Finally getting meds - Ritalin: Tell me your happy experiences on Ritalin 🙏🏼

[ADDandMe]

After 1 year of waiting, today my psychiatrist is sending a letter to my GP to prescribe Ritalin.

Start on 10mg, then 2 weeks later 20mg, then 2 weeks later 30mg. 3 times a day.

What is your before & after experience on this medication?

I’m hoping that my thinking gets clearer, I can keep track of conversations and don’t need to make constant lists. I hope that I can start and finish tasks without veering onto a billion different things. I know some changes will require effort and strategies (eg decluttering - has ANYONE seen a complete turnaround in the organisation of their environment?). When I’m tidy I’m really tidy, otherwise I leave chaos in my wake.

[STEM_Dad]

How's it going on Ritalin? Is it helping?

I haven't been prescribed it, myself. The only stimulant I've tried is Adderall XR (and caffeine...lots of caffeine.)

[ADDandMe in reply to STEM_Dad]

Hi there,

Yes it’s going ok thanks. Week 1 was just 5mg (not 10mg as I’d thought). No real change just some initial nausea. Week 2 was 10mg 3 x daily and that was better. Subtle but definitely more action over inaction. Greater ability to project thinking into a cohesive plan and stay on track. Moments of real calmness, optimism and clarity. Also quietening of all the competing thoughts, which was really welcome. Though definitely wears off quickly. Week 3 bumped to 15mg x 3 but found that my get up and go, seems to have got up and left. Doom scrolling and a bit less interest in the routine things I found easier in week 2.

All that said, I have to bear in mind that I’ve had a lot going on in my life this last while. Travel, a bereavement and getting ready to to school after summer. Also returned to the gym after a 4 week break (longest since 2017). So there’s other factors at play. I’m going to drop down to 10mg x 3 during my working days this week and then try 15mg x 3 again on my days off.

I’d say I’m ruminating less and definitely let go of the ADHD fixation that was consuming me pre-meds. I’m sleeping well too which is really reassuring. I’m not sure if these are the perfect meds for me, but it’s a step in the right direction. Almost like releasing the ‘pause’ button on my life: I feel like things are in motion again.

[STEM_Dad in reply to ADDandMe]

It definitely seems like a step in the right direction. I'm glad for the difference it's making for you.

With adjustment to meds and all you've had going on, it can be very hard to judge what's affecting you how. Time will tell.

Bereavement can be difficult to go through all on it's own. Grief can be complex. I hope that you're doing alright.