Can Ritalin Help Mitigate Brain Injury Symptoms?

Hello! Does your husband go to see an Occupational Therapist (they help with scheduling of life and building independence), a speech therapist (they help with cognition and processing work), and a post concussion specialist (they help with the phases of moving into being independent and overall recovery)? I have a TBI and all of this is helping tremendously!

I have a TBI from a motorcycle accident that's when my whole life turned upside down. It happened in Raton, NM and I am so grateful that all the people behind us were on their way to a doctor's convention. They cut off my boots and clothes. I was so grateful they had a baby blanket. I was taken flight for life to St. Thomas more but I don't think they knew how to treat me after being brought back I was very combative I stayed their aprox 27 days then transported to Craig hospital in Denver and put in a bed that was enclosed and locked. It was very hard for my children to talk to me and to know that I couldn't walk or stand and couldn't understand. I stayed in Craig Hospital for approximately 3 months to 3 and a half months. The medication they were giving me made me tired and the doctor was waiting to see me when I went back he said he was going to give me a med that would help me stay awake.
He gave me the lowest dose of Ritalin. It has helped with my attention span. I only wish I could of gotten something to help with memory. I was a nurse and found out I couldn't go back to work. I tried. I even contemplated going through a refresher course for RNS but they told me I couldn't go back to work. I filed for social security but have been denied for 7 yrs. I got a letter saying they weren't denying I was disabled but that I had to much equity. That I needed to get a devotee or I needed to sell everything. I was only allowed 3000. I think it is just crazy. I need to find out if anyone knows how I could get some assistance because right now we have no income. If anyone knows how I could get money to pay my electric bill. I can't work and there is no money that comes into the home. Does anyone out there have any advice that they are willing to share with me to help me get out of this mess?

I was just put on ritalin. My TBI was in 1995 and I've taken many meds for it since but nothing for concentration. We didn't know just how bad it was until I restarted college after all these years (Vocational Rehab). What a difference. I struggled to pay attention, therefore remember, half the things in class. Now, no problem. Hopefully, this semester will go better :)

I have been getting neurofeedback treatment to stimulate my brain (I'm 18 months post TBI) and I like it much better than taking a medication. I'm only 5 weeks into treatment and am already seeing improvements. Might be worth looking into for your situation.

I suffered three brain injuries in one year. That was eleven years ago. I was taking Focalin for Adult A.D.D. before the injuries. Afterwards the Dr's wanted to slowly add my pre-TBI meds back in to make sure that I was responding well. I felt like my brain was in hyper drive. I literally spun in circles when trying to accomplish anything. Too many signals! I spoke with my neurologist and she described it as "ADD on Steroids" and suggested I contact my psychiatrist about resuming the Focalin. I did exactly that but the Focalin didn't help at all. I was switched back to Adderal and yes it slowed my brain, so much so, that it knocked me out! I couldn't stay awake for anything. In the end my doctor and I decided to drop the ADD medication and I started taking medication for Alzheimer's. That medication allowed me to function much better. I still have an under stimulated brain and I still require assistance with most basic personal care issues like showering, brushing my teeth, dressing, etc. I can see or recognize what needs to be done but without help, I am helpless to act on it. I can shower without help but only if my caregiver physically nudges me to the bathroom. There isn't much I can do without someone telling me exactly what to do. For instance, if my husband were to ask me to fix lunch for us, I would likely be wandering around the kitchen with no idea how to get the job done. If he had said, "please fix me a ham and cheese sandwich with mustard and a dill spear on the side.", no problem! I hate the way my brain works now but at least now I know how to make use of what function I've got. My husband and caregiver now know that I am willing to do things but I can only respond if directed appropriately.

I was prescribed 40-60 mg daily of Ritalin for eighteen months following a mild TBI and cervial injury. While it certainly helped with alertness and attention, my blood pressure was out of control and I lost 20% of my body weight. I continued to sleep (or so I thought) fifteen hours a day, but at least I had some alert periods during the day. However, I continued to have what I felt were Alzheimer's type cognitive issues, blackouts, memory lapses. After much prodding from me (three years worth) I was referred for a sleep study and it was determined that I had severe sleep apnea, sleeping only 3 1/2 hours a night and never completing a sleep cycle. CPAP therapy solved my cognitive problem and the Ritalin was tossed.....I was able to return to work and a normal life.

I take Dextroamphetamine and it's been immensely helpful.

I've been on many different types of prescribed medications for depression and a TBI but I finally found the right combination of medicines that includes Dexedrine. I have my TBI as a result of a gunshot to my head...I suffered from clinical depression before my TBI and it became even worse since having the TBI. I now live without severe depression and I am so very thankful!

My psychiatrist just prescribed me ritalin for post concussion syndrome chronic, it has been over 19 months since being hit in the top of a head with a metal bar. I suffer from all the symptoms you can have. At first I thought I was getting Alzheimers. I have been on Wellbutrin and it helps a bit, but it causes palpitations and raises my blood pressure. I am afraid to take ritalin too. I'm a 52 year old female. I wonder if I will ever be able to work again? I'm an RN. I have to be sharp, precise, on the ball at all times.I do not wabt to harm anyone. I hate taking medicine.I'm on 2 types of seizure medicine, muscle relaxers, pain meds, blood pressure meds,TENS unit, cervical traction everything to try to get better. I am told that 6 months is the window for improvement. I'm stuck. MayGod Bless us eeveryone. Amen.

My TBI was back in 1993, a major car accident, an 8-week coma, and 21-years later I am doing pretty well.  I have been taking ADHD type of stimulants for the past 5-years and I have found the right medication for me.  Ritalin worked for me at first, but after several different medications I have discovered that Adderall extended release (name-brand only) works best for me...Trial & error is the name of the game!  I have been a Special Education teacher for 8 years & severely struggled my first couple years without any sort of attention aid.  My wife can also tell when I have missed a pill...I would recommend it, but there is definitely side-effects . . .

I have a mild TBI from MBA hitting my head on a car at 70km/hr. Been prescribed 40mgLA RITALIN and can now function a lot better! Definitely recommend as my memory is working much better, not sure if it is transferring to long term yet but will see soon.

My 25 yr old daughter has been taking Ritalin for TBI for about 3-4 years. It made an immediate positive impact and has been a lifesaver for everyday living with a brain injury. She is more focused, feels she makes better decisions, and it helps elevate her general mood. The first year or so was spent trying to get the right dosage. I immediately notice when she fails to take it. She does have to be evaluated each year. It used to be every 6 months for insurance purposes. It's a controlled substance meant for ADHD, so the insurance company will not cover it without written notes from the doctor as to the reason it was prescribed for TBI.

I have also tried taking Ritalin. It was NOT helpful. It made me more agitated and less able to focus on my work. On top of that, I couldn't sleep. I gave it a couple trials but gave up on it altogether.