Caffeine versus Ritalin: Part 2

Every day at 11:00 AM my MS Outlook reminds me it’s “Drink Time”. That’s my euphemism for taking methyphenidate, or Ritalin, as it’s more commonly known. I started taking this months ago to keep me from nodding off at my keyboard in the morning. So how does this compare to caffeine?

I must say I still need my morning coffee or tea to feel like my proper self. Ritalin gives me staying power but without my initial caffeine I start off groggy and my mind feels fuzzy. Caffeine definitely makes a difference to sharpen my concentration and keep my mind at peak performance. The 11:00 a.m. dose of Ritalin staves off sleepiness from mid-day on to keep me on an even keel.

That’s all well and good, but what about the side effects? Thankfully, I have little to report. Adding Ritalin to my routine has made me feel like my normal self. Caffeine withdrawal will give me a minor headache but that’s rare since my staple beverage is unsweetened iced tea.

Next time you see someone overreact about an empty coffee pot, give them some slack. They may be one dose short of the usual.

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