![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by InattentiveAlex on June 8, 2001, at 0:11:30
I have been fairly recently diagnosed with ADD inattentive type and have so far tried dexamphetamine (aka dexidrine) and ritalin. I am having trouble knowing how much to expect from them and finding the right dosage.
part of the problem is that i don't know which things will be helped and which won't when the medication works.
On dexies i did notice a mild increase in alertness/concentration so that I was able to read properly (i'm sure you know what i mean) i think it helped with driving too. but at this dosage (10 mg in morning) there was also increased heartrate and a tendency to crash after about a week of usage. It also didn't help with my main concern of inability to function socialy (being withdrawn having nothing to say).
even higher dosages (25mg) helped in this respect but only because of a a really "speedy" effect which also meant overactivity over-chattyness etc. it also caused dizziness. only ever tried this for one dosage at a time. i think the crashing would have been way more severe.the ritalin has been really unpredictable. i've never noticed an improvement in anything, but i'm not absolutely sure. sometimes it has a high heart rate dizziness effect. other times it makes me really sedated and fatigued, even more so that usual.
i've been of them both for about two week before trying ritalin again today. during that two weeks i have felt exhausted. not being able to get out of bed before 11am etc.
anyway i kinda need someone to explain how these meds effect them when they are working properly. also what side effects are tolerable over extended periods. anything else useful aswell. don't bother recomending adderal as it isn't available in Australia.
thanks.
Posted by SalArmy4me on June 8, 2001, at 0:39:12
In reply to ritalin, dex, what to expect, dosage ?, posted by InattentiveAlex on June 8, 2001, at 0:11:30
FINDLING, ROBERT L. M.D.. SHORT, ELIZABETH J. PH.D.. MANOS, MICHAEL J. PH.D.. Short-Term Cardiovascular Effects of Methylphenidate and Adderall. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 40(5):525-529, May 2001:
"...Using the same methods and under similar conditions, both methylphenidate (ritalin) and adderall were found to have clinically insignificant effects on blood pressure and pulse. Regardless of medication type or dosage level, the cardiovascular effects of these psychostimulants seem generally modest at these doses."
Posted by stjames on June 8, 2001, at 1:49:22
In reply to ritalin, dex, what to expect, dosage ?, posted by InattentiveAlex on June 8, 2001, at 0:11:30
Heart Rate: could you give us some numbers, pulse or BP ? What kind or ritalin, ie SR and/or generic ?
I think you should of tried the Dex at a higher dose for longer than a day. My BP and pulse were
elevated for a little while, but I grew used to the dex. On 35 mgs a day I am still have a pulse and BP equal to pre-dex readings. Some do feel a little speedy at first, this is normal and is of no consern if it remits with time. Your initial reaction to Dex was promising, which suggests it might work at the right dose.Tip from an old timer (17 yrs on meds for ADD and depression): If you stop taking a med if the fist day is bad you are likely to go thru all of them and find none that suits you. Stick with a med unless it is really, really bad for several days.
Some meds are horrible at first and end up exactually what you need. My personal standard is I stick with an med for a reasonable period unless I have a life threating side effect. This limit is personal, so whatever is too much with you may not be for someone else. One day of raised pulse does not mean you will always have this effect, one day proves nothing. Generally with the stims, like Dex and Ritalin, most know within a week or so if the side effects are OK;
provided the dose is close to correct benifits should be clear. Antidepressants take 6-8 weeks to start working and the side effects often continue till the AD kicks in.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.