing some day.

For now ...

Stimulants do increase reaction time across the board. Application: Can make a short fuse shorter.

Let's edit it in ... takes less time to react.

[addprogrammer]

Originally Posted by Thunor

I went to the doctor and asked for Ritalin. After a little time and convincing (he's afraid that Ritalin is more addictive than Dex, and apparently it's harder to prescribe), I got a prescription for Ritalin SR and I'm giving it a try. Now I believe I ended up with generic, my bottle says Methylephenidate, so I'm guessing it's not brand name Ritalin.

It probably is generic. Bottle should also ID manufacturer - if not "Novartis" it is generic.

Make any difference? Some say yes some no. My jury is still out.

I find it interesting that your doc believes Rit more addictive that Dex.

Let's be grown ups and see things for what they are. The potential high from too much Dexedrine is far superior than what methylephenidate can produce. On that account, your doctor is wrong. People abuse drugs to get high. The better the high the more abuse prone a drug is.

But what about cessation after therapeutic doses for some time - say a year or so? I have routinely taken days off from both methylephenidate and Adderall. I have experienced no withdrawals of any kind with either.

My days off may be why I experience no withdrawals. I don't know. I guess I found your doctor's comment interesting because it is 180 degrees contrary to what U.S. doctors think. Or are willing to admit. The FDA breaths down their backs on Dexedrine prescriptions. They may simply be chickens - albeit for good reason. I certainly wouldn't want to lose my license after that kind of investment.

Very interesting.

This time I'm done for good --- for now.

Bob

[janewhite1]

Regarding the short temper: Are you eating often enough? I find that sometimes meds = forgetting to eat = EXTREMELY cranky Jane.