concerta users? | ADHD Information

Hi Sherry! I believe what you felt this morning -- your first day on 36 mg of Concerta, is actually quite normal. I would give it at least another week...or even two. I found that that 'nervousness' goes away. It's also very important that you drink plenty of water, and perhaps cut back on caffeine, if you are drinking any in addition. If you lose your appetite, be sure to eat during the day...not just at night when you may feel hungry. Graze during the day, if you can.

I think it's great that, even on 18mg, you felt more focused and clear. Don't expect miracles, though. You still may have difficulty finding things...even the 'normal' mundane population does that. You still must work with the medication...it won't do it on it's own. Know what I mean?

And if you find the 36mg is too high a dosage, and this nervousness early in the day doesn't go away, you may have long-term success with the 18mg. Just remember to work with the Concerta.

If you come up with more questions about Concerta, do a search on this board...there have been several topics/threads covering this subject.

ok, I have been taking 18mg concerta -- it makes me feel clear, focused and in control of my inattentiveness. However, I still have problems with pacing a bit, and laying papers down in my classroom and forgetting where I put them.. with the 18mg it only takes me about 5 mins to find them whereas without meds it would have taken me about 20!!! I do great on it in the morning, but as the day wears on, it seems to do less well for me.

So, My dr. told me that if I didnt feel it was helping to take 2 instead of one. hmmm,, I did today and felt a little nervousness in the morning.. kind of like one would feel if he were about to go speak in front of an audience.. not bad, just a little nervousness in the stomach.. BUT, the wierd part is that I felt like I had to fight to avoid daydreaming...

the next confusing thing is that during the rest of the day, I was doing great!!  Very focused, no nervousness, and really nice and calm...

So, I'm thinking that the  36mg dose is too much, but the 18 is too little... any experience with this?  How in the world do you figure out what is right for you?

I will be going to my Dr. next wednesday, but I just wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this so that I can be a more educated patient!'

Thanks for any reply

 

Sherry

Alza, the company that makes Concerta, also has the pill in a 27mg pill. Perhaps you can talk with your dr. about getting and rx for this dosage and see how it works for you. It would be best to try the 27mg dose before the 36mg dose, especially after your first experience on the 36mg. If you just "stick-out" the 36mg, your body will learn to quickly develop a tolerance to the drug and you may find that you run into difficulties with upping the dose.

Best of luck to ya and keep us posted!

I am on 54mg/day of Concerta, and it works about 60% of the time. If you are doing that well on 18mg, don't knock it! LOL.

Here is a description of my "good day" experiences on Concerta:
I don't "feel" anything. Physically, I feel no different. I almost expected a "coffee buzz" or something (which I don't even get from coffee). By midday, I suddenly realize that I've done way more work than I used to do. I participate in conversations with my co-workers more because my thoughts seem more accessable - I don't have to grasp for words or phrases like I used to.
I still daydream. I still procrastinate. I still surf the net at my desk. The difference is that now I realize it, and can stop myself. My true battle now is convincing myself that I want to stop. The meds do not miraculously make my job less boring or more exciting. As Gypsy said, you must work with the meds. I fully admit to having unrealistic expectations in the beginning (not to say that you do), in that I thought the meds would be a "cure". They most certainly are not!

Good luck.

Thanks to both of you!!

I am going to continue the 18mg till I talk to my dr.

Yeah, I know that its not a miracle pill, I still have to have some self discipline and use my own natural acomodations... shoot, I've been doing that all my life.. just never realized it

I pace so that I can refocus... if I still have to do that, or if I still misplace things or whatever, It's still MUCH better than before!!

The coolest thing is that I always thought I was hard of hearing. Come to find out, I just couldnt keep my mind on what someone was saying when there is other noise around!! The concerta helps me pick out conversations... kind've cool ya know?

Thanks again for the advice!

Sherry

  I have been on various doses of Concerta.  Mainly 36, 54. and 72.  When I was smoking, I got up to 72/day.  When I stopped smoking, my dose lowered dramatically (back to 36/day).

  I usually give a new dose a few days to let my body adjust.  The first day is usually the oddest, especially when it's first taken.

  (But just to take a guess at what someone mentioned, I would think the doctor was just trying to utilize the pills you already had...so you wouldn't have to pay for the additional ones?  My doctor does that at times, especially when trying to get the dosage correct.  Scripts can get $$)

Ive been on xl 36mg for nearly 2 months now

I find myself like many others joining in on conversations i once would have avoided

I cant say i concentrate any harder just more sustained now with a slight nevouse peak at lunchtime.

Everybody daydreams, i just dont do it as much as i used to.

I do find iam a lot more conscious of my actions and thoughts which in just a short space of time concerta has defiently given me somthing i feel i lost a long time ago(my sanity) now i feel i can rebuild upon this and that is a very special thing 

Remember that even with the meds working at 100 percent that the manufacturer and the clinical studies all say you should combine the meds with councilling of some kind.  It makes SUCH a difference!

Even if it's not a psychiatrist - try maybe time management classes, personal training of some kind or local mental health clinic councillors?  The meds only give you the edge to gain control - the rest is up to you!

Do try - I know especially in the US there is none or little coverage for councilling - but there are other ways to get extra help.  Just don't try to make it alone.  It does help believe me!  Perhaps even finding a group of ADHD adults in your area that meets and supports each other.

Just throwing out a few extra ideas for ya.

 

- Glen

love concerta

doc perscribed 1-3 18mg daily for me my choice

2 & 3 cups of coffee has really helped me

doc actually recommnded coffee

I went from the 18mg to the 27mg pill this past month. I find that it has helped me.  I am not a professional but I think that a gradual increase is better. Why jump to a double dosage that may not be necessary.  Your doctor can increase as needed 'till you get the correct dosage you need.