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ritalin...non ch use...anyone? (Read 4566 times)
jon019
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ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Feb 23rd, 2010 at 9:45pm
 
Hello,

Doc is running out of ideas for the debilitating fatigue I've been experiencing...wants to try low dose ritalin
as stimulant.

Any thoughts?....a pm would be fine....

Best,

Jon

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deltadarlin
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #1 - Feb 24th, 2010 at 7:49am
 
I know of people who have used Ritalin for purposes other than it was intended (like staying awake for exams, etc.) and it seemed to work very well.  I'd say go for it.

Carolyn
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #2 - Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:01am
 
It might be worth a try, Jon. While it works well for many who have ADD/ADHD (don't ask me how), it also has the side-effect of being a very powerful amphetamine/stimulant. I'd be careful taking it within 6-8 hours of bedtime.
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #3 - Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:03am
 
I too know of people who have used ritalin therapy to combat fatigue.

I too say give it a shot.
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loopy
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #4 - Feb 24th, 2010 at 11:10am
 
Ritalin is basically the same thing as Methamphetamine, so if you're looking to play with fire, go right ahead.  Scheduled drugs like this are highly controlled for a reason.  I lost my best friend in high school to this kind of casual experimentation.  It is not prescribed for fatigue because it is a highly addictive amphetamine.  Good luck.
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #5 - Feb 24th, 2010 at 12:18pm
 
Quote:
...this kind of casual experimentation.

Before anybody else climbs up on their high horse without knowing all the facts, Jon is battling lymphoma right now. I have a tendency to withhold my judgment when it comes to using adjunct chemicals to improve the quality of one's life while bigger battles are going on. You might want to consider doing the same.
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loopy
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #6 - Feb 24th, 2010 at 1:04pm
 
Point of fact... My friend was battling terminal disease too. He died from complications from the drug abuse. Spare me.
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loopy
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #7 - Feb 24th, 2010 at 1:08pm
 
Jon asked for an opinion. My opion is there are significant dangers, especially for people with significant health problems.
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loopy
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #8 - Feb 24th, 2010 at 1:15pm
 
I'm typing from my iphone, so forgive my shortness. My friend, Randy, was battling IPF and started using Ritalin under docs orders for fatigue, and then Adderal without docs knowledfe, then straight to crank and meth. It was hard to watch, and it killed him. Sorry for my outburst.
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #9 - Feb 24th, 2010 at 1:51pm
 
So let me get this straight...you have a friend whose drug use escalated and eventually killed him, therefore nobody else might derive a benefit from something that might help battle chronic fatigue?

No, you spare ME.
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loopy
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #10 - Feb 24th, 2010 at 2:21pm
 
Sorry Brew, it struck a nerve. Am I allowed to have an opinion?  I thought Jon was asking. I was just saying, it has dangers. What was the point of the question, to solicit permission?  Ever watch someone kill themselves with an addiction, especially one that started as a prescription?  I have, and it seemed on topic.
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #11 - Feb 24th, 2010 at 2:28pm
 
Loopy wrote on Feb 24th, 2010 at 2:21pm:
Sorry Brew, it struck a nerve. Am I allowed to have an opinion?  I thought Jon was asking. I was just saying, it has dangers. What was the point of the question, to solicit permission?  Ever watch someone kill themselves with an addiction, especially one that started as a prescription?  I have, and it seemed on topic.

Opinion, sure. But you might want to make sure you don't fire from the hip without all the facts. And yes, I have watched somebody do what you describe. It's the difference between use and abuse. Some people actually have this little thing called self-control and USE medications the way they were intended. Don't make the mistake of assuming that anybody using a mood-altering substance is automatically ABusing it.

That's flawed logic, and I'll call you on it every time.
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loopy
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #12 - Feb 24th, 2010 at 2:42pm
 
By that same logic, my point is validated. Stimulants are riskier than other drugs. I fail to understand the need to flog me over pointing that out

Have at it Jon. Nothing to beworried about I guess
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #13 - Feb 24th, 2010 at 3:55pm
 
My kids took it for adhd and had no problem going on or off of it.  I think it makes good sense for you to try it and see if it helps you.  Good luck!
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loopy
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #14 - Feb 24th, 2010 at 4:10pm
 
Bill, I love you (honestly I do).  But is this what we have become?  Seriously.

Jon asked a question, and I think I have a legitimate point on the negative side.  I didn't say every person who tries it is going to be killed by addiction.  All I'm saying is stimulants are riskier than your average prescription, and you're attacking me and even sending me somewhat threatening emails... why so much hostility over the fact that I pointed out the very real danger that comes along with stimulants?  For crying out loud, I know not every body is going to instantly become an addict, but I also don't know any addicts who started out knowing this would be their life once they experienced the drug.

Jon, seriously, try it but be aware of the dangers.  Stimulants have a huge affect on your appetite, metabolism, mood, anxiety, and a long list of other things.  If nobody else is going to tell you, I sure am NOT going to feel bad for trying to make you aware.  I'm not telling you what to do, just to BE AWARE.  Big difference.

And with that, I've said the last thing I'm saying on the matter.

It's no wonder I generally keep my mouth shut here anymore.  Maybe I have nothing left of value to offer this board.
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #15 - Feb 24th, 2010 at 4:44pm
 
Loopy,

Your opinion is valued.  Due to the loss of your friend you have a heightened awareness of the dangers involved, and in typing from your Iphone you were being brief.  That is understood.  It also gave your post a  bit of a stronger flavor than i think you meant it to have when you first posted, based on your later posting.

Jon asked for an opinion, you gave it, Bill having been acquainted with Jon for a long time took it more strongly than was intended.  That stuff happens when we are depending on black squiggles on a phosphor screen and can't see the body language or guage the inflection in a voice.  It is unfortunate, but it happens.  Don't feel unwanted or unneeded because of a misunderstanding between two highly valued people on the board.

Having been put in a situation of being prescribed some quite powerful narcotics when I was first diagnosed with CH and nearly becoming addicted I recognize the danger of medications even when prescribed.  That is the reason I did not answer when I first saw this question.  I have become almost afraid of anything that is addictive and have to think it through before coming to a decision.  Addiction is a terrible thing to watch, and an even more terrible thing to endure and/or try to break out of.

Jerry
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #16 - Feb 24th, 2010 at 4:50pm
 
Jon, my friend, I really don't know what to say.  I understand your need for energy, and hate to see you going through this trouble.  Because of that I find it very hard to say don't try it, but also knowing the problems amphetamines can bring on I strongly urge caution.

My suggestion would be to lay out a course of action with your Dr ahead of time with limits and safeguards in place to keep you well within the limits that would prevent dependency or addiction.  Kind of like one of the beer company's ad slogan, "Know when to say when".

Praying for you my friend.

Jerry
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #17 - Feb 24th, 2010 at 5:17pm
 
Loopy - First of all, you implied that Jon's potential use of Ritalin was "casual." You also told him he would be "playing with fire." I call bullshit on both counts. You have taken what happened to a friend of yours - one friend - and implied that there was a strong possibility it would happen to Jon. Again, bullshit.

My email to you (actually a PM) was only threatening in that I said I would escalate (meaning I would turn it over to the moderators) if you continued to harass my friend. Just so everyone here is clear, I will post the exact text of my PM:

Quote:
I understand that some people are addicts. It doesn't mean that all people are addicts. It's not the drug, it's the mindset. Do you even see the distinction?

If someone is battling what might be a terminal condition, I give them a pass on using drugs to make their lives better. Would you give your tongue lashing to a person lying in a hospital bed, dying of something dreadfully painful, with weeks, perhaps days, to live, for being strung out on morphine? Of course not.

I'm not sure you're aware of where Jon is at or what he's been through the last couple of years. You can lay off him any time now. If you don't, I'm happy to escalate this.

'Nuff said.


I will not stand by idly and allow you to insinuate that I threatened you, thereby giving bystanders the wrong impression.

Jerry, while I appreciate the intent of your intervention, there's really no need for you to defend my actions. I can do that myself.
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #18 - Feb 24th, 2010 at 6:36pm
 
Good lord. I don't think I could haew been clearer.  I'm thinking maybe YOU had too many stimulants today. Who's on a high horse?
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #19 - Feb 24th, 2010 at 6:58pm
 
Jon,
I agree with what Jerry said about being extremely careful using Ritalin.  It is a good drug when used *properly* and under a doctor's supervision.   I know you need to keep working, so maybe this will help you stabilize somewhat.

I watched my friend battle non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and saw what she went through, the debilitating tiredness, no appetite, the nausea (not much fun to eat when you're gonna throw it all back up), the weight loss, etc.  I would have done anything in the world to help her.
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #20 - Feb 24th, 2010 at 8:19pm
 
Loopy wrote on Feb 24th, 2010 at 6:36pm:
Good lord. I don't think I could haew been clearer.  I'm thinking maybe YOU had too many stimulants today. Who's on a high horse?

I'm on a righteous high horse, pal. You were wrong. Not like a math problem wrong - like a messin' with somebody's soul wrong. Until you admit it and apologize to my friend, I've got nothing more to say to you.
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #21 - Feb 25th, 2010 at 7:21am
 
Jon, since it's your doctor who suggested it, perhaps maybe it'd be worth a shot.  I know you'd be careful, I just want you to be happy.  Let us know how you're doing, promise?

love ya brother,
mel
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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #22 - Feb 25th, 2010 at 9:39am
 
Well, at least Jerry fully understood the meaning and intent of what I was trying to tell Jon. Sorry you want to make it out to be something else, Bill. You're way off base, and frankly I have had enough of this bullshit. Escalate away, flog me on the public square, whatever makes you feel good.

Take care Jon. Sorry this thread turned into this.

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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #23 - Feb 25th, 2010 at 11:08am
 

I think everyone in this thread made themselves perfectly clear and I know Jon did not want this to become a "shit Storm" but wanted to run this by all of his family here for input. 

If I know Jon like I think I know him..a low-dose of Ritalin prescribed  and monitored by a competant Dr. could be just the thing he is needing right now and in no way will escalate to him taking illegal drugs. 

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Re: ritalin...non ch use...anyone?
Reply #24 - Feb 25th, 2010 at 10:56pm
 
Linda_Howell wrote on Feb 25th, 2010 at 11:08am:
...........................................................a low-dose of Ritalin prescribed  and monitored by a competant Dr. could be just the thing he is needing right now ......... 


Yep.

Marc
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