New to Concerta

Hi,

My son started on Concerta five weeks ago.  I have kept daily notes on his behavior and side effects.  He had insomnia and no appetite.  This seems to have improved but not completely.  He also says he will feel sick.  There is definitely a mood drop around 6pm and he is very sad.

I noticed he was calmer and could focus on schoolwork(we homeschool), but lately I have also realized that he is doing his schoolwork before he even gets his medication or soon after, which makes me wonder how it is helping.  I know kids can develop tics and the noises and faces could be that.  It could also be that he needs a higher dose.  I would get in touch with his doctor right away and see what is suggested.

Good Luck.

Hi Codysmom, my 11 year old son Cody has been on concerta for about three years now. He has done very well on it, at one time the medication stopped working and instead of increasing his dose the Dr. put him on  another medication which did not work. For Code  you can tell when the meds. are wearing off, because he starts to get grouchy, and he usually does not eat until the meds. are completely out of his system, usually around 8;30 he gets very Hungary. He's had no major side effects except lack of appetite but he had this with every medication. His school work is well, but if you wait to long when the meds. wear off, school work is a big headache, hope this helps.

My son Dylan has been on concerta since he was diaganosed with ADHD in September of 2004..He has done okay on it..He started on 18mgs. We had to have it upped to 27mgs the first month..He does have trouble sleeping sometimes and he has gotten to be a very picky eater..Things he loved before he won't even consider eating now..He still does have outbursts, but we went from everyday, to maybe twice a week...I did notice that at times he can be very withdrawn and almost seems depressed. But most of the time he seems to be very upbeat and a  "normal" 6 year old boy...

Hello Codysmom,

I am new to this site, and I am hoping to get some good information for my 13 year old son who has ADHD.  He has been on medication for ADHD since the 1st grade.  Started with Ritalin but now he is on Concerta.  He's been on it for close to 2 years now.  He seemed to be doing ok on it, had a few side effects such as stomach ache, headache.  I don't know if you would consider it loss of appetite or just plain picky, but he doesn't eat a whole lot without saying he doesn't like it or whatever.  Who knows what he eats at school!!  I want to start making him take cold lunches in so at least I will know what he's eating.  I want to find foods that he can eat without having to warm up (no microwave allowed to use at school) but is nutritional.  Anyways, last week one of his teachers called me at work and said that for about the last month, he has been totally different(behavior wise).  Just bouncing off the walls.  That's with his medication.  Making goofy facial expressions and obnoxious noises.  So bad that he is being disruptive to the  other students and had to be moved to the hallway.  But even then the teacher said he would look in the window of the door to her class and make faces at her!! She says she's of course no Dr. but thinks he needs to be checked.  So that's the problems I've had with him being on Concerta.  But people's bodies could react different to the medications.  But I will keep you informed when I take him to the Dr. about what he says. 

I wish I could just take him off of it.  The only thing it seems to help is with his handwriting and some concentration.  But not really concentration lately the way his teacher talks.  But will keep you informed and if you hear of anything, please let me know.

Thanks.

Hi Codysmom, my 11 year old son Cody has been on concerta for about three years now. He has done very well on it, at one time the medication stopped working and instead of increasing his dose the Dr. put him on  another medication which did not work. For Code  you can tell when the meds. are wearing off, because he starts to get grouchy, and he usually does not eat until the meds. are completely out of his system, usually around 8;30 he gets very Hungary. He's had no major side effects except lack of appetite but he had this with every medication. His school work is well, but if you wait to long when the meds. wear off, school work is a big headache, hope this helps.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE ADVICE AND ENCOURAGEMENT.

Well the first day went well!  He said he felt real mad at school but at home he was wonderful.  He was in a great mood and had a wonderful disposition with his 3yr old brother.  Normally he goes in his room but he stayed at the table in the breakfast room and we all had a really enjoyable night.  No Fighting or hollering

He did say that he didn't eat his lunch and he wasn't very hungry at dinner.  But around 7:30 he was able to eat alittle more.  I was confused about this but after reading your postings I know this is normal.

Hi my 12y old son was diagnosed with ADHD and today is his first day on Concerta.  Is anyone else on this med and how long does it take to see a difference?  Also did they have any side effects? 

Thanks in advance for helping with my questions.