Posted by Racer on March 3, 2006, at 13:40:05
My doctor prescribed Ritalin for me a week ago, and it's helping so far, as far as I can tell. There are two drawbacks so far: one, I had to reduce my Wellbutrin, which had been helping me reduce my smoking. I really liked that, and felt as though I might FINALLY be able to quit. So I wasn't real happy about reducing it, since it did mean that my urge to smoke -- and the number of cigarettes I do smoke -- had increased.
The other problem, though, is headaches: they're not migraines, but they hurt so badly they're making me nauseous. And the headaches are going to mean I can't take the Ritalin, if they don't go away and go away fast.
I don't want to stop the Ritalin -- it's boosted me out of depression, into feeling like myself. It's reduced my anxiety. It's certainly reduced the Monkey Brain problems I get. And it's helped me access the energy I have, which had felt bottled up inside me for so long. The only downsides are the smoking, which I guess I can live with; the need for a nap midday, which I can deal with by splitting the dose differently; it's stimulating my appetite a LOT; and the headaches. The only one of those that is a deal-killer is the headaches, so that's what I want to know about.
First, if you had headaches from Ritalin, did they go away? If so, I'll give it a couple of weeks and see. I think I can get through that.
Second, does anyone know if another stimulant would maybe give similar benefits without the headaches? Maybe dexadrine? Or whatever else is out there? This morning, I took 1/2 a 5mg tablet -- 2.5mg, and that's enough to start the headache up again, although it just didn't go away from yesterday. The 2.5 isn't enough, but the headache is so much worse from the 5mg. {sigh} Please tell me it's either gonna go away or dexadrine would be better?
Also, my T got a call from the pdoc, who told her that there was a reason she prescribed Ritalin rather than dexadrine. Can anyone think what it might have been? Would dexadrine be more dangerous with the ED history? Or more problematic with blood pressure? Anything anyone can think of? (And yes -- I will ask about it at my next appointment. And will also call her today to ask her about the headaches.)
Thanks!
poster:Racer
thread:615445
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060227/msgs/615445.html