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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Roslynn on February 20, 2022, at 14:40:05
Hi all and hope everyone is well.
Just have a question...
I have found that Ritalin helps me in the mornings but my Dr. is reluctant to prescribe it because he feels my blood pressure is a little high.
He had prescribed it for me for about a year but then he requested some records from my PCP and he's concerned about my blood pressure now (it's about in the 130's range).
My question is, is there a med with a similar action as Ritalin that will not increase my blood pressure?
Thank you for any help!
Roslynn
Posted by linkadge on February 20, 2022, at 17:17:38
In reply to Med similar to Ritalin?, posted by Roslynn on February 20, 2022, at 14:40:05
That's a tough one. Wellbutrin might be an option (if you haven't tried this one), but it too can raise BP. Amphetamine drugs too, can affect blood pressure.
There are controlled release versions of ritalin which might be a better option (less chances of BP spikes).
What other meds are you taking?
Linkadge
Posted by Petermartin on February 20, 2022, at 21:23:55
In reply to Re: Med similar to Ritalin?, posted by linkadge on February 20, 2022, at 17:17:38
Some doctors will prescribe a beta blocker like Propranolol to prevent the BP/Pulse spikes that Ritalin & Adderall can cause. Your normal doc might prescribe it anyway as it's also use for high blood pressure (although I think it's second line). Some people really like Propranolol (aka Indwell) as it can also be good for some types of anxiety and speaking/stage fright of all things.
It sounds counterintuitive, but I used to have BP in that range until I start taking MAOis. In particular Marplan. I'm on Marplan now and take 60mg of Ritalin a day and my BP stays loooow like 90/70.
Posted by rjlockhart37 on February 20, 2022, at 22:26:41
In reply to Med similar to Ritalin?, posted by Roslynn on February 20, 2022, at 14:40:05
there's a fairly new medication in the US called Sunosi, it's a dopamine, norepinephrine reptake, it's not a stimulant but it works more similar to wellbutrin, it keeps you alert, it doenst seem to have psychostimulant properties, it's not a stimulant. From the reviews people have wrote, on drugs.com, they mainly say it keeps them alert, and awake. Wellbutrin is depression medicatiom, and i did read that sunsosi can treat depression. It lasts around 9 hours. You research more about it. Go to drugs.com here's the links
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solriamfetol
https://www.drugs.com/comments/solriamfetol/sunosi.html
Posted by undopaminergic on February 21, 2022, at 8:13:11
In reply to Med similar to Ritalin?, posted by Roslynn on February 20, 2022, at 14:40:05
> Hi all and hope everyone is well.
>
> Just have a question...
>
> I have found that Ritalin helps me in the mornings but my Dr. is reluctant to prescribe it because he feels my blood pressure is a little high.
>
> He had prescribed it for me for about a year but then he requested some records from my PCP and he's concerned about my blood pressure now (it's about in the 130's range).
>
> My question is, is there a med with a similar action as Ritalin that will not increase my blood pressure?
>I suggest taking an antihypertensive drug, or a combination of them, to address the blood pressure issue. I use bisoprolol, but guanfacine is my favourite. There are a great number of other drugs, which means it's likely you can find a regimen that works for you.
-undopaminergic
Posted by Christ_empowered on February 21, 2022, at 10:37:21
In reply to Med similar to Ritalin?, posted by Roslynn on February 20, 2022, at 14:40:05
if you have excellent insurance coverage, Provigil (modafanil) might be an option, "off label." Having said that...
I think I've known of 2 or 3 people on low to moderate dosages of stimulants who also take meds for hypertension. The big, big, big concern seems to be control of the blood pressure. Maybe work with your PCP first and then work with the other doctors to get on and stay on Ritalin, safely?
hope this helps. :-)
Posted by Roslynn on February 21, 2022, at 14:58:32
In reply to Re: Med similar to Ritalin?, posted by linkadge on February 20, 2022, at 17:17:38
>
> What other meds are you taking?
>
> Linkadge
>
> Hi, I also take effexor, latuda, ativan, seroquel as well as asthma meds and flonase.Thank you for your help.
>
Posted by linkadge on February 22, 2022, at 15:38:33
In reply to Re: Med similar to Ritalin? » linkadge, posted by Roslynn on February 21, 2022, at 14:58:32
The effexor can raise blood pressure (especially over 75mg). Have you taken wellbutrin? The doctor may consider wellbutrin with a reduction in effexor. This might give some of the dopaminergic boost of ritalin.
Linkadge
Posted by Roslynn on February 22, 2022, at 15:48:04
In reply to Re: Med similar to Ritalin?, posted by linkadge on February 22, 2022, at 15:38:33
> The effexor can raise blood pressure (especially over 75mg). Have you taken wellbutrin? The doctor may consider wellbutrin with a reduction in effexor. This might give some of the dopaminergic boost of ritalin.
>
> Linkadge.Hi, I didn't know effexor could raise blood pressure. I have tried Wellbutrin but could not tolerate the side effects. Thank you for the suggestion.
>
>
Posted by pedr on March 1, 2022, at 10:22:46
In reply to Med similar to Ritalin?, posted by Roslynn on February 20, 2022, at 14:40:05
Hi Roslynn,
I don't have a suggestion that hasn't already been mentioned but I wanted to say that I have severe Treatment-Resistant Depression and that Ritalin (atop a whole stack of meds) is critical to my functioning.
I take about 120mg a day, 60mg of which is prescribed, 60mg I order online. I know it's risky and blah blah but I simply cannot function without it. It's as simple as that.
Pete
PS I am an age old member of this site, I have just been too depressed to post here (the irony...).
Posted by Roslynn on March 11, 2022, at 15:06:03
In reply to Re: Med similar to Ritalin?, posted by pedr on March 1, 2022, at 10:22:46
> Hi Roslynn,
>
> I don't have a suggestion that hasn't already been mentioned but I wanted to say that I have severe Treatment-Resistant Depression and that Ritalin (atop a whole stack of meds) is critical to my functioning.
>
> I take about 120mg a day, 60mg of which is prescribed, 60mg I order online. I know it's risky and blah blah but I simply cannot function without it. It's as simple as that.
>
> Pete
>
> PS I am an age old member of this site, I have just been too depressed to post here (the irony...).
Dear Pete,Thank you for your response. I have thought of you and wondered how you were doing since we had messaged a while ago.
I remember you were thinking of pursuing different treatment options. Have you found anything else that is helpful in addition to the ritalin? It's one of the only things that works for me as well.
I did a course of TMS but it had no effect...
Roslynn
Posted by SLS on March 12, 2022, at 18:33:10
In reply to Re: Med similar to Ritalin?, posted by pedr on March 1, 2022, at 10:22:46
Hi.
> PS I am an age old member of this site, I have just been too depressed to post here (the irony...).I was happy to see your name appear on the board. I am dismayed to learn what kept you away all of this time.
Did you want to describe what's been happening with you? I hope you haven't been in too much pain.
- Scott
Posted by pedr on April 29, 2022, at 18:58:55
In reply to Re: Med similar to Ritalin? » pedr, posted by SLS on March 12, 2022, at 18:33:10
> Hi.
>
> > PS I am an age old member of this site, I have just been too depressed to post here (the irony...).
>
> I was happy to see your name appear on the board. I am dismayed to learn what kept you away all of this time.
>
> Did you want to describe what's been happening with you? I hope you haven't been in too much pain.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>SLS, likewise it is good to see your handle pop up too.
I can't say I've been anything other than highly suicidal, truth be told. I hope you're doing better than I.
I am hopefully having a VNS implant... Implanted in the near future. Nothing has ever really helped my MI but one has to hope.
All the best to you, Scott.
This is the end of the thread.
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