Adult ADD but feeling very strong side effects from CONCERTA PLZ HELP - ADD / ADHD Message Board

8missgrl21 · 05-27-2006, 01:25 PM

I had add as a child, and recently went back to college and realized i still have it. I went to a dr that asked me 150 questions and he thought i needed to try concerta. I am on 18mg and this is my third day and I am having almost every side effect that concerta can cause, but one thats not mentioned very often and thats severe sweating ! I am sweating constantly, Ive only eaten a hand full of food in 3 days, and ive only slept like 5 hours in 3 nights. I want to keep taking concerta because i think in the long run it will be good, but this medicine has some very strong side effects on me.If i keep taking this medicine will the side effects weaken? I feel very bad right now due to not being able to sleep or eat, but i hate to give up so fast if the side effects may go away soon? Any advice or personal experiences would be helpful. Thanx in advance.

addprogrammer · 05-27-2006, 06:03 PM

8miss,

Please be advised I am not a doctor. What are your ADHD subtype(s)? How was it diagnossed? Are you dealing with any co-existing conditions - depression, bipolar, etc? What behavioral interventions are you using to enhance med response?

Make sure your doctors answers the above before your next prescription. But call him immediately and explain the side-effects you are experiencing. Off the top, from a layperson, it sounds like you are experiencing an overdose. Med management should not be left in the hands of the untrained.

Bob

8missgrl21 · 05-28-2006, 12:15 AM

Hey Addpro,

First thanks for responding. Im not sure what type of add i have, but i do now i am not bi polar or depressed. i dont really think im on too large of a dosage since I am on the lowest mg possible(18) I have read on these boards that there are seven years olds out there on concerta 18 mg do how i be taking too much? and do u think my side effects will weaken?

addprogrammer · 05-28-2006, 05:42 AM

8missgrl21,

It is impossible to predict how anyone will respond to a med, especially a psychoactive med. Age and weight are not major players when dosing stimulants for ADHD. Usually a very low dose (10mg) of regular release Ritalin is tried first. If that proves too high, it is easy to cut the pill in half and try that. But you are stuck with any extended release formula.

All I can say is you are displaying EVERY symptom of a stimulant OVERDOSE.

Call your doctor before you hurt yourself.

Incidently, very few, if any, ADHDers show long term improvement in academic achievement without behavioral intervention. If you think methylphenadate alone is going to get you through college, think again. Medication does not teach unmastered academic skills such as knowing how to study or take tests. Nor will it teach the necessary organization skills. Even where you study has a bearing. Paradoxically, some ADHDers are driven to distraction by quiet and solitude. For others, an isolated area is the only area where they can concentrate. I'm one of the former. I need several streams of external stimulii for my head to focus. I lost a lot of time trying the conventional peace and quite method. There are many other ADHD peculiarities you need to know about and compensate for to beat it. Your college will make special arrangements for you with a letter from your physician. Take advantage of it.

I asked about ADHD subtype because it has a bearing on the med of choice. Primarily inattentive responds best to stimulants. Some ADHDers have a strong tendency to overfocus, that is, get locked in a thought thread and can't get out, in that case a stimulant can exascerbate the problem. Too many physicians are blasting ADHD with both barrels loaded with stimulants hoping to hit something. But med management needs surgical precision.

Bob

synthetic lies · 05-28-2006, 05:49 AM

Well used to be on concerta. not anymore. i suggest maybe a new medication. with ritilin i was taken about a month ago i got taken off cuz of side effects. it help with my adhd. but made me increasingly aggressive. so i told my dad. anyways u Have to think of wat u want more the help with the side effects. or a new drug with possibley the same amount of help but wwith less side affects.