Posted by Ame Sans Vie on October 28, 2003, at 7:01:51
In reply to Does Ritalin make you drowsy?, posted by KaraS on October 28, 2003, at 1:05:42
I have a mild case of ADD w/o hyperactivity (though I was a terror-child with full-blown ADHD growing up; a very high-achiever in school though). The symptoms of ADD may not be obvious, but they may be there -- Ritalin does the same thing to me. 5mg makes me want to curl up and take a nap, but 10mg is a bit over-stimulating to my heart. It does not, however, put me to sleep -- just gives me added drive and focus. If I were you I would give 7.5mg a try just to see what the deal is. Just one slightly higher dose should be enough to judge, and at least it only lasts 3-4 hours (I presume you're taking immediate-release Ritalin).
Failing that, perhaps a trial of an amphetamine or Provigil is in order? The amphetamines are every bit as stimulating as Ritalin for most people, not to mention less cardiotoxic and may provide more energy (especially Adderall, since the racemic amphetamine in it seems to provide added physical energy). Provigil, at higher doses usually (i.e. 300-400mg), may be an even more benign way to decrease anergia.
It seems a lot of people find Ritalin to be "zombifying", so I wouldn't discount that you're just one of the many people who react to it that way and need another type of stimulant.
poster:Ame Sans Vie
thread:274136
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031025/msgs/274191.html