Methylphenidate and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• November 5, 2011

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I lost most of my friends, but started 3 businesses by the age of 21. This medicine works, but it's a medicine. Yes, I have most of the generic side effects (loss of appetite, insomnia, irritability afterwards), but the pros outweigh the cons right now."

• Anonymous
• January 8, 2012

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I'm 16 and have been taking Concerta for about a year now. It works well and really helps me focus, but I do have a lack of appetite and trouble sleeping. Neither of those are really bad, though. My two biggest complaints are, first, that I feel less creative while I'm on it, and second, when I don't take it, now my concentration is horrible, and I get less done than before I started taking it."

• Har...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2022

Methylphenidate for ADHD "The 5 mg tablets are okay. The first month on it, it wasn’t bad at all, very productive, a few side effects like hunger and sadness. I would say a 6/10 for the 5 mg tablets. The XR/LA was absolutely the worst experience, though. Headaches, stomach aches, constantly frantic feeling, gassy, bathroom trips every time I ate, bloating, anxiety, extremely irritated, I always felt on the verge of a mental breakdown, poor digestion, poor sleep. I would sleep for 10 hours on XR and wake up feeling like I never slept. This should be used to torture people. I have a month supply, and I will be throwing away the medication, I actually can’t take these. I normally run 3x a week and work out 5x a week for my job. I have barely done any physical activity on XR. My life has gone very downhill, very fast. They really aren't addictive, at least the XR isn’t."

• Sar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 17, 2016

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I was first given Ritalin at 6 years old. Ritalin made it hard for me to sleep. Being on Ritalin made me feel nauseous. Ritalin caused tremors in my arms. Being forced to take Ritalin made me self-conscious. Ritalin increased my anxiety. My anxiety turned into panic attacks, so I was prescribed antidepressants like Zoloft, Wellbutrin, and Effexor. I was also prescribed Lamictal, an anti-convulsant. For me, Ritalin was the 'gateway drug.'"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 3, 2022

Methylphenidate for ADHD "My parents put me on Ritalin (long acting) when I was in 5th grade, and it does work, but not without some serious drawbacks. I was able to get all my schoolwork done in class and my memory was excellent, but my appetite was gone. I couldn’t eat lunch without feeling sick, so I had to stop doing so, and as a result, my height is severely stunted even as an adult (about a foot shorter than my 3 other brothers). Additionally, it really did a number on my sleep schedule and caused me some level of insomnia. The worst side effect, though, is that while on it, I would feel “suppressed,” and I very much did not enjoy this sensation. Ultimately, I decided to stop taking it, but if you don’t experience these side effects, I think it’d probably work pretty well."

• bru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2019

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I have been on this medication (Concerta HCL) for a week now, 29-year-old male with ADHD. I have not found this to work for me and hope I can get something else. I take it early in the morning and feel nothing after an hour of taking it. The only thing it does for me is keep me up at night when I need rest. I will say that when it does kick in at night, I am able to focus more than before, but nothing has been life-changing."

• Anonymous
• October 20, 2010

Methylphenidate for ADHD "My 7-year-old daughter was having a horrible time focusing in school and was very overweight. The doctor started her on Metadate 20 mg and had to eventually move her up to 50 mg a day. It worked great, she lost the weight and focused great in school until this year. She went to a new school and the days are a little longer. The teacher and I noticed that the medicine was not working as well as it used to and was wearing off before the end of the day! The doctor said that she could not up the dose because 50 mg was the maximum and wouldn't let the school give a second dose, so she has switched her to Adderall XR and it worked great, but she can't sleep. I miss the Metadate and am thinking about getting a second opinion."

• Max...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2021

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I have been taking this medication for over 2 months, and it's overall been good. I'm only on 18 mg and may need a higher dose. It makes my mind a lot quieter and I feel a lot less antsy. I can now start tasks easier, I still struggle a bit with focusing on unenjoyable things, but it's easier than before. I was told to take one pill a day, but it only lasts about 8 hours, and I get up at 7, so that hasn't really been working out. After it wears off, I feel very tired. I've been feeling pressure on the side of my temples since being on it. I've been having a bit of trouble sleeping, but it's not too bad."

• CPa...
• February 1, 2020

For Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome "I started Concerta on a small dose at first, 18 mg every morning, to help with fatigue, sleepiness, and brain fog. Since the 18 mg didn’t do anything, my neurologist changed it to 36 mg. I started noticing loss of appetite, but my brain fog, fatigue, and sleepiness were getting better for a bit. Then the 36 mg stopped working, and I was put on 54 mg. Since then, I had insomnia, I completely lost my appetite and lost 12 lbs, my resting heart rate was in the 177-200 range, and I noticed my anxiety coming back and getting 100 times worse. I saw my cardiologist, and he told me that I should have never been on a stimulant in the first place. My POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) is very severe, and the stimulant was making it even worse!"

• Anonymous
• December 3, 2009

Methylphenidate for ADHD "My teenage daughter was recently diagnosed with ADHD, to no surprise to anyone. She managed well until high school and was then put on Daytrana. She has experienced no side effects except a decrease in appetite, and if she keeps the patch on too long, she might have difficulty falling asleep. Her focus has improved substantially, and she is able to do her schoolwork. However, as everyone knows, this medication only solves one piece of the puzzle. Overall, she does not seem to have the rebound issues that people have with the medications taken by mouth."

• Kiw...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 24, 2022

Methylphenidate for ADHD "Been on both short-acting and extended-release 20 mg. Both did their job well. I have inattentive, and this medication cleared my cluttered mind, helped me focus, helped me complete tasks. Short-acting came with undesirable side effects, though, when it wore off, like lethargy, insomnia, and a headache. This medication is very difficult to get in New Zealand, as it’s a controlled medication, however, if you truly have ADHD, there’s a high chance stimulants will work really well."

• DrB...
• November 7, 2010

Methylphenidate for ADHD "Not a panacea, but a big drop in concentration when the dose is missed. Extended release, but loses effectiveness by early evening. Supplemented by low-dose methylphenidate before dinner if I need to work late. Taken too late, may affect sleep."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2021

Methylphenidate for ADHD "Concerta is the first ADHD med that I tried, and I only could handle one day. I have an anxiety disorder, so I was hoping that the smallest dose (18mg) wouldn't give me increased anxiety. Concerta worked really well for my ADHD, and I actually felt calm and clear-headed when it was in my system. But after a few hours, my heart would start to race, and I would feel really nervous, like I had a lot of coffee. When the medication wore off (which was about 8 hours for me), I felt HORRIBLE anxiety. I also felt moody and depressed. I suppose this was a rebound effect for me. At bedtime, I was so exhausted, but I couldn't sleep at all, like I involuntarily pulled an all-nighter. It was a terrible night for me. I'm giving it 3 stars because it did essentially eradicate my ADHD while it was in my system, but it just was too strong for me with my anxiety, I guess."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2022

Methylphenidate for ADHD "Worst insomnia ever with this medication. Dr. switched me from Adderall because it wasn't having lasting benefits through the day, but this lasts too long and I cannot sleep, makes anxiety worse, and I feel like my personality is dimmed."

• Non...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2023

For ADHD "Grandson is autistic and nonverbal with severe ADHD. He took the 5 mg for a month and then could not refill due to shortage. He was more hyper the first month but finally got a refill after no dose for a week and a half. He now has more meltdowns and wants the house dark and quiet. Now screams and bangs his head multiple times a day and doesn't go to bed until after midnight. His doctor wants to 'ride it out,' but I am thinking of getting a second opinion and a new doctor."

• Sou...
• June 22, 2016

Methylphenidate for ADHD "Daytrana made me manic, paranoid, and eventually psychotic. I had no difficulty stopping using it-no cravings. After I was off it, I had withdrawal symptoms the likes of which I cannot describe; simply sheer misery and dread, almost total insomnia. It lasted 1.5 years."

• Mam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2022

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I needed something to help me focus more in life. I don't understand how this stuff is even legal. It's like legal coke. I got the lowest dosage too. I felt like I was high off cocaine all day and could not sleep when night came until the a.m. Whew! Never again. My heart rate was crazy, and my head felt like it was going to explode from all the thinking."

• Anonymous
• August 20, 2016

For Fatigue "Prescribed to give me more energy. Haven't been on it but for a few days, but all I want to do is sleep! I had more pep before I started taking it!"

• Wee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2014

Methylphenidate for ADHD "Only side effect is can't sleep and lost 4 kg in 1 week."

• Jtc...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 10, 2018

Methylphenidate for ADHD "On this medication, I have experienced a decrease in appetite, an increase in libido, difficulty falling asleep, irritability, increased anxiety, and times where I seem to lack positive emotion."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 1, 2024

For Fatigue "I have been on it for over 20 years. If I don't take it, I continue to sleep until I start it again. I have noticed that different manufacturers' generics affect me differently."

• jea...
• December 27, 2009

Methylphenidate for ADHD "Very bad side effect: insomnia, depression, important weight loss..."

• bar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2015

For ADHD "Pretty good. Definitely helps with focusing and concentrating. Personal side effects: dehydration, occasional diarrhea, lack of appetite, difficulty sleeping."

• Jan...
• April 28, 2023

Methylphenidate for ADHD "Concerta has not helped me yet. I’ve been on it for almost a week, and so far I’ve had no productivity, no focus, no energy. Just lethargy, insomnia, headaches, and body aches. Really sucks."

• Alp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2020

For Depression "Ritalin isn't much different than speed. I took 2 Xanax and a muscle relaxer, and I'm still wide awake from that Ritalin."