Concerta | ADHD Information

Hello

For your sons sake,,, try the meds. I had ADHD as a child, and didn't get "diagnosed" until age 33. I am just now trying out meds. I havn' t found one that works for me yet,,, but am trying a low dose of concerta now. I have no negitive side effects other than being thirsty. I sometimes have trouble going to sleep,,, but then sleep actually bettter during then night than ever before.

I wish my parents would have treated me as a child, as I really really struggled in life, and in school.

You can always quit meds if you dont' like them. The docs will put him on a low low dose at first, and it may take some time to find what works for him. Ridilin has been around for a long time now, and lots of research has been done. Particullarly for use on children.

Good luck, and know that through love, you will make the right choices for your son. He is lucky to have a mom who cares.

I am really in need of advice. My doctors psychologist suggested that I try Concerta. I was extremely against putting him on meds so I decided to try the more natural methods. Focus ADHD was scary, I have adjusted his foods, and it helped a little but not nearly enough, and we have even put into practice meditation. It has been six months since he has been diagnosed and we need more help. At my sons baseball practice last night I watched him runs circles around his coach, while the other kids actually paid attention. I am frustrated, and I am now thinking about trying the Concera but am very scared. Any positive and negative experiences or advice would be much appreciated. my little girl has been on concerta for 2 years,it has worked great all except problem sleeping and at times headaches,the doctor just upped her dose to 54mg 1 week ago and the devil has came out.She is good all day focused at school and all and around 6-7 pm she gets really sad and evil to everyone,she throws tempers very easy and im in fear of her hurting herself witha temper fit.She is also on clonidine to try to help her sleep but MOSt nights it takes 4 or more hours after giving her the med to get her to sleep after she has thrown a fit and cried for hours.Anyhow the concerta does seem to help for the most part but it does give most people i have heard from a problem sleeping but a lot of people with ADHD do have problems sleepind that i have spoken too anyhow.Good luck and hope i was of some help.

Trail seeker,

Thank you so very much for your insight on this. It really helps to look at it through the "childs" point of view. My main concern was the growth issue. My son is already short in height, and I read that one of the side effects is that it messes with the growth hormone, I was worried about his self esteem as he got older...but then I guess it will hurt his self esteem in other ways if I dont at least try the meds. Thank you again so very much

ditto trail seeker

It is a physical condition not a mental illness. Diet has helped me immenselly but frankly, ritalin has been as big a boon in my life as penicillin was for mankind in the 20th century. I feel more centered, more focused, and a lot less stress since I started taking medicine.

When I was younger the school twice tried to put me in special ed because I was slow, developmentally challanged...Mt folks fought tooth and nail to keep me mainstreamed they know I was far from slow. I can't quite get into mensa but as i got older the label changed to does not live up to potential instead of slow. It's a blessing for your son imo that he lives in an age where ADHD is actually diagnosed and treated and his Parents took the time to make sure it wasn't a rush diagnosis. Plain old ritalin worked great for me. ADHD is a phyical condition not a mental illness the Concerta which i believe is just time released ritalin and diet changes are a treatment just as insulin and diet are for diabetes. Honestly, I got more edgy drinking a double starbucks expresso than the 10 mg ritalin I take in the morning( no more coffee) I would never tell anyone to medicate there kids...who could other than a DR. but in my case adhd was something I never thought my way out of or grew out of and caused a lot of chaos in my life till I got help. Since recieving help I have never felt better, more centered in myself or better about my life... ADHD sucks for self esteem who always wants to lose stuff, be late, not pay attention, forget assignments, blurt out crap, take stupid risks etc...

Hello Young Man! I see you've also PM'd me, so I've responded in both this post and my Private Messenger.

I'd like to ask you a couple questions. 1) May I ask how old you are, young man? 2) What time have you been taking the Concerta? 3) have you had problems with sleeping or getting to sleep? and 4) have you lost your appetite?

BTW, I'm far from being a young woman.

Okay, I took 18mg of Concerta for one month, and didn't feel anything either, although my body was acclimating to it, even tho I didn't realize it, preparing itself for higher dosage. Then I was increased to 36mg. I do feel more focused and able to get some things done. If I would just get off this ADHD forum, I'd probably get a whole lot more done.

I had a headache the first 3 days on 36mg, but that's gone away. I take mine before 8am, and even tho I'm starting to lose my appetite, I'm still eating breakfast and a few small meals during the day, as recommended by my pharmacist. I also drink LOTS of water. You'll probably be getting thirsty, and it's a good way to get your daily recommended H20.

Before taking Concerta, I slept very little. I'm now getting to sleep when I want to, and sleeping through the night. But this didn't occur until I started 36mg. And gave up my coffee.

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Next month I'm being increased to 54mg. And that's as high a dose I will go.

So I recommend you keep taking it, and hopefully your dr will increase you to 36 or 54. I had to wait a month because I'm on Medicaid, and they wouldn't change mid-month to a higher dose. But your doctor may want to increase sooner. I assume you have an appt set up with your dr.

Everyone reacts differently to different ADHD meds. But I recommend taking one long enough to really know if it works or not. Not giving up. Just remember, at 18mg I also didn't feel anything. It's a much milder stimulant than Adderall and other stimulants used. So you probably will not feel that "speedy" affect that some people think they will. But eventually, hopefully, it will assist you in focusing, which will help with other ADHD matters.

If you have any more questions, feel free to PM me.
Good luck!

The following is also a quote from another member.

[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 caffeine 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 worth 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 [/quote]

My son is 13yrs. old and has been on Concerta for almost 2 years. But lately it seems like he has had a lot of behavior changes. He make goofy faces and obnoxious noises at school and at home. I don't know if it is the medication, but he is due for a checkup and I am going to ask the Dr. about it. I do worry about him being on it, because he has a heart murmur, but the Dr. has said it's a functional heart murmur and it wouldn't hurt for him to be on it. But then I read about kids dying from being on this stuff or similar and it has to do with their hearts? Plus he gets real emotional at times, is a picky eater (only weighs about 75 lbs.)and takes awhile to go to sleep at night. Anybody have any tips? He is also a handful to get out of bed in the morning, has missed his bus a few times and been late to school. I know diet plays a big part in it. He sometimes eats hot lunches at school, but you don't know what he's eating if it's just junk or nutrious food. Anyone have any ideas for cold lunches that he can take in?

Thanks for your help.

[QUOTE=MOM OF TWO]My son is 13yrs. old and has been on Concerta for almost 2 years. But lately it seems like he has had a lot of behavior changes. He make goofy faces and obnoxious noises at school and at home. I don't know if it is the medication, but he is due for a checkup and I am going to ask the Dr. about it.

....and takes awhile to go to sleep at night.[/QUOTE]

Hi Mom. The goofy faces and obnoxious noises your son is making, have you asked him about them. What does he say? Is it something he feels he has no control over? Concerta, and many of the stimulants, have tics as a possible side effect.

Also, has he had difficulty going to sleep for two years? And if so, what has his doctor suggested? This is also a possible side effect on Concerta. I'm sure you have been seeing the doctor for regular follow ups in that two-year period. What dosage is he on?

It's good you're going to see his dr soon. He/she may want to change the dosage or even the med. There may be something the dr can also give your son for helping with getting to sleep.GypsyWomyn38421.7637037037Daven, well I appreciate all opinions , I myself felt like you only a year ago. See my son is 9 years old almost 10. For years the over-hyperactivity was always excused as him "just being a boy", then I realized this was something else then just being a boy and punishments would start being enforced. No matter how disciplined the childs actions were becoming steadily worse. This is uncontrollable behavior...meaning of course that there is no way to control it. I battled with the idea that my son was not ADHD...because I felt there was NO SUCH thing, it was just a label that a parent put on a child they didnt know how to handle....HOGWASH! I am not quite sure by what you mean when you said "Quite honestly, unless your child cant do basic functions, there is no need for him to do good in elementary and junior high. " It is very important for him to do well in elemenatry and junior high...it is his stepping stone into high school, and then onto college. Do you realize that most people only read at a sixth grade level??? Also my son can very capably tell me how he is feeling...he told me the other day that when he is at school, sometimes it feels as if popcorn is popping in his head, he told me he is very confused, he told me he is frustrated with losing his favorite items, he told me that it bothers him when he cant remember what he had for lunch that afternoon after only 4 hours later. So it is not me frustrated with him, I am concerned because he is frustrated with himself and doesnt know how to change. We have been through counseling, meditatoin, we have tried herbal replacements, changed his diet and my child is on a 504 plan in school. Something comes to mind???? Do you have children? I see from other posts that you yourself are on medication. If you would medicate yourself to feel better, why wouldn't you do it for a child.

Thank you so much Bobel and Sandra...we have a dr. appt on friday to talk about the prescription, etc. this website is a godsend, and I appreciate so much how each of you took the time to respond.

Sandra, have you talked to the dr about maybe switching from Concerta to something else. A friend of mine's son did the same thing Concerta worked wonders at first, and then once he got bigger they upped the dosage and it was like you said late in the evening WATCH OUT! and they took him off Concerta completely and he is now on Adderall doing great.

I have a diffrent oppinion myself. Theres a diffrence between being 17-18 and starting a medication, and being a child and starting one. Quite honestly, unless your child cant do basic functions, there is no need for him to do good in elementary and junior high.

You are putting your child on a mind altering substance, when he doenst realize the changes it is causing, cant tell you properly if he likes the "new" him or not, and cant realize if there are any problems he needs to adress with the doctor.

There is a certain maturity level needed for the correct usage of it, or should I say "safe" usage, meaning safty on the personal level as well. And, as stated, there is really no need for it unless your just fed up with the behaviour, and there are other ways to deal with that.

Im sure some wont agree with my opinion, but it is mine none the less. So think about it for a while before you act.

Yes, I have asked him why he does that. He says he doesn't know. He even does it in the morning as soon as he gets up and starts getting dressed. My 2year old's room is right next to his. I keep asking him to be quiet so he doesn't wake his sister up. Sometimes he does, other times he says ok, then a few minutes later does it again. In fact, he did it this morning. His sister starts to cry from being woke up in such a rude way, but usually falls back to sleep. I keep telling him if he wants time with me in the morning, why does he do that? Because he's always saying all I care about is her and not spending time with him, but then he does stuff like that!! My daughter is with my 2nd marriage. I have the problem like on the other board about the step family. My husband now doesn't have any other kids (this is his 1st marriage) and he wasn't raised to show emotion. He has been around my son since he was 4 years old, and he just isn't that close to him. I try talking to my dh about it, and sometimes he listens, but most of the time I think he thinks I am ganging up on him. He doesn't say much, but just his attitude sometimes. One time during the summer he was walking behind my son while he was mowing the lawn, and if my son's eyes started to wander (as ADHD kids minds do) he'd tell him to never mind and go on, he'd finish it if he couldn't do it right. I keep telling him that he needs to be shown how to do it right, not just yelled at. Any suggestions?

He's on 36mg of Concerta. I really want to take him off of it altogether, but I don't know what else to try. I know if he is not on anything, the school will be calling me all the time at work to come pick him up. Then that starts arguments with the husband regarding the money I will be losing if I have to keep missing work to go to the school. I am at my wits end!!!

Help!!!

I think the idea of "altering who he is" is definately something that will happen, but in a good way. Kind of like when a woman gets a hysterectomy, you alter her, but for good reasons. Will her health improve, are the benefits greater? You have to remember how you felt as a child. Remember how different we felt, how we could never compare to others? Remember the frustration? If my parents would have known about this when I was a child (I'm 35 and diagnosed 2 months ago) I would feel resentment toward them for not offering me the opportunity to feel better about myself and produce work I could be proud of. I think THAT is what is important at your son's age. I think he needs to establish his self-esteem and feel confident in making decisions and handling things intelligently. His future is dependent on these core years, when peers are oh so important. His confidence is so very important right now. Help him out mom, give him the chance to succeed since you ARE educated on the subject (unlike our parents). It will only allow him to flourish. This is my opinion, but know that I don't have children yet. If that day comes, you can bet my son will get the help I never had. Unfortunate as it is to have to put man-made medication in him, it won't be any different than all of us putting all the man-made junk we call food in our bodies now! The benefits definately outweigh the risks! Try it out~ you can always stop if it isn't all it's cracked up to be. Good Luck!

Thank you!

Yea it can be a challenge, but I'm sure your son will be just fine. What you have to remember is it seem that your child really needs it, unlike quite a few children that are put on stimulants. But your definitely not going to loose your son.

The creativity actually is a pretty common thing people complain about. As he gets older, and more in charge of his emotions, he can opt to only take the medication as it is needed for school and such, and keep off of it when it isn't needed. Add can cause allot of problems for children growing up. (Coupled with the chemical changes in puberty, and you have a real problem, just ask my parents ) But remember that he wont loose that creativity by taking the medication. Its not changing him permanently, just correcting the problem while the medicating is in effect.

If your child truly needs the medication, and does well on it, then I'm sure he will be much better than without it. Its the children that don't truly need it that get me worked up. And I'm with ya, if your not responsible enough to take care of a child correctly, then don't have one.

Good luck and keep us updated on how it goes.

Daven38419.4743171296Thank you Daven. I am in agreement there has to be a basis for discipline. I think even on meds. I am not looking for a quick fix for a behavior and people that do shouldn't even have kids. This whole ADHD and medication, treatment option things has got me so emotional, I could not fathom putting my son on something that is mind altering without first trying other measures, it makes me sick to even think another parent would. As a matter of fact I love his spark and imagination that is what I am afraid of losing if anything by putting him on meds, but then I am scared if I dont put him on the meds that I will lose my child as a whole. Ugghh, and I have to say hats off to you for all that you accomplished with your ADD...it had to be tough, you should be proud of your accomplishment.

No I would not, and yes, I am 34 with two children.

I grew up with ADD until I was out of high school. I could have used the help in High School, but issues got in the way. By basic functions, I mean being able to read, write well, comprehend subjects, and such. I didn't do well at all in elementary and junior high, as far as grades go, but I still got the basics just fine. In high school I graduated with a 2.4, that was mainly due to my ADD. After I got medicated, I went on to get my masters in chemistry at Rice university( with a 4.0), and am working on physics at MIT right now. Did having good grades in junior high and elementary hold me back mentally? no.

But if he is indeed having trouble doing those basic things, then by all means I am for it, but as I don't think I put it well enough in my post, I'm against medication for a child unless its a last resort.

And no, I don't think a child can really know whats going on. Theres a certain amount of maturity, and knowledge about ones self to correctly identify whats going on. IMO (and several doctors) it isn't good for a developing child. They just simply don't have enough know how about their own brain, and the fact that the brain undergoes its most drastic structure changes at 10-14 doesn't help much.

---------Also my son can very capably tell me how he is feeling...he told me the other day that when he is at school, sometimes it feels as if popcorn is popping in his head, he told me he is very confused--------

Thats about the same as saying "I'm mad" or "that makes me happy." Theres a big difference in that, and realizing how a medication effects your thought process, mood, ability to focus and retain that information, and body feeling and effects.

Daven38419.4322916667O.K so what do you do? When all else is failing...where do you turn. I have tired counseling after changing his diet, and adding structured routines, and it is not helping at all. Yes changing the diet does somewhat and with me staying on top of him through the daily routines, helps a little, but it is not enough. I feel like my little boy is slipping out of my grips and I cant catch him fast enough? Does this make sense? It hurts me to watch him go through this process day after day after day. I hated school, because of not being able to focus. I do not want him to hate school now and start a pattern for the future.

Just read my post :)

---------

I'm in agreement with you after reading that you tried everything else. I think that was very responsible as a parent, and its not something that most people do. The fact is that allot of parents are much to quick to medicate, just because its easier to do. I was reading a few posts on another forum about how the child kept acting up, throwing things, hitting, and how much better it was after medication. But when I asked how they disciplined the child before, they told me they didn't "believe in punishment." So they just medicated him.

I'm sorry, but that has to be one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard. Will a child act bad if there is no reinforcement from the parents pointing to correct behavior? Yes.

But in your case, you tried many different things before hand, and I would have to agree with your choice. Didn't mean to sound like I was getting on you, quite the opposite, I should have made it more clear in my post.

Daven38419.4571296296

I really needed that post you just sent, my son had an emotional episode just this morning on the way to school, and after I dropped him off I took the time myself to burst into tears. I read your email and it made me feel so much better. Thank you very much for taking the time to post it.

I am also new the the ADHD thing. Until quite recently I think I was in denial about it. Anyway, one of the meds we tried for my son was Concerta. I liked it because it was time released and lasted all day at school, but he returned to normal at home. What I didn't like was that he was totally unable to sleep to the point of bloodshot eyes. However, what else I've found out is that every child is individual in how they respond. What some people told me their children did great on my son did horrible on. So a careful trial would be in orderI am beginning to have faith. This message board is a godsend. Thank you all so much.

Absolutely have faith! Remember that medication is not the end all-it still takes a lot of work-with behavior modification-both parents have to be a united front-and be consistent and follow through. My son was diagnosed in January, and although I knew all along it was still very difficult to hear. Now I have absorbed it and, again, he is doing great. That's not to say that he is not going to have bad days, etc. but overall, just such an enormous improvement! And best of all, my son is happy. My husband and I have also visited with a psychologist which has helped. My husband is still in denial somewhat but I am not. I just had my son's medication adjusted on Monday from 18 mg of Concerta to 27 mg and it now looks like that's the right dosage, although my husband thought he was "fine" before (but he also thought he was "just being a boy" before he went on any medication). We have a regular night routine and bedtime and he is sleeeping well. My son is a picky eater, and combined with Concerta which reduces the appetite, I now have him eat many small meals throughout the day which works better than 3 big meals. I went through a lot the last several years and can tell you it is not easy! I am convinced most teachers and doctors do not understand the condition. I have learned I have to be a strong advocate for my child in school, in particular. I would tell you to trust your instincts. Please keep in touch!

My son just started Concerta at the end of January and he is doing great on it-he just turned 6. I didn't hesitate to put him on medication because I felt that the low self-esteem he was developing was a greater risk than being on the medication. My husband and I are also very firm with specific rules and my son is praised for good behavior. My son is now the child I always knew he was inside before the medication. He is much happier. I knew it was time to do something when he asked if I could turn the switch off on his back that makes him "act wild and feel funny". He is very self aware and bright. Don't be afraid-I wish you the best of luck! I have just been diagnosed with ADHD and have been prescribed Concerta 18mg and I don't feel a thing. I have noticed in the medication description it states that it may take up to two weeks to see results. I was just wondering if anyone else had any advice or similar experiences with Concerta?