Concerta Vs Ritalin…
ADHD Related, Gastric Bypass, General Nonsense March 2nd, 2007Prior to surgery, I was on Concerta - time released Ritalin. I have ADHD and although I am highly functioning and use it to my advantage (was great in med school), I need to focus more now and it has helped.
Because of the issues with absorption, I have switched to Ritalin and taken my first tablet this morning - its been awhile and I kind of missed the ability to focus to be honest. Its nice to feel some normality again.
Is anyone else on Ritalin (generic name methylphenidate) or someting else for ADD/ADHD?
If so, what has your experience been?
March 8th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
I meant to comment on this earlier but have been silly busy with a new job and moving house. Wheee!
I tried Concerta and it didn’t work well for me. I can’t remember what didn’t work about it, just that I couldn’t continue with it beyond a trial period. There was another medicine I was tried on as well… must dig out my records… but ultimately the one that worked wonders - no really, WONDERS - for me was Adderall XR. I was also prescribed a ‘booster pill’ of generic D-Amphetamine Salt Combo (5mg tabs) for if I had an evening activity that required a little bit of focus after the Adderall had done its job for the day. (My work day was 7am-3pm at that time.) Came in handy when I used to give presentations to the Mac User Group I was a part of and other things that needed me to stay focused. My appropriate Adderall XR dose was found to be 20mg. Any more and I got a bit jittery but the 20mg fit me like a glove.
This is the drug I’m going to push for if I ever get my needed appointment at Maudsley.
I realise what I took is in a different classification than Concerta and Ritalin, but I thought I’d share what worked for me in case it helps you in some way.
Keep us updated! x
March 25th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
Hi Geneva,
I linked to your blog through obesityhelp.com RNY message board.
I’m a fellow ADDr and have just gone back on adderall 3 month after WLS. Because, like you, I’m considered ‘high functioning” , i was doing fine w/out meds for a while but over the past months became way too disorganized and started to procrastinate @ work-related stuff, which is a huge issue since i have my own law practice w/no one else to pick up the slack.
i have noticed that adderall (regular, not extended release) post WLS is still effective but wears off faster (which makes perfect sence, of course) but is still a f-ing pain in the butt. have u found the same to be the case w/ritalin and if so, how do you plan around it?
March 26th, 2007 at 11:10 am
I no longer take the ritalin - it made me crazy shaky!
I have gone back to the Concerta, with no major problems, and have found that my productivity has picked up again.
Perhaps you could discuss with your doctor taking some extended release Adderall and see how that helps - I think it may be digesting faster cause it will hit your intestines quicker.
The time-release Concerta doesn’t seem to do this to me, because the concerta tablet is probably constructed differently - I need to look into this.
Good luck Natalie, and keep us updated!
March 26th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
I’ve been on it for 6 months now (ish).
Only just found you and other related blogs. Fascinating and giving me a much more positive outlook since my diagnosis so thanks very much!
I take 60mg per day (3 x 20 mg morning, lunch, afternoon) at present although it’s difficult to tell nowadays when it’s working. No particualr rush or distinct change like there was at first - Psych has said it’s ok to try 30mg - 30mg or 30mg-20mg-10mg to see if that makes a difference, but so far I’ve not had any particular benefit.
Ritalin not perfect but I’m starting to realise that it’s not necessarily worth trying to completely subdue my ADD traits and to play to my strengths. I may have a go at Concerta and I’d be interested to hear more about adderall - is it ok for the UK and what distinct differences in it’s effect from Ritalin?
Just need to learn how to work all this blogging stuff…
I have found that I have a heap more stamina when training in the gym along with various other subtleties that I’ll maybe mention another time. Mild stimulant effect I guess and metabolism certainly seems to be raised.
One thing I will say is for Gods sake start taking a closer interest in the literature that comes with anything else you might take. A bad cold, ritalin and a dose of Benylin when working from home was a very peculiar experience I can tell you!
May 5th, 2007 at 5:28 am
Hi there!!
I have some adhd resource sites on my site. Check it out. Dr. Amen’s http://www.amenclinics.com has some interesting stuff on adhd.
Add l-tyrosine 500-1500 mg and/or GABA 500-1500 mg to your daily vitamins/supplements and see how it feels. Both have done wonders for my patients with adhs (even the kids take it).
November 11th, 2007 at 8:19 am
I read with interest the comments on Ritalin. I am currently waiting to be prescribed the drug by a pych who has so far taken 5 weeks to order a new prescriiption pad. I first asked my GP for Ritalin 8 years ago and in that time I have sunk further into a hole of street speed usage that was daily until very recently. Not pleasant. I am a writer and I havn’t been able to concentrate enough to do my job for about ten years now, its the mechanics of the process that I find so utterly impossible, not the creativitity. And so, Ive taken speed to help me write. But what was once a revelation eventually became a disaster zone, one sentence re-written again and again and again. Now I am waiting for Ritalin and desperately hoping it will do the trick for me. Any imput from anyone who can give me any insights would be great. Does anyone get it from their GP in England? GG