ADHD, Concerta and Surgery | ADHD Information

GypsyWomyn,

Was taking painkillers before the surgery, did the 3 cortisone injections that didn't help. That's why I had to have the surgery. No painkillers after the surgery and thank goodness, the pain is gone. Have been doing physical therapy, walking, etc., but the fatigue at times is so bad I hardly have any energy to walk across the room.

Interesting you asked about 72 mg of Concerta. I posted on another topic about this because while I think it has helped, I can't say definitely that it has as I still have the tapping of fingers, etc. The Doc says this continues from it being a habit all these years (I'm in my 50s). I may focus a bit better than before but again, hard to really say. The only benchmark for me is that after I started taking Concerta, my grade scores increased about 5 points (I returned to college for a few months, then went to a Doc for the ADHD).

I'd love to know how one "feels" when they have been taking a medication for a while. Thanks!

Russ, may I ask if you are taking any painkillers since your back surgery? If you are, could these not be causing fatigue? AD/HD people do tend to react differently to pain pills than 'normal' people.

Are you walking? When I had a herniated disc, the specialist had me walk and do exercises to heal it...in lieu of surgery. Thank goodness it worked, although it was quite painful, I hung in there.

Perhaps the Concerta does have something to do with your fatigue. I have read that when surgery is expected to be done, it's best to have cut back on dosage before surgery. So, I dunno??

However, keep us posted on the results with the neurologist, 'k?   Good luck!

P.S. How well has the 72mg of Concerta been doing for you over the past three years? I'm not sure it's working any more for me at this time. Has it helped with motivation or concentration (not hyperfocus...I already do this on PC ), etc.? Thanks!GypsyWomyn38540.4846527778

I took Adderall for 1 1/2 years and then it felt like it wasn't helping anymore.  I feel like it wears off.  Perhaps our bodies get adjusted to taking it and there isn't the difference we feel at the beginning.  I went to some herbal formula for a while and that felt like it wore off.  It seems like about 6 months and things wear off for me.  I am now trying Concerta.  It seems to keep me focused but I am very tired at night when it has run it's course.  In the morning, it is hard to wake up if I have slept in. 

I don't know all the solutions, but it sure is nice to hear everyone else's expeiences.  I think it helps us all out.

I was wondering if anyone might have any thoughts on this, or can direct me to a source of information, as I'm not getting much help from the Docs.

Have been on 72 mg of Concerta for about 3 years. I had back surgery in May for a herniated disc. Ever since the surgery I've had incredible chronic fatigue. The Concerta doc said it isn't the Concerta, but lowered my dosage for a while to 54 mg. The Ortheopedic doc said it may be the Concerta, but just in case, I need to start a battery of tests (blood work, etc) with a Neuologist.

Both say something inside hasn't reset correctly and it may just take time, but two months like this is really a downer for me. Any thoughts appreciated! Thanks.