Ritalin User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• November 7, 2018

For ADHD "I'm 54 years old and recently started taking 10 mg once a day, 5 times a week (usually weekdays). After years of talking about projects and ideas, it is now quite easy to get and stay on task. It's not like I didn't get things done before, but now I am motivated to complete tasks. In the past, most projects that required any substantial amount of time to complete would immediately be put on the back burner. Now I feel motivated to see them through. In the past, I would self-medicate with large amounts of coffee, but that only lasted for so long. Now, I have switched to decaf and take medication once I get to the office. My dosage is minimal at this point and I have a follow-up to see where I'm at in regard to possibly changing the dosage in a couple of weeks. With my dosage (immediate release), I can tell the medication is kicking in as I start to feel warmer. That takes about 30 minutes. As others have stated, this dosage lasts about 4-5 hours. So far, so good."

• Cri...
• December 13, 2012

For ADHD "I have been on Ritalin for 5 months now and it works great for my ADHD. I wish I would have been on it when I was in high school, maybe I would have finished high school. I am 25 years old and I'm going for my G.E.D. so I can go to college. I am so happy now, I can concentrate and do things that I was never able to do. The only con is that it is not lasting as long as it did when I first got on it. I really believe Ritalin saved my life."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 31, 2018

For ADHD "This drug has been nothing but a miracle for me. After years of suffering with concentration/attention problems and a string of failures, this drug has allowed me to achieve what I want and excel in my academics and life. I take 20 - 30 mg/day, 3 - 5 days a week, with regular drug holidays. If you have ADHD and are suffering because of it, with a history of failures in your life, you won't regret getting treatment."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2012

For ADHD "I'm 28 yrs old and just started taking this 2 months ago. I abused meds in my teens & for the past 6 yrs have turned down prescriptions for fear of addiction & losing my personality and control. I gave Ritalin a shot at 10mg 2/day, 5 days/week none on weekends. I wish my parents would have taken me to a doctor to get checked out about 20 years ago. In 2 months I have been able to focus and concentrate on things like never before. I went from being an average student and poor test taker to above average and testing well. I don't snap at people as much as I did prior to taking. And still feel in control of who I am. The downside is I had to cut back on my coffee consumption. It's a good cause!"

• Anonymous
• January 24, 2010

For Narcolepsy "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."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2024

For ADHD "I was given Ritalin for the first time yesterday at my ADHD test appointment. I am a 43-year-old woman. I got sober 3 years ago but never managed to find any sort of real joy in living, and I was beginning to think I would allow myself to end it because it's just one long struggle all day with no rewards. Then Ritalin! Everything changed in 30 minutes. I had a feeling that I think I have been looking for my whole life but had started thinking wasn't even real and that I just had 'too high expectations' to how life should feel. Suddenly I just relaxed. Years of tension left my entire body in an instant. My mind was clear. I felt a sense of calm and safety that I have never experienced before. The meds have worn off now but I can't stop crying! I hugged my husband last night and enjoyed it for the first time in I can't remember. I told him I loved him this morning and I felt it, I meant it! I did math in my head without any self-doubt. A miracle!"

• Ket...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 11, 2019

For ADHD "I've been taking methylphenidate (Ritalin) for years, and it helps, but I must take Tylenol with it, or I get a headache. I'm more focused and energetic. Not wiping away my ADD 100%, but it works on many levels."

• Luc...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 16, 2015

For ADHD "I have been taking Ritalin for almost 3 years, and it has been great. I had ADHD in high school and college. I couldn't focus, listen to lectures, read well, or study. I saw a doctor during college, and he prescribed me Ritalin 20 mg 3 times a day (I had long days in college). I was finally able to read well, study, and focus. I love learning now, I'm motivated, and my mood improved. Now I take 20 mg 2 times a day (I graduated and go to bed earlier). It lasts around 4 hours. I never experience withdrawal or major sleepiness when I don't take it. Side effects: difficulty sleeping if taken too close to bedtime and appetite loss (minor). I highly suggest an eating schedule and drinking lots of water so you don't eat too little. I would often forget to eat in the beginning."

• Bai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2013

For ADHD "I have been taking Ritalin for about a month now. It really helps me focus on things. But a downfall is that it is really hard to multitask. I can only concentrate on one thing at a time, and that makes it very difficult for my schoolwork. Also, I have had a huge loss of appetite. I am not hungry, EVER. During the month I have been on this medicine, I have lost almost twenty pounds due to the fact that I never want to eat."

• Ton...
• April 10, 2011

For Narcolepsy "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."

• net...
• December 13, 2019

For ADHD "I have ADHD, and today was my first day on Ritalin, and it sucked! The effects lasted for an hour, and when it did work, I felt like a zombie and didn't want to move. It also made me tired and kind of sensitive to sound. And, it didn't even make me feel focused, so really, what's the point?"

• Ada...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2014

For ADHD "I have been using Ritalin 10 mg for the past 3 weeks now. I am 28 years old and I suspected for a long time now that I have ADHD. Not being able to concentrate or focus, prioritize tasks and having depression (I am not taking medication for this) caused a lot of anxiety for me over the past 4-5 years. Ritalin has helped a lot with my studies and kind of calms me. I am pretty quiet when I take it also. It's great for if you need to use it for work or study, but for everyday use, I wouldn't like it. - In the first 45 mins it gives me a slight euphoric feeling. - Makes me want to do productive activities. - Causes slight headaches if I don't drink plenty of water. I would recommend it. (I have tried Adderall in the USA and that was even better)"

• Anonymous
• October 5, 2009

For ADHD "For years I had been battling behavior problems with my son who is now 10. He was not a bad child but had no concentration span, would fidget, annoy others, and was falling way behind children the same age as him. Finally, we managed to get him seen by a specialist. He has now been on Ritalin 15mg for 4 months and the change is unbelievable. He is already catching up with his school work, making more friends as he understands them better, and is generally just more content and happy. At first, he was teary and clingy when first put on them, but that soon went. The only downside for my son is that he is not as hungry as he used to be and lost a lot of weight in the beginning, but is steadily putting it back on now."

• Oma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2019

For ADHD "I am a 25-year-old male who works in the health field. I have had ADHD my whole life and started taking this medication to help get my life in order and to help get all of my thoughts together. This pill is amazing for organization and for getting tasks done that need to be completed. I have no complaints with this medication regarding how effective it was at treating my ADHD and increasing my focus. The reason that I scored this medication on the lower spectrum is that when I was taking this medicine, I would get severe headaches. The headaches would happen 30 minutes into taking the medication. The headaches were not ordinary headaches. It felt as if I was going to have a brain aneurysm. I highly recommend this medication to people who do not experience severe headaches while taking it."

• Old...
• March 1, 2020

For ADHD "I'm a 56-year-old male. 87 kg. Recently diagnosed with ADHD as I'm easily distracted & can't concentrate easily. I'm in good health and successful & don't get depressed. Unfortunately, Ritalin has NO effect on me at all. I have no feeling of it coming on or wearing off. All I get is a dry mouth at higher doses. I began fast release 10 mg @ 8 am & 10 mg @ 1 pm. Then upped to 20 mg am & 20 mg pm. Then 30 & 30. Nothing. No effect or change in how I feel. Then tried slow release SR 40 mg am & 40 mg arvo. Still nothing. Then tried 20 mg fast with 40 mg SR in the morning. But was distracted on the phone & mistakenly took the same dose 15 min later. So 120 mg in one hit. I expected to have heart racing & some sort of 'buzz', but NOTHING. Very disappointing. Would like to try Adderall or similar."

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

For Narcolepsy "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."

• Anonymous
• October 23, 2009

For ADHD "I'm a 40-year-old male who didn't have the benefits of medications when I was in school. ADD wasn't as well known back then. I was diagnosed with hyperlexia. I always thought that it was strange because I didn't see letters backwards, but I just accepted it. I was officially diagnosed with ADD in my mid-20s. I have taken most of the medicine options over the past 12 years, including Concerta, Strattera, Adderall, Ritalin, and Ritalin LA. Couldn't sleep on Concerta, I was out of my mind with Strattera, Adderall was like popping caffeine pills, and Ritalin was too high maintenance as it neutralized after 2-3 hours. Then I found Ritalin LA. It's not the magic bullet, but it's the best that I have found so far. It costs me 10X generic but worth it."

• Jpo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 17, 2022

For ADHD "After taking this medication, extended release Concerta at 36 mg for roughly two years, here's a review. What this medication helps with: * Being more organized. * Being more physically and emotionally resilient to stress. * Less easily startled or flustered when curveballs occur in life. * Better memory, retain information more quickly, in fact, in several instances, absolutely flawlessly. * Higher libido (baseline was quite low). * Higher energy levels. * More talkative and outgoing. * Less inhibited socially, and less fearful of consequences, less fearful of others' manipulative behavior, better able to defend myself from it. Now the not-so-good stuff: * Angrier. * Muscle tension. * One-track-minded. * Irritated if pulled away from an important task. * Create unrealistic expectations of others, become disappointed when they cannot live up to them. * Organization borders on obsessive-compulsive behavior at times. * Less kind. * More serious. Less human, more shark."

• Bjh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2023

For ADHD "I took my first dose around 8 a.m. on May 8th, 2023, and I’m calling my doctor in the morning. I absolutely hate this feeling. For hours, I have just been angry, irritated, and I have a headache that will not go away. I have not been able to get any tasks done. I feel like all I can focus on is the fact that I feel irritable. Also, my stomach has been in knots since taking it. I’m praying it just wears off soon so I feel semi-normal again."

• Chi...
• August 31, 2016

For ADHD "I've been taking methylphenidate (Ritalin) for years. I started during my professional career because, according to my psych, I am 'too smart to sit still,' and that, because of that, my brain gets bored easily, then my attention span fades. With Ritalin, I can focus like a laser on tasks, get much more done, stay organized, and it also helps with that afternoon sleepiness. An added bonus is it revs up your basal metabolic rate and reduces appetite, so you can lose weight easily. The downside is it increases BP. If you have high BP, you may want to avoid it. I take a 20 mg pill 3-4 times a day, never after dinner if you want to sleep."

• Dir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2013

For ADHD "I find Ritalin allows me to focus. With my ADD and bipolar, I couldn't even read a book. My doctor says, though it's a stimulant, Ritalin tends not to push bipolars into mania. I was self-medicating my ADD with caffeine, which made me anxious, so I'm glad the Ritalin replaces that. I'm on a low dose now and hope to increase to where the positive effects last longer, as they are short-lived now."

• Mar...
• April 13, 2009

For ADHD "My 7-year-old son has shown ADHD symptoms for about 2 years or so, but due to many changes in his life, I was unsure of the reason for this behavior. Now we've been settled in for over 9 months, and he has not improved, we have decided to medicate (after dietary changes and omega 3 gave no help). He has been taking Ritalin 10mg for 12 days now. The first week he had only a morning dose at 8 am. This wore off around 1 pm. This week I've dosed him 4 hours later as well. From the first day, the change was amazing. He was attentive and followed instructions throughout his swim lesson, and his school teacher found great improvement in attention span, concentration, and finishing tasks. He is not as angry or frustrated now. The only negative is that I find he gets emotional and 'teary' as it wears off."

• FIR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2019

For ADHD "Went on Ritalin for the first time today, and I hated it. Took 5 mg at 8:30 a.m. and then another 5 mg at 12:30 p.m. Within an hour of taking both times, I was falling asleep at my desk and had to follow up with a coffee to stay awake. I didn’t feel as though it made me any more alert or focused. The second pill I took after an hour and a half, I felt hot and my heart rate increased. I did notice it suppressed my appetite for 3 hours. In the afternoon, I suffered severe irritability, to the point where I was yelling at colleagues, then suffered what I believe was a panic attack. Felt not in control, was crying uncontrollably. I forced myself to work out so I could work the Ritalin out of my system. Horrible :("

• Sea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2012

For ADHD "I'm currently going through nursing school at a university near me, and from the start of this past semester, I had a real tough time staying focused and doing my homework. Went to see a nurse APRN, and she gave me a script for Ritalin, 10 mg, 2x a day. This medicine has been a godsend for me, I always complete my assignments on time and have been getting A's and B's on all my tests. It lets me sit down and study for 6 hours at a time, but if I hadn't taken the Ritalin, I wouldn't have half the work done that needed to be done. Plus, I've not had a single issue with it such as withdrawals or anxiety."

• Fin...
• December 14, 2011

For ADHD "I was 31 years old before I began taking Ritalin. I take a small dose, 10 mg in the morning and 10 mg early afternoon. I wish I had been prescribed this medicine years ago. I drive a truck for a living, but I also do a lot of self-study (audio and printed books), and Ritalin has greatly increased my productivity with the latter and safety with the former. I experience very few side effects. My mind used to wander quite often, I just thought I had an active imagination, but it was a problem. I have not lost my ability to imagine or abstract, yet I have lost a tendency to wander aimlessly into unrelated thoughts. I have also lost my ability to get lost so often while driving!"