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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

ADHD adults! To ask for your experiences of Ritalin and breastfeeding

15 replies

PrincessPear · 20/07/2018 07:19

I’ve finally been officially diagnosed with ADHD after years and years of problems caused by it. My doctor wants me to start methylphenidate after the birth of my twins (currently pregnant) which I’m keen to do as my lack of organisation isn’t something I want untreated with two new babies.

However I did want to breastfeed. I’ve googled and it seems they don’t think it’s unsafe but there isn’t much evidence.

Has anyone done this? If you have ADHD and breastfed, did you take medication? If you didn’t, what did you do?

If it’s not suitable, I’ll provably breastfeed for three months and then start it. I did want to continue to at least 6 though.

OP posts:
LovelyBath77 · 20/07/2018 07:33

If you have had it years maybe hold off for a while and get some support with the organisation? Actually b'feeding can be on demand anyway so less organisation than bottles in a way, although with twins you might need some support whatever you do...wonder if any help from twins and multiple births places as well.

Original poster
PrincessPear · 20/07/2018 07:43

I’ve had it my entire life, but it causes no end of difficulties. The psychiatrist was incredibly surprised it wasn’t picked up in childhood as mine is apparently quite “obvious” even from my mannerisms.

The reason I want to bf as well as for the benefits is that I don’t have to sterilise and clean bottles. I did that with DS and it was a faff and I was never on top of it enough. Bf seems cheaper and if it works, easier.

OP posts:
parkermoppy · 20/07/2018 17:12

which type of ritalin are you on? if its fast release then fine, but with slow release it's too strong

Original poster
PrincessPear · 20/07/2018 17:19

I’ll be on Concerta I think, I haven’t started it yet but was told it’ll be the 12 hour release.

OP posts:
parkermoppy · 20/07/2018 20:30

If it's concerta xl, prolonged release then I wouldn't think its okay to bf. i only lasted about a month on concerta it was way too intense for me, can't imagine what it would do to a baby

Original poster
PrincessPear · 20/07/2018 21:01

Out of interest what meds are you on now?

Not tried any yet as my official diagnosis is new, although I’ve known for years, and my psychiatrist agrees my ADHD is “fairly noticible”. Are you inattentive or hyperactive? I’m combined.

OP posts:
parkermoppy · 21/07/2018 12:21

Both inattentive and hyperactive but much more hyperactive than inattentive. I take fast release now, tranquilyn, it's much less of a heart racing feeling. Also concerta caused very fast weight loss

LovelyBath77 · 21/07/2018 15:13

not sue if might help any but new mums produce oxytocin when breastfeeding and it can be calming and relaxing

Original poster
PrincessPear · 21/07/2018 15:18

I have a similar type. Interesting you didn’t like Concerta.

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Branleuse · 21/07/2018 15:23

i dont know about ritalin, but most stimulants I think dry you up. I dont know if its true, but my experience of anything vaguely amphetaminey based, or ephidrine etc will dry you, and i believe a lot of adhd medications are similar, so you might not actually produce much milk on them.
Im only going by knowledge of similar drugs though, rather than this one, and i could be wrong

whinetime89 · 21/07/2018 15:28

Sorry to on jump on the band wagon but I have an 8yr old daughter with combined ADHD. I love her with all my being.... but she is a handful. As adults who have experiences living with ADHD could you possibly give me anything that your parents did that you found helpful/horrible etc. I constantly question if what I am doing is right and it can be so hard at times not to lose it at her for her behaviour ( especially when she hurts her younger siblings.

Original poster
PrincessPear · 21/07/2018 15:46

As adults who have experiences living with ADHD could you possibly give me anything that your parents did that you found helpful/horrible etc. I constantly question if what I am doing is right and it can be so hard at times not to lose it at her for her behaviour ( especially when she hurts her younger siblings.

Hi! I’m happy to help, it’s really difficult. My mum used to take a bag out with us, and in it would be a book, a wordsearch book, a plain paper book, coloured crayons, a Nintendo SP and something to fiddle with.

On the book of plain paper, she’d draw things for me to colour, it we’d play hangman, she’d design her own word searches on topics I enjoyed, and sometimes I’d just doodle.

She took that everywhere with us. It helped massively, I had it until I was about 16, obviously the things changed a bit lol

OP posts:
Original poster
PrincessPear · 21/07/2018 15:49

As for horrible things, my dad constantly thought I was just lazy, loud, wilful and stubborn and didn’t try enough, which caused a lot of resentment. He didn’t know I had ADHD though, neither of them did until later, so he didn’t know why I was difficult.

OP posts:
parkermoppy · 22/07/2018 23:17

I have it along with tourettes and the only thing i can say that has truly bothered me in to adulthood is being told to stop being annoying/be quiet. because it's completely out of control and just made me hate myself for being annoying.
i would also say that random little spells of exercise are really good for release and focus, like going on a little impromptu run together or maybe get a rowing machine or something, although short term its a nice way to channel some energy

littledinaco · 22/07/2018 23:24

www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/detailed-information/drugs-in-breastmilk/

Contact drugs in breastmilk for information regarding the safety of the medication/ideas for a alternative etc.

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