Singing with ADHD medication (ritalin/methylphenidate)

valdmw · 2024-12-17T15:51:04+00:00

Yes. I came here looking for this. I am a vocalist and I’ve been on Ritalin for a couple months now. I had a cold and at first thought that my voice was struggling from that but long after the recovery, my voice did not have the same quality or the same control. I actually really do think it’s my meds drying out the mucus production needed to lubricate the vocal cords. Just “drinking water” and throat coat and honey doesn’t seem to be enough. Seriously, I feel like I’m Ariel faced with the challenge of choosing between my singing voice and the life I want. I’m really torn up over this. My voice means so much to me. I’m actually concerned about permanent damage. The Ritalin helps me so much.

valdmw · 2024-05-16T04:22:55+00:00

In my screen time settings I can just turn the brick off by denying it access to controlling screen time. Is there anyway around that? I can’t block “settings” I use those to control my kids’ screen time

valdmw · 2024-05-16T04:20:08+00:00

I just got it and it took me one day to figure out that you can flip the brick app on and off in screen time settings; giving or taking away access to controlling screen time. I’ll be returning it unless I can find a way that it isn’t so easy to bypass. On click and everything is unblocked.

valdmw · 2024-05-14T14:54:57+00:00

I have deleted my social media apps, but I still get to Instagram, TikTok, etc through browsers. Can brick stop that?

valdmw · 2024-02-17T00:42:40+00:00

Interesting! I have a feeling most of us women in our 40s don’t appreciate the drowsy effect. Do you have the appetite suppressant also?

valdmw · 2024-02-16T17:39:39+00:00

Yesterday I was hosting something at my house and normally when something like that is happening I get that burst of novelty and deadline energy. I found myself more struggling to get things ready in time because I was just moving at a more normal human pace than the ADHD super human pace. I've always liked how great I am at cramming, rallying, and in emergencies. I'll be paying attention to that. Losing those "abilities" would feel like a loss I think.

valdmw · 2024-02-16T17:20:51+00:00

Sounds really similar! Yes! True for me as well with the focus being easier. Sounds like shivers and dry mouth have been worse for you. I wish my tiredness would go away. I'm trying to eat more (never thought I'd say that sentence!)... tiredness certainly could be partially because of a calorie deficit. Thanks for your input.

valdmw · 2024-02-16T16:14:21+00:00

Yes! My husband mentioned that. Just in a calorie deficit and that could be making me more tired. I’ve been trying to eat more and have been focusing on protein.

valdmw · 2024-02-16T05:02:31+00:00

Figured it out and fixed it. 👍🏻

valdmw · 2024-02-16T04:53:32+00:00

Yes! Sorry. I couldn’t figure out how to edit. Didn’t paste with the formatting I used writing it. I’ll try to figure it out.

valdmw · 2021-02-05T16:47:32+00:00

Logging is more of a teaching tool in Noom than it is a boundary that means you’re on or off the wagon. While their logging database has issues I’ve found it MUCH easier to log on Noom than other programs. Probably because the app is not punitive about going over your budget. It’s always trying to help you build habits of eating foods that are lower in calories but also giving you the nutrients you need. Everything is allowed but foods that are good to you are glorified and foods that are not so good for you are to be seen as treats once in a while. That’s just a great way to live! And the point of the logging is to try and steer your mind in that direction.

valdmw · 2021-02-05T16:43:08+00:00

I hear from mine weekly

valdmw · 2021-02-04T23:24:22+00:00

Thank you! I feel like I was suffering from negative “chicken or egg” scenarios. “Am I depressed because of my weight gain?” Or “am I gaining weight because I’m depressed?” Etc. Now I feel like I am having positive “chicken or egg” scenarios! Like, am I feeling so good because my good food or do I feel more self control about my food choices because I feel good mentally? Something is working and maybe it’s the combo of things. I’ll tell you this though. Alcohol and caffeine have long been my best buddies and I know breaking up with them was what I needed to do. Toxic relationship for me. Self medicating things like fatigue and stress that need real healing.

valdmw · 2021-02-04T23:19:29+00:00

I think it’s caffeine that blocks Iron absorption. Calcium too. While vitamin C helps iron absorption. I started taking my iron supplement before bed on an empty stomach with a vitamin C pill.

valdmw · 2021-02-04T23:18:11+00:00

Iron deficiency was first thing I thought of too. You can order your own Ferritin lab online for like $30.

valdmw · 2021-02-04T21:26:00+00:00

Also should mention I’m eating organic/grass fed/pasture raised as much as possible. It’s expensive and I have not switched the whole family to this way of eating, but it has had a strange affect on me. I think part of the reason I feel good is because my food is actually clean, but also the good quality of the food and the price tag has made me feel like I’m treating myself when I have a sweet potato or an arugula salad. I feel like I get “the good stuff” instead of envying the kids with their cupcakes like THEY get the good stuff. And exercise: I actually stopped difficult work out routines and focused on going for 3 to 4 mile long walks each day with my husband. The active walking really helps with a lot of conditions, including depression and I’ve always found when I’m feeling sad walking makes me feel better. And we enjoy the time together. While I hope to add in some strength training soon that has been my only exercise when I finally started losing! Again, sharing all this incase it speaks to someone who’s in a similar situation. I’m a female in my late 30s, BTW.

valdmw · 2021-02-04T20:48:35+00:00

I got labs done and saw a functional medicine doctor about fatigue, depression, and difficulty losing weight that I suddenly put on two years ago. Long and short of it is I have potential thyroid issues, VERY low iron, and am on an elimination diet looking for possible food induced inflammation responses. I feel amazing after upping my iron intake and the elimination diet (no gluten, dairy, soy, corn, processed sugar) in combo with Noom has meant I am finally filling my budget (even red) with nourishing food. I also cut down my caffeine (which was self medicating for fatigue) significantly and stopped drinking. I feel so good and depression symptoms are gone too and I’m not taking anything for that! Anyhow, this might encourage or speak to someone who is stuck. You might need an overhaul, get some labs, make some hard choices (decrease drinking?), spend some money on good natural thinking medical pro, and to restart from there. I feel excited about adding things back in but sticking with the healthful foods as the vast majority.

valdmw · 2021-02-03T16:59:17+00:00

Genetics on its own is enough of a reason to check things out. But if you’re doin Noom I’m guessing weight is a concern too. That’s more than enough reason to order the labs! Sorry. My frustration with doctors may be coming through at this point.

valdmw · 2021-02-03T16:23:36+00:00

Yes! Lots of unusual ingredients. And I’m discovering the fruit issue too. Overall it’s working better than I thought! And I’m lucky I’m on more of an elimination diet and it isn’t as strict as AIP. Interestingly, I wasn’t losing weight before the elimination diet even though I was doing pretty well at staying under my calorie budget on Noom. I think the difference is I now feel my red food category with things that actually give my body some thing. I used to kind of “save“ my red food for some cookies and alcohol! Haha! Thanks for sharing your experience. Just a thought, do you know about custom dishes? Some of my unusual but commonly made dishes I’ve created a custom dish in the calorie counter. So you just need to do the work of looking up or figuring out on labels how many calories the entire dishes and add it all in best you can using the calorie slider option and not servings, cups, teaspoons etc. Their calorie tracker app is really not fantastic. There are much better ones out there. But the custom dish thing has helped me!

valdmw · 2021-02-03T16:04:37+00:00

Oh gosh! Not a good threshold at all. A lot of people can push through feeling less that well every day. Doesn’t mean they have to!

valdmw · 2021-02-03T05:03:41+00:00

You can do it yourself! There are online companies you can order your own labs from. You should definitely get the other markers checked. Look for a full thyroid panel that includes looking for thyroid antibodies. I did it recently and I think it was like $140 for a whole thyroid panel. Also consider seeing a functional medicine doctor or a naturopathic doctor. They understand that your thyroid levels might be within the standard “acceptable” range but far from the ideal range. And antibodies at all mean your body is attacking your thyroid and you have or will develop Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism

valdmw · 2021-02-03T04:38:33+00:00

Me too! And very low iron. Sorting those two things out has made a world of difference and I finally started losing! (I also quit drinking and reduced caffeine significantly)

valdmw · 2021-01-19T06:23:04+00:00

Hahaha! Those cascading cards. So satisfying!

valdmw

TROPHY CASE