concerta

[emiL1234]

I got the starting dose, 18 mg . Not possible to dilute them, so should I take one more everyday already? I don't want to become crazy with anxiety.

It doesn't exactly does nothing, it made me lose my car twice in parking lots and search for adresses on the wrong side of the street. It also makes me feel completely drained before the end of my long working days. Wha tis the logics? Should I take more everyday until anxiety kills me, and then lower and expect this to be the perfect dose?

* I have been tested by way too many professionals and only one of them is sure I have ADHD. I'm fed up with doubts.

Fun fact, I have tried in in a recreative way, and even the recreative won't show up.

[Flurble]

The way I approach my medication needs (Ritalin 15mg to 20mg / day) is through a symptom managment lens. For example, if I have to write an important letter but find myself indifferent then I know my medication has either worn off or is insufficient. A more subtle tell is when I walk past something on the floor at home that I that should have picked up and put in the bin - again its likely time to refresh my medication.

Now if the meds are new and your doctor agrees you can gradually increase the dose until symptoms abate. If that does not work it might be necessary to review your medication and try another.

My son had no joy with Ritalin while Vyvanse was a charm first go.

[emiL1234 in reply to Flurble]

thank you. How many medications did you try before finding the right one?

[Flurble in reply to emiL1234]

To answer I should first explain that I am ADHD mixed type so hyperactive and inattentive. This matters medication wise and I'll get to why shortly. In addition, like most I also come with a bonus set of stake knives, as the add says. In my case its anxiety which matters as I'll explain now.

I first started with Ritalin and titrated up to 60 mg per day - on medical advise mind you - until I experienced seratonin syndrome. The point here is that Ritalin alone does not adequately address my symptoms while at the same time it exacerbates anxiety.

I switched to a non stimulant Straterra. It worked fine although I had to wear sunglasses driving at night because headlights were blinding. There were other side effects which I won't go into here safe to say I stopped due to hypertension and instead returned to a small dose of ritalin.

Which brings me to mixed type ADHD. Research indicates mixed types have a deficiency in Acytalcholine. That's in addition to the dopamine issue that Ritalin does help alleviate.

After three years of trial and error my symptoms are adequately managed with max 20 mg of Ritalin / day plus 600 mg of Alpha GPC which boosts Acytalcholine. However, every three or so days I must swap out the Ritalin for Modafinil because even on such a low dose of Ritalin by the third day I'm baked ... so to speak.

In my case the modafinil is not just an alternative but a key part of the mix because it moderates rumination. A history of chronic family violence and abuse at the local church tends to provide a veritable smorgasbord of ruminants - modafinil shut down that rumination within 12 hours of taking 50 mg - go figure? Seems to throw a switch of somewhere in the brain.

Apogies for the long winded answer, but while one med seems to suit many ADDers I was less lucky. Straterra might have been it but for the side effects. On the other hand I am fortunate to have a mix that works.

[emiL1234]

Thank you. Physically, what will happen if I take medications all my life to find out or not that I have never had adhd? Long story.

THANK YOU EVERYONE! Sorry I forgot to say thank you.