What is supposed to change? | ADHD Information

I have been taking Concerta for just a little over a month, and today increased the dosage from 54 to 108.  Now, I suppose, at some point that something will change...or will it?  What exactly will change and how will I know?  Will I know?

Will I suddenly be able to think clearly?  Will the thought process slow down? 

I'm just sorta rambling on here...not really sure what I am asking...I just know that I don't know...and I so totally don't know that I don't even know where to begin.

Anyway...

I find it difficult to wait for something to happen...and it seems as if nothing is happening...and that makes me nuts...

I'll go on about my business now...

I think that's a good question.  I'm wondering that myself.  I haven't started taking anything for my ADD, but I am on Prozac for my anxiety.  Monday will be a month that I've been on it.  I notice a big difference between how I am now and how I was a month ago.  It's been gradual but I DO notice a big difference.

I would think that a month would be enough time to notice something.  What most people seem to post is that they notice something immediately changing but after 3 or 4 months they seem to stop noticing the improvements (they seem to revert to their old problems) and they have to start upping their doses.

Keep in mind that some people will not be helped by any meds (I worry about that myself with ADD meds) or they have too many side effects for them to be of any use.  Everything that I've been reading says that you should let the meds go 4 - 6 weeks to get full benefit.  So I would think you should see something within 6 weeks.

You can always try emailing Dr. Hallowell at drhallowell.com

Autumnstar

I had this question too, for *years*...

My most recent doc told me, when we were on medication attempt #4, that most people have an "aha!" experience when they hit the right medication. In other words, if you're pondering whether anything's changed, and you have to ponder it hard, I'm guessing the med isn't doing what it should be doing...

My experience with Wellbutrin was *nothing*... maybe just a little less edge on my patience level, but still a space cadet most of the time.

With Cymbalta I wanted to die I was so exhausted. I *knew* it was no good. Doc said that most meds should be making a big diff for the better within a month...

Started on Ritalin and I have had the "aha" moment. Now, the doc tried to treat my anxiety first, with Cymbalta, Klonopin, etc. and that didn't work. He was nervous about putting me on a stimulant, thinking it might just intensify my anxiety.

It's been about a week and with the exception of the all-over skin itching I'm having (maybe allergies for other reasons, will ask dr. next time I see him, annoying but not really terrible)... I am great.

Anxiety isn't there - because my mind is so active on *positive* things that I don't burn brain cycles focusing on fear, terror, anxiety-inducing stuff.

My brain has not slowed down, it has "focused" and actually "sped up" a bit, but it goes in a single direction quickly now, it does not scatter about.

I have energy and I am productive.

Now, Autumnstar might be right (I hope that for me this isn't the case) that in 3 or 4 months this might dim a bit, but right now I'm euphoric just from feeling normal, and able to do stuff.

Concerta is technically Ritalin, I believe, in extended release form. I actually asked for that but my doc said he wanted to start with the regular 10mg tablets first as they were the 'gold standard'. He said if that worked, we could consider Concerta later. (I hate taking medicine more than 1x a day)...

Based on my experience, I would say that if you have been on a med for weeks and you're still wondering if it's doing anything, talk to your doc about trying something else. Either another med, or another formulation of the same one. Hold out for the "aha" moment, or at least hope for it.

Good luck!

Well, I'm certainly still wondering about it halfway thru day two of the increased dosage (108mg) and I started on the Concerta on 6/28 @ 18mg...increased to 36mg on 7/1 and to 54mg on 7/6, where I stayed until Wed, 8/3.  And there certainly has been no "aha" moment...and my counselor (who is not my doc, but is an associate) told me I would know when it was right.

Anyway, I am feeling quite frustrated, agitated, confused, overwhelmed and lost right about now.  I still get nothing done.  I have basically sat here in fron tof this computer, surfing from one forum to another since I got up at 6:40am, almost 6 hours ago.  There is a wasteland of paperwork, clutter, dishes, clothes and who knows what else all around me.  I was supposed to go for a bike ride @ around 10:30...I should go eat, I should shower, I should go wash my truck...

Ijust don't know what to do next...and I feel like such a loser...but I want the answer now...and I don't wanna wait...how pathetic is that?

I actually had that moment within the first two weeks. I still wander a bit on occassion (not doing what I should), but most things are definately better.

My biggest ADD problems were short fuse, finding criticism where there wasn't any, little patience, constantly interrupting people, and similar behaviour. I found the right dose by the end of first week at 10Mg every 3.5-4 hours. I noticed a distinct difference in my behaviour and even my boss noticed it at about the two week mark (I had already confided in him that I had been diagnosed with ADD).

I think that Addled One's comment about the anxiety stopping because of concentrating on positive things is somewhat valid for me. I was not anxious, but rather very frustrated. When I would catch myself doing something I shouldn't, I would ask myself "what the heck are you doing?!?" or I would have another of my outbursts during a meeting and ask the same thing afterwards. This was very frustrating.

Dr. Katherine's comment about the notebook is very good. I started one to keep track of things while I was trying to figure out the correct dosage. I *think* I found it, but I am still keeping the journal to see how things change over time (if at all).

Regards.

jimmo

Funny.  I bought a pocket sized journal just for that reason, just as I was starting the medication.  I really like it.  I did quite well for the first week or two...I haven't written anything in the last week or so...and don't even think about writing anything 90% of the time.

As for my doctor, the psychiatrist, he keeps asking me to quantify the change, for a percent better.  I don't know how to do that.  It isn't how I think.  I'm not quite sure how I would describe the effects, thus far, of the Concerta.  I've got to call him tomorrow and tell him how the upped dosage is working out.

I was trying to formulate some topics, some expectations, some issues to talk with my counselor about, and while they are not all necessarily related to the AD(H)D, they are all things I came up with...

I would like to be able to accomplish things as they need to be done.  I want to know who and what I am, and what I believe and what I like.  I would like to know why I am so anxious, and why I have a fear of rejection and failure.  I want to know what it feels like to be happy, content and/or fulfilled.  I would like to solve my relationship issues, starting with my relationship with me, but including interpersonal ones.  I would like to stop being so overly aware of things...things that usually frustrate me or annoy me in some fashion...but also of thnigs that are not important.  I would like to finally be able to move on, and say, "what's next?"

I don't know.  Maybe I'm asking too much...that certainly seems like a lot...doesn't it?

Anyway, I first have to get the med situation worked out.  Then work with my counselor, and try to be patient.  To make matters worse, I just might be changing jobs and moving 9 months or so from now, which would probably require changing doctors, insurance and all that jazz...there always seems to be so much going on in my life...all of it up in the air...and most of it not finished but only started...

Thanks for the replies...they are appreciated...Peace.

The information of the ah moment was correct.  I was diagnosed ten years ago.  I have gone through Ritalin to SR Ritalin to Concerta where I am today.  Concerta may not be the med that will give you that moment.  When parents of my students ask me about medicating their child I tell them that they must be willing to give it a year.  What I mean by that is they should not give up if one medication does not work because there are others.  It took my daughter 6 months before she became stable.  Keep a daily diary of how you are feeling and take it with you to the doctor.  When you have a dialogue with your doctor remember you are the paying customer and need to be listened to.  Anyway just my two cents worth.