Positive results on Concerta? Anyone? | ADHD Information
Hello
I have been on Concerta for only a week now. I am only taking 18mg like you,,, I don't think it is helping me at all . Do you think it takes a while? I was under the impression that you would know right away. I feel worse than ever. Scattered, unorganized, crazy as usual.
I think my doc, and probably most docs start you out on the lowest dose available, and go from there. I meet with my doc in three weeks. So tempted to double up on the meds,,, but better not.
Are you meeting your doc soon? Just keep track of how you are feeling. All drugs don't work for everyone.
Christy
Christy...I've been taking it a month. THIS Thurs I see dr and hopefully increase to 36mg. I've also been more scattered and unorganized (except when on this forum) after the 2nd day on 18mg.
First two days were really good, like Beatific, better focusing, etc. Although I have had a headache, I wake up with it (could be withdrawl from coffee). So definitely anxious to see dr.
I'd wait and not double up, since you probably only have enough pills until you see your dr again. Or can you call your dr's office and leave a message or talk with dr, perhaps they'd write another Rx for higher dosage. 27mg or 36mg. Worth a try.
Yes, I've been keeping a journal. I've been drinking my coffee last couple days (4th week), since Concerta 18mg isn't doing much at this point. I had to wait for increase, because the State Medicaid wouldn't fill new Rx until month was up.
I think it takes a while after increasing, at least for me. Otherwise 18mg would have been working for me.
Keep me posted, and thanks for responding.
GypsyWomyn38413.6490625 [QUOTE=After Hours] ....
i bit my nails a lot, without thinking about them. i dunno i usually do that in class but this time i kept thinking... "what am i doing?" So it seemed to make you more aware, that's good.
I was thirsty, the cottonmouth hasnt gone away. And may not for some time...just keep drinking that water!
oh by the way, yesterday about ten hours after
taking the pill i suddenly, and i mean at the drop of a hat, got really irritated. everything people said just pissed me off. i wantd to go to my room and brood for a while. i wanna call it "depression" but i wasnt
really sad, just "cranky." I hear of that happening, crashing. Don't know what can be done about it, tho. Something to ask dr.
Something that could have thrown this whole experience is that i forgot to not drink my coffee. im accustomed to drinking coffee every morning and it just... happened before i took my pill. I have my coffee in AM. If not I do get a headache. I don't think it should matter with one cup of java. But it is important to try to eat before taking med.
oh another thing. if you are taking concerta (or any type of ritilin) make sure you take a complete multivitamin with it and drink lots of water. (i hear Concerta messes with your liver or something, definately something you wanna look into). i dont really "know" anything about it but thats what i was directed to do.
You said you started on high dose...36mg isn't too high...usually 18mg, but I think adults it works better with 36mg, and eventually raising to 54 mg.
My doctor regularly does a hepatic check for my liver, and also does it because I'm on Lipitor.
THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY AND SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Gyp
[/QUOTE] Well I started on concerta 3 weeks ago on 36mg....
I've been a real mess for a long time and everything is begining to click
together now (knock on wood). No longer procrastinating with things as
much so I dont beat myself as much over not doing things. More at
ease... calmer and easier with starting working on things, feel better with
myself and easier communicating. I cant drink caffein and I usually
remember I shouldn't after I had a cup just out of habit. I dont have as
much apetite, I have always been forgetful about meals and now i always
have some thing to snack on in school so I remember to eat. I have had
the worst headaches and tension in the shoulders that are coming and
going since a started on concerta....but its woth it.
Sleeping hasn't been a problem but I wake up at 6 to take the pill.... then
the peeper goes of again at 7 and I snooze until 8.... I am not much of a
morning person so a slow start helps a lot. I have had a problem with
falling a sleep but I been getting so much work during the day I have
been just beat and the lose of 3 liters of coke cola and coffee during the
may also be the reason..hehe
Looking bright seeing my doc on friday to reportokay
umm ive been taking concerta 36mg for a few days now and every day my side effects are lessining.
For a while my chest and arms felt "calm," almost numb. My eyes felt relaxed and i felt "soft." After a while i got dizzy and my stomach was slightly upset, but not too bad.
i was concentrating well, i did all my taxes and homework that i had been procrastinating on. the only problem was pretty bad cottonmouth (Which i dont mind because i need to drink more water), a headache, and i couldnt figure out what the hell to do with my day if i wasnt procrastinating! Awesome!
today was my first day of school on the drug and WOW what a difference. i havent tried any other drugs but concerta completely changed what it is like to be at school.
first of all the negative things.
i bit my nails a lot, without thinking about them. i dunno i usually do that in class but this time i kept thinking... "what am i doing?"
I was thirsty, the cottonmouth hasnt gone away.
oh by the way, yesterday about ten hours after taking the pill i suddenly, and i mean at the drop of a hat, got really irritated. everything people said just pissed me off. i wantd to go to my room and brood for a while. i wanna call it "depression" but i wasnt really sad, just "cranky."
Okay aside from those things i feel really good about it. instead of my mind finishing the teachers sentences and leaping forward into tangents that are seemingly unrelated to history and Statistics, i followed the subjects easily. it was as if my mind was on a path of linear thinking. if my mind wandered it wandered around the stuff i was being taught. i had to write a few lines to remember how it felt. it was as if when my mind wandered i was "seeing" and applying the lesson being taught. usually in class its as if im TOLD something, and i soon forget. but today i heard the lesson, and THOUGHT ABOUT IT, envisioned it in my mind. my thoughts actually dwelled on the subject.
something that could have thrown this whole experience is that i forgot to not drink my coffee. im accustomed to drinking coffee every morning and it just... happened before i took my pill.
One thing that i thought was interesting is that my driving was totally different. usually my speed varies a lot and I drive agressively. Today i was very calm and i never fluctuated speed. The change in my driving behavior was VERY noticable. for once i was the one holding up traffic for driving like a chump YAY!
oh another thing. if you are taking concerta (or any type of ritilin) make sure you take a complete multivitamin with it and drink lots of water. (i hear concerta messes with your liver or something, definately something you wanna look into). i dont really "know" anything about it but thats what i was directed to do.
well this post is becoming way too long, but im Amped about all these feelings im having and i feel like i need to share them.
Anyone (adults) out there who has had positive (or neg) results with Concerta? Would love to hear about it. Like what dosage you began on, ended up on, side effects -- which hopefully went away -- able to sleep? I see my dr on Thurs. to increase from 18 mg to 36mg cuz I only had two effective days, then natta.
I'm assuming my weight may have something to do with it, being as Reubenistic as I am. I've been taking 18mg for a month, since that's how many pills I was given.
Those two days were great, tho. I was really able to focus well, listen to others, thinking before speaking, etc. I think it's the only med my dr will try (other than Wellbutrin with me, so I'm hoping for the best!
Thanks for any input. GypsyWomyn38413.6473032407Gonna keep bringing this topic up front...really am interested, and I don't want it to be passed over. Thanks for any more responses.
TO ALLI have been on Concerta for about 2 1/2 weeks now. Just increased from 27 to 54. Can't tell a big difference. I like the Ritalin better. With it, I am able to control the dosage, can't do that with Concerta. Once you took it, it lasts all day.I take it about 6am and still have trouble falling asleep at night and don't sleep all night like it did on Ritalin. Will probably go back to that when I see dr next.