Ritalin User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

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

For Narcolepsy "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
• December 15, 2009

For ADHD "I have 9-year-old twins who have ADHD. They've been on Concerta, we are up to 36 mg, and it was doing nothing. When they started having side effects-constant picking of scalp, sniffling, and puckering of the mouth-they were taken off. We then went to Adderall, and they both got very aggressive. We are now on Ritalin 20 mg. One just started today, so I'm not sure how it's going to go with him, but the other has been on it for a while, and he's doing so good. He wants to take it, it makes him happy, he says. Today, when I took them to school, he held his 5-year-old brother's hand when they walked in. For some people, that may not be a big deal, but before, he didn't want anything to do with him. He is very talkative on it but very sweet and helpful."

• Ano...
• February 1, 2016

For ADHD "I have mixed feelings on Ritalin. I am 16 years old, diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome and ADD. I started taking 20 mg in the morning. After about 10 minutes, I would start feeling it, I felt full of energy and moderately euphoric. I don't know if this is a 'normal' reaction, but it would make me feel almost manic-like. But all in all, the effects were helpful! When I would usually just sit on my computer, the Ritalin somehow made work enjoyable. I hated math, but when on Ritalin and in school, it was interesting, even fun! It made everything feel positive and perfect. The reason I don't give it a 10 is because it only lasts for 3-4 hours. The comedown from this drug is quite terrible. And it gave me some annoying tics."

• Anonymous
• January 9, 2012

For ADHD "Before Ritalin, I was constantly snapping at my husband, and I was never able to concentrate at work. After taking it, I have turned into a new person! I am able to relax and, for once, feel calm. My husband said that since I started taking it, I haven't been as moody. I am also able to complete my work projects in a timely manner."

• Anonymous
• June 11, 2011

For ADHD "I have severe ADHD. For a while, I didn't know what was wrong with me, constantly daydreaming, lazy, unorganized, acting impulsively, and very hyper. The medicine has changed my life. All these symptoms are gone, except I'm still a bit hyper and impulsive, but only slightly. It does exactly what it says on the tin and changed my life dramatically. I could actually focus. Bad things would be if you are sensitive to stimulants like coffee. It will make you jittery, it gives you a slight mood and energy boost. I'd recommend taking it in small doses first."

• Anonymous
• January 5, 2012

For Narcolepsy "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."

• Dee...
• November 25, 2015

For ADHD "I've been on and off this medication for a few years now. I have mixed feelings toward it. The first 30 minutes to an hour of taking it, I feel a rush and a feeling of I can do anything. That rush motivates me to go to the gym, actually. After the rush is gone, I feel more focused and alert. After the alertness has worn off, I feel moody and irritable. I'm very aware it's the medication making me on edge and try to control it. I get a bit headachy sometimes, and it bothers my stomach from time to time. Always hungry? Not on this medication. Appetite gone, at least for a while until the next pill. Make sure to eat! I would say this medication is addictive and would not recommend it to anyone that has an addiction problem."

• coo...
• March 16, 2009

For ADHD "Diagnosed with ADHD at 53. Who knew there was a reason for my quirky personality? Tried Strattera and slept 15-18 hours a day, was switched to Ritalin and thought this was it. I really like how I feel: calm, focused. My friends noticed. I did great for a couple of weeks and then became extremely impulsive and inappropriate. I was focused, but on warp speed. I gained 10 lbs in a week because I could not stop eating once I started, I went on shopping sprees, driving jags, and blurted out without the 'think before you speak' button. Once I started a task, I had to finish. My kids were late to school, you get the picture. This was definitely not the drug for me. I stopped taking it a couple of days ago, I am still feeling the effect."

• Doc...
• December 28, 2009

For ADHD "Works very well in the beginning. After a couple of months, induces tolerance. Anyway, it changed my professional and personal lifestyles. Now I pity the person I was. I never experienced a linear and practical thought until I used this."

• Jea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 1, 2015

For ADHD "Ritalin is great. I've been taking it for 6 months now after being diagnosed with ADHD. Now I can focus on my schoolwork and stay alert when last year I was sleeping the whole day during school and could learn anything. Marks, of course, have jumped from C to A as I can focus and stop doing stupid mistakes in tests that I didn't realize I was doing nor could spot due to the lack of patience. Impulses have been reduced also."

• Anonymous
• November 18, 2008

For ADHD "Racing heart and head rushes when you first start taking the medicine. It was my lifesaver for high school and college and even now through life. I can actually accomplish things in an orderly fashion."

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2020

For ADHD "I'm a 20-year-old woman, 179 cm and 61 kg, who just got diagnosed with ADD for the first time in my life, after living with it untreated for so many years. So, my doctor wanted to prescribe me Ritalin, though in small doses, so I didn't just go all in from the start. I started with 10 mg, which didn't have an effect. Then I took 20 mg, I felt a little more energized, but nothing else. Then I tried 30 mg today. I felt extremely fresh in my mind, instead of the weird slump I'm usually in. Very happy, which suggests that what I lacked before was dopamine. Still no difference with anything else, like my poor concentration and focus, but on the other side, there are no side effects as of late. Other than the things that I've already struggled with, like depression and anxiety. Not a bad experience thus far, but I'm still a little bit nervous about how 40 mg and 50 mg will affect me."

• Ste...
• March 11, 2018

For ADHD "Diagnosed at 33 when I was finally able to find the right psychiatrist, I was prescribed generic Ritalin, and it quite literally changed my life. It was a bit of a journey to find the right formulation and dose. I take this form of short-acting Ritalin after the Ritalin LA wears off (usually 6-7 hours). Pros: Works quickly, cheap, well-known and researched, relatively easy to obtain (not as much of a shortage as other more 'fancy' formulations), and works for a large population of people with ADHD. Cons: Wears off quickly (sometimes 2 hrs for me), feels like a bumpy ride of ups and downs, hard to remember to take on time. Drink lots of water, make sure you graze on high-protein snacks to avoid getting hangry, take a shower, and get up and do something. I get sucked into 'the zone' if I take my meds and then come online... for example :) Good luck to you in finding your best self!"

• Anonymous
• October 17, 2008

For Narcolepsy "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."

• ADH...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2019

For ADHD "I started Ritalin 10 mg 3 times daily yesterday, as I have ADHD. I feel calmer and less anxious, but it is not a huge difference. I also seem to be in a more positive mood, and getting myself motivated to do things seems easier, but that could just be the placebo effect at work. The first thing I did when the first dose kicked in was have a nap, so it must be calming me down. I expected my Tourette's or anxiety to get worse, but I haven't noticed any side effects so far."

• Kev...
• June 18, 2009

For ADHD "Well, my experience with Ritalin really changed my life, and I really mean really. This medication has a lot of pros as well as cons. Without Ritalin, I could not do anything in school, I was literally paralyzed. Everyone did better than me, but I tried the hardest, and I just couldn't do it, there was no way. So, when I got Ritalin, it made a huge impact on my life, I mean huge. This substance really changed me, the way I acted, the way I thought. It was amazing, I fell in love with it. I took the proper amount every time: 40 MG - 60 MG. Now, I have been taking Ritalin for 7 years. The only cons are it makes you very still after a while, and depression, but I can deal with it."

• Rit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2023

For ADHD "I can't string words together in a sentence anymore, I am devoid of any personality, and the worst part is that there is no payoff, just the physical symptoms of feeling like I want to jump out of my skin, and I am being antisocial as a result of it."

• law...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 16, 2015

For ADHD "Ritalin has changed my life for the better. Family and friends could see how happy I was. I was able to finish what I started instead of 20 projects. A fill-in doctor said he would not prescribe me my Ritalin because I was 61 years old, that I was too old. My regular doctor is out of town. I am withdrawing and very tired and depressed, and I want to die, or I will if. These thoughts of the afterlife will be painless, live alone, and no one will find me for days."

• Rey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2019

For ADHD "(18 M) I recently got diagnosed with ADD and was given Ritalin. 5 mg per day as a start-up dose. I have dabbled with other drugs in the past, like cannabis, LSD, mushrooms, and morphine. I took Ritalin for two days before deciding to quit. Never in my entire life have I ever felt this level of addiction, nor have I ever crashed this bad on any drug. I have suffered with severe depression, OCD, and anxiety for some years. The crash gave me a rebound to my past psychosis."

• Anonymous
• March 11, 2009

For ADHD "I've been on this medicine for about a month and lost around eleven pounds. I initially got on it to stay more focused in school, although I don't have a serious case of ADD, but I don't mind the weight loss. I could spare a few pounds. You get a rush for about 45 minutes after it kicks in, and that feels better than it should. I feel I can concentrate when I use it, but I'm not myself when I take it. My personality is dulled a bit, and even if I have homework to do, I'll find something to distract myself. Whether it's choosing a simpler assignment or just writing because I still feel like I'm being productive."

• n81...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 28, 2013

For ADHD "What can I say, dx with mild ADD too (who isn't anymore). But this, taken with Effexor XR, has helped very much with apathy, motivation, energy, and enjoyment of life! Drs. reluctantly Rx this because it is a Schedule II substance and is mostly Rx'd for ADD/ADHD, but it has a profound effect in boosting the effects of an antidepressant. Taken alone for depression? Not really a good idea because it wears off fast. I take 20-30 mg a day (TID)."

• Jes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 14, 2019

"I suffer from anxiety and depression, and while antidepressants worked, I still didn’t have any motivation or drive. My doctor wanted me to try taking Ritalin in addition to my regular medication. For me, it made a huge difference, life-changing. I’m a 44-year-old female, and I haven’t felt this good since before I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I take 10 mg of short-acting twice a day and usually don’t need it on weekends. I’m so thankful this worked for me."

• Pat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 12, 2013

For ADHD "Have to say wow! It helps low energy, depression, and works well with most SSRIs and some low-dose SNRIs. Life feels exciting again, and it offsets SSRI sexual side effects. Works fast and well. The main problem is that it wears off in a few hours, so you need to dose multiple times a day. It causes you to sweat a little more and be a little more irritable than usual, but it is really a great med to help depression. It is much different and better than Wellbutrin for sure, even though both are NDRIs. Check out the research on stimulants for depression and bipolar depression. Going to try Provigil now for a more even energy/mood boost. But I may be back to this."

• Pel...
• April 21, 2010

For ADHD "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. It seems I also have ADHD, idiopathic hypersomnia (not narcolepsy, but an unknown reason for excessive sleepiness), and a host of other symptoms. Ritalin was a lifesaver. I am able to think clearly again, I can wake up in the morning, and stay awake during the day, and my creativity is back (artist/crafter). It seems my tolerance is building, so my doctor tried me on LA; in a 1-month test I had a rocky start, but once my system adjusted, it worked wonderfully. However, now my insurance company won't pay for it. Always one step forward, two steps back."

• LaF...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 21, 2017

For ADHD "Been on and off Ritalin for years. The regular version works well for me, but its effect was gone in under 3 hours. The extended release was useless - I metabolize it too quickly and was overdosing on it after about an hour. When I was working, it was great not wasting time getting distracted by crap: no retracing my steps to remember what I was looking for; no wondering why I had the telephone in my hand - was I calling or answering, etc.? But I didn't like driving under Ritalin - I was used to having my attention all over the place and being able to see EVERYTHING that was going on around me: traffic slowing 5 blocks up; a wingnut weaving through lanes 2 blocks behind. I only took it while working or when I needed to focus. Same thing now."