Dealing with long term effects of amphetamine/ritalin use.

[bobbincygna]

I used Ritalin a lot when I was a child, I'm now 23 and I crushed my car today.

My problem is not with amphetamines, but with Ritalin.
I've been reading about the long term effects of Ritalin and they appear to be the same of amphetamines.

Today I was staring at my drivers license and my mind went blank, or maybe it was too focused in the license. One of the two, just like when I stare out the window or a random object from time to time. The only difference is that I was driving and I crushed.

For the last week I've been thinking that maybe all my oddities are due to the high doses of ritalin I used in the past, so today, with this new incentive, I started reading about the long term effects of ritaling, and found that they are the same of amphetamines. I have or had most of the effects, this are:

extreme social withdrawal.
depression.
mood swings.
I stop processing my environment from time to time (the thing in the car).
I've had a few anxiety attacks.
I used to read a lot when I was a kid, now its hard for me to submerge myself in the story and forget I'm holding a book and reading letters.
I'm most of the time "in my head". It's hard for me to socialize.

So I want to ask if all this sounds like the long term effects of ritalin use. If they match the effects of amphetamine use. And more importantly, if I can do something about it.

[grievingwidow]

You know what?  These are really questions for your physician.  We are here mainly for support as an addict struggles with withdrawal and recovery issues, or just any thing related to addiction.  But you are not taking the drugs anymore, correct?  I see no reason why you should be afraid or embarrased ask your doctor.  I do not know how many years you took the Ritalin or what dosage, but from what you have already researched,  it sounds like you could be onto something.  Like I said though, we do not have any real M.D.'s that monitor this site, we have a few nurses who could be of some help to you.  If I were you though, I would check with a physician, as I am sure you are very concerned - I would be too.

Love, Cindy

[crazyone]

When my son was 11 years old we were told that he has ADHD and was put on Ritilan.  He hated it.  It made him into someone so different.  He went from someone that was always outside playing into someone who very rarely left his room.   He gained a lot of weight.  He finally said no more.  He refuses to take the Ritilan because of the fact it has some of the long term effects that you describe. Because Ritilan is really only a legal form of  amphetamine.

[wait2long]

i often wonder myself about this my son was on ritalin for an extremely long time...he is mentally challenged since birth...but ritaling did wonders for him, i only gave it to him during school hours so he could actually concentrate long enough to learn...but he is now 22 and i see that he does exhibit some of the problems you mentioned above....but i guess i always thought it was due to his disabilities....so if you come up with anything on this matter...please contact me...as i will do the same for you. how long did you take it?  my son was on it from age 6 until age 17.....i did take him off from it for the summers, but it being an addictive drug...i wonder if that was now a good thing or a bad thing...

[bobbincygna]

Thanks.
I don't know how log I took it. I guess it was from 6 to 10, and then from 12 to 14. That second time in higher doses.
I'm going to confirm that.

[wait2long]

yes, my sons dose was increased with his age also...we should do some research on this...

[icebird]

hi thanks for sharing,,i m on ritalin uno and i quit eating,and was having panick attacks,my doctor gave me Lyrica it helped ALOT,,took away the racing heartbeat,depression and basically i had all that you wrote,i felt like an alien around humans. ,maybe you could ask about Lyrica,some say it has bunch of side affects i havent had any,i sleep like a baby also on ritalin,cus im a hyperactive lunatic when not on it,it soothes me ,but i had those sideaffects never the less exept for sleeping problems.Hope this helps ,Aroth