Concerta | ADHD Information
[QUOTE=jerry83][QUOTE=Maxdad]Then there's a med called Adderall that affects norepinephrine.[/QUOTE] Actually, it's Strattera that affects just norepinephrine. Adderall affects both dopamine and norepinephrine.[/QUOTE]Jerry
Between dopamine and norepinephrine Adderall affects primarily norepinephrine. I never implied that Adderall affects "just" norepinephrine.
MaxDad
[QUOTE=Maxdad]Then there's a med called Adderall that affects </span><span id="Kona">norepinephrine.[/QUOTE] Actually, it's Strattera that affects just norepinephrine. Adderall affects both dopamine and norepinephrine.
Well candy, I *am* pretty young, I'm kind of small too (not REALLY small, but still small). Plus, I'd never been on anything for it before, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a higher dose when I go back to the dr. on Thursday.
I was wondering what side effects anyone had? Besides being a bit groggy right after I took it on the first day the dose increased, I've noticed that my appetite has decreased considerably. Has this happened to anyone else?
Hey Ruthi,
I hope concerta works well for you. My daughter has had good results this summer with it. She is currently taking a break because she lost a few pounds on it (she is only 55lbs at age 10 so does not have much leeway on the weight issue). The weight loss was the only side effect we have seen. She eats the same as before (except is now allowed daily ice cream) but cannot keep her weight. The doctor has added guanfacine (Tenex) to address the weight issue and she will restart the concerta just before school starts. We will be optimizing the concerta once school starts and hopefully it will continue to work for her.
Greys girl,
it is always good to start on a low dose and slowly move up until you find what works for you. Concerta does suppress my appetite in the way that I have to remember to eat. I can eat, I just don't have a real urge to. So, when I eat, I make sure it is pretty healthy choices for my body. I also crave water all the time, which is OK.
When I was on a lower dose of concerta I did have some rebound issues. These issues have subsided with a higher dose and I hope they continue to be minimal. It takes about 1 hour for the concerta to take affect after you swallow it.
Good luck!!!
Ha, I personally don't think being wired is anything to not like or not to be proud of.Being wired is an awsome state of mind, that we (people with ADD/ADHD) are able to obtain legally and use it to accomplish things. Many people would kill for this treatment!!!
I don't know too much about concerta, but try getting amped up and doing things that are of immediate and less extreme priority. Instead of using it to do an assignment due in a few months, use it to get things done such as cleaning, and assignments of less importance.
This way, you can sort of get a feel for the medicine and learn to use it more effectively. It's sort of like getting a new car and getting a feel of its capabilities and get the most out of it.
I only tried concerta once, and either it just isn't for me or I took way too much because I stared at a wall and studied it for an hour and a half. I was pretty calm, but unless you need to be calm and quiet I don't think it's something to worry about. Example:Who cares if your hyper when you take it if your getting stuff done and achieving goals? It's not hurting anyone, so unless your all hyper and disruptive in a classroom, I wouldn't worry about it. Being amped up improves my charisma and quality of life.
If for whatever reason this medicine doesn't work out for you, consider Ritalin. It's almost the same as Concerta, as both contain the methlyphenidate chemical. I was on it for a few years, and it worked pretty good.
Hi, I'm Ruthi. 
I'm 15. I only got diagnosed at the beginning of the summer...I could go on and on about how hard it was for me, being really smart, and always losing my homework, daydreaming, forgetting to bring books home (I use to stick everything, ALL my textbooks, in my bag, so I could call my friends if we had an assignment and I'd have the stuff), not to mention being WIRED. I'd be up till 4 in the morning bouncing around, sprinting up and down the stairs, freaking because I hadn't done my homework, getting distracted by everything...
LOL, I was going to say I WON'T go on about that, but look what happened. 
Anyway, my point is, I got started on a low dose of Concerta about two weeks ago, and it got bumped up (like, doubled) a few days ago. I was wondering if anyone knows if this is a good medicine? I was a *little* dizzy the day it got bumped up, but nothing serious at all. I'm not sure how it's working. It's not that I'm really less hyper...it's more that I REALIZE I'm being hyper, and am better at controlling it (a little, anyway). My mom says I seem a little less wired-and I'm daydreaming less, have a better sense of time. I'm still working on getting organized...my room is a mess, all my new school stuff is already all over the place. 
Shh, don't tell my mom that though.
So, point is...Does anyone know how good of a medicine this is, in general? How well it works on teenagers, the average time it takes before it starts really working? I really do think it's helping...my mom does. But ???
Any thoughts, opinions, suggestions? It would really be appreciated.
Concerta is a very effective medicine and very safe if you take it as prescribed. There are mainly 2 groups of medicines for ADD. One group affect a brain chemical called dopamine and a different group affects a brain chemical called norepinephrine.
Concerta is in the first group that affects dopamine and along with Ritalin, are the most most prescribed dopamine reuptake inhibitors. Then there's a med called Adderall that affects norepinephrine.
One of these three meds will usually work for someone dealing with ADD.
[quote]I'm not sure how it's working. It's not that I'm really less hyper...it's more that I REALIZE I'm being hyper, and am better at controlling it (a little, anyway). My mom says I seem a little less wired-and I'm daydreaming less, have a better sense of time.[/quote]
That's exactly how you know it's working, by realizing when you're in that ADD moment. When you understand that, then you have the opportunity to do something about it.
Meds don't make ADD go away. All they really do is give YOU the ability to deal with the ADD symptoms.
Good luck to you.
MaxDad
Grey's Girl,
Concerta 18 mg has been very effective for my 10 year old son's ADHD. He started taking it last October. We noticied a diference in just a few days. We think it is a good medicine, and it works for us. But keep in mind everyone is different, and the same medications may affect soneone differently. If you and your mom like it, and it is helping you, GREAT. Just remember to talk openly with your mom about any problems that may occur, so she can help you, and the two of you can keep your doctor informed.
Good Luck!!!!
Jeese! That's a low dose! My psyc recently put me back on concerta and imup to over 170 mg.