Adults - using Concerta? | ADHD Information
Hi - I just joined here. Was officially diagnosed in December - tried Adderall but had a bad dosing so was not thrilled with the result. Was just put on Concerta. Anyone else trying it? 18mg to start. Just took the 1st one 1/2 hour ago.thanks!
Welcome, ADDie! Good, you took it early. I started Concerta on 18mg Feb 3, and was increased to 36mg on March 3. I will then, hopefully, go to 54mg April 3, which is pretty much the top for adults. It's a much milder stimulant than other AD(H)D meds, including Adderall. So far, I seem to be some what more focused. If I got off this computer and the forum, I'd probably know if it's working better. I'm taking other meds, too, though, so it may affect me differently than you or Susan. I take Paxil and Carbatrol (a mood stabilizer). I also take meds for High Blood Pressure, which I understand can also help with ADHD (or is that the High Cholesterol med? Lipitor, which I also take). You may not feel you're getting much from it at first, but hang in there with it. As you acclimate to it, and then are raised in dosage, you'll probably benefit better from it.
Susan, I actually like being able to take one pill a day, and not having to worry about it after that. I'm taking two 18 mgs, so I suppose if I wanted to mess with the dosage, I could take each one at different times.
But it is a long-acting med, about 12 hours, and I don't see why I would want to take it 2x day. But I think I understand what you mean about the Ritilan. Susan, how do you like the Concerta compared to the Ritilan? Do you feel less "stimulated" on Concerta, but more focused?
You may lose your appetite, so it's important to eat breakfast before taking and eat several small meals during the day, even if you're not hungry, as recommended by my pharmacist. I do this, and have actually lost weight! Yeah.
I've alsso cut back on my several cups of java. One cup in AM, and sometimes one in afternoon. But I sometimes don't even remember to make it.
It's also important to drink LOTS of water. You will be thirsty, but it's one way to get the recommened drinks of water, right?
About sleeping, I was quite concerned since I had read how many had difficulty going to sleep. But now on 36mg, I actually get tired in the evening...if I don't drink any coffee after 12 noon or eat any DARK CHOCOLATE which I love so much.
And I've actually been able to get to sleep and have a good night's sleep, something I haven't had in almost two years. I have wierd, vivid dreams, but I always have. 
So good luck to both of you! And please keep me posted on the results you're getting? And I'll do the same. I'm stll feeling it out myself.
I hope I didn't lose your attention with the length of this.
GypsyWomyn38429.6033449074Thanks for the responses. I tried to take in the AM, but only got
it @ 10:30 after fighting with the pharmacy b/c they didn't fill
it by the time I got there. I feel sort of in slow motion right
now. They said it could make me tired - anyone experience
that? I read some of the old posts too - seems like it's a crap
shoot on what works for whom and for how long. thanks for your
help.
Gypsy Woman - thanks for your reply which I read after my 2nd
post. I was wondering about the coffee - I could sure use a HUGE
cup of Dunkin' Donuts hi-test right now - I'm draggin!This may not make any sense but I'll try. I think that the ritalin works better for me but it may be just because it's so fast acting that I can tell immediately when it "kicks in" and with the slower release concerta it's not as obvious. That may be mental tho'. With the ritalin I totally lost my appetite, that hasn't happened as much with the concerta (dang it) but yes, I am very thirsty and can't give up my diet dr peppers!!!
Ah, you're not in my time zone...I see you did take it later. I got Rx later in day, so waited until next day to start. And I also felt sort of "slow motion-like" the first few hours of the first two days. After 2nd day, I didn't feel like that. BTW, I edited the above post, not sure if I added or changed anything that will be of help. Just give it a chance.
GypsyWomyn38419.4189699074Susan, personally, I didn't lose my appetite, either. 
ADDie...aww go ahead, have your cup of Java.
But if you want to compare the Concerta w and w/o coffee, experiment!
Do you think it's okay to have coffee today? I have a TON of work to get done (procrasinated as usual which is why I wanted to start this ASAP) much better than the Adderall so far though - that was hype and crash, then nothing then tired....Thanks for your help! I know the feeling about getting ADDicted to the message boards - I went through another medical problem a few years ago and these kinds of things saved my life, but took all my time. Let me know your thoughts on the coffee on day 1. I'm not thirsty - but I am having to pee all the time (excuse the frankness). Hopefully I"ll lose some of the 30lbs I gained from another medication I was on.
Bye :-)
Thanks for the java comment - I'm going to get some - this is terrible. I may regret it tonight, but maybe I'll get all my work done and my office cleaned :-)
ADDie38419.4240625Susan, you're absolutely correct. Because Concerta is time-released, it's not as obvious as Ritilan. Nope, you're not "mental."
Do either of you smoke cigarettes? And may I be so bold to ask your ages?
This forum has also been a "lifesaver" for me. But I do spend way too much time on it. My sister (2500 miles away) suggested I don't even turn on the PC until I wash some dishes, take a brisk walk, and then reward myself by logging on. And then to set an alarm for when I should log OFF. And it's difficult for me to put it out of mind, because I live in a one-room, 8x22 travel trailer.
I tried it this AM, and worked. Some dishes are done. However, I forgot to set the alarm. I don't mind you asking. I am 36 and have never smoked.
I do not smoke, I am 41 years old. Did anyone get chills when they started this? I have goose bumps all over...I find myself bouncing my leg (which I usually do) just to get warmed up inside. Myabe I'm just getting cold? I'm hypervigilant on new meds. Thanks! I am a cold natured person and am always drinking something. Either water or a soft drink so I don't know if I got chills or not. I'm always cold.Hello - I am on Concerta. Just upped from 27 to 54. I like it ok. I was on ritalin before and thought I would like the long lasting med better. The only thing I don't like about the Concerta is that you can't mess with the dosage. With the ritalin, I could cut the pills in 1/2 if I was only working 1/2 day or didn't need a full dose. Can't do that with concerta. My only suggestion is that you take it really early, especially if you are not a night owl. I have to take it before 7am or I have trouble going to sleep.Tried it. It did not help to my satisfaction. Depends where you are? It it still winter there? Maybe you are really just cold.
I've found the best way to see if the meds work, is to NOT think about it; just go about your day. Then at the end of the day or next, reflect upon it. But that's just me.
Good, you're used to drinking water. Gurrgle, glumb, put it away, down it, yeah!
GypsyWomyn38419.4417013889I live in South Florida. Yes it's winter, but it's still warm
:-). Thanks - I will take your advice and just go about my
day. With a cup of hot coffee to warm and wake me. Have a
good day ladies.
ive always woken up early lol
but i find im sleeping better on it, which is great
Hi all
ive been dignosed with adhd in jan 2005 i was put on concerta 36mg but it didnt have any affect so now im on 72mg which i take 2x 36mg tablets, i have never felt so better, i can do loads and finish it all, i can take in lots more and i dont get the hump waiting at the check outs lol, i feel happy again, i have lost 12lbs in weight but i dont pick at food anymore, i do eat however. i have 5 boys and 2 of them have d.a.m.p/dyspraxia/adhd and my eldest has adhd/odd
I was on Concerta for almost 2 years. I started at 36mg...then moved to 54 for several months...then to 72 for several months...then about a month ago, I went backdown to 54 mg. But I noticed a decreased effect of the med's very recently, and trying various mg hasn't helped. But it worked great for a while. I initially didn't eat as much, at least not while it was in my system. And I did not like the fact that it lasted so long, especially for days when I wanted to wake up late!
(I smoke, and I have noticed that when I have Concerta or Adderall (trying that now, not too great though) in my system, I smoke a lot more. I barely smoke if I don't take anything.)
But when I change doses on any of the pills, the 1st day is always the weirdest. After that my body just gets used to it. Oh, I also notice that I have an increased nausea reaction to other med's when I am on the Concerta. I get migraines as well, and the Concerta was the best med that I had for not triggering them when I was coming off of it.
ADDie, how are you doing with the Concerta? Are you still cold? Was it "that time of the month" when you were cold? It could be 90 degrees outside, and I'd be freezing when I was on my period. Thank g-d I no longer get them! Anyway, it was a thought.
Susan, how are you doing with your meds? Tell all.
GypsyWomyn38427.4852546296
Hi im on 72mg of concerta and i have found that ive been sleeping better than ever, infact i find everything better, im alot happy too.
ive got 5 boys and 2 have D.A.M.P/adhd,dyspraxia and my eldest has adhd/odd
ive lost 1 stone in weight, but i needed too anyway as ive got a 20mth old and a 7mth old, i find i dont pick at food anymore and after having toast in the morning i dont have anything until dinner time, i do however drink loads of water
That's great Maggie! Very happy for you. BTW, do you take the 72mg at one time, in AM? Or do you take 36 and then 36 later? I only ask because in your earlier post you said you take 2x36mg. I was assuming that meant just 72 once. ? Have you ever tried splitting it up? And if so, could you still sleep well. Again, so glad it's working so well for you.i take 2x 36mg(72mg) in the morning, i can do all my chores and have never felt so happy, i sleep very well
are you on anything and if so how does it feel for you?
ADDie, sorry to hear you were sick,
but glad the chills weren't due to the Concerta. I tried upping my dosage one day and realized it isn't necessarily a higher dose that does the trick, but putting my mind to accomplishing more. In fact I was more irritable on the higher dosage. Go figure. So I'm going to try to work with it and not rely on the med to do it for me. Does that make sense? I woke up and was hungry, so I made myself a P&B sandwich, and logged on to see what's what. I'm going back to bed!! 
Hi - I am doing ok on the Concerta - not really noticing anything except I didnt' hang up on my boyfriend when he pissed me off - I was able to actually explain that his stupid comment was uncalled for - that's an accomplishment. I haven't gotten any more work done - so I'm guessing it's time to up the dosage...the chills turned out to be a precursor to the flu - 
so i've been home with a Z-pak, Allegra, and some hot Theraflu. probably not a good test week. Thanks for the replies - good luck to all!!
P.S THANKS TO THOSE WHO WRITE BRIEFLY
Ditto. I skip long replies all along. Couldn't help. 
WHY DO SOME PEOPLE INSIST ON WRITING NOVELS ON HERE? DON'T YOU KNOW THAT US ADD'RS DON'T HAVE THE ATTENTION SPAN TO READ THE ENTIRE THING? YOU'RE KILLING ME!
anyone having this much trouble getting the dosing right? I swear my body must change every day making it impossible to ever get it right...
thanks...
i started on 36mg...too little, went to 54mg...too much...and now take 45
also, a 27 + an 18.the 45 really works for me. i've been on that dosage
for 3 months now. sometimes, in women hormonal fluxes will effect how
the concerta works. i do notice i seem to slow down and have brain fog 1
or 2 days a month and then it seems to go away and things are back on
track. i haven't tried other meds just concerta but thankfully, so far so
good.Thanks for the reply - Maybe I shouldn't give up so soon, but doctor is getting as frustrated as i am so he thought the regular ritalyn (not xr) would help us get the dose right, and then find an xr to try...
I don't have the same hormone fluctuations I used to...post surgical menopause, but I suppose we all have hormone changes every day...
question: do you drink caffeine? do you think it adds to the slowing down effect?
thanks again
Hi Everyone. I am new to the site. Diagnosed last year, put on Concerta with seemingly inconsistent results. Would like to try Strattera but worried about how I would function in the interim..i really try to avoid caffeine. i drink lots of water and make sure i eat at
regular intervals....if i'm dragging i try to have a protein rich snack or
maybe a piece of chocolate or a soda for the extra jolt. if i have too much
caffeine it makes me crazy