Concerta - Am I one in a million? Or... - ADD / ADHD Message Board

iawaittheday143 · 07-03-2004, 02:02 AM

Hi, I am a 17 year old on Concerta and have been for about two years now think. I am on it because I have ADHD and I know this is a ADD forum but i did not see a ADHD forum. When I first started Concerta, I just lost my appetite and couldn't sleep, but recently I am developing major tics in my left hand, as well as aggravation, chest pains, headaches, and at time, think things I normally don’t and so forth. I have told my doctor but he is ignoring all this, so I decided to do research and my side effects are cause of concern, at least some of mine are. So I am worried something is wrong, and no one see's it. I could really use the input of anyone else experiencing the same problems. From what I know, that long-term effects are unknown but from what one-scientist thinks, is that methylphenidate can cause Parkinsonism. I can't control my tic's in my left hand they never stop, so I don't know, I’m very worried. Any input would be great.

DoubleVision · 07-03-2004, 09:25 AM

I think I would find another doctor and tell him/her your concerns. Sounds like these are newly developing symptoms for you and if they are bothersome or somehow related to the medication, any self-respecting doctor should check it out. Time to fire the one that doesn't care.

burg · 07-07-2004, 05:09 PM

I agree, DEFINETELTY check in with your doc or a new doc, there's other med options out there. Perhaps lowering the dose is an option too, but of course that could imose on the effectiveness of the treatment. good luck
Chris

SpeisFamily · 07-09-2004, 09:22 AM

My daughter, who is 9 years old, has taken medication for ADHD since she was 4. She started with Dexadrine, then Ritalin, and then Concerta. She also said that she had alot of chest pains, which didn't show anything unusual on the EKG and also had severe migrains which they gave her another medication for. Concerta helped her to focus, but if she was interrupted she would become hostile and angry.

My daughter was diagnosed with kidney stones a year ago after several episodes of gross hymaturia (Large amounts of blood in her urine). I was wondering if anyone else might have noticed kidney stones after taking time release medications for ADHD such as Concerta. I think there may be a link.

I have taken my daughter off of the ADHD medications and am dealing with it through focusing and concentration excersises and I hope that my daughter will soon be able to stop taking the medications for her kidneys as well. She has gained some weight, which is a good thing since she was smaller and thinner than all the other kids her age.

Jennita · 07-14-2004, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iawaittheday143

Hi, I am a 17 year old on Concerta and have been for about two years now think. I am on it because I have ADHD and I know this is a ADD forum but i did not see a ADHD forum. When I first started Concerta, I just lost my appetite and couldn't sleep, but recently I am developing major tics in my left hand, as well as aggravation, chest pains, headaches, and at time, think things I normally don’t and so forth. I have told my doctor but he is ignoring all this, so I decided to do research and my side effects are cause of concern, at least some of mine are. So I am worried something is wrong, and no one see's it. I could really use the input of anyone else experiencing the same problems. From what I know, that long-term effects are unknown but from what one-scientist thinks, is that methylphenidate can cause Parkinsonism. I can't control my tic's in my left hand they never stop, so I don't know, I’m very worried. Any input would be great.

You have a right to be worried. You could be sacrificing your future health and well-being with these stimulant drugs.

Your doctor can ignore you, but in turn, you can ignore him. If you choose, you may slowly, safely taper off the drug over a period of weeks or months, if that is what you want to do. The tics may be reversable I've heard when a person gets off the drugs, especially if you haven't taken them for many years.....

Only two years on the drug + you are young = sounds like you might end up ok if you decide to quit the drugs.

You may still have ADD after it's all said and done, but you will have peace of mind too that you've saved your health. It's depends which is more important to you. It's your body, your choice.