r/ADHD • u/BarnacleAdvanced4646 • 1d ago

Tips/Suggestions Ritalin headaches

Hi I was recently prescribed Ritalin for my ADHD. it’s only been 3 days but I am getting headaches. I take 5mg in the morning and 5mg at lunch. Is there anything I can do to help with the headaches?

I tried Wellbutrin before this and it did not work for me. I felt terrible and had low energy. It also gave me unbearable headaches.

Thank you in advance

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u/Difficult_Standard_1 1d ago

Yes the headaches improve as your body gets use to the meds and also if you drink enough water, Ritalin can cause dehydration so drink at least 2.5 ltr, quit caffeine( coffee, tea, chocolate and energy drinks) until you’ve gotten use to the meds.

Dehydration causes headaches so it’s likely the Ritalin is making the dehydration apparent.

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u/BarnacleAdvanced4646 1d ago

Thanks. I have cut back on caffeine, but I now crave coffee. I usually only drink it in the morning and stop an hour before I take my meds. I’ll try no caffeine at all to see if that helps

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u/greyvioletdream 1d ago

Are there any benefits from taking this new medication? Is it helping with any of your ADHD symptoms? If not I’d recommend letting the doctor know asap that you’d like to try something else.

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u/BarnacleAdvanced4646 1d ago

Idk tbh. I’m supposed to try the medication for 2 weeks tho

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u/BarnacleAdvanced4646 1d ago

The headaches will go away, right?

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u/greyvioletdream 1d ago

I have no idea. I had to switch to Ritalin during an Adderall shortage a couple years ago. It never gave me a headache but it never worked as well as the Adderall for me. There’s lots of meds out there, they all work differently for everyone. Also make sure you’re eating, drinking plenty of water, etc