Drug Ratings for RITALINAverage Rating: 3.5 (168 Ratings)
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Results are sorted by Date Rating Was Added Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 3 |
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR RITALIN | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
  | F M | | | | |||
| 2 | Adult ADHD | Must be something wrong with me! I must be about the only one out there that is starving, always hungry and gaining weight on this med. My body is sore and I have headaches. My focus has not improved much and I feel jittery inside. Not sure if this will go away soon. | F | 41 | 8 days 20mg 2X D | 6/9/2013 | 5 | ADHD | Vasoconstriction, loss of appetite | Works perfect. Finally I can function without using calendars, multiple lists and reminders. My social anxiety faded away when I finally was able to hold conversations without forgetting what we are talking about every 5 sec. Would be a hard time to chase education and my dreams without. Eating is easy. Just eat inbetween doses. | M | 22 | 2 years 10mg 6X D | 4/3/2013 | 5 | ADHD/Depression | arthralgia (aching joints), possible thinning of hair (not sure about this one. I have noticed that my eyelashes seem thinner and shorter, but I don't know if that can be attributed to Ritalin or something else (I haven't taken my vitamins in about a year, a year in which I worked night shift=very hard on one's body...currently OFF night shift and JUST started taking vitamins again.) | I absolutely love Ritalin (aside from the side effects I mentioned). It has done wonders for my focus, motivation, and general ability to get things done. I think that if this medication is used as prescribed (I take it everyday, HOWEVER, if I am not working or otherwise doing something that involves a lot of concentration and/or focus I will take *medication holidays*) it will work beautifully. It should ONLY be prescribed to those of us who REALLY need it. It has improved my quality of life tremendously and I finally, for the most part, feel *normal.* I was on Adderall for two years prior and I feel Ritalin (IMO) is better overall. Adderall made me feel as though I was *on* something and worsened my depression/anxiety once it wore off. With Ritalin, I feel as though my anxiety is actually relieved and my depression is alleviated while on it. So far, so good. | F | 37 | 5 months 10mg 2X D | 4/2/2013 | 5 | ADHD-PI, Depression | Days upon initiation- Mild palpitations and psychogenic uneasiness. The First month(s): Bruxism and disrupted sleep. Over its entirety-- Appetite loss resulting in weight change, and mild stomach discomfort. | Conditions-- Life long academia/learning difficulties. At the time misdiagnosed as immaturity, angst or rebellion. Severe agoraphobia. Results-- In combination with an SSRI, Ritalin has changed my existence entirely. The tired cliche; I finally have my life back. I've become more energetic, sociable & enthusiastic; In both my career and personal interests. Negatives-- It's not a miracle pill and has been a continued daily effort. I started grinding my teeth, the "rubber band on the wrist" negative reinforcement trick fixed this. Alarms are needed to keep a schedule for waking, eating and sleeping. If not observed, it's easy to miss meals and throw-off sleep patterns quickly. | M | 26 | 5 months 20 MG 1X D | 12/17/2012 | 1 | ADHD | It turned me into a zombie, all though I don't remember the years (I was quite young) my parents took me off because they noticed changes in my nature and intelligence. ADHD is a fake learning disability created to give talented children this drug. 1. To make money and 2. To stop free-thinkers and supress this new mindset that is awakening in the minds as each generation passes. RITALIN IS STOPPING HUMAN EVOLUTION, sounds quite ridiculous I know, but I guarantee your children will grow up to be more if their skill and hyper-activity is seen as a positive, rather than a mental disorder. Do the research yourself on the effects of ritalin. | M | 18 | 2 years 15 | 12/11/2012 | 1 | ADHD | Thoughts of suicide deprisson unintress in doing anything | This crap is evil it helped when i was in middle school and junior high it helped a little but now that im in 9th grade my grades have been slipping im often depressed and it never helps keep me calm when some one starts something its uder hell for me im always tired i never really want to eat ( unless my body tells me go eat some damn food) and i just want to sleep all the time. I feal like a zombie im paranoid ive been haveing thoughts of suiced for a few years but its not my fault its the damn ridlins fault this fucking drug has ruined most of my life i also tend to be hostle and withdrown from my family and the few friends im still in contact with from my old school and even the ones from my current school. Even now if i stop takeing it things will just get fucking worse for me. | M | 14 | 10 years 10mg 1X D | 11/28/2012 | 2 | ADD | I feel constant headaches, dizziness (like sedative effects), low heart rate, increased blood pressure and low sex drive. | I am just diagnosed with ADD at 45. Ritalin does not seem to be working for me. I started out on a low dose 10 mg 2 x day for 3 days, then 15 mg x 2 days for the next 3 days. Today is my day 6 in this trial. No improvement and seems like I am having opposite effects. | M | 45 | 6 days 30 mg 2X D | 11/22/2012 | 1 | My son was diagnosed with ADD | He became a zombie. Never smiled. His concentration was better but, he went from happy to nothing. | He is now 28 yrs old. He's ALWAYS angry. He has a hard time showing any emotion but the anger. Even when he is happy he acts angry. His temper is extremely short. I wish I had NEVER put him on this. He's been angry ever since he was taken off. It's so hard for him and others around him because of the anger issues and mood swings. I blame the Ritalin because he was never like this before taking it. But, at least he's no longer a zombie as he was when he was on it. | F | 53 | 2 years 10 MG 2X D | 10/22/2012 | 4 | ADD | Loss of appetite which leads into weight loss, I had headaches at first but once you get used to them it goes away, extreme concentration (sometimes I get frustrated when there is too much nose and I want to do my homework) , constantly thirsty, and extreme sweating. | This basically saved my life. It was pure torture to just get me to concentrate or do homework after school. Since I have been on Ritalin it has helped me so much and my grades in school immediately increased. | F | 18 | 3 years 30 & 10 MG 2X D | 9/24/2012 | 3 | Major Depression | Fast heartbeat, tolerance, crash after it wears off | I read so much about how stimulants like Ritalin could help with anhedonic symptoms of depression (apathy, emotional numbness, lack of drive, inability to feel pleasure, etc.) because of their action with catecholamines (dopamine, norepinepherine, epinepherine). Well, as it turned out, it has been the ONLY med that has had a noticeable effect on my depression out of wellbutrin, effexor, abilify, and desipramine. At first, as I was titrating up I felt absolutely no different. Once I hit 15mg 2x daily I started feeling a small effect. When I hit 20-30mg, I hit the peak of what the drug had to offer, because it started forming a tolerance, and soon, the only effect I felt from the Ritalin was an increased heart rate. When it was working I started notice it working 20 minutes after intake, and then the effect would increase for an hour, peak for 20 minutes, then decrease for an hour, culminating in a crash. I was so disappointed and desperate that I increased the dose again and again on my own still without the initial effects that it had on my mood. I reached 65mg in one dose and my heartbeat hit 190bpm and I had to go to the ER because I was losing consciousness and feeling numb at my extremities. Still, it has been the most effective treatment yet, and maybe if nothing else works I will return to it taking it only once or twice a week. It would give me something to look forward to at least in this blank empty apathetic anhedonic zombielike state. | M | 20 | 3 weeks 30mg 2X D | 9/16/2012 | 5 | ADD | I am so calm. Ritalin is a miracle. but, drowsiness, appetite lose, and if on too high of a dosage, you will feel like a ZOMBIE!! | F | 14 | 3 years 30 MG | 9/4/2012 | 1 | ADD | Caused me to get sezuires at age 16. Which continues on until this day. | M | 21 | 8 years 20 MG 1X D | 8/25/2012 | 2 | fatigue | When I first started taking it I had lots of energy. Now I take it and I nod out plus I could eat a truck load of food. | My medications for my degenerative disk disease and 9 neck and back surgeries had left me sleeping up to 20 hrs a day. My Dr. put me on 10 mg. 2x day Ritalin - at first it was great. For the past 2 months, I have no energy no matter if I take 1 or 2 extra a day. I seriously nod right out and fall asleep after I take my medicine. I eat non stop. I'm back to sleeping 20 hours a day. I have read that most Dr.'s don't know what to do about this situation because they haven't heard about it happening. | F | 53 | 1 years 10 mg 2X D | 6/29/2012 | 1 | Adhd | Ritalin made me like a zombie. Terrible headaches. I literally felt drugged!! It did make me very calm and things were easier for me to manage but the negatives definitely outweigh the positives here. | F | 28 | 4 days 10mg | 6/24/2012 | 4 | Tiredness, eye strain as if been reading to long. | Taking ritalin for ADD, scattered thoughts, random thinking, inability to maintain steady actvity. This has been reduced since taking and feel better for it, ritalin has also reduced the restless legs feeling i have previously lived with, But I am tired from waking up till going back to bed. It's like I'm always" just finished work tired" not better or worse... | M | 43 | 3 months 10 mg 5X D | 6/4/2012 | 5 | ADD, OCD, ODD | Dry Mouth Really Bad, rotting teeth (falling out), Lack of sleep, Weight loss (which is good for me) | Changed my life and I wouldnt be without it, Down side is all the side affects apart from weight loss...after 8 years my mouth is still dry and my teeth are decaying badly! Wasnt Diaganosed till i was 16 as no-one belived i had ADD only my family, In the End went to ADD/ADHD private clinic in Horsham as was diagnosed stright away. Was on My Tablets from 16 - 21 and then i hit a downer in my life, but i have just sorted myself out and am now back on my meds properly...I MEAN THIS IF YOU NEED THESE TABLETS THEN TAKE THEM dont do what i did and mess your self up. I am also on Concerta XL and Clonidine | F | 24 | 8 years 30MG x 6 3X D | 3/14/2012 | 5 | ADD, Fadigue caused by depression | Tolerance and Addiction. But all this can be avoided with a little caution. | This drug is PERFECT. When I take it, I get into a machine-like state of mind that I can do things with extreme efficiency. It helps into study, work and even social meetings or internet trollings. It also can help one to stay awake in the night. It also sometimes left myself a little cold and harsh. It's only important to see that it's not a cure. It's a stimulant that give you a rush. It's necessary to take it only when needed. Not only the abuse potential is high, but also de tolerance and addiction also. I recommend to sometimes don't use it to get the brain recover itself to avoid tolerance and addiction. | M | 21 | 6 months 10mg 3X D | 1/29/2012 | 3 | MS-related fatigue | It only helps if I take two at a time so I usually take two in the morning and I'm good to go for most the day. Unfortunately it gives me a major headache that lasts all day, even after the ritalin wears off. Plus I'm spent by the time dinner is done. I could crash at 7 each night, no problem. | F | 34 | 1 days 2x | 1/23/2012 | 4 | ADHD | peaks and lows during the day | I was diagnosed with ADD at 32. ER medicines do not work for me. I started out on a low dose 2 x day. Over the course of the last two years my doctor has let me adjust dosage to see what works best. I am currently at 20 mg every 3 hours with an optional 10 mg as needed. I stay within 100 mg daily but i can flex it out. this seems to avoid the hyperfocus and the up/down as it wears off and waiting for it to kick in again. At first I felt crazy for taking it so often but long acting does not work. It has changed my life. I don't think there is a max dose. It depends on the person and their general health. I would rather take what I need to enjoy life rather than just exist even if they determine it will shorten it. Talk with your doctor. Keep a journal. Adjust it in small doses and see what happens. It changed my life so much for the better. | F | 38 | 1 years 20mg 4X D | 1/14/2012 | 3 | ADHAD | Speedy feeling, focused, many bathroom visits, major rebound appitite when it wore off, glassy eyed | This worked okay...I read A TON of books while on it! The problem is it made me glassy eyed and I felt stoned and I became paranoid people could tell I was on something. Yes, I WAS on something. An RX. But, still I was on a drug that I could feel. Also, I was on the generic and it seemed to not last more than a few hours and when I crashed, I would eat a lot. It did give me a good morning boost of energy and woke me up. My dr. will keep giving it to me indefinetly, however, I've consulted other drs. and all of them recommended I stop taking it. I switched to Adderall to see if that would be better and I no longer have the glassy-eyed feeling but it also causes the appetite rebound. I end up eating a lot at about 10 pm. | F | 35 | 1.5 years 5 2X D | 1/10/2012 | 1 | I was ADHD im afema | 1 days | 12/31/2011 | 5 | Depression, anxiety ADD | None | M | 59 | 1 months 30 | 12/13/2011 | 5 | ADD/ADHD | Well, when I was about 5 i was put on ritalin for my adhd. I would always scratch and pick at sores. or even scratch until i MADE sores especially on my scalp. it was just like, if i felt a bump anywhere, i wanted it gone, and i would spend hours scratching. yet, my grades improved so much as well as my behavior. I was taken off of ritalin at about 10th grade. I was put on conserta. everything was still the same but i didn't itch. now, at 20 years old, i still take conserta during the day, but i take 10 mg ritalin as needed to help me with school work in the evenings. and I've been scratching like crazy again. i didn't realize that it may have been the ritalin causing this until just a few hours ago. | F | 20 | 15 years 10 1X AN | 12/6/2011 | 5 | Narc/dep | None | F | 38 | 8 months 20mg 2xD | 12/3/2011 | 2 | ADD, fatigue | Made me a little tired and jittery, nothing terrible | the drug just diddnt work for me. it diddnt do much of anything, i in creased my dose and it just made me more jittery | M | 20 | 2 weeks ? 2X D | 11/29/2011 | 5 | Depression- eating disorder | Worked Wonders - Has helped me control my appetite- improves my mood and abilty to function and has given me a new enthusiasm for my life.. There are periods of ups and downs during the day tho' when the dose starts to wear down and I'm sometimes tempted to increase the dose on my own and this concerns me - dont want to be come an abuser. | F | 50 | 4 months 10 mg 2X D | 11/17/2011 | 3 | add | I've always had Problems concentrating and it's always been pretty obvious I have add but my parents didn't want to put me on drugs. I turned 18 and had to make the decision for myself whether or not I should get tested. I haven't and won't because I know I would then be labelled as disabled basically and I really am not... I'm actually a lot smarter than a lot of people around me it's just I can't concentrate. Anywho, long story short I got some Ritalin unprescribed, used it seemed like a miracle I could finally concentrate and it felt amazing. I depended on it to study and do my assignments for a little while. The other day i realized I've been out of touch reality and my personality is changing. My side effects made me wake up from the zombie like addiction Ive been trying to hide. I'm scared. | loss of appetite, change of views on a lot, negativity, addictive, feeling invincible, suicidal, psychotic thoughts, increased concentration at a cost. | F | 18 | 15 times 10 mg 1X D | 11/3/2011 | 1 | ADHD, ADD | Depression, Mild Schizophrenia, Tolerance, Paranoia, Seizures, Dehydration (Daily), Dermatosis, MEMORY LOSS (All of these side effects are still present even though i stopped 11 years ago) | When I was on Ritalin, I was like a zombie. It's the best way to describe it. Eventually I built up such a tolerance my father was worried that it would adversly effect me and got me on a different drug. I'm trying to spread the word. This drug is BAD. All of my side effect symptoms remain, it's 11 years later. The drug damages the brain in a chemical fashion, your brain does not heal from it. | M | 28 | 11 years 30MG 3X D | 10/6/2011 | 1 | Bipolar, ADHD | Twitching, Involuntary Muscle spasms, Drowsiness, Loss of appetite, Confusion, Blurred Vision | I was on Ritalin for two years, and for me, it wasn't worth it. I did not concentrate any better, I believe the only reason I stayed in my seat during class hours was because I was extremely tired after an hour of taking it. I constantly fell asleep on the drug. | F | 21 | 2 years 40mg 2X D | 10/4/2011 | 4 | ADD | CONCERTA lasted too long i couldnt fall asleep at only 1 dose of 18 mg. I take 10 mg when i wake up the 5 mg at noon. i am unwinding by 6 pm and can fall asleep at 10. This drug works but i wouldstill like to be able to accomplish more then i am. My dose may be too low? over all i am impressed- oh I HATED adderall alot! | F | 44 | 10 MG 1X D | 9/1/2011 | 1 | Add | Irratability breathing difficulty blurred vision mood swings etc. | I have been on Ritalin for almost 20 years. At first it seemed like a miracle drug but I now see this drug could have destroyed me. I had almost all the side effects. I began abusing it soon after I started taking it. Some nights I would stay up all night (occasionally playing on line backgammon for 12 straight hours) my boyfriend commented that he could see a change in my facial movements. It was incredibly easy to get highest allowable dosage. Granted, I could clean the he'll out of my kitchen, but the cost was way way too high. Wish I never took it. Closets may have been a little messy but my life wouldn't be a disaster. | F | 44 | 18 years 20 mg 3X D | 8/16/2011 | 5 | ADD, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | none | ritalin really helped give me breakthrough the fatigue that was crippling me. | F | 31 | 6 years 20 3X D | 7/24/2011 | 4 | Ritalin | headache after second pill, thirst | I'm switching to this temporarily so that I can travel in Asia for 2 months. This is legal to carry while my usual Adderall is not. Adderall really was my mircale for depression, I struggled on other meds for several years before finally feeling better. Switching seems to be going ok, I feel maybe a little more "up and down". I plan to go back to Adderall when I return, but for international travel, Ritalin seems to be about the only option. | F | 30 | 1 weeks 10 mgs. 2X D | 6/8/2011 | 5 | ADDHD Adult | I had to write, because I think that anyone who has actually suffered with ADD or related conditions, knows that we are not looking to be addicted to anything. I am so sick of reading about how everyone abuses ritalin. and we are all just a bunch of druggies who just want to feel sorry for ourselves. For almost 50 years I refused to admit to ADD, from the old school, I did not believe there was anything "like that". If I only prayed harder or stopped feeling sorry for myself, it would get better, soon always soon. Until I started taking Ritalin, I was just a mess, that is all I can say. Low self-esteem, always wishing I was dead, never sticking with anything, never having a focus, always feeling like I could not think straight, and feeling guilty because I felt that way, why was I lazy, why didn't I try harder, why do I ruin everything, why am I a failure. After Ritalin, things just don't seem so overwhelming, I feel like a person who can do at least something, I feel | 53 | 1 years 10 1X D | 6/2/2011 | 3 | Narcolepsy | Irritable and agitated when it wears off, increased heart rate but not to a dangerous level | Ritalin helps me stay awake most of the time. But I'm a college student and it tends to wear off when I'm trying to do homework, which is bad because I get both tired and upset/panic-y. The daily ups (when it's working) and downs (when it wears off) are annoying. | F | 21 | 3 months 10 MG 2X D | 5/31/2011 | 4 | ADHD that was not treated in my childhood | im not sure about the side effect but i get some nasty backpain after sleep when i wake up, till i take my med again 10 or 20mg then it goes away, can anyone feedback me whats causing it? | Im very satisfied with ritalin, it helps me relax. as an adult im not physically hyper much anymore like in my childhood where i was not treated having ADHD, now it gives me the inner calmess, a stabilized mood it also made me quit drinking alcohol and it wasnt really planned by me it was a little miracle, i just felt i dont need it. Another thing it helped me with is the frustration i carried with me for some years not knowing what my real issue was, some therapists have diagonised me as a depressed, and anxious person, which i knew wasnt really the core bein of my problem since im an open and outgoin person. the worst thing i did personally was putting my hands on benzos(clonazepam), feeling misunderstood i tried to look for every single way to cure myself alone. benzos helped me relax but also got me hooked, im withdrawin again based on my own senses, im now on 1.5mg , i used to be on 6mg a day. Im withdrawing slowly, since i dont find the need to rush it up and end up with a new problem which is common after rehab, the recovery and its black days ive read allover the web, i also bought a book and read about it too. however back to Ritalin or any other adhd med,im most comfortable with the original and dont go for generics and second mades which gave me lots of sideffects. I only have one or two side effects, 1) I dont feel like sleeping, (I have slept long enaugh during my life, thinking about sleep is a waste of time, dont misunderstand me, i konw its one of the most | M | 25 | 5 months 20 mg 4X D | 5/24/2011 | 5 | adult adhd | none. this drug basically saved me...... | 30 years ago, I was the typical impulsive adhd kid whom nobody including my loving parents understood......my life was a wreck...luckily after HS, I met a psychiatrist who asked me: "why are you flunking college courses but qualifying to enter the USAF Academy"?...good question, at age 18 I was a disaster...but she convinced me to take Ritalin...fast forward 30 years..I completer several advanced degrees, retired from the USAF reserves as an O6 and flew jets for over 4,000 hours (cheated on the drug tests)...and now at age 56, I have a family, financial security and the "good life"...all because of a few cents of a stimulant (ritalin) per day | M | 55 | 30 years 10 4X D | 5/9/2011 | 3 | Adult ADHD | Extreme nausea (sometimes leading to vomitting), high irritability, anger, depression, fatigue, headaches, loss of sex drive | My insurance only makes the generic form of Ritalin (Methylphenidate) affordable to me. I have been struggling with it for the last two years. When on breaks from school I will not take it. The nausea is the worst for me, as well as the feeling of being "stuck inside my head" like a zombie. The irritability, anger, and loss of sex drive are effecting my boyfriend the most, they're not so bad to where I'm getting complaints from work or friends, only when I'm at home. If you are able to take something else, I would. It is a daily battle for me to choose between not accomplishing any tasks due to my ADHD or to literally feel like s**t all day. It makes me feel like an angry, hungover drone all day and then come night, I am not able to relax. I look forward to days where I have no schoolwork so I can feel like myself again/ | F | 21 | 2 years 20mg XR 1X D | 5/2/2011 | 4 | N/A | No hunger , dont want food , Ridiculously good concentration , unable to sleep for up to 6 hours after ingestion , Sex drive reduced significantly | Before use , if I wanted to sit down and study for a test , I would procrastinate , eat, brouse web , game tv etc , After use I cant help BUT study , only want to study and not interested in any thing else. | M | 17 | 3 days 40mg 1X D | 4/10/2011 | 4 | exhaustion from MS | feel shaky inside for awhile and legs and arms feel weak | Ritalin has helped the extreme exhaustion I was experiencing | F | 59 | 2 months 20mg,10mg 1X D | 3/1/2011 | 4 | Excessive drowsiness, fatigue | mildly irritable at times (I think when it runs its course) | This will be different for each person taking it. Due mostly to my background in chemistry and healthcare, I was VERY unenthusiastic about people, certainly children, taking a drug that essentially is a legal "slum" and "overdose waiting to happen" drug, working on the same part of the brain as cocaine. But, like most all medications, it can improve a person's life, sometimes substantially. For me, it has been quite substantial. I don't have time to bore you with the difficulties I have had over the years getting through a day of work without wanting to lock myself in my office and fall asleep on my desk. Or my lack of enthusiasm in life. It works very well for me at 10mg twice a day. It has only been, however, 30 days. Now, it is a dangerous drug as far as addiction goes. I think if people would simply use it as prescribed and do not look for a miracle drug that puts you in a euphoria to fly around in, it's a solid med. Unfortunately, a lot of people are, and do, abuse this drug. If you try it, please use it to help normalize and better your life. If you search for a high, the probabilities are that you will only damage your life and your health. Also, know that everybody has different chemistry (called biochemical individuality), so no chemical agent, or drug, will work the same for everyone. | M | 38 | 30 days 10mg 2X D | 1/23/2011 | 4 | Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue/MPS | Enlargening of eyes followed by extreme STARING, bowel stimulant, increased heart rate | The staring thing is funny. I have big eyes as it is and this just makes that worse. It helps with the chronic fatigue. It makes me very personable. I have mixed it with coffee (caffeine) and the two of them together really get me going- cleaning the house, doing the laundry, etc. Though I like this drug, I do not like the wear-off effect. I will go right to sleep. If I don't remember to take this drug, I will go to sleep and not wake up for several days. It has gotten to the point where family members check to see that I am still alive. It is a god send when taken correctly | F | 34 | 45 days 10mg 2X D | 1/6/2011 | 3 | ADHD | sexual dysfunction, insomnia | fantastic medication for concentration and with the added benefit of mood enhancement. Only issue seems to be that my sex drive is somewhat dampened while taking ritalin and oftentimes erections are difficult to achieve. I should mention that I am in the process of adjusting other meds so this issue may not be entirely attributable to ritalin alone. | M | 35 | 6 weeks 10 3X D | 12/29/2010 | 5 | ADHD | Relaxed and at ease. | I don't blurt out things as I did before Ritalin. Everything feels "Normal" now and I actually do what I have planned for every day. I take the Watson generic and experience a smooth up and a smooth down. Avoid the Methylin generic...it's like a rollercoaster. | M | 23 | 2 months 5mg 3X D | 12/21/2010 | 4 | ADD | Anger/irritation, dry mouth, thirst, mild depression for short periods off it. Useful anti-depressant side benefits. | I used to take the 5MG Ritalin/Methylin 4-hour tabs twice daily. These resulted in a nasty 30 minute angry/irritated state about 6 hours after ingestation as they wore off. I felt really good on them however with lots of willpower and energy. Oh well. I take an odd combo of Ritalin LA and Focalin now to increase work-task focus and decrease the anger when dosages wear off. Less fun but more effective. I was able to stop an embarrassing 30-year finger skin-picking habit on the 5MG Ritalin 4-hour tabs!! Totally unplanned. My new combo with Focalin is a bit less effective for this but I can still resist doing it. I think these have an effective off-label use as anti-depressants. | M | 41 | 1 years 10MG 1X D | 11/18/2010 | 5 | anxiety, panic, mild narcolepsy | urinary difficulties at times,.incountenence.. | prescribed to help me to get out and about. I had quit using chewing tobacco after 26 yrs and couldn't function mentally or physically. Couldn't and didn't want to wake up, go to work, unable to focus, to concentrate..I have an anxiety disorder with panic and have had for many years..The generic ritalin has helped with all of those things as I have gotten off of it from time to time to see what the results or changes may be. The panic attacks begin to reoccur pretty quickly after stopping and the anxiety is also heightened too...I'm not really sure what that all means except that I feel better, more relaxed, more calm, more focused, more sympathetic, more of many things that I think are good things to have,..good traits.. So, I believe I will just remain on them for now..Hope this helps somebody. | M | 43 | 3 months 30mg 2X D | 11/1/2010 | 5 | inability to concentrate, focus | Weight loss | I have been diagnosed with depression since 1993 and treated with anti-depressants. I don't quite meet criteria for the diagnosis of ADD, but have many of the symptoms. The combination of anti-depressants and Ritalin is very effective for me. My brain is quiet and I am able to think clearly, doing things in a orderly rather than chaotic way. For me, the primary reason for weight loss is impulse control. I used to eat everything in sight (office). Now I eat small-moderate healthy meals (protein, small amount of starch, fruits, vegetables), enjoy my food, but don't eat much outside meals. I eat much less sugar. It addition, i have much less fatigue. Within a few days, I was able to complete a workout at the gym. I am enjoying exercise on a regular basis. If the drug helps you regulate your behavior so that you can make healthy choices, it is beneficial. If you expect this drug to solve your problems, it becomes a problem. This drug is not for everyone. When I see the varied comments, it is plain to me that for some people this drug is a nightmare and for others it is very beneficial. Much more research needs to be done. | M | 53 | 6 days 10mg 2X D | 10/24/2010 | 5 | add | has changed my life for the better | F | 45 | 5 years 20 3X D | 10/20/2010 | 3 | ADD/Exeutive Functioning Disorder | After having educational testing done at age nine, I was diagnosed with some form of a learning disorder. It was until I was tested again at age 16 that I was diagnosed with ADD as well as executive fuctioning disorder. My doctor put me on Concerta at 36 MG. A few tries later, I'm currently on 36 MG of Concerta and 10 MG of immediate release Ritalin (immedite release that the medicine kicks into my system quickly). I've been one that regime for about a month now, and I'm sad to say that it doesn't help. I'm a high school student, so staying focused on task at hand is very important. I take the Concerta in the morning and the Ritalin in the afternoon to help me get through my homework. I've found that doesn't work, so I've now been taking the medicine (in addition to the regime above) also whenever I need it. For example, I took 90 (54 MG that I had from previous tries -- the 54 MG gave me insomnia, plus a 36 MG) of Concerta combined with 10 MG of Ritalin late last night so I could get | F | 16 | 1 months 10 MG 1X D | 10/17/2010 | 1 | ADD - Inattentive | I fall sound asleep 30 minutes after taking; can't be woken up no matter what is going on around me. Itchy, hypersensitive skin and blistering rash, that hasn't gone away even after I stopped taking. Severe abdominal, kidney pain. Feel spacy and drugged. | After much discussion & evaluation by 2 mental health doctors I was diagnosed with ADD- inattentive, &prescribed Ritalin generic. Told it was safe, effective, change-my-life-for-the-better drug. Took for 2 days in the a.m. Stopped as I couldn't function as I was asleep all day after taking. 1/2ed dosage, only slept for 1/2 as long. Started taking right before bedtime. In 2nd week I developed itchy rash, skin sensitivity (felt like my skin was burning right off my body), UTI &severe abdominal pain. After I complained of symptoms was told maybe I'm not ADD or the drug would have worked &these symptoms are probably not related &just in my head. Dr. won't consider any other alternative for me as Ritalin "should have" worked if I was truly ADD. | F | 40 | 16 days 10 MG 1X D | 10/9/2010 | 4 | adhd | loss of appitite and horney all the time | ritalin works great it calms me down and helps me focus and stay on task also get along with others i would reccomend this drug to those who need it | M | 36 | 1 years 10 mg 3X D | 10/5/2010 History | 5 | Mild Narcolepsy | none, (except major daytime sleepiness when taking a drug holiday) | Like another older male who posted here, I also may be a 'test subject' for what the real 'max' dose for adults really is. Over a 10 year period my dosage has gradually increased to 2x 20mg (40mg) six times a day. That is right, 240mg daily, has been for over 3 years now, with no adverse affects and no need for increase in dosage. Annual exams, blood tests, liver function etc. all within normal limits. So it appears there is a wide range of what dose is the 'safe effective amount' than what is generally prescribed. Works for me! (retired, 55 y.o. male, 200 lbs.) | M | 55 | 10 years 40 mg 6X D | 10/4/2010 | 4 | BD/Chronic Fatigue/Fibromyalgia | First week: loss of appetite, burst of energy, little nausea, upset stomach for a few days. | I feel like I have found a cure! Have been on SSDis x4 years for PD/CFS/Fibromyalgia. I have energy. My sleep cycle is "normal," and NO PAIN. I have suffered for over 20 years with chronic pain and depression. I do have an autoimmune disorder that causes me to have chronic sinusitis and infections, and seasonal allergies. I am able to focus more. I am interested in doing more "fun" things, and I can get out of bed feeling energized. I do not understand how it works. I just know that for me it is working. After three weeks, I have monitored the affects of the Ritalin. For me, the affect lasts for about 4 hours, 6 hours max. If I don't need the benefit of it in the late afternoon, there is no need to take it. On Sundays, I don't take it at all if I am not going to be involved in any activities. I like the fact that I don't "HAVE TO" take it all the time. I am not sure if it is affecting my blood pressure or organs.....but I feel better. It is amazing how you can try so many other medications and then......RITALIN just works for you. I know it raises a lot of eyebrows but I am only concerned about how it affects me and if it works or not. I hope it works for others too. | F | 50 | 3 weeks 20 2X D | 9/16/2010 | 5 | adult adhd/add--impulsive, anxiety | thirsty, poopy, methylyn good but methylphenidate nerve-inducing (watch your generics, the Concerta was best but VERY EXPENSIVE) | I'm a 40-something mother of 2, have probably had adhd all my life and the ritalin has been a god-send and a huge lifesaver. After having kids my impulsive behavior (read: shopping) has been out of control, literally. Find a doctor you can trust and talk to him/her. Especially if you are a woman, whose symptoms are different than the typical boy who is bouncing off walls. Especially if you were a premie or of a low birth-weight. IMPORTANT! | F | 43 | 2 months 20 mg+ 2X D | 8/6/2010 | 1 | childhood adhd | headaches, aggressive violent behavior, loss of apatite, slow growth, late puberty, memory loss, anxiety. | I was put on ritalin when i was 5, and stayed on till i refused to take it any longer at 13. I had many problems as a child, mostly due to being smaller than the other children in my class. I suffered severe headaches as a child. puberty came late, andwas less than 100 lbs at age17, and reached 5 foot 10 at age 23. and 120 lbs. today , i suffer from depression, and anxiety. ritalin is a serious drug and should not be given to children. | M | 36 | 9 years 30 1X D | 7/30/2010 | 4 | ADD | Loss of appetite (even now), dry mouth (no more), occasionnal headaches and occasionnal dizziness (even now) (sorry 4 my mistakes) | This medicine is no miracle, and no killer addictive drug if your using it correctly and for the right problem (add, adhd, narcolepsy, bipolarity, etc). Personnally i noticed a LOT of improvement. I had HUGE anxiety disorders (panic attacks and constant fear and pain in my chest), and 95% of the time i was in a clearly depressive mood. Everything in my life was affected by this trouble (school exams, performances, relationships, everyday things to do and thoughts). Since i take this medication.. i have time notion, i am no more (or max 10 min) late, i can think before i react to different situations and i feel no more anxiety (just normal stress, i am free!!!). I am just.. normal!!! No more in a spiral, i can control my life because i can control myself and my thoughts. I would say the only thing that makes me euphoric these days is that i never felt so released of all my life, i have no anxiety and this was a very heavy weight on my shoulders. I can think about my future positively and i finally ''forgot'' my past. I'm no more caught in present, i can enjoy life.. Dont forget this medication is just a helper, this will not change your life dramatically; i personnally still have work to do to have peace of mind, and i hope someday i will get rid of the medication and be able to live on my own. | F | 22 | 8 days 10mg SR 1X D | 7/21/2010 | 5 | ADHD | Headaches initial month after only occasional mood swings and dry mouth | Allowed me to concentrate in individual tasks or commitments, more tolerant, less impulsive, able to make decisions, feel stability, achieve long term goals, feel in control of my life again ( no longer a mess of 500 projects or constantly changing my mind / starting new things! ) | F | 20 | 3 years 20 3X D | 6/27/2010 | 5 | ADD- ADHD | Dry- mouth, dizziness, feeling hot, upset stomach, speech problems I get stuck on words. Don't want to eat. | I have notice greatly that it has improved my life socially things don't upset as they did before. Tacks don't seem to overwhelming for me. I can fouces so much more, the channel is not switching anymore. But the bonus here at least I think...is my sex drive! I want to do it all the time. | F | 35 | 1 months 20 mg 1X D | 6/23/2010 | 3 | ADULT ADD | Dry mouth, dry eyes, headaches, confusion, insomnia and I think I'm already addicted.. | Last week my Dr. prescribed me Ritalin to help me better focus, finish tasks and get my other ADD symptoms under control. I was supposed to take 20mg in the morning and an other 20 at noon as initial dosis to experiment with. After the very first pill the results were so amazing and I could notice a lot of emprovements in my performance, behavior and feelings. I ended up taking 7 pills on the first day!! I even started grinding them and snorting them lately to get the maximum effect out of them. I know I didn't follow my Dr's instructions and abused the medication that supposed to make my life better. I feel I'm loosing control about myself when it comes to Ritalin and I just want more and more of it. Tonight I couldn't sleep again the whole night, and I had time enough to think about this. I've quit smoking 2 months ago and I'm afraid I'm prone to substance abuse now. I also want to stop taking it for a few days and then give it a new try again later. I don't want to tell my dr. about it because I'm afraid he will take me off the stimulants as they do help me. Has anybody had a similar experience? please email me what you think. | M | 35 | 7 days 2X D | 5/12/2010 | 4 | adhd | n/a | no appetite, immediate focus, constant masturbation, and tobacco smoking (or bud when the cum-down comes)...beats eating...and the "smoke/stimulant" combo is orgasmic in itself...wow! | M | 21 | 2 years 20 mg 2X D | 4/9/2010 |