| Author |
Message |
Rob C
Member
Username: Rob_c
Post Number: 270
Registered: 09-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 02:50 pm: | 
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Hi, do any of you take Ritalin or Adderall for ADD since having your transplant? I was diagnosed woit ADD as a teen and took Ritalin for it which really helped and is only reason I was able to finich high school and graduate from college. After college I had a job that did not require a great deal of concentration so I stopped taking it.
Since my transplant I have noticed that it is nearly impossible for me to concentrate anymore. I think the predniosone actually makes my ADD worse. I am considering going back to school and just wonderign if I could safely take ADD meds. The transplant surgeon who did my transplant said Ritalin or Adderall is no problemnd that many of his patient's take it. My nephrologist says NO WAY! Just wondering who is right? |
Alinds
Member
Username: Alinds
Post Number: 276
Registered: 09-2010
| | Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 05:29 pm: |
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I started ritalin about a month ago (post transplant). The big issue is that it can raise blood pressure so you have to keep a very close eye on it. I was told as long as the BP is controlled that there is no need to worry. I would aks your neph to tell you what the concern is and see if you can get a consensus.
Byu the way, I went off the ritilin and am hoping maybe adderol or something else will work better for me. The ritilin worked great while I was on it, I felt calmer and much more able to concentrate but as the days went on I started feeling very depressed after the meds wore off. But being so classically ADD I haven't gotten around to calling my doctor about it yet. |
Alaskagal
Member
Username: Cheathers
Post Number: 37
Registered: 06-2011
| | Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 08:28 pm: |
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So many transplant centers are taking folks off of prednisone, I wonder if others with a different protocol would consider that. I am thankful that mine took me off of it when I left the hospital.
I am not quite three months post transplant, and really feel unable to concentrate, but then we are deep into winter here in Alaska with record cold temps, and the darkness that is just hard.
| Kidney tx Aug. 23, 2011 Seattle Swedish Hospital. |
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CiscoKidney07
Forum Leader
Username: Gregg
Post Number: 5121
Registered: 03-2008
| | Posted on Friday, November 18, 2011 - 08:08 am: |
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My wife gets depressed when winter comes. She complains that when she goes to bed, it's dark and when she gets up, it's dark. Other than that, she never complains, so I think that it is okay during the day.
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CiscoKidney07
Forum Leader
Username: Gregg
Post Number: 5124
Registered: 03-2008
| | Posted on Friday, November 18, 2011 - 06:19 pm: |
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I am not really sure what the answer to your question is, but you might ask what the objection is to using it. I know with the recent neck troubles that I have had, the neurologist warned me against using pain pills, specifically vicodin. All I have to say is that at least in that case, when you cannot sleep because of the pain, you have to do something. I cut down whatever I could, but I was not going without sleep. After I saw your post, I googled transplant patients have rejection problems with ritalin? I got no hits as far as a possible answer, but maybe I did not phrase it right.
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CiscoKidney07
Forum Leader
Username: Gregg
Post Number: 5125
Registered: 03-2008
| | Posted on Friday, November 18, 2011 - 06:22 pm: |
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By the way, this was a legal presciption. And I would not take anything that was not prescribed. I did check with my transplant center, and they saw no problem with using it.
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Alinds
Member
Username: Alinds
Post Number: 277
Registered: 09-2010
| | Posted on Sunday, November 20, 2011 - 03:06 pm: |
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Hi Cisco...not sur eif you know but ritilin is a stimulant, not an anti-depressant or a pain killer. It is often used "recreationally" by people who want to stay up, get more done or lose weight (it seems to depress the appetite of everybody but me!). Anyway, it doesn't have these same effects on those of us with ADD. I felt calm and focused while I wa son it, and it sisn't give me extra energy or make it hard for me to sleep. but I had the side effect of feeling very out of sorts and anxious when I came off of it, so I decided for now to use it only when I need to concentrate on a task (I used it the other day to clean my house...a task which I often find difficult because I become SO distracted!) |
CiscoKidney07
Forum Leader
Username: Gregg
Post Number: 5129
Registered: 03-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, November 20, 2011 - 04:02 pm: |
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I know what the effects of ritalin are for people for whom it is prescribed. It is the opposite that it is for everyone else. For others, it has the effect of a stimulant or "speed." For people who are given this by doctors, instead of speeding them up, it slows them down. It also makes them concentrate. I was going to say that it really does not make a difference what kind of drug it is, just that the doctor thinks that it is safe for you to take, should you need to do so. I would encourage anyone who is going to have another drug given to them by a doctor to make sure that you have the doctor's blessing before you take it. I understand Rob's problem. There is a problem of communication and opinion of the two doctors that are treating him. Not a good thing, unless you can find the answer from another intelligent source.
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Alinds
Member
Username: Alinds
Post Number: 279
Registered: 09-2010
| | Posted on Sunday, November 20, 2011 - 06:35 pm: |
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Hi Cisco...agreed! It is frustrating when docs give differing advice, no matter what the drug. Hope Rob can get to the bottom of this. |
Kim
Member
Username: Kendassa
Post Number: 25
Registered: 12-2007
| | Posted on Monday, November 21, 2011 - 10:05 pm: |
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I used adderal for my Hyperactive Insomnia/Narcolepsy. My transplant doctors and Neuphrologist had no problem with it what so ever. I am not sure what objections your doctor has with it, unless it is based on something else you take.
@Cisco, I feel for you...I am not sure what I would so if they stopped my Vicodin since it is the only pain medcine I have left, and I have no option with the Ehler's Danlos Syndrome since I cannot take NSAIDS.. I think that is the main thing that sucks.. although I will take the pain over dialysis most days.
First Kidney Transpant--02/26/96-MCG-Augusta, GA
Second Kidney Transplant--05/06/04-Emory-Atlanta, GA
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. |
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pamjs53
Member
Username: Pamjs53
Post Number: 8
Registered: 07-2011
| | Posted on Monday, December 05, 2011 - 09:02 am: |
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Hi there,
I have been taking Aderrall XR for about 10 years now. I am about 2 years post transplant. I continued to taking the Aderrall while I was in the hospital getting my transplant. None of my Doctor's have a problem with it.
Also, for all of you having problems gaining weight with prednisone, you may consider asking your Dr. for a non steriod medication program. The hospital that performed my transplant was a steriod free hospital, so I never had a weight gain issue.
I hope this information helps someone.
Pam
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Ryan
Member
Username: Ryany27
Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2011
| | Posted on Monday, December 05, 2011 - 09:48 am: |
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I'm 11 years out from my kidney transplant and was just prescribed Adderall by my transplant psychiatrist. As some of the comments above state, make sure you keep an eye on your BP. Adderall and Ritalin should not have any effects on your immunosuppresants. Make sure you do check with your nephrologist though. Before I go on any new meds, I have my doctor pull up the information about it on their computer. They should have a program that goes into great detail about medications and their reactions to other medications. It's a lot more detail than what you will find online. I'm on Adderall XR 20 mg. I know what you mean about the prednisone. It made my ADD a lot worse as well. Good Luck!!! |
CiscoKidney07
Forum Leader
Username: Gregg
Post Number: 5161
Registered: 03-2008
| | Posted on Monday, December 05, 2011 - 09:50 am: |
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@Kim, I no longer have to take vicodin. I had a problem with bulging disks in my neck. I am much more careful now when I am in the gym. I think I have it narrowed down to a couple of exercises that I no longer do. I am back to getting in the gym five times per week. Thank God for epidurals, vicodin and physical therapy!!
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