Methylphenidate and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 3)

• SAL...
• February 12, 2010

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I'm a 15-year-old girl and have been taking 18 mg in the morning for 4 days now and 0.1 mg of clonidine at night. I had a mild, lingering headache the first day, was able to focus a little more on songs I was working on the second day, lost emotion, and had to fake laughing and smiling with my friend the next day, and today I was able to focus a little more than usual and get some vocabulary words done. I'm more motivated, but my attention span isn't improved much. Also, I can sit still. My psychologist doesn't think I'm hyperactive, but my usual constantly moving legs and fidgety hands are still. I'll have to give it more time to work and increase the dosage once my body is used to it, but I think it's doing okay for only 4 days on a low dose."

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2021

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I am a 22-year-old female. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD after discussing my struggles with a counselor and was recommended to speak to my physician about getting a diagnosis. I have been on 18 mg for almost 2 weeks. I noticed a change right from the start. It feels like there is more time in the day, I am more productive, less procrastination, don't feel like staying in bed all day anymore due to being overwhelmed. I also feel more level-headed and haven't snapped at my family. However! I am getting side effects that make me wonder if it is worth it. Some of the side effects I have are nausea, headache, and overall just not feeling great. Kind of like something is 'off' with me. I also notice becoming more emotional in the evening as the medication leaves my system, but not unbearable. The weird thing is, I mostly feel side effects on slow days, and no side effects on days that I have a lot on my mind/lot's to do."

• hwa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2024

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I have taken extended-release methylphenidate ER (Concerta) for about 5 months now, and here is my experience. In the very beginning, I was prescribed 18 mg Concerta generic after being diagnosed with inattentive ADHD. For the first week and a half, I was feeling very anxious and like I didn't want to go all in to being medicated full-time. But after giving it time, it got much better, and school grades and general focus were improving. But there are pros and cons. First, the pros. Pros: improved focus, better grades, better attention span, basically most if not all of my symptoms were being improved with the meds. Cons: frequent headaches, random anxiety, random stomach pains, not eating as much, dry mouth, and the worst con in my experience is the irritability. When I am on this medication, it is so easy for me to get upset over the smallest noises or changes in pace. But overall, it is a good medication for getting things done. There are other side effects, but overall it works."

• Ren...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2015

For ADHD "I've had ADD my whole life and just started taking this year. I'm 19. Pros - You take it, and in about 30 minutes, it kicks in. Your heart starts pounding, you feel a high, and then you can focus on something for about 2-3 hours. Cons - It makes you focus on one thing, so if you want to do anything else, you can't. It gets rid of your hunger. Gives you horrible headaches. Makes you mad at anything when it wears off. Makes you want to take more and more to feel that high again. I really don't recommend it."

• pil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2022

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I was initially prescribed Ritalin, which worked well, but after moving to a country where only Concerta is available for ADHD, I had to switch over. Despite them both being methylphenidate, Concerta felt like a very different drug. The side effects were significantly worse - I had terrible headaches (though I’ve heard that can be mitigated by drinking a lot of water while on it), as well as worrying cardiovascular issues, and strangely the drug was really inconsistent. One day it would be somewhat effective, the next day it would give me really bad anxiety that made it difficult to focus, etc. I wasn’t taking any other medication that could have interacted with Concerta, so I have no idea what was causing such varying reactions. Even after discontinuing use, I still have some cardiovascular issues from this drug. Tread with caution! Avoid Concerta unless all other possibilities have been exhausted (other stimulants, neurofeedback, Clonidine/Guanfacine, etc)."

• Duc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2020

For ADHD "I've had ADHD my whole life but didn't get diagnosed until recently. I tried Adderall first but struggled with irritability when it wore off and also with trying to maintain effectiveness without having to increase the dose. I would try to have days on and off, etc. I tried Ritalin as an alternative to Adderall. The Ritalin gave me headaches, especially at the end of the day. The last day I took it, my headache was so bad I felt nauseous and was very light sensitive. Also, I am pretty sure it increased my depression. I cried during the day and felt hopeless. I do see how an extended-release formula could be a good thing. For me, though, the side effects I experienced were more than I could handle."

• mY ...
• July 13, 2015

For Narcolepsy "I was diagnosed with narcolepsy with cataplexy in 2009. I self-drugged with energy drinks and coffee until I got my insurance back. I was on Provigil up until our insurance changed. My doctor switched me to methylphenidate 20 mg 4 times a day. If I am up and moving around, it seems to work pretty well. But at work, I work a desk job, and there are days that my head is bouncing off the desk from nodding. I do like this medication better than Provigil as it doesn't give me a headache, I just wish it worked as well sitting down as standing up. Also, when I get to hour 4 to 6, I can really feel myself slipping. Not fun."

• Sal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2018

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I was on this drug all through my childhood and feel emotionally ruined because of it. My brain didn't have a chance to develop properly because it was on drugs all my life. When I graduated high school, my parents stopped forcing me to take it, and I've been off of it for 5 years trying to deal with the symptoms that are actually just manifestations of developmental trauma. (Read 'Scattered Minds' by Dr. Gabor Maté if you want to know what I'm talking about.) All in all, don't push drugs on your kids. There are alternatives. I took a pill 3 days ago because what I was doing wasn't working and I needed something extra, and I had muscle pain and weakness and headaches for 2 days after, could barely sleep, and have had constipation since."

• Jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2020

For ADHD "Walgreens filled my Ritalin prescription with a generic methylphenidate by Mallinckrodt (NDC: 00406-1144-01), and it hasn't been effective. At first, I took 5 mg 1x/day, but that made me sleepy, so I increased to 10 mg 2x/day, and there was no effect. I tried 20 mg in the morning, felt alert and wired for 2 hours before it wore off. I took an additional 20 mg and felt nothing but nausea and a massive headache. I would recommend looking up Mallinckrodt and the FDA with regards to Concerta efficacy before anyone takes their methylphenidate products."

• 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."

• Col...
• August 8, 2021

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I have been diagnosed with ADHD combined type this year at the grown age of 39. I always knew my brain was wired differently but managed to get through schooling, however, this pandemic worsened all of the symptoms I was experiencing. After months of therapy and doctor visits, I was started on Concerta (generic) 18 mg. I actually get things done around the house! I don't daydream all day, and I am not as angry as I used to be. I can read without forgetting, I can watch movies now without moving a thousand times or pulling my phone out, also, I can pay attention to audiobooks. The downside is the side effects. I burn through this in 6 hours max, I get a headache, dry mouth, increased heart rate, and bad nausea if not eaten with a meal. Also, be mindful of taking this with any other medication because it can exacerbate the side effects."

• Cal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2021

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I'm recently diagnosed with ADHD (ADD). I've tried Ritalin and Dexedrine. Dexedrine is absolutely amazing, but also expensive, and I find that if I don't take a break of 1-2 days per week, it stops working entirely and can even make things (much) worse. I initially didn't like Ritalin, as it gave me crazy headaches, hard comedowns, and, on one occasion, anxiety. However, I think this is important: Just because Ritalin isn't great straight away, it doesn't mean it's a bad drug. Over the last few weeks, I've grown very fond of it. I still don't like the LA, but 5 mg IR 2-3 times per day is currently perfect for me, and I now have zero side effects. I feel good, energized, and clear-headed. Ritalin is cheap, and IR is super flexible in terms of dosing. Dexedrine makes me feel even better for longer, but it's pricey and requires breaks. I currently prefer Ritalin for everyday use and Dexedrine perhaps once or twice per week. Best of luck."

• bab...
• November 18, 2009

For ADHD "I have 2 boys on Adderall XR now. They have been on generic Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate CD, all for ADHD. My oldest is 15 and has been on stimulant medications since 8 years old. All in all, the stimulants work for both boys academically. Sort of helps in socializing. They will stay on medication until out of college and hopefully be able to handle stress and life on their own. The main problems with stimulants are side effects: blurred vision, headaches, a lot of stomach aches, whinnying, fussing, and cannot sleep at night. Is it worth it? I am concerned for their well-being. But not focusing is harder on them, they would always be behind in everything. Parents have to deal with what is the best solution for their child, with us, it is medications."

• ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2022

For ADHD "This was the worst med I have ever taken! I was diagnosed with ADHD at age 40, though I don't think that diagnosis was accurate. Even so, this med was horrendous for me. I took the prescribed amount of 10 mg, then started doing my makeup, and 20 minutes later I felt an icy rush shoot down my right arm, followed by a full body flush, and then... the exhaustion. Omg. I had to lie down! I was holding my eyebrow pencil in my hand while lying on the bed, talking out loud and slurring my words as I was just so tired. I literally couldn't function. I lay on the couch for the next 5 hours. Numb. Dull. Even less motivated and interested in things than usual. Physically, I had a headache, rapid pulse, neck pain, chest tightness, and my pupils went tiny (pinned, as if I was on a sedative)! I couldn't focus on anything and couldn't even move my eyes to look around - I had to move my whole head! I was looking through people, not at them. Finally, after 5 hours, relief came as it wore off."

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 20, 2022

Methylphenidate for ADHD "49-year-old female. Just started Ritalin 4 days ago. 5 mg twice daily for 3 days, and today was 10 mg twice daily. I feel great all day at work. I'm very focused, not at all stressed at my job. I feel really good. I've been on medication for depression and anxiety since I was in my late teens. Ritalin has made a huge difference already, however, when it wears off, I crash and do not like the effects. I get irritable, headaches, nauseous, and very fatigued. I'm not sure this is the one for me."

• Lol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 22, 2025

Methylphenidate for ADHD "Ritalin is the best medicine I’ve genuinely ever tried. I’m a 16-year-old high school student with ADHD, and starting Ritalin has been a life-changing thing. My GPA has gone from 90.5 to 96.9, and my grades are better than ever. I haven’t experienced any side effects other than a headache rarely."

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2019

Methylphenidate for ADHD "My 9-year-old started this 3 days ago after outgrowing his previous medication for ADHD. It was not a good option for him and had to be stopped. His blood pressure dropped significantly, he had headaches, tremors, vomiting, stomach pains, and drowsiness. This was tried 30 minutes before meals, then the next day 30 minutes after a meal. Symptoms started within 1 hour of taking the medication. We are 24 hours off it, and he’s still dizzy and nauseated. So it’s been 4 days of misery for him."

• tro...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 18, 2015

For ADHD "My 20 y.o. daughter was diagnosed with ADHD last year and has been on methylphenidate since January 2014. The dosages have varied, and she is able to take them as needed. Her concentration and grades have improved tremendously. The first side effects were loss of appetite and headaches. The headaches went away after a couple of weeks, and her appetite has returned somewhat. However, over the past 5 months, she has developed palpitations. Her cardiologist, her psych doc, and primary care doc are all monitoring this. I'm not sure where this will end up."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 7, 2015

Methylphenidate for ADHD "The only reason I gave Concerta a 2 and not a 0 was because when I didn't take it for two days, I could feel myself going through withdrawal. I would begin to feel tired, annoyed, and angered easily, some headaches, and so on. I have been on Concerta for about 13 years, and even with it in my system, I still struggled in school. At first, they had me on smaller doses, but they had to be increased. I've been taking 108 mg each morning, and the only thing that I have noticed a difference in is the withdrawal I go through, which can be helped by drinking coffee. By the way, I'm currently on the drug right now, and I'm supposed to be studying for my Spanish exam that I have this afternoon. So if that doesn't tell you something, then idk what will."

• 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
• May 24, 2010

Methylphenidate for Narcolepsy "Didn't work for me and gave me a really bad headache."

• 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."

• Pot...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 6, 2022

Methylphenidate for Narcolepsy "Lost a lot of weight and had a lot of headaches when I forgot to take it, but after like a month, it was over."