Ritalin

Methylphenidate is used to treat attention disorders (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD) as part of a total treatment plan including psychological, educational and social measures. This medication is also used to treat patients with narcolepsy (a disorder of sleep regulation). When this medication is used to treat ADHD, patients may find they have increased attention, decreased impulsiveness, and decreased hyperactivity. This medication is a mild stimulant that works by affecting the levels of chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the nervous system.
This medication should not be used to treat simple fatigue symptoms.
Other uses: This medication may also be used for treating depression in certain cases.

How to use Ritalin Oral
This medication is best taken 30 to 45 minutes before a meal or as directed by your doctor. If loss of appetite occurs or if you experience stomach upset, it may be taken with or after meals or snacks.
Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day. It may take up to two weeks to notice an improvement while on this drug.
Use this medication exactly as prescribed. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Your doctor may instruct you to gradually increase or decrease your dose. Do not increase your dose, use it more frequently or use it for a longer period of time than prescribed because this drug can be habit-forming. Also, if used for a long period of time, do not suddenly stop using this without first consulting your doctor.
This medication may cause dependence, especially if it has been used regularly for an extended period of time, or if it has been used in high doses. In such cases, if you suddenly stop this drug, withdrawal reactions may occur. Such reactions can include severe depression and chronic overactivity. Report any such reactions to your doctor immediately. When stopping extended, regular treatment with this drug, gradually reducing the dosage as directed will help prevent withdrawal reactions. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Though it is very unlikely to occur, this medication can also result in abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction/habit-forming). Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently or use it for a longer period of time than prescribed. Properly stop the medication when so directed. This will lessen the chances of becoming addicted.
When used for an extended period, this medication may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.
Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

WebMD (20 Feb 2007)

Whether or not

God,

help me remember this,

in my despairs,

whether I am willing, or not...


What a friend I've found
Closer than a brother
I have felt your touch
More intimate than lovers

Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, you're my friend forever

What a hope I've found
More faithful than a mother
It would break my heart
To ever lose each other

Martin Smith ©1996

This one's for the record

It was 5am and I was the last in the convoy of vehicles cruising along the SLE. What I had not expected even if I put my life on it was that a speeding truck smashed into the back of our Rover and sent it spinning out of control. According to witnesses the truck followed through after a distance and smashed into it again on the right side, sending it into another spin.

I had no idea of the second hit, I was bracing myself for the vehicle to flip a few times from the impact and petrified with the possibility of being fatally injured right there and then. When the Rover finally came to a halt I was shaken but more relieved that the vehicle did not overturn and that I was not injured or dead yet. The truck had also came to a stop behind us, with it’s front almost totally smashed.

But my worry was far from over. My young driver, who told me before we left camp this was his first driving assignment, was slumped on his seat motionless. I was not hurt so I quickly get out of mine and went over to the other side to get a better access to him to check on his injuries and extricate him out but the door wouldn't budge.

To make matters worse, the fuel tank was spilling fuel all over the bottom of the vehicle. Rescuers sprinted from the vehicles before us and attempted to open the door. At that moment it seemed like the worst could have happened, which was the fuel catching fire. I climbed back into the seat beside my colleague and helped him out though the other way. It was the last choice in mind as he seemed to have suffered injuries to the neck and it was preferable his neck was immobilized before moving him, but I had to before the two of us end up cooked in a fireball in the middle of the expressway.

To make this account short after being retold countless times this morning we were eventually hurried to the hospital and were discharged today. Nothing was broken in both of us, however I was put on strong painkillers for the pain in my back and my young ward went home with a neck collar.

All of this seems almost unreal if not for the reason I'm home because I was taken out the exercise and the nagging pain I have in my upper back when I move too much. Was told the back of the Rover was smashed and if anyone was behind it he will be as well. Just before moving off I offered my front seat to a more senior colleague, which he kindly refused. If he had taken my offer, I would have been at back of the vehicle and then eventually a casualty. And also if I had not made a last minute decision not to bring another young instructor along he would have been the one.

This one's for the record, fresh from my memory. I was stolen from death and I thank God I'm still alive today.