Ritalin/methylphenidate
 

My psychiatrist has prescribed the above drug for me - he thinks it might help with my tiredness - about an hour after taking it I am getting horrible headaches. I am taking 20mg slow release tablets. My GP has said that I should just persevere and my body will get used to it.

When I had my QEEG in Australia the psychologist that I saw there who also specialised in ADHD told me that this drug does not work for head injuries.

Has anybody else tried this or does anybody know anything about it?

Thanks, Lynlee

Lynlee...

if you're getting Horrible headaches now w/ this drug, I'd listen to your body-- not DR -- who's telling you to "persevere' ...

I know how debilitating fatigue can be, but horrible headaches are also


i've not used Ritalin so can't share personal experience, but have had many adverse & allergic reactions w/ RX meds, esp since TBi
years ago tried PROVIGAL -- med used for narcolepsy, but aslo prescribed in other condtions, for daytime sleepiness, fatigue, etc. -- but d/c when it made other problems worse

you don't need another problem

wishing U the Best...


Google - "Ritalin for TBi" ---more info

Ritalin
 

Well I stopped taking it in November after that first attempt as I got bronchitis, diverticulitis and another itis and was quite sick for a while. I have read somewhere that with head injuries you can be more susceptible to catching things as all resistance levels etc are under energised - well makes sense in my brain - long as I have an explanation for anything that happens!

Anyway I have taken one this morning - as you can see I have done a lot of posting - no headache yet - will keep you postedn on what happens later.

Ohhhhh - does anybody have any idea of a miracle drug that would keep me awake all day - and not provigal - it caused bad pain in my brain - virtually intolerable

Lynlee

3 hours later
 

3 hours later and have horrible headache and feel sick was due to take another ritalin tablet at mid day - but no thankyou - this is the end of trying this medication. I think I had about an hour that was good - while I was doing the posting on this site and that was it - have spent an hour in bed trying to sleep it off but still feel really yuk! Not recommended.

Lynlee

Hey Lynlee!! Long time no chat *smiles*. My pyschoneurlogist (sp?) suggested ritalin since I too get sooooo tired during the day and I have problems focusing on things throughout the day....but told me to talk with my neurologist which I did. My neurologist was totally against me using it. So I didn't. Still tired throughout the day and still having headaches....

As you can read it's the end of the day here and I'm tired, spelling not so good ):

I don't want to be taking anything that could possibly make my headaches any worse than they are....yuk!

So as we tell each other on this wonderful network (my lifesaver)....listen to your body and you'll know if what the "doctors" are saying is great is it really great for you....

I've tried a number of different meds that my doctor as prescribed...I give them 1 month and if I have any problems, issues etc. I stop taking them and tell the doctor of course.

So far none have worked as he thought. Right now I'm on a antidepresent that is supposed to help with my headaches, lack of sleeping....I've been on them for about 3 weeks. So far the headaches are better, still not sleeping though I'm really tired when I go to bed....so I'll give them another week to see if they are worth the effort of taking them *smiles*.

Chat later....hope you feel better.

Kay

Hi Melek
 

Are you still working? Do you have sleeps during the day? Do you think that if you did you would "tame" the headaches a little? Also unless I have my afternoon sleep I can't sleep all night either - like being an over tired todler. I am now taking a sleeping pill and it is just brilliant - no tired hangover from it at all. I guess I will be addicted to it but I don't mind - SLEEP is the most wonderful thing in my life!!!

You do sound a lot better than before - I was worried about you. I seem to have got over my "itis's" and was lucky that the tests came back ok - was stressing about that for a while.

I am seeing the psychiatrist on the 23rd Jan so will talk to him about the ritalin - he was the one who prescribed it. Did your neurologist tell you why you shouldn't try it? I am thinking that anything that pushes my brain causes pain.

Great to hear from you

Lynlee