Ritalin for sleep disorders
Common Questions and Answers about Ritalin for sleep disorders
ritalin
I am a 74 year old Female and I am taking 20mg of Ritalin SR in the AM and 25mg of Imipram for the cataplexy in the PM. I get about 2 to 4 hrs sleep and the rest of the night I toss and turn. My Dr. told me she doesn't give meds for her patients to sleep.
I am concerned about not sleeping and then taking Ritalin to keep me awake during the day.I feel my health will be affected. Is this the normal way to treat my condition?
Has anyone ever been prescribed Ritalin for Migraines? What is the thought about this?
I am looking for alternative approaches for my chronic migraines, usually 2 migraines per week, 1 of which is completely debilitating. I tried a 5mg dose of Ritalin (1x day) for a week and it was a migraine free week (despite high stress and sleep deprivation due to work).
Ritalin is used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and narcolepsy (an uncontrollable desire to sleep). When given for attention deficit disorder, Ritalin should be an integral part of a total treatment program that includes psychological, educational, and social measures.
Ritalin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
He/She will not make a diagnosis of Tourette’s Syndrome unless he has seen your daughter for one year and both motor and vocal tics have been present for one year. Of course, there are a variety of other tic disorders. And in your daughter’s case, hopefully this is something that will correct itself altogether.
I saw my psychiatrist today and he told me Ritalin must be taken cautiously with patients with tics because it aggravates tics. I am 27 years old and have been taking Ritalin since I was about 13. I used to have a blinking eye tic but Ritalin didnt seem to aggravate it. However I got a funny spasm in my left eye and the doc said its fine. The one question I forgot to ask him was if Ritalin could cause my eye tic to spiral out of control in the future.
For the past 30 years (I'm 53), my doctor had been treating me for "excessive daytime sleepiness" that was so bad that it was ruining my life; after a 2 night sleep/daytime nap study at a major university, the results were still "disorder or excessive sleepiness" or "similar to sleep-attack narcolepsy, but not REM-onset". No drug other than the stimulant ritalin helped, so I took that for almost 30 years and all was well.
Tried ritalin (normal), ritalin SR, Concerta and amphetamine. Concerta gave me something but felt something missing, normal ritalin was terrible, OD and came into "cocain waves" (very high, and straight to the bottom), amph gave me more but I didn´t eat, and felt a bit anxious, ritalin SR was, and is my favourite, works as a charm.
For about 3 months now I've been waking up every 2 hours. Now, for the last three nights I wake up every hour. Sometimes I'm able to go back to sleep...other times it takes an hour or so. Sometimes after I wake up I also experience a hot flash. (I'm 52) But not always. Any ideas?
Also, ensure to use CPAP regularly to fight the symptoms of sleep apnea. A sleep study called polysomnography may be needed for further evaluation. Consult your doctor for the same.
In the meantime you could avoid taking alcohol and try to sleep on your side as this keeps the airways patent. If any nasal blocks try to keep them patent with OTC nasal decongestants. Aim for optimum weight with exercises or long walks.
Hope this helped and do keep us posted.
I have taken 10 mg Zolpidem (Ambien) for years as it really helps me sleep. But I think it may be causing my tinnitus. The only way to be sure of this is to stop taking it for a time and see if tinnitus goes away. So far, I have not taken any for 11 nights and tinnitus is still the same. - A pretty much constant low-pitched noise.
How long would I have to stay off Zolpidem before knowing whether or not it is the culprit?
If so that will confirm sleep apnea. Your doctor would be able to refer to to the sleep clinic for confirmation and hopefully help you out.
People with this condition have to sleep with an oxygen mask and some kind of machine (don't know what it's called).
My son has it, and his partner very often notices that he stops breathing for a few minutes and then start gasping for air whilst he is still asleep. He also snores like a tractor.
t give an explanation for why it was showing up on the sleep study for the first time, especially given that I had two nap studies in the past 4 years! For someone my age, that's pretty ridiculous...but I'm glad I persevered and figured out what was really going on even though it meant being hooked up a million electrodes three times and being forced to stay awake during most of the day unless it was a designated "nap time".
The first step would be to rule the causes for insomnia like sleep disorders. Next it is treated with both medical and non medical therapy. Medical (sedatives) are given in the temporary initial phase, this is combined with non medical measures like sleep hygiene, relaxation therapy, stimulus control, and sleep restriction which are referred to as cognitive behavioral therapies. As the non medical measures help to restore your sleep rhythm, the sedatives are withdrawn.
While you are waiting for a doctor to figure this out for you, if it is sleep apnea, it may help to elevate the head of your bed a few inches and sleep only on your side or stomach (stay off your back). Not a cure, but positions you in a way some with sleep apnea do a little better. Also, sedatives and alcohol are best avoided if one has untreated apnea. If you find that's not your issue, you can go back to whatever is comfortable and usual for you.
Hi there sounds like you may have Sleep apnea Please ask your Doctor for a sleep study ,that may tell you what is going on Please take care ..............
Recommended
