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Ritalin absorption & PH/ acidity level?

Blahblah

By Blahblah,
in CNS Stimulants - Warped & Wired

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Blahblah

Blahblah

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How can I optimize the absorption of my Ritalin? After 4 years, effects are inconsistent and usually it's like I've taken nothing.

I have tried varying dosage, changing breakfast, taking it without food, more protein or less, etc. I don't drink juice or any soda, eat very healthy diet. I've taken long med breaks. Often after lunch, i take a dose and feel very drowsy. It used to make me feel energetic, productive and allow me to get through the day without napping. Now I just zone out & feel lethargic.

I know that med absorption is highly dependent on a persons PH level. (I believe my level is very acidic, because i drink coffee everyday, eat a lot of fruit, have gas). My dentist said my tooth enamel is worn down (and it's often due to high body acidity)

Will taking Sodium bicarbonate (which reduces body acidity) maybe help? Or will this further reduce absorption?

 

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sming

sming

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Hello!

To answer your question about pH - I've no idea. I also find Ritalin and amphetaminergic meds inconsistent in their effect. 

Come to think of it, my pH could be wild: I take very strong antacids because I have NERD (bad acid reflux). Hmm ...

Edited by sming
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CrazyRedhead

CrazyRedhead

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10 hours ago, Blahblah said:

How can I optimize the absorption of my Ritalin? After 4 years, effects are inconsistent and usually it's like I've taken nothing.

I have tried varying dosage, changing breakfast, taking it without food, more protein or less, etc. I don't drink juice or any soda, eat very healthy diet. I've taken long med breaks. Often after lunch, i take a dose and feel very drowsy. It used to make me feel energetic, productive and allow me to get through the day without napping. Now I just zone out & feel lethargic.

I know that med absorption is highly dependent on a persons PH level. (I believe my level is very acidic, because i drink coffee everyday, eat a lot of fruit, have gas). My dentist said my tooth enamel is worn down (and it's often due to high body acidity)

Will taking Sodium bicarbonate (which reduces body acidity) maybe help? Or will this further reduce absorption?

 

These are some mistakes people make when taking stimulant meds.....I know these because my son took Ritalin when he was younger, and his doc talked to me extensively on how to take the Ritalin most effectively.

One mistake is drinking citrus juice or eating citrus fruit .......If you eat a lot of citrus fruit, maybe try cutting out citrus fruit, and eating non-citrus fruits like apples, pears, melons, and bananas, to name a few...Blueberries are also non-citrus.

Another mistake is taking stims on an empty stomach...My son's doc told me that he should always take his Ritalin with food to help it absorb better....It doesn't have to be a meal, just a healthy moderate snack would be adequate.

Another mistake is not drinking enough water with stimulant meds....Stims are very dehydrating to the body, and dehydration can cause "brain fog".........I don't know how much water you drink, but drinking at least 8 8oz glasses per day...(64 oz total), might be a good place to start.

All of the above were told to me by son's doc when he took Ritalin..

Now my son was a child and pre-teen when he took Ritalin, and at that time, didn't drink coffee....Coffee is acidic, though, and if you are drinking large amounts, it might be having an effect on absorption, just like citrus juice and citrus fruit would.

It could be possible that you have just developed a tolerance to the 30mg dose after 4 years.......Max dose for adults is 60mg/day, so you do have room to go up......Would doc consider increasing your dose a bit?

I can't comment on taking the sodium bicarb.....Don't know whether that would be effective or not......Maybe you could ask your doc or pharmacist.

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Blahblah

Blahblah

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Thanks for your input. I came across this woman Gina Pera (supposed expert regarding stim meds / ADHD) and I found this detailed article interesting:

https://adhdrollercoaster.org/adhd-medications/can-acidic-foods-affect-stimulant-medications-for-adhd/

And yep @CrazyRedhead I usually eat simple plain foods for breakfast & no citrus fruits. I drink a ton of water everyday... I have experimented as of late taking higher dosage, but I really don't want to go down that road where I quickly hit max & then it doesn't work at all. Super common among those who take stims as an adjunct for depressed mood & low energy (versus just focus).

At higher doses I get *too* calm and hyperfocused (obsessed with arbitrary things), so I guess it goes to show long term stims are really more helpful for "by the book ADHD" folks who are hyper, scattered & can't focus on anything.....

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sming

sming

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3 hours ago, Blahblah said:

At higher doses I get *too* calm and hyperfocused (obsessed with arbitrary things), so I guess it goes to show long term stims are really more helpful for "by the book ADHD" folks who are hyper, scattered & can't focus on anything.....

I think those may be the majority of cases but not for me. 

No Ritalin == intractable catatonic depression

Ritalin == able to function at a low level (which is huge for me, just, huge)

This said, I am a biological and psychological freak. A one in a million if not 100's of millions. 

3 hours ago, Blahblah said:

I have experimented as of late taking higher dosage, but I really don't want to go down that road where I quickly hit max & then it doesn't work at all

But did the higher dose help with your depression albeit briefly?

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