Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho
I can't comment on the Ritalin except to say experts disagree. Some say it is OK. Others say it stresses the brain.
You have two months to start being active enough to get a sense of your ability to safely do the activities of the field trip. The important things is to learn you own safe level of doing these activities. You need to establish an "I'm in charge of my own movements' attitude so you don't let others push you into situations that are beyond your safe physical abilities.
You might consider getting a helmet if you will need to be scampering across rocks with unstable footing. A bicycle or skate board helmet or mountaineering helmet may be worthwhile.
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Thank you, Mark. What you said does make sense, but I've heard cases of people that their symptoms completely disappeared after a few months, and then they went to do some physical activity which caused their symptoms to return and stay there for a very long time (one user in this forum said that he healed after 3 months, went snowmobiling, and his PCS symptoms returned for at least 2 years even though he didn't hit his head while snowmobiling). That sounds scary, so how much do you think I should wait? As I mentioned, symptoms can return after heavy physical activity, even if you feel fine. So how do I know in 2 months from now if I can go to that field trip or not?
Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyT
Edit: it's actually norepinephrine and dopamine that are affected by stimulants not epinephrine and dopamine. I believe there is also serotonin activity. My post was submitted early!
Adding to that thought, if your brain is in the select few percent of the population that actually need stimulants than that is out of my knowledge. How long have you been taking Ritalin? How does it make you feel when you take it?
For the second question, there is no way for any of us to predict how you will be feeling in two months. The safe answer is an absolute no. Based on your previous posts, it would be best for your recovery both physically and psychologically to rest and not take any risks. Just think of how you would be second guessing yourself if there were any incidents. Your brain is probably not ready for jarring and moving around violently. Please take it easy until you have no symptoms.
Remembe don't take my advice as fact but I do have some limited knowledge from college and experience regarding the biochemistry of stimulants and I would like to help you as much as I can.
Be well.
-Danny
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I was prescribed Ritalin for my ADHD. I have always had severe attention problems, so the Ritalin helps me manage my concentration and study.
When I take the Ritalin, I feel that it's very easy to focus on whatever I want. My appetite is really low for the most of the day (since it's sustained release Ritalin - Ritalin LA). Other than that, it also makes me feel good, optimistic and highly motivated. It gives me a lot of self confidence, and sadly sometimes it causes me chest pains.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lara
Regarding discontinuation of Ritalin -
Central nervous system stimulants should not be discontinued abruptly. It really does depend on the dose you're taking but usually Ritalin would be tapered rather than discontinued immediately.
Just be aware that if you've been taking Ritalin a long time and at a higher dose and you decide to stop it, you may have withdrawal symptoms.
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I'm actually withdrawing from Ritalin right now (day 4 of withdrawal). I always stop cold turkey for different reasons (this time - I'm on vacation from school so it's just unnecessary to take it now). The withdrawal is not very nice - I feel very hungry, extremely tired, I get headaches and I can't focus at all and also I don't have any motivation. It's really uncomfortable, but tapering off would take a lot of time and I prefer stopping abruptly, even though it's tough.
I have withdrawal symptoms every time I stop, and the feeling is just terrible. If I go to school while withdrawing from Ritalin, I'll easily fall asleep there and won't even bother taking out my notebooks because I'm so lethargic.
I take Advil to manage the pain from the headaches during withdrawals - it is a great help. I also have to sleep much more, and I usually gain a few kilograms in the first week after stopping Ritalin (the length of the withdrawal is usually 6-7 days).