Methylphenidate for Narcolepsy User Reviews

• Anonymous
• July 5, 2012

"I struggle with the Lethargic-type Depression. The Symptoms: lack of motivation, laziness, apathy, a-sociability (not caring about having others or relationships, NOT the same as anti-social), flat effect, low energy, excess sleeping, difficulty processing and connecting-the-dots, like when reading things for example, poor concentration, lack of drive, staying at home all day doing nothing, not getting a job, lack of determination and perseverance, giving up easily, low attention-span, etc. Ritalin works great for 'Lethargic Depression', and even MORE so when combined with my Cymbalta (60mg once-daily). I take 20mg in the morning, and I have a lot more energy. Just cleaning the dishes doesn't seem like an exhausting burden anymore. My facial expressions and effect don't seem flat, zombie, stiff and mask like. I can process what I'm reading more clearly. I CARE more and FEEL more. I feel motivated, and more active, no longer just sitting and watching TV all day, letting the house turn into a pit. I'm being productive, I can keep many things at the front of my head without forgetting. Overall I've gone from the walking, living dead -to- a living, happy, productive person. Overall, I take 90-120mg of the regular Ritalin (methylphenidate) in divided doses throughout the day."

• Sle...
• January 10, 2012

"I've been taking Ritalin for 3 years for Narcolepsy. I was very unwilling to try it at first, but after much research and a push from my doctor, I was finally alert and able to think clearly for the first time in years. I've had to alter my dose at times and currently take 10 mg twice a day. I work part-time and try to alter my lifestyle so I won't need to up my dose too soon. I can't imagine life without it and hope it continues to work for years to come."

• Anonymous
• January 24, 2010

"I have taken this medication for over 5 years to help me stay awake due to a narcolepsy diagnosis. The drug is very effective, and I have not become addicted in any way, although I have developed a tolerance to the medication and have had to increase my dosage to now the highest amount available. I will most likely have to change to another medication. The side effects have also increased, including mood swings and feelings of depression when the drug wears off, and now I am convinced that it is time to switch medications. Even with these increased side effects, without this drug, I wouldn't have been able to function as a normal human being, and now I am nervous that I won't be able to find another medication that was this effective."

• Ton...
• April 10, 2011

"I have been on Ritalin for 20 years. It has worked great. While working full time, I took 20 mg twice daily. Now retired and taking only 10 mg each morning, I feel more tired, but being retired, I function well and can rest anytime I need to."

• Yoo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2018

"I was recently diagnosed with narcolepsy after a sleep study. I was nearly passing out while driving so often that it was hindering my life. I couldn't play with my 3-year-old, and I couldn't clean or take care of myself. After a bad experience with Nuvigil, I was prescribed Ritalin, and I take 15 mg 2x a day. I am happier, I can drive and spend time with my daughter without having to lay down every hour. I'm able to do my college coursework without putting it off until the last moment. Ritalin has changed my life."

• Dep...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 22, 2016

"I have narcolepsy and have been taking Ritalin for about 20 years. I was diagnosed with depression about 7 years ago, most recently taking Effexor and citalopram. About 6 days ago, I spiraled down fast and hard. Couldn't eat, sleep, reason anything good, was crying hysterically, horrible feelings, felt like I was slowly going crazy. I had stopped taking my Ritalin, thinking it would keep me awake. Today I took my Ritalin, went for a nap, and woke up clear. I was calm, it's been 8 hours of no crying, no churning inside, no hysterics. I am sleeping, I can think things through.... absolutely night and day. No one ever told me that Ritalin could be helping my depression too."

• Anonymous
• January 5, 2012

"I have been taking Ritalin for my narcolepsy for almost three years now. It helps significantly, and without it, I don't think I would be able to work or function. However, my dosage has needed to be increased, as it seems my body is getting used to it. It's also a great alternative to Provigil because it does not interact with birth control pills as Provigil does."

• Anonymous
• October 17, 2008

"I really like it. The only thing about the Ritalin is that you get a slight rush, and then it seems to wear off before it should. My dosage was doubled, and that seemed to work out a lot better. It truly does the job, as I don't fall asleep all the time."

• sus...
• June 18, 2010

"I have narcolepsy and OSA along with severe Restless Legs Syndrome. I've been on Ritalin and 2 different non-narcotic medicines, and they simply stopped being effective after a short period of time. FINALLY, my doctor put me on 54 mg of Concerta along with 18 mg of Concerta, totaling 72 mg, and it's perfect. I can still take a short nap, but I am able to finally stay awake longer than 2 hours. It took 3 sleep studies and about 5 different drugs, but I think I finally am beginning to feel optimistic!"

• Jec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2013

"My doctor originally put me on this medication because I thought I was ADD on account of concentration and focus issues. After my first dose leveled out and needed to be adjusted, we realized I may be narcoleptic since my main complaint was daytime sleepiness along with the focus and concentration issues. I have a sleep study coming up to confirm the diagnosis, but this medication has saved my life. I can now stay awake all day, focus and concentrate, and my moods are even better. This is very important as a wife, stay-at-home mom of 3, and a college student. It works wonderfully for me! I do find I drink more water and crave cigarettes more, but the trade-off is definitely worth the benefits I am getting!"

• Jet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 26, 2018

"I had difficulty staying awake. I was taking all kinds of meds for mood disorders, and most of them caused drowsiness and weight gain. In 2016, I did a sleep study test, but didn't qualify for a CPAP machine. So I tried narcoleptic meds, but they didn't work well for me. My doctor prescribed Adderall XR, which was great for a while until I needed higher dosages to function, but the side effects weren't worth taking the med. So I stopped all stimulants. I did a sleep study test in January of 2018 and was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea. The CPAP machine wasn't enough alone for the narcolepsy. Now I take Concerta and feel alert, and I usually wake up before 6 a.m. Concerta helps me, and I only take 27 mg."

• Dic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 11, 2019

"I started on Ritalin for narcolepsy at 10 mg twice a day. Did not keep me awake. Went to 20 mg twice a day, still didn't work well. 30 mg twice a day is working well. I feel so much better, and I'm more active than I have been in years."

• Tob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2016

"Recently diagnosed with narcolepsy and was given Provigil. That did nothing. Given Ritalin and this is doing nothing either. Started at 10 mg twice a day. Increased to 30 mg twice a day. This is nothing more than a decent cup of coffee. Lasts no longer than an hour. Need better help for my tiredness."

• htf...
• August 27, 2009

"This medicine is doing its job. I actually fell asleep standing up in my dining room. Hit my chin on the table (ouch). Now, I don't fall asleep at inappropriate times (after I take my first dose). I do have concerns about its habitual possibilities, which I must say, my doctor did not warn me about. I will have to keep a close watch on my behavior I guess, but it is working."

• Jea...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 9, 2016

"Taken Ritalin over 15 years for narcolepsy. Provigil to $$. Over the years, I have increased to 40 mg two times daily. Have not (and won't) increased dosage in over 5 years. Retired now, so it's easier to adjust mg. If I feel it's not working, I will stop taking it for a week or two (if possible) and then go back 10 mg at a time. May be time-consuming but never had addiction. Considering the SR."

• nco...
• July 21, 2018

"Let me start by stating that I am a 24-year-old female with a history of idiopathic hypersomnia, coarctation of the aorta, and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). I was recently in a car accident and received my second concussion. Upon visiting my neurologist for headaches/migraine complaints, I brought to his attention my debilitating fatigue I've experienced since the last concussion. I've been to multiple doctors, and they pushed aside this symptom. I was almost in tears when my neurologist prescribed Ritalin. Day 3: improved concentration and more energy! So far, so good. I was worried I would have problems because of my heart conditions, but it is anatomic and not rhythmic, so I'm okay! He also assured me this will help with weight loss, which is great! Hope to continue to see great results with this medication."

• Jul...
• April 13, 2009

"I had to quit Ritalin, despite starting on a very small dose, because it gave me tremors and a 'wired' (but not alert) feeling. The problems did not diminish within 2 weeks, and that was all I could stand."

• Anonymous
• March 4, 2011

"I can't stay awake without it. I was taking 36 mg of Concerta at 6 a.m., another 36 at 8 a.m., and then falling asleep at my desk at 9. Now I still take the 6 a.m. dose, but I take the Methylin at 8 and then at 10 if I need it. I was falling asleep every day. Now I can actually stay awake! No other medicines have worked for me, and I have certainly tried a lot."

• kat...
• March 31, 2017

"I have had narcolepsy my whole life, and for the longest time, I thought it was because I was lazy. As a straight-A student, I didn't understand why it was so difficult for me to get up, stay awake, and make my body match up with my motivation. Literally, the first day I started taking this medication, I could stay awake in all of my classes, and I felt the passion and love for learning I always had as a kid. For the past years, watching Netflix was the go-to rather than homework just because I couldn't muster the physical nor mental energy to follow through. While I have been successful in my academics, after Concerta, I could study for longer, I could do more things, and I could finish my work faster. A 27 mg dose works all day (100 lbs)."

• jez...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 4, 2017

"When I was first diagnosed with narcolepsy at 13, I started with Ritalin and was taking about 40 mg per day and definitely helped with my narcolepsy but wasn't strong enough to keep me fully awake and repress my cataplexy. I now take 81 mg of Concerta and 10 mg of Ritalin in the mornings and, if needed, another 10-20 mg of Ritalin in the afternoons or when feeling tired. It's definitely been a lifesaver, especially during class or when I'm out. Didn't have or had any significant side effects and am so glad to have been introduced to it."

• Jax...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2013

"Although I was never officially diagnosed with narcolepsy, about 10 years ago, I began slowing down, literally, my energy and motivation kept going down and down, etc. I longed to be normal and play with my kids like I once had. Finally, we seemed to have found the right medication, and now we just need to adjust the dosage. It has been nearly a month, and it's been a little rocky because of the adjustments needed, but I feel like I am becoming the Jackie I once was. I just need to check more about the side effects, etc. So far, so good."

• Not...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 7, 2020

"I was diagnosed with excessive daytime sleepiness in the '90s. I took Ritalin twice a day for more than a decade. I found it was like being on a roller coaster. My first dose was mid-morning, and it would take at least 30 minutes before it started kicking in. It 'peaked' about 2 hours after consuming the dose, where I felt awake, alert, and full of energy for a very short time. Then its effects slowly wore off, leaving me feeling completely out of it, depressed, slow, and unmotivated. I took the 2nd dose mid-afternoon, and its effectiveness ran the same course. It was a struggle getting through every day."

• Pun...
• October 11, 2020

"In a single year, I was diagnosed with intracranial hypertension, narcolepsy, and severe sleep apnea. I use an ASV because my brain forgets to breathe at night. Before Ritalin, my ASV didn't help much. I'm a 35-year-old female and I've tried Provigil, Nuvigil, Adderall, Sunosi, and only 80 mg of Ritalin divided in doses of 40 mg twice a day has WORKED. My life is back, and my apnea scores are the lowest EVER. My neurologist can't believe it. Ritalin keeps my brain active so I breathe at night. Push through the side effects; they WILL GO AWAY!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 11, 2012

"The use of Methylin 10 mg at 08:00, again at 14:00, has made my workday productive and avoided the 'nods' at mid-day and again mid-afternoon. I had suffered with undiagnosed narcolepsy for at least 10 years, and this regimen, started 3 years ago, has saved my job and my life. (I used to sometimes almost nod off at a long interval stoplight in the mid-afternoon. 'Scary for me and you both!')"

• Ric...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 12, 2024

"I was diagnosed in 1977 at the Mayo Clinic by Dr. Robert E Yoss. It changed my life! No one understood Narcolepsy like Dr. Yoss. He said some doctors will tell you to take a nap around noon for 15 minutes, that's when to look for a new doctor. Dr. Yoss said, 'I don't take my glasses off when I'm in the middle of reading something, so you should not be taking a nap in the middle of the day.' Dr. Yoss retired from the Mayo Clinic and had moved his practice to his home. He would only see people with Narcolepsy. He said most people with Narcolepsy are underdiagnosed and not being treated properly. When he said to take as needed, I asked, 'Well, how much and how often?' He explained that not every day is the same, some days you may be more tired and some days more alert, so take what you need when you need it."