| Key to ratings for ritalin: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine. |
| Rating | Reason | Side Effects | Comments | Sex | Age | Time Taken | Date Added | |
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| 5 | Depression | Helped me concentrate and calmed me down. Required willpower and I would have thought it would not help chaotics. Only required occasional doses. Bit of strain to take it every day, only when I needed something done. A "pick me up". | Illegal and not used by Doctors in the UK. | M | 24 | 30 days | 3/31/2006 | 5 | Narcolepsy | rebound effect when dosage wears off | I have taken Ritalin for 30 years. I have been diagnosed with a mild form of narcolepsy. I use 4 (10 MG ) pills per day. The drug ahs worked wonders and eliminated the drowsiness and sleep attacks. My concern now is the length of time I have been on it. When taking a "drug holiday" it seems like my symptoms are worse. | M | 56 | 30 years | 5/1/2007 | 5 | concentration | none | M | 30 | 1/5/2007 | 5 | ADD | Dry mouth, loss of appetite | I've been very happy with this medication. I'm able to focus and I've found the side effects minimal. It's obviously not for everyone, but for many of us, it's a godsend. Don't believe the propaganda by the anti-ritalin crowd. Try it yourself with an open mind, remembering that it may or may not work for you or your child. If it doesn't, move on. That doesn't make the drug bad, it makes it bad for you personally. | M | 39 | 10 years | 7/12/2006 | 5 | ADD | Sleeplessness, loss of appetite, weight loss, some gastric discomfort. | Ritalin greatly increased my focus and allowed me to tune out the many extraordinary distractions faced by individuals with ADD. | M | 28 | 7 years | 3/10/2004 | 5 | Adult ADHD | There are slight side effects to inlude, acid reflux, mild dehydration, and slight loss of appetite. | After the initial effects of the drug during the | M | 34 | 1 years | 1/31/2005 | 5 | narcolepsy | All positive! Joints hurt less, more alert, less depression, more energy, slept better, and no more migraine headaches! | Ritalin has been nothing but wonderful for me and the treatment of my narcolepsy. I have severe narcolepsy and was out of work because of it; I have gone back to work and gone back to college thanks to Ritalin. However, I did find that regular Ritalin works much better for me than the slow release Ritalin. Also, I was having ups and downs taking it on the prescribed schedule, but smoothed that out by taking 5mg every two hours. I have a steady, consistent, and comfortable response to the medication by taking it in frequent small doses. Also, when I took fewer, larger doses I would sometimes get very sharp abdominal cramps. Changing to smaller more frequent doses eliminated the bad side effects but maintained the good side effects. I'm very satisfied with my Ritalin. | M | 43 | 4 years | 4/29/2005 | 5 | ADD | I feel it works better than Modafanil which I was taking off label for ADD. I think Ritalin has little hangover. People do like modafanil however it was not for me. Your mileage will vary too. | I took it as a child too for 2 years. Just started again. | M | 31 | 30 days | 5/20/2005 | 5 | ADD | Initially some apatite suppression, insomnia and slight gitters. This was corrected by reducing my afternoon dose. | This drug has saved my life. I have seen drastic differences between times in my life when I was taking it and when I was not. I failed out of one school and graduated top of my class in the next. Floated from job to job and then became very successful. I don't like the way I feel when I am taking it (I'm boring -- no personality) so, I time my doses to help me in the office or when I have to focus on mundane task's at home like paying bills, taxes etc. and then go without it when I'm recreating. When I was on the Ritalin I built my first home by age 21 and had a career in the New York State Senate by age 23 (not a senator). I then thought I could manage without it. Within a year of discontinuing use at age 26 I had lost my job, sold my house and moved away to follow a wim to live as a ski bum in Vermont. At first, things were great I owned a beautiful house (30 acres, views, apple orchard, spring fed swimming pond etc.) and played all the time. In the end I lost it all because I coul | M | 32 | 22 years | 2/28/2007 | 5 | ADHD | Very rare eye focusing side effect (minimal inconvenience), minor tremors, extrasystoles (already present but aggrivated by ritalin, solved with atenolol beta blocker). Fixed my grades, my memory. I dont delay doing things forever anymore. More order in my life. Most of the side effects such as reduced appetite, anxiety (thnx to extrasystoles) dissapeared after 2-3 weeks | Wont work for everyone but for those it does its the best thing that could happen | M | 18 | 2 years | 9/26/2007 | 5 | ADHD | Loss of appetite some days | This medication has been a godsend! This is our third try with ADHD meds -- two did nothing and one had creepy side effects (Adderall). Ritalin allows our son to focus, not bounce off the walls and reduces his aggression. He smiles more than we've ever seen. Still full of energy and spunk, but well directed and not overboard. Just wish it lasted longer. Evenings when he's off of it are rough. | M | 4 | 1 weeks | 7/10/2007 | 5 | adult adhd | CONCERTA prescribed. It has changed my life. I am focused, forward-looking. Before Concerta, I felt something like a Ferrari with a bad clutch -- this constant slipping, with the power of the engine, for all its whirring, never quite finding its way to the drive wheels. No more. For the first time in my life, I'm able to take a project to its conclusion. That may not sound like much to most people, but there it is. My ability to concentrate is nothing short of ferocious. I am happy. I'm 46 years old and my life has finally begun. Oh, yes, one other thing -- I have experienced no side effects, save for a desired weight reduction of about 30 pounds (down to 160 from 190). Sounds like science fiction? Too good to be true? Perhaps, but what can I say? I could not be more grateful. | M | 46 | 14 months | 6/16/2007 | 5 | Adult Attention Disorder | Slower breathing and heart rate. Had more of an appetite for food initialy. | Felt "normal" for the first time in some 40+ years Stop my propensity speak inappropriately / as in Butting into conversations. Also gave me a buffer in not becoming aggressive to others and situations. Found I was able to begin to do detail carpentry work with out wanting to throw my tool at a wall. Taking things less personally, in societal situations. Negative life experiences don't have the knee jerk reaction to explode. But also before I started taking ritalin I was making progress with My Life in becoming a really Wonderful person through exploring "Love" as a force of Change. Love first ritilan made life even better. | M | 55 | 4 days | 3/22/2008 | 5 | Mild Narcolepsy | none | It is giving me the desired amount of alertness and no more daytime sleepiness! I have been taking it for over 8 years, after trying all the others CNS meds, and this one works for me. My concern is the tolerance level that I now have for the drug. Initially, I was taking 5mg 3x/day, then 10mg 3x/day, then 20mg 3x/day, then 20mg 4x/day, then 40mg 3x/day and then 40mg 4x/day, now I'm up to 40mg 5x/day!(yes, that is 200mg/day or over 3 times the max!) I don't have any adverse side effects and my Dr. monitors my cardiac and liver functions regularly, and I do take drug holidays routinely. But I just may be the test subject to see what the real max dosage limits are, since all the stuff I read says '60mg/day' is the max adult dosage. | M | 53 | 8 years | 3/24/2008 | 5 | Narcolepsy | Sudden Sleep Episodes, Cataplexy, and Sleep Paralysis | It has worked beautifully. I perform much better in school because of being able to stay awake. When I was in high school I would commonly sleep through about 25% of every class. It was extremely hard to stay motivated. I started taking Ritalin my sophmore year in college after trying several medications, and have not looked back since. I would recommend anyone that is diagnosed with narcolpsy give this medicine a try. | M | 20 | 6 months | 5/4/2008 | 5 | ADHD/Inattentive | Minor anxiety during first few days of treatment, which went away after a week or so | Diagnosed at age 41 of ADHD/Inattentive after more than twenty years of struggling, telling doctors that I had deafening noise in my head and chronic fatigue/depression. One doctor, on hearing about my background noise, put me on Zyprexa! I feel better now, both physically and mentally, than I have since high school. side-effects were negligible. | M | 41 | 6 weeks | 7/17/2008 | 4 | ADHD - | Sometimes dizzy | My main issue is getting distracted when I wake up and forgetting to take my ritalin. I take 10mg 2x/day. It's not like I feel super-focused when I am taking ritalin, or 'altered' in any way. I don't really feel anything different... I am just able to focus on my work and do it, which is really hard when I am not taking my medication. | M | 43 | 2 years | 1/14/2009 | 4 | Adult ADHD (official) + fatigue | ...Continued from previous | & several generics); Ritalin LA [sust-release over 8-hrs] in 20, 30, 40mg]; and Concerta s/r 12hr tabs (in 18, 27, 36, 54mg) + atomoxetine [Strattera] . That's it! No Adderall, dexmethylphenidate (Focalin), s/r Dexedrine', lisdexamphetamine (Vyvanse) or methamphetamine (Desoxyn) - Crystal Meth pills I believe - awesome!!! I've read about a MPH patch too (Daytrana?), & the newest formulation in America, 'LiquADD' - liquid dex - 2! Of course, those must all be extortionate to patients in the US; in Aus, UK, Canada, New Z, all of Europe and every other developed country on the planet (except the USA for reasons which elude me), we have public healthcare systems, where medical treatment and pretty much all medications are at least heavily subsidised, if not free: I don't pay a cent for any of my meds, or to see my GP, psychiatrist etc! But I digress... The point is that I need more than 60mg of Rit a day! I'd like to combine Rit with Dex, but my dr's never done that. He offered me a combo of Concerta with normal Rit, but I've read some v unpleasant things about Concerta in patient reviews, and after reading those I really don't want it at all! Has anyone used either Rit + Dex, or s/r forms of MPH w standard tablets? Pls email me & let me know if you have! - And also if uv bn presc'd doses of MPH <60mg/day [=72mg Concerta btw, I want to hear from folks on more!] (Pls don't just email me to tell me not to shoot it up! I know ur not supposed 2 but it bloody w | M | 29 | 5 months | 10/29/2009 | 4 | ADHD | Loss of appetite, weight loss and increased tics from Tourette's (fixed with other meds) | This medicine has been the only thing to help my son. We have tried Focalin, Adderall, Daytrana and Concerta among others, but this is the one that does it for him.. combined with Lamictal and Risperdal it works wonders for us. | M | 7 | 10 months | 11/13/2007 | 4 | ADD | down sides:sleepiness, irritability,Loss of appetite,rebound,light flashes, jittery, anxiety,urge to urinate up sides : Concentration, better focused thinking, better to express my self, less speeding tickets, better interaction with people. | Diagnosed after 43 years with ADD, puts allot off childhood and later on actions and decisions in perspective. It helps me allot. Side effects are livable. | M | 44 | 8 months | 1/13/2008 | 4 | ADHD | ITCHING BURNING EYES | M | 405 | 5 months | 5/2/2002 | 4 | ADD | loss of appitite | M | 28 | 51 weeks | 3/20/2004 | 4 | Adult ADD | I started on Ritalin about 5 weeks ago and I have been taking the time release form of ritalin (40mg over about 9-11 hours) for about 3 weeks now because I could never remember to dose 3 times a day. Overall the function of the drug has been great and the side effects have been nill, the problem has come when the time release wears off and I take a 10mg tablet of the regular form for a focus boost if I need one to get me through the rest of the evening. This is when I get the | M | 23 | 5 weeks | 11/21/2004 | 4 | ADD | sleeplessness. as i am up at 2 o clock in the morning right now. slight rebound when ritalin is wearing off. i often find myself pondering life and being more introverted 3 to 4 hours after i take it. loss of apitite. sometimes jitters and anxiety. i think the anxiety is coupled w/ the sleeplessness. replaying the day in my mind as i try and sleep. | works! i was put on ritalin as a boy, i was tested extensivly and diagnoised with ADD in 3rd or 4th grade. i took ritalin all throughout highschool and it helped me concentrate more on my studies. went off it my sophmore year of college and my grades fell. i am taking again now but irregularly. I only take it when i need 3-4 hours of focus time. e.i., classes, studying. i can study for a few hours and get alot done now that i'm back on ritalin. | M | 20 | 6 years | 8/30/2006 | 4 | ADD | Headaches | M | 30 | 4 months | 10/2/2004 | 3 | ADHD | Tremors are something i've always had very very slightly, however, with the addition of Methylphenidate, they worsened very quickly. As well, with my bipolar depression, it made me feel far more suicidal. I wouldn't say to not take it; it can be helpful, as long as you tell the doctor about side effects you experience (something i didn't do). | With my ADHD, it only worsened the hyperactivity, but it did help me concentrate. | M | 16 | 3 months | 5/9/2006 | 3 | Depression | In exactly one hour, a 10 mg. tablet would "awaken" my brain and enliven my body, but the effect lasted for no more than an hour, often less. My doctor increased the dosage from 30 to 40mg., then from 40 to 80 mg. But tolerance soon mimized the drug's effectiveness, so that 80 mg. was of no more benefit than the 30 mg. I'd started with. | Tolerance and addiction are both problems, along with fatigue (within one hour after taking a 10-20 mg. dose). Also, I did not have stomach pain prior to taking this drug and Adderall, which preceded Ritalin and acted very much the same. | M | 65 | 5 years | 1/4/2006 | 3 | Inability to concentrate/focus | Severe headaches at times, some loss of appetite, currently suffering from severe abdominal pain. | I'm very afraid of this medicine, my son seems to have all side effects symptoms, his abdominal pains are becoming more frequent lately. I say I'm scared because we take the generic and have been on 20 mg long acting since we started, I have cut this pill in half and still get the same results - how strong is that. I even tried giving him a fourth and still get the same results. I chose the generic because his loss of appetite is not as bad BUT these side effects are really making me re think this. I've already complained to the maker of this drug and have insisted they continue research on this drug. I'm taking my child back to the doctor for more test to make sure this medicine is not damaging him in anyway. It does help him in school but side effects weigh heavier than benefits. We have tried Stratera and Metadate, Stratera did not work and Metadete side effects were too strong. | M | 9 | 3 years | 3/6/2006 | 3 | Severe ADHD (combined-type) | Nothing adverse, other than extremely quick onset...feeling of effectiveness...and extremely short period before come down (the worst kind of come down I have experienced from any ADHD Stimulant med.) | I took as much as 60 mg, at least once a day, and found that the anxious and depressed side effects outweighed the genuine (2 hour long and then another 3 for come down) benefits. Other ADHD meds have been and are MUCH more tolerated as far as I go. | M | 22 | 1 months | 1/8/2006 | 3 | ADD/ADHD | Stomach Discomfort (sometimes severe), Nervousness, Anxiety, Irritibility, Depression, Low Self Esteem. Side effects increaseed with dose. | Tried it for 2 months. It was effective at first. Then the effects wore off, (25-30mg). Tried increasing the dose (40-50mg) but that only increased the side effects and any benefit disappeared. Stopped taking and switched to Adderall/Dexedrine, which have lowered my already present conditions listed in side effects. | M | 23 | 2 months | 4/4/2004 | 3 | narcolepsy | none | M | 58 | 3 years | 4/27/2004 | 3 | ADDHD | swelling of tongue, difficulty pronouncing words | did help with focus | M | 43 | 21 days | 3/12/2005 | 3 | ADD | small nervousity, mood swings, hart problems (hurts and faster beat), chest hurts, lack of appetite, vision changes (sharper, like less cloudy) | The first times i toke it i got mood swings something happines sometimes anxiety but not extreme like hard drugs or weed. I love ritalin because i can see like sharper (my vision is like sharper more light too?), when i don't take it i always feel high in a bad trip because life as a ADD guy is so overwhelming and ritalin helps to organize you're thoughts and sharper you're concentration. | M | 15 | 2 months | 3/29/2009 | 2 | ADD | Insomnia, Skin rash, cephalgia, cold feet and hands, heartrace, shivers, dry eyes, dry mouth, diarrhoea, impatience, dilated pupils, difficulties of elocution | First time I took Ritalin, it felt totally the same if I had taken speed! It finally got better after about a week, but still, the first half hour after taking it was always very uncomfortable. My heart was going at 180 even if I was sitting down! 20 at this time, 160 pounds with 10mg twice a day. I just can't imagine a 40 pounds, 8yo taking this med. It must be hard for them to understand why they feel so bad. HOWEVER, the medication is VERY efficient. It totally changed my life. I strongly suggest you to take, or give your child CONCERTA instead of ritalin. It is exactly the same molecule (methylphenidate). The difference is the caplet. The CONCERTA caplet is NOT digested by the organism. It is in fact a water-permeable plastic capsule with a tiny laser drilled hole, recovered by a digestible layer. When you take the pill, the first layer disappears, opening the tiny hole, and uncovering the water-permeable capsule. This capsule contains three things : 2 drugs compartments with Methylphenidate inside, and a tiny compressed sponge. As the water present in your organism slowly goes throughout the capsule, the sponge gets bigger and pushes the medication outside the capsule in a 12 hours lap. 22% of the medication is released immediately when you take the pill, the rest is slowly released. Notice that 10% of the med stays inside the capsule, so this is why CONCERTA dosages are always higher than your usual daily Ritalin dosage. So if you can afford it (98$ a month for me) it i | M | 22 | 3 months | 5/8/2009 | 2 | Decreased cognitive function | Heart palpitations, urinary incontinence after going the bathroom, nervousness, paranoia and an increased need to masturbate. < Hope that last side effect isn't to vulger sounding to read, but it is a side effect. | I was prescribed ritalin to increase my cognitive function when I was being presribed Zyprexa to treat my anxiety. And well I used to abuse only ritalin itself when I was a teenager just because it got me high, but ritalin alone just makes me feel nevous now so i don't use it. anyway, I'm no longer in nead of ritalin now because I'm no longer being prescribed antipsychotic meds for my anxiety. so I don't need it to stimulate my cognition. I'v been on ritalin for up to eight years counting the times for which I wasn't prescribed it. I'm now being presribed 20mg.s of diazepam (valium) to take three times a day and its working well to treat my anxiety. | M | 23 | 8 years | 11/5/2004 | 1 | ADD | Neverousness, jitters, convulsions, insomnia, anxiety, sudden urge to urinate, suicidal thoughts. | Lets give a 10 year old kid who can't concentrate amphetamines. Great idea. I was on this drug from the ages of 9 to 14. Probably the worst years of my life. When I complanied to the perscribing md, he put me on the extended release version. Thanks doc. Please do not give this drug to your children because they are not doing well in school. I was so nervous I started smoking when I was 14 and quit immediatly after I stopped eating this crap. My life and performance improved 100% after I refused to take this garbage any longer. I credit this drug for my current anxiety disorder, and manic episodes. On the positve it made me never want to take speed ever again | M | 27 | 5 years | 12/12/2005 | 1 | ADHD | The popular ADHD drug Ritalin used by millions of Americans has been linked to linked to heart attacks, strokes, hypertension and sudden deaths. | M | 29 | 6/30/2006 | 1 | hiper activities | back pain | chest pain | M | 108 | 100 years | 2/22/2005 | 1 | ADD | constant NEED to masturbate, <----ED, spontanious ruptures, death among children, crabs, VD, ghnorea, burns when u PEE | it sucks, dont take it | M | 72 | 32 years | 4/21/2005 | 5 | Adult ADD | Dry Mouth, Increased need for water | I have read alot of negative about this drug, for months I refused to take this medication. My life was in complete shambles. I could not remember what time to pick up my son from school. Social Anxiety, VERY emotional. When I finally decided to take this medication I was cautious. I finally have my life back. I can remember things again. Even now, doing my taxes, when I found out we owed thousands I did not have an emotional breakdown over it. I hope you read this and at least try it. If it works for you then great. Dont let a few misguided individuals stop you from taking a medication that can greatly help you. This is not for everyone, read the side effects and make sure you have a doctor that will monitor you. | F | 36 | 2 months | 4/15/2008 | 5 | ADHD | increase thirst, loose bowl, appetite loss, increased concentration, motivation, focus, increase in sexual awareness | Been a god send. Was on Prozac but I was a zommbie and I wanted to be outside looking at the starts (very stoned feeling - calm - not motivated). In one day a total turn around in myself as it relates to self, work, and home. More calm with husband and child. Once I take a pill goose pimps run all over my body - in a good way. I can see why people can be addicted to it. | F | 34 | 1 months | 4/4/2005 | 5 | Adult ADD | headaches, abdominal pain, insomnia, occasionally speediness, initially very groggy as dose wore off but only for about fifteen minutes then evened out. | Started 2 weeks ago, take 10mg @ 3-4 hours. Taking generic brand. I am 40 and have struggled to hold jobs all my life. Very bright, very hard time studying. Always saw it as a character issue. Got sober 15 years ago. Very, very happy in sobriety but very frustrated with unbelievably poor memory, concentration, emotional lability, very low energy. Advancing professionally, inadequacy of behavioral tools (time management, lists, et al) reaching crisis point; friend intervened, suggested I see doctor for diagnosis. Ritalin has changed my life. Am very scared of potential for addiction but cannot overstate how NORMAL i feel for the first time in my life. I can do what I see other people doing all the time. I do feel speedy sometimes which scares me. Dose total @40mg daily which is pretty standard. Goes against much I am taught in recovery but at this point I have found I have to make up my own mind on many issues (not alone, but solely responsible for decisions) and have been | F | 40 | 16 days | 11/17/2005 | 5 | Adult ADD | see review below | (continued from previous comments, below) ...point I have found I have to make up my own mind on many issues (not alone, but solely responsible for decisions) and have been ok past 8 years doing so. I can see potential for abuse but have no desire to abuse it because i don't want to lose this, i need it to work. I can think, i can concentrate, i can hold a train of thought for more then 10 seconds. I can sit through whole meetings. I can write again. I dont' feel like I use all my energy just managing my own brain and behavior through the whole day coming home exhausted. My work performance has turned around 180 percent. My boss now loves me. I love my job. I feel like I used to feel maybe 10 percent of the time on a really good day, like the clouds have parted and the sun is out in my brain, but instead of 10% it is 90% of my time. Oh, and my massive social anxiety and minor panic attacks have almost disappeared overnight. Instead of avoiding conflicts I am able to work them | F | 40 | 16 days | 11/17/2005 | 5 | Adult ADD | See above | (finished from above) Right now I am sticking the generic ritalin because i like that it is short-acting and can get out of my system fast, and i can monitor and control the levels closely. i don't mind having to take the pills more often. I am nervous about taking this stuff but it is a godsend as far as i'm concerned. I have to wonder how my life would have gone if i'd been diagnosed as a child and gotten the help i needed - not just meds, but if meds, so be it. so much self-hate, so much social rejection, so much failure, so much money wasted, so many school programs i flunked out of or quit, could have been avoided. by now i'd have a ph.d. because i would have been able to cope with the dissertation. it's sad, but my life is good, so i can accept this path. please don't dis ritalin for eveyone. also taking this way (10mg every 3 hours) instead of 20mg twice a day seems to eliminate the "spike" effect for me that is part of the addictiveness. no euphoric rush, jus | F | 40 | 16 days | 11/17/2005 | 5 | ADD | nervous, shaky, weight loss | Helped my concentration a great deal. | F | 33 | 2 years | 5/3/2006 | 5 | Adult ADD | A little dry mouth. Just helps me drink more water. When I first started 6 years ago I had mild tics in my lower eye lid. Went away quickly. Ritalin changed my life. I did try Dexadrine it left me wide awake but totally spaced out. I tried the Ritalin LA but it left me too hyped and I like to control when I take it if I need special concentration. I also take Xanaz 1 or 2 times daily for anxiety. | I can only take the brand name. THe generic is cheaper but makes me cranky and does not work. Please watch the generic with your children since they can not articulate what they are feeling! If they seem more angry or agitated try brand. There is a difference. | F | 47 | 6 years | 8/1/2005 | 5 | ADHD, inability to focus | First noticed some palpitations, but was being monitored by heart doctor. Palpitations have since ceased. A little jittery at first, but not in a bad way .. it made me move, which helped me accomplish more! | Wonderful. I can remember being out in the garden trimming hedges and thinking, "This is the way I want to feel!" Not stoned or hyped, just happy to be doing what I was doing and not totally tired or distracted as usual. In recovery 9 years, I won't abuse Ritalin - or anything else - I had problems at first with taking a mood-altering substance, but worked it out through a therapist. Now see it as similar to insulin for a diabetic. It has definitely worked for me and, as a bonus, has reduced my social anxiety ... instead of trying to get out of social situations, I actually don't resist them at all and enjoy them while there! Wow! After three months, I'm finding that I might be developing a tolerance as the effects are not as strong, but am working through it with my psych to tweak the amounts. | F | 51 | 3 months | 6/14/2006 | 5 | add | weight loss, sometimes more creative sometimes less creative, stomache pains, jittery, anxiety | it helped me alot, i used to get d's and f's in math now im an a student =] im doing so much better in school ive lost around 20 poundsbut i have to get that checked every time i need a refill :/ ..im alittle worried about the stomache pains too , but if i dont eat than it dosent bother me | F | 14 | 11 months | 12/20/2006 | 5 | reduce fatigue & improve cognition | occaisional increased thirst, does increase my libido-not complaining there, takes a couple of nights to re-regulate sleeping like one should | I'm not ADD or ADHD-I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. I only take Ritalin when I am in relapse mode(meaning symptoms last longer than 5 days and prevent me from funtioning normally)and dosage varies from 10 mg. 1 to 2 times per day(depending on level of fatigue and decreased cognition). I taper off as soon as I know my relapse is over. This drug could be easily abused-just be aware of that. I've not ever stayed on Ritalin over 90 days. | F | 42 | 90 days | 12/10/2006 | 5 | ADD | fast heartbeat | AMAZING DIFFERENCE made me capable of concentraiting | F | 21 | 5 years | 5/13/2009 | 5 | Adult ADD | None | I take 20mg of Ritalin in the morning and 20 later in the day when I want to focus on a particular task or interaction or social occasion, etc. The Ritalin enables me to organize, prioritize and read and respond to social cues in a way that is comfortable for me. I am able to think more clearly in general... including problem solve personal issues more effectively than ever before. In general, social anxiety has diminished. I experience a clarity that has transformed my daily life. I began taking it in September 2004, when I was overcome with anxiety upon losing my job and with a child to support. I couldn't concentrate on the essential, that is, finding a job. Within the first day the change was dramatic; I became calm and focused. I had resisted when my psychotherapist had encouraged me to investigate Adult ADD and finally did when I was desperate. (I didn't investigate because I always did well in school and have two graduate degrees, including having been a CPA, so ADD seemed an od | F | 64 | 3 years | 9/13/2007 | 5 | Adult ADD and Narcolepsy | Loss of apetite/weight...which is a good thing in my case. | I am taking what my doctor calls the "kid's dose" of 5 mg/3x a day. It has done wonders for my narcolepsy. I used to yawn non-stop, all day long and my attention span was very, very limited. I can now read dry, technical documents once and get the meaning instantly, instead of having to re-read multiple times. I have no trouble staying awake during the day. I can also listen to music and read at the same time which is something I've never been able to do before. I used to have chronic neck and back pain—they're gone now. I actually have energy to do physical activity, whereas before I would have to guilt myself into doing any physical work. For me this medication has been nothing short of miraculous. | F | 36 | 60 days | 3/11/2008 | 5 | Attention Disorder, fatigue | Felt kind of speedy the first few days, have a minor arrhythmia, which is more pronounced, but it has changed my life for the better so I tolerate side effects as long as they remain minor. | I am on a very low dose - one fourth of a 5mg tablet every morning and them sometimes another 1/4 at noon. [I weigh about 100 pounds and am very sensitive to drugs]. This drug has changed my life. I am able to "keep my ducks in a row" and have a better attitude about life. The fatigue which has run my life for years is gone. It sounds as though many people are taking more than they have to to get results. | F | 61 | 1.5 years | 1/10/2009 | 5 | ADHD | Loss of Appetite, Dry Mouth, Stomach Pain, Nausea, Sleep problems, Weight loss | I was recently diagnosed with ADHD. I have been on it for a week now and after the first dose my focus was improving. My Doctor started me off with this 5mgs 2 times a day. I upped it to 3 times on the days I work because it wears off at 5pm and I want to be able to concentrate on things at night. So far this week has been great. I have been able to concentrate at work, Ive been losing weight which is a great thing because I am over weight. The loss of appetite is great because I used to over eat a lot. So far its been a miracle drug. I'd be lost without it. I'll update more when I have been on it longer. | F | 23 | 7 days | 10/6/2009 | 5 | ADD | No side effects. Possibly some heart racing, but felt the same as if I had drank a red bull, was not a debilitating feeling. Helps with concentration and fatigue. I switched to the non-generic and works better than generic. Ritalin LA works even better (slow release formula, gives you two doses, one upon taking, one 4 hours later, so that you do not get such an up and down high). | F | 22 | 3 years | 7/28/2009 | 4 | lack of focus, lack of memory | when the medicine wears off my memory is worse, have to be very regular about spacing the medicine. I don't take it after 3PM unless I am going out in the evening. | F | 76 | 14 months | 8/3/2009 | 4 | ADHD | depression, stomach pain/burning, reduced appetite, some initial sleeping problems | I am 23 year old female and have only been taking it for a few months. It does not help as much as adderall with focus, but the depression seems to be a bit (only a bit) less. I have always been depressed, but with adderall it was almost unbearable despite the positive effects. I still feel significantly more depressed on Ritalin than I was without it, but it is the only way I can get through school. However, the past couple of days my stomach has begun hurting really bad whenever I take it. I'm not sure if it is the Ritalin or not, or if it is possible for a symptom I didn't have before to appear. It's not nausea or gas pains. More like a burning. It's just getting worse, though. I am usually very tolerant of physical pain, so it's not mild (but not excruciating, of course). Also appetite loss. Not as much as Adderall, though. | F | 24 | 2.5 months | 1/20/2009 | 4 | ADD | occasional jitters | I take short-release Ritalin 20mg/day. Wow - it's helped me so much! Before taking this medicine it was extremely difficult to focus at work and socialize with friends, but Ritalin has helped this so much. It's an amazing difference! I recommend starting with a small dose and gradually increasing. | F | 28 | 3 months | 1/26/2009 | 4 | ADHD | Blurred vision at first. Appetite reduction, but no weight loss. | Dosage: Started at 5 mg. in the morning, increased to 10 mg. in the morning after 30 days. Benefits: Increased mental focus & concentration, less daydreaming, less fidgeting & impulsivity. Could not take extended-release form of Concerta or Adderall due to insomnia side effect. Regular Ritalin wears off before bedtime and has helped regulate sleep cycle. | F | 56 | 2 months | 9/12/2008 | 4 | ADHD | I noticed Ritalin side effect were not very bad, sometimes i would get tired. | I really think Ritalin helps ADHD ALOT!! I can actually focus. One bad thing i noticed about Ritalin is when it wears off i am really hyper, and want to do to many things at once. | F | 21 | 5 months | 12/9/2004 | 4 | depression/add | Hyped up at 30 m g. | F | 33 | 1 months | 11/16/2004 | 4 | depression | none | wears off too quickly | F | 39 | 60 days | 10/10/2004 | 4 | ADHD | Extreme sleepiness at first and depression upon hitting puberty | We took me off Ritalin when I was about 11 because my mother was seeing depressive symptoms upon me entering puberty. However, before that it worked beautifully and wonderfully. Don't dispare! Take the time to get the dosage and/or cocktail right. | F | 18 | 7 years | 1/10/2006 | 4 | Adult ADHD | When I first took it, no side effect. Now I am back on it and I am having really bad chest pains. | I was first on it for 3 years.I have been off it of it for almost a year. I just started again a week ago 10/12/05. | F | 26 | 3 years | 10/24/2005 | 4 | Adult ADD | Soft stool and an increased need for fluid. | The benefit of being able to concentrate, follow conversations, and get along with my family without being unreasonably emotional far outweighs any side effects, even the ones I don't have. | F | 38 | 4 weeks | 8/8/2005 | 4 | adhd | headaches, nervousness | F | 34 | 7 days | 5/14/2002 | 4 | ADHD | Increased motor activity. Increased alertness. 10mg can sometimes make me feel the need to drink alcohol to calm my nerves. I feel tired after 3 to 5 hours. Dry mouth. | It was great when i first took it.I could sit through my classes and participate. Great for studying. I can do copious amounts of research work, studying, and writing essays without feeling as easily distracted and BORED as before. I started to pass my exams with Bs and As. I would say don't use this drug unless you really have great difficulty learning and taking notes. It's potential for abuse is high. | F | 24 | 6 years | 7/7/2003 | 3 | daytime sleepiness | none | have not been taking it long enough to form an oppion | F | 47 | 1 days | 6/20/2003 | 3 | ADHD | Works well when I take my doses at the correct times. If I'm off at all though, the rebound effect is brutal. Also experienced anxiety, but am on Buspar now and that seems to help. | F | 35 | 2 days | 2/17/2005 | 3 | ADD | Dehydration, stiff neck, headaches, hair loss, insomnia, plateletts dropped to the point of causing thrombocytopenia. | I became addicted to this drug. I took it for 10 years but though it didn't help my ADD it gave me stamina I'd never had.I was grainding it up and snorting it...I fianlly flushed it and asked my doctor not to prescribe it. Now that I'mm withdrawing from it I have symptoms of nausea, fatigue, and weight gain (I eat to try to stave off the nausea). | F | 55 | 10 years | 1/26/2007 | 3 | ADHD | dry mouth, cold, back aches, hard come down | I love the way ritalin makes me finally concentrate and get my life in order. However, it lasts about two hours strong and then I need to take another pill. I feel weird once it starts to leave my system. I really have a lot of accomplishments from the drug, however, I have a hard time feeling aware finally. I have been so crazed for so long. I have to take 5mg. every 3 hours to have the right effect. I wanted to go on the time release because of over-dosing but I know I will have the come down and not be able to control that. It is good to finally feel on earth. I just wish it was easier to do so. | F | 34 | 2 months | 11/13/2006 | 3 | Adult ADHD | I am on a generic form and it is a short lived medication. When I take too much I am too focused and almost confused. I can't stand having to take my medications and remember when. I want to try time released..but not sure how that will go. I would like some comments on that. I have dry mouth, weight loss...have to actually force myself to eat. I have blurred vision...It has changed my life in so many ways, but I have an addictive personality and take too much on purpose sometimes I think...then I want to drink alcohol..which is a mess. So, I want to be able to have a medication I can't mess with, but unsure if it will be beneficial. I can't stand the come down effects. I am so wired when it begins to leave my system..do you feel that with time release? How long does it last? | F | 36 | 3 months | 11/29/2006 | 3 | Adult ADHD | I am on a generic form of Ritalin. I feel that I am a very intelligent person. Yet, in my past I have got a lot of great jobs and was in school for my masters-I always have failed at it all. I feel normal for the first time in my life. I can do what I saw other people doing all the time. I can do the things that people I envied are doing. At this point I can think, I can concentrate, I can listen. I can sit through whole meetings actually paying attention. I don’t feel like I use all my energy just managing my own crazy brain and behavior through the whole day coming home exhausted and full of anxiety. I used to feel like I had cobwebs filling my brain. Now, it is clear. I don't avoid conflicts, I can work through them because I have time to think now. Even though I am doing well, I have a hard time feeling like I am doing anything right now because I have failed for so long. I actually am aware now of the crazy out of control feeling I used to feel all the time when I am | F | 36 | 3 months | 11/29/2006 | 3 | Adult ADHD | I am on a generic form and it is a short lived medication. When I take too much I am too focused and almost confused. I can't stand having to take my medications and remember when. I want to try time released..but not sure how that will go. I would like some comments on that. I have dry mouth, weight loss...have to actually force myself to eat. I have blurred vision...It has changed my life in so many ways, but I have an addictive personality and take too much on purpose sometimes I think...then I want to drink alcohol..which is a mess. So, I want to be able to have a medication I can't mess with, but unsure if it will be beneficial. I can't stand the come down effects. I am so wired when it begins to leave my system..do you feel that with time release? How long does it last? | F | 36 | 3 months | 11/29/2006 | 3 | Adult ADD | euphoria, loose stools, gas, physical and psychological addiction, depression and scary withdrawals on the days I don't take it | Ritalin is very helpful for helping me pay attention to my tasks, my dosage is 10-20mg/day. I always take my ritalin with a large meal to lengthen the absorption time in an attempt to avoid addiction. My doctor reccommended I only take ritalin on days I really need it to avoid addiction. I need it pretty much every day to get things done, and on the days I didn't take it I began having withdrawal symptoms just like a hard core junkie would have: couldn't rest, couldn't sit still, I was insane and unable to do anything but pace and lay down and pace and lay down. I was very scared, the only thing I could do to stop the withdrawals was to take a ritalin. I've been methodically reducing my dosage, took 5mg/day for 2 months just to stave off the withdrawals and have just now been able to not take ritalin. I'm disappointed because the drug does help me with my attention deficit, but I don't want to be addicted, so I guess I'll just have to find other ways to cope with my ADD, wish me luck. | F | 30 | 1 years | 2/26/2006 | 3 | IDIOPATHIC HYPERSOMNIA | I have a recent diagnosis of IH. The doc gave me 7 sample pills of Provigil, but will be prescribing Ritalin due to cost reasons of the Provigil. I have never taken stimulants, and not sure how the Ritalin will affect me. The Provigil keeps me awake, but jittery (it's manageable). I am concerned of my reaction to the Ritalin. I am considering starting it on a weekend, in case I do not respond well to the medication and it affects me at work. I am terrified I will have a psychotic episode from it, or something along those lines. I think I need to stop doing so much internet research on it and just take the medicine and form my opinion without any preconceived notions beforehand. | F | 38 | 5/18/2009 | 3 | Adult ADD | First two weeks-anxiety attacks-numbness and pain in arms and neck-overall discomfort-angry when medicine started to wear off-EXTREMELY tired but lowered dose of Zoloft from 50mg to 25mg and that stopped. Slight chest pain | This is my first go around with ADD medications and keeping in mind that I also have anxiety disorder, it wasn't a surprise that I had initial anxiety attacks on this medication. Now that I toughed out the side effects, I have great focus and am very calm. It's nice to be able to 'tune' noises and people out and get work done. I am only on 10mg once a day right now so not too high of a dose. I look forward to what this will do for me. | F | 34 | 30 days | 1/10/2009 | 3 | BIPOLAR, Lack of concentration | funny feeling in my head (almost a headach), when I turn my head I cant seem to judge the speed, miss-judge my strength eg.slam doors. | taking it with Lithium | F | 29 | 3 days | 9/25/2009 | 2 | Fatigue/Medicine side effects | Sweating, no appetite, laziness, antisocial, less ability to focus and get organized, desire to take more. | I was prescribed this after Provigil didn't work. I was taking 10mg in am, 10 mg at noon. It would take less than a 1/2hr to kick in and I'd feel like I had a buzz for a while. It woke me up a bit but made me extremely lazy! I got nothing done when I was on this medicine. It was almost like taking a bunch of xanax but not getting sleepy like it sometimes makes me. My hands would sweat so bad that I would walk around holding tissues -gross! After about 2-3 hrs it would start wearing off and I felt like I had drank a pot of coffee and smoked a carton of cigarettes - a really nasty feeling. I just switched to adderall and hopefully that works better than this did. | F | 31 | 3 weeks | 1/15/2009 | 2 | ADD | Mild, mini headaches, makes me a little tired 1/2 hour after I take it(just for a short time). | Started on 10mg a day, it has not made any noticable difference yet. | F | 23 | 3 days | 3/20/2009 | 2 | ADD | none | Totally bummed that no ADD med I've taken so far as made a dent in my ADD symptoms. This one is no different. | F | 51 | 1 years | 12/30/2005 | 2 | Adult ADD | some appetite reduction; initial weight loss of about 5 lbs | At first it was a miracle. Everything slowed down and almost nothing distracted or confused me. Then, after a few months, its effects WORE OFF. I am now so sad to be back to my ADD-confused self. I am going to try another ADD drug, I believe, perhaps Adderall. | F | 47 | 3 months | 4/13/2004 | 2 | ADD | dry eyes, sore stomach, loose bowels, anxiety, depression | My Dr put me on 10 mg 3 times a day for ADD and despite the rave reviews from others, it did not agree with me. I did feel more focused but the side effects did not make that worth it. | F | 30 | 4 months | 12/11/2007 | 2 | ADHD | none | I heard that most people with ADD/ADHD are either 'Ritalin people' or 'Adderall people'. I read that Ritalin works better with ADHD (motor-mouth hyperactive-types) and Adderall does better with ADD Non-Attentive types. I'm the Non-Attentive type and I did better on Adderall.Ritalin made me feel like i just smoked a joint and took a valium. | F | 34 | 7 days | 12/17/2007 | 2 | Adult ADD | dry mouth, anxiety | I took this drug for about three days and hated the anxiety that it caused. It made me very nervous and I was way anxious! What an awful feeling to have! As soon as I stopped taking it - the anxiety and nervousness - completely gone. | F | 34 | 3 days | 6/8/2007 | 1 | Narcolepsy, ADHD (combined type) | Extreme sleepiness, irritability, depression, fatigue | Although counterintuitive, Ritalin actually made my narcolepsy WORSE. I had previously been on Adderall XR as well as its short-release counterpart and had switched to Ritalin due to cost issues. In order to combat both ADHD and narcolepsy, I am prescribed very high doses of these drugs. When switching from 120mg/day of Adderall to 120mg/day of Ritalin, I was astonished by how different the two drugs were. Even though both drugs are part of the amphetamine family, their effects are quite different. I experience no irritability, excitability or sleepiness on Adderall, but I can barely function on Ritalin. Even though patients who TRULY have ADHD/ADD are not supposed to be "hyped-up" or have increased energy while taking these types of drugs, I was amazed by how much Ritalin actually leaned towards the polar opposite end of the spectrum. The fatigue, sleepiness and mood disturbances I experienced while taking the drug were actually comparable to the effects of Ambien (a | F | 29 | 5 days | 10/10/2007 | 1 | Depressionand depersonalization | Glossy eyes, loss of appetite, addiction!!! Loss of interest in life, just pills. | My pdoc told me it was to help the SSRI for my depression/anxiety. Was at 20 mg a day, now at 60-70. I felt not depersonalzed the first hour, it was a miracle, I was finally not depressed, proactive. So I began to tak it. Then it crashed. I began to feel isolated, more dp/dr, anxious, and confused. I also became hooked. How to taper off? Please conact me | F | 33 | 5 months | 3/4/2008 | 1 | GLOSSY EYES - A NOT THERE FEELING - SORT OF DOPPY AND NOT THINKING SO GOOD | I HAVE READ VERY MUCH ON THE SUBJECT AND HAVE FOUND THAT THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE DRUG ARE VERY HARMFUL AND SHOULD NEVER BE GIVEN TO OUR CHILDREN LET ALONE AN ADULT. | F | 33 | 5/24/2002 | 1 | depression, panic attacks | no sex drive, weight gain, people told i have changed It messed up my brains I wasn't depressed but I was acting like real mental Feeling like they put some machine inside of my brain which thinks for me. It is really scary | I tried a lot of antidepressants but they never solved the problem. That is what helped me: neuroscience test (go to neuroscienceinc.com and get information about their test and products), book "Feeling Good" by David Burns (until you find all your silent assumptions (when you read this book, you will understand what I am talking about) which cause you depression you will never get out from it, this book will help to do this. Targeted Ammino Acid Therapy (TAAT), cranial electrotherapy stimulation, deep breathing exercise – 3 times a day (do it when you are anxious and have panic attacks, also while doing it, imagine yourself as you wish you wanted to be), special diet for depression (really helps for mood swings), day light lamp, hot and cold shower, daily exercise, meditation, keeping schedule, acupuncture St. John’s Wort - 9 pills a day, Red clover - 6 pills a day, Omega 3, Calcium, B-complex. | F | 36 | 4 weeks | 5/10/2006 | 1 | depression/weight loss | very irritable when it wears off; sometimes difficult to fall asleep, memory loss, hear music in my head that won't stop. | I have been taking the generic form of Ritalin for 9 years. I began taking it for depression after my marriage ended, and also in a misguided attempt to lose weight! I lost about 15 pounds at the beginning, had tons of energy, felt great...but the weight loss stopped within a few months.. I currently feel focused and motivated after I take it and am able to get a lot done. As well as the generic ritalin, I take 6 - 12 Tylenol 1 tablets a day. I know how bad this is, but can't seem to stop for more than a few days. The last nine years seem to be a blur...it's like I have lost those years....I hardly remember anything about them. I find this sad and frightening. I take what my doctor prescribed: three 10mg. tablets a day. I have tried many times to completely get off this drug but I now realize that I am truly addicted to it. If I stop taking it for more than one day I become extremely depressed and have very negative, hopeless thoughts and ideas. In addition to this, I very often hea | F | 51 | 9 years | 3/21/2007 | 1 | Narcolepsy | Addiction, anxiety, dry mouth | Works well for Narcoleptics. I unfortunately became extremely addicted to the feeling of euphoria and have battled with the addiction for several years. If you have recently begun taking this med be very aware of the common addiction and abuse of the drug. | F | 36 | 7 years | 9/14/2004 | 1 | narcolepsy | I took my first dose of Ritalin last Tuesday morning. Within 15 minutes I was a Zombi. It wasn't a feeling of dizziness.... I was totally stoned !! Couldn't think or move for almost 2 hours at which time these horrible effects began to subside. | I can't describe how disappointed I was with my reaction to Ritalin. I was so looking forward to being able to stay awake and actually being able to concentrate and focus. My Doctor then changed my prescription to Provigil. Although I wasn't as bad, it still had a sedative effect on me. My Psychiatrist said she has never heard of anyone having this effect on Ritalin. I wish somewould could explain it to me. | F | 55 | 1 days | 11/14/2004 | 1 | Crabs | Hyperactivity, loss of appetite, loss of money, loss of clothing | IT DID NOTHING TO GET RID OF MY CRABS | F | 17 | 200 days | 9/25/2009 | 5 | 8/12/2004 | 4 | add | 12/10/2003 | 3 | 5/29/2008 | 3 | 9/25/2008 | 1 | THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH A SOCIETY THAT DRUGS IT'S CHILDREN AND FUTURE. | 5/24/2002 | 1 | Chronic Fatigue | increased heart rate, heart palpitations, dizziness/vertigo, headache, nausea, nervousness | My doctor prescribed this to me to see if it would help with chronic fatigue I had been experiencing. I am very sensitive to medications so usually I would be nervous about trying something new, but I know young children frequently take this drug, so I figured "how bad can it be". I certainly have felt worse from other medications, but this one was definitely a bad experience. I only tried it 4 times. I would take one 10mg pill each time (my doctor told me to take 10mg 3x daily...thank goodness I did not!). My heart rate would always skyrocket. I am an endurance athlete and work out 7 days a week for at least 90 minutes each session (my chronic fatigue had been interfering with my workouts which is the main reason I was so eager to find something to help). Usually my resting heart rate is very low, between 55-65 beats per minute. Each time I took Ritalin my heart rate would go up to about 150 beats per minute which was terrifying. I would get extremely nervous (I am | 31 | 4 days | 12/20/2008 |
| Key to
ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine. |
