Ritalin now

I had an appointment with my Dr. on the 21st and we discussed the side effects I was experiencing from the Adderall, and we decided to give Ritalin a try. I could tell he doesn't like Ritalin as much, but he decided it was worth a try if it made me feel better overall.

I got my 10mg prescription for up to 2 tablets twice a day. I began taking it the next day and I was a little disappointed in that I didn't really feel as though it was working. I didn't feel any different, except maybe a little more mellow. My other side effect didn't seem to be as bad so that was a plus. After a few days I took two pills in the morning to see if that might give me more of an effect and holy cow, I was buzzy all morning. It was not the best feeling. My mind felt like it was tingling and I had tons of useless nervous energy. Take a few redbulls and I think you'll get the idea. Since then I have cut back to one pill at a time.

I have noticed a difference in the way I feel the last few days. I feel a little more hyper than I did the first few days, but not all the time. If I am mellow, I stay mellow, but if I do something I get a bit of an energy rush. Sometimes it is a little too much and I feel the need to quiet myself down. Meditation works if I can get to a quiet place.

Overall I think I like this medication more than the Adderall. I don't have an upset stomach and the headaches are less significant so I'm handling it well.

During my conversation with the Dr. he made it clear that in most cases the medication is a bit of a compromise and that no medication will make me normal all the time. The real end goal is to find something that helps me function better than I did before, not to provide a magic pill. To that end I think it helps.

I had heard stories about people getting super anal on these drugs. I heard a story about a graphics artist that couldn't stop working on graphics until they were perfect when he took the drugs. I haven't seen anything like that. I can stick with things longer, but I still get frustrated and walk away or get to the good enough point and call it done. I suppose it has a lot to do with your original personality coming through. I have never been much of a perfectionist so I don't become more of one on these drugs whereas a person who tends to obsess may then have the ability to follow through on their obsessive behavior when they are on the drugs.

Really, just one follower?

Off subject today, but I'm off my meds today so I'll blame that.

I'm a little disappointed that I only have one follower! I'm sure your a nice guy, and thanks for reading. I don't really get this blog thing, how are you supposed to get more followers? I can't even figure out how I'd search for other blogs of interest! Does someone just have to trip over my blog?

Sorry, I was just a little frustrated there. Whewwww, it's out of my system now. I really write this for myself anyway. I'm trying to write down my experiences because it helps cement them in my mind, and it brings stuff up to the front of my mind that may be rolling around in the rusty corners like a lugnut in the trunk of a 1974 pinto. You hear it, it bugs you a little, but you don't really take the time when you're driving to see what it is until you stop and pop the trunk and take a look around.

More Observations

So, I'm trying to get comfortable with Adderall, and while it works, I don't feel like it's going to be the best possible medication. Perhaps I will be proved wrong.

Adderall does help with energy level and focus, but I also have almost no appetite while I'm on it which means I get no joy out of eating or making meals. My job in the house is chief cook so this has been a problem. I have also experienced a higher instance of indigestion, or heartburn. I have had heartburn from time to time generally when under great stress, or after eating something really really funky, but no more than a couple times a year. Since adderall, I have had heartburn every few days.

Sleeplessness, and dreams have become an issue. I don't get tired as easily, but I can fall asleep. It isn't as restful as it could be. I find myself waking up more often during the night and I am having more vivid dream sequences. These seem more often to be the sort of in control dreams when you're aware that your dreaming and can direct the dream, but weird dream stuff is still going on. I have had a few nights where sleep has been very difficult, but taking the drugs before 1pm seems to help that issue.

I rarely pee during the day now. It usually hits me in the evening when my second dose should be wearing off and then I'm going about once an hour or more for a while. Not really a big deal, but it drives my wife nuts when I pause the movie we're watching so I can go pee again.

Conversely, I am drinking more during the day. I often feel parched and need a drink during the day.

I think I mentioned this in a previous post, getting and maintaining a stiffy has become a little more work. Things still work, but a little more effort seems to be necessary.

All in all, nothing super serious, just a few nitpicks to cause me to think that perhaps another medication may offer me a better solution. I have been enjoying the added focus. In fact as I write this I remembered I forgot my afternoon dose and I have having a hard time getting things done in the office.

2 pills tohttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3043785899990554405o much

Yesterday I tried two pills in the morning to see if it gave me any sort of improvement. The result was not so good. It made me kind of zombie like. I had a project I was working on in the garage and I found it particularly hard to think ahead or make calculations of any value. I found myself staring into space at one point and realized I had been there for some time with no thought in my mind. It was pretty weird.



I can't say for sure it was the medication. I have been feeling a little off the past few days, kind of like I'm maybe on the verge of coming down with something.

In the afternoon I went back to one pill and felt a bit more normal later in the day but still slightly off.

Oct 2nd

I have officially put my medication to the first real test. I had two days of computer training which would normally be very difficult for me to endure. In the past I would have a hard time listening for any length of time and I would be nearly catatonic by lunchtime.

I was able to keep connected to the class the entire day without any perceivable problems paying attention. This was quite a breakthrough for me. I did have one off experience during the first day. Before the Adderall had a chance to take effect I was pretty sleepy so I grabbed a cup of tea (I hate coffee and didn't have change for a soda. The effect was pretty weird. I had tons of energy and a case of permagrin. I couldn't stop smiling and was really hyped up pretty good. It wasn't all together an unpleasant feeling, but not appropriate to the situation. I get a little of the same feeling but less pronounced when I take my second pill of the day, there must be a little overlap causing a boost of medication. I would take the second pill a little later, but then I run the risk of not being tired at bed-time.

Other observations this week.

My intake of sweets has dropped of quite significantly. I believe that I used to self medicate with sweets when my energy levels fell to a certian point. With the medication I don't have the lows, so there is no need to reach for the bag of candy.

Sex, yep, I'm gonna go there. I've noticed a moderate decline in sexual appatite and a more difficult time performing as I'd like to. Things still work, they just take a little more effort than before.

Forgot pills. One day this week I forgot my pills. I went back to my "normal" state with little difference to report. I did miss the better feelings I had with the pills, but no negetives to report.

Fidgeting. I'm a firgeter, I admit it. Drives my wife nuts. Mostly this is seen with the bouncing leg thing. I had read or been told that this behavior may decline with medication. I haven't seen that to be the case. In fact I might be doing more if anything.

Starting tomorros I am going to change up my routine to see what happens. I am going to go from my one pill twice a day routine to two pills in the morning and one in the afternoon. I want to see if I see any noticable improvement with an extra pill.