Ritalin 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• Sle...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2018

"I have narcolepsy with cataplexy and was prescribed Ritalin. Doc started me on a low dose to be taken twice a day. The first two days I felt awake and alert, didn’t nap till 4:30 PM. After that, I just got sleepy. Never had that get-up-and-go like those first few days. Now after being on it for over a month, about 15 minutes after dosing I’m falling asleep. Literally head bobbing. I nap off and on all day long like before I was on Ritalin, or I feel sick. I also notice that my chronic pain is heightened. Everything seems magnified on live wire. My eyes hurt, I’m more sensitive to light and have daily headaches on top of my chronic migraines. I finally see my neurologist tomorrow and hopefully, he’ll have an alternative plan for me."

• Ema...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 27, 2021

"In 2017, after years of struggling with sleep issues, I got myself a sleep study. It turned out I had narcolepsy without cataplexy after a full nighttime study and MSLT. At first, I was taking 10 mg of Ritalin 2x a day, that wasn't working, so she switched me to 10 mg of Ritalin 4x daily. I was finding that I'd get terrible headaches from it, so she tried me on Provigil 200 mg. That alone wasn't working as your body adjusts to it. I started supplementing with 10 mg of Ritalin 1x a day. That also wasn't working. I now take Provigil 200 mg at 5 am and supplement that with 20 mg of Ritalin at noon and move on to another 10 mg of Ritalin around 4 pm, and I'm getting through my 12-hour workdays, plus still have energy when I get home! It's absolutely wonderful to feel like a normal functioning human being again. No headaches, no anxiety, concentration is perfect, and I feel like me again. Adjust your meds if it's not working, fight to feel better."

• sle...
• February 6, 2017

"I was diagnosed when I was 6 years old, and I am now 25 years old. I have taken Provigil, Adderall, Nuvigil, Ritalin, and now methylphenidate ER. I could not take the recent medication due to the side effects I used to get all the time, and it wasn't until I started taking Folican XR that my life had changed. I felt like I was never diagnosed at all. I started taking Folican when I was maybe in middle school up until a year ago. I was put on another medication, which is methylphenidate, which seemed to make me more tired. The things I could do as a person without narcolepsy, I can no longer do them. Emotionally, that by itself put strain on me. This by itself seemed to do nothing. 10 mg 1-2 a day. When I was on Folican, I took 15 mg 3 times."

• Sho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2018

"Had narcolepsy from age 5 due to brain swelling. Ritalin has definitely helped. I can do a lot of things other than sleeping when I am on it. When I am on it, sometimes I hyperventilate, however. I take in everything around me (sounds, sights, smells). And I do worry sometimes, does it overload my brain, and in the long term, would that end up making more problems down the road? Also, because I need to be put on a higher dose because my body becomes used to it. Pupils are always big on these meds (so I wear sunglasses to look after my eyes when I am out). Heart rate resting sits around 130 bpm and goes up when going to the gym or working out. And I cannot do long-distance running. My hands shake a lot, I often need help from my husband to drink tea as it can be difficult. All in all, I guess it does sound bad, my side effects, but it gives me my life back. It gives me time when I am not tired, so I will do it."

• Amy...
• July 26, 2020

"This drug killed my creative spirit. I began taking it 1.5 years ago for excessive sleepiness. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and got a CPAP, but in the meantime, I was on this. It kept me awake, but after I got the CPAP, it became my morning boost. I write romance novels, and around the time I went on this, I began struggling to write. I went from producing a book every 2-3 months to producing NOTHING for over a year. I got a therapist to discuss my problems writing. One day, I succeeded in telling her exactly what the problem was. 'It's like everyday life, and dishes and children and laundry are all the crazy waves on the top of the ocean, and in order to write, I need to sink down deep into the sea. Not only do I have no desire to go there, I actively avoid it.' As soon as I heard myself, I realized, IT'S THE RITALIN. I stopped taking it and saw a huge change. Within a month, my creative life returned to normal. This can be an amazing drug, but proceed with caution!"

• pro...
• April 17, 2023

"I suffer from bipolar disorder, and my depressive episodes are just living hell. I literally can't get out of bed and talk to others. I also suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness. Ritalin made me a little, I wouldn't say happier, just more jazzed up. After 2 to 3 hours, the comedown and crash happened, and it made me go through a depressive episode. I stopped taking it and again changed to Modafinil. It doesn't have any crash or comedown. My problem was that its effects weren't strong enough for me, and I witnessed that at least in my case and many other people's experiences, Modafinil is way more effective and a lot safer than Ritalin. Once I worked on Modafinil for 11 or 12 hours straight without any pause at all. However, on Ritalin, after 2 hours and something, I became too exhausted. These stimulant meds aren't effective enough for a person who really suffers from a mental condition."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 5, 2023

"I have to take medication to sleep, which makes me groggy in the morning, and I was falling asleep at the wheel. I used to take Geodon, also for schizoaffective disorder. Was prescribed Ritalin, and it did help me wake up, and it was easy to get to work on time. However, it made my paranoia and anxiety so much worse. Everyone was out to get me, plotting against me, etc. Had awful anxiety 24/7. Quit Geodon, and now I’m on trazodone and Seroquel, without them, I can’t sleep, but again it’s hard to wake up in the morning. I miss being able to wake up easily with Ritalin, but I don’t miss the paranoia and anxiety."