Life changing for ADHD and HFA

[asalem]

Hello folks, I have adhd and HFA and I was prescribed generic ritalin to help me cope with adhd since I have it severely. I was just recently diagnosed at the age of 30 and it couldn't have come any later. My life has constantly been a mission. I am VERY hyperactive. I would always tell myself I will outgrow the hyperactivity but I never did. It only appears to be getting worst at the age of 30. I am finding it more difficult to be calm, focused, and motivated. My life is literally like riding a rollercoaster. Sometime I wake up in the middle of the night looking for something to do. I am constantly drinking coffee and trying to find sort of stimulation. I can't for the life of me keep a job longer than 8 months. I can't sit without trying to climb up the wall. None of this has got better. I finally am able to take something that "may" make me better

Only one problem now.....

My prescription drug has been sitting in my glovebox collecting dust. It's generic ritalin 10mg ER. I am shitless scared of trying it. I get really fearful in anything that makes my heart pounding. I think that's why I am scared of taking it. I wanted to cut half it half but then I realized the capsule opens. I have a few questions. Please take the time to answer them so I can understand and use the simplest terms. Thank you.

Can I open the pill and remove half of the content and put the pill back? I would like to try 5mg just be safe. I have autism and I heard we can be very sensitive.

How long does it make your heart pound? I can tolerate you for a few minutes I guess

If I feel like I am tripping on it, can I do something to lessen the effects? I ask because if I smoke too much thc, I just smoke cbd and it immediately takes away the effect.

[STEM_Dad]

Those would be questions for your prescribing doctor.

From the dosage guidelines that I've been able to find about the extended release form of Ritalin (brand or generic), or looks like 10mg is already half the usual starting dose of 20mg. (I'm not a medical professional, so I'm not an expert on medication dosing. Again, I suggest calling your prescribing doctor for questions you have. Or, talk to your pharmacist about it.)

------

Opening a prescription capsule could be very tricky, and potentially hazardous.

I take atomoxetine, a non-stimulant ADHD medication, and it has a very clear warning in the documentation NOT to open the capsule, because of the medication inside gets into the eyes, it can cause damage.

[asalem in reply to STEM_Dad]

Thank you for the helpful info. Would you have any knowledge about the 3rd question?

[STEM_Dad in reply to asalem]

Q: "How long does it make your heart pound?"

A: It's hard to say. I don't have any experience with Ritalin, only Adderall XR (brand) and Strattera (generic). I've heard and read that everyone reacts a little differently. It's more likely that it will help you to calm down.

* My experience with Adderall, which is also a stimulant, is that the initial dose didn't really affect me adversely, but it wasn't as effective as I needed. When my dosage was increased, I got a racing heart (tachycardia). Changing to a non-stimulant fixed that issue for me. But, in general, more people benefit from Adderall or Ritalin than they are by Strattera. - in my case,

I later discovered that I was a little low in blood iron all the time (slightly anemic, not enough to make my doctor concerned, but enough to get me turned down as a blood donor). One of the possible side effects of anemia is elevated heart rate. So, if I had been on an iron supplement for the anemia while taking Adderall, maybe I wouldn't have had tachycardia (or maybe I still would have experienced it). I'm grateful that I moved on to atomoxetine (generic Strattera), because it's twice as effective as Adderall was for my ADHD traits.

Again, if you experience any negative side effects, like racing heart, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

[Sfarinaccio1]

Why not talk to the psychiatrist about this…

[Therapydm2021]

First, I also say talk to your psychiatrist about any concerns and one should never take any medication other than exactly as prescribed without talking to your Dr because they’re the one who can properly help you and there can be consequences.

Secondly, I’ve been prescribed pretty much every ADHD med and never had an issue of racing heart or any feelings you described. Those are much more likely if a neurotypical takes a stimulant, which for them is essentially speed. I’ve done a lot of personal research, and in someone that has ADHD the parts of the brain that involve executive functioning run slower than the rest of the brain, which is why we struggle to control impulses, hyperactivity, emotions, etc, because those parts of the brain are essentially more powerful than our control. A stimulant speeds up just the parts running slow to get them to speed with the rest of the brain and essentially behave similarly to a neurotypical brain. So if you truly have ADHD you won’t react the same as a neurotypical, but everyone does react differently.

I was also diagnosed, finally, in my 30s and getting proper treatment changed my life completely. I can do things I was never capable of before. I see a psychiatrist and a counselor who specializes in ADHD, which is from what I’ve researched the best approach, as psychiatry helps with the medical part and counseling teaches you tools to help with areas that are a struggle. There is no magic pill that makes us all better, but combining the two treatments and putting in the hard work can really help.

But again, talk to your doctor, can’t stress this enough. Tell them your concerns and talk to them and they will help you way better than internet responses.

[Chickadee1 in reply to Therapydm2021]

Thanks for your explanation on how the ADHD brain works and how meds help - I am recently diagnosed and likely headed for meds soon - so can't really comment on the original question but your comment is helpful to me too.

[STEM_Dad]

I have the Predominantly Inattentive presentation of ADHD. I've known other people who have the Hyperactive-Impulsive or Combined presentation, and the stimulant medications really helped them to be more calm and self-controlled. I don't remember any of them saying that they got a racing heart rate from their medication. I think that it is a less common side effect.

[Welshman71]

Hi i think i know what the 3rd question was regarding as i also used to smoke, Short answer is only from my personal experience and yes it seemed to stop my medication working properly so i have now totally stopped bud,✌️and my medication has improved my life like you would never even imagine , i am taking Xaggitin XL 36mg now up from 18mg which i started on,

I was the same worrying about that first one 🙏 i wouldn't be climbing the walls, thankfully not at all and zero side effects so far,

I was more worried that the phsychiatist might of got it wrong as ive what it does to people without ADHD and that's definitely not for me lol 😬 like others say speak to the phsychiatist as thats what he is there for and don't feel awkward calling them for advice, there are there to answer any questions and don't feel rushed either,

Good luck for the future

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