sticksandstones
08-28-2008, 09:24 PM
My doctor just prescribed concerta for my ADD. We tried Wellbutrin but were afraid it was causing seizures. Any thoughts on this medicine?
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YCMFord
09-12-2008, 11:59 AM
Before I give you my info, let me say that different meds affect different people in different ways. My results of taking Concerta may not be what you experience. That being said...
I was first put on Straterra once I was diagnosed, and that didn't work. Then my doc wanted to try Concerta. I started it on a Monday, and on Wednesday I was in the ER with elevated BP, elevated heart rate, dizziness, shortness of breath, etc. Once I got out of the ER, I called my doc and he said to stop taking it immediatly. Those side effects are extremely rare, but they can happen. If you decide to go with that, just keep an eye on any side affects for the first week or two. If nothing happens (which it shouldn't), then you'll be set. Overall, I've heard great things about Concerta, it just didn't work with me. (Note - I'm on 20 mg Ritalin, and its worked wonders.)
I was first put on Straterra once I was diagnosed, and that didn't work. Then my doc wanted to try Concerta. I started it on a Monday, and on Wednesday I was in the ER with elevated BP, elevated heart rate, dizziness, shortness of breath, etc. Once I got out of the ER, I called my doc and he said to stop taking it immediatly. Those side effects are extremely rare, but they can happen. If you decide to go with that, just keep an eye on any side affects for the first week or two. If nothing happens (which it shouldn't), then you'll be set. Overall, I've heard great things about Concerta, it just didn't work with me. (Note - I'm on 20 mg Ritalin, and its worked wonders.)
sticksandstones
09-13-2008, 05:39 PM
Thanks for your message. I am still taking the concerta, but haven't noticed any changes. My concentration is still poor and my memory isn't the best wither. Not to mention I can actually take this pill and take a long nap after lunch. I plan to discuss this with my doctor on Thursday.
Thunor
09-14-2008, 11:32 AM
Taking naps when on stimulants isn't uncommon. As Jane once explained the phenomenon to me, often we're short on sleep, but our ADHD brains aren't active enough to realize it. Taking the stimulant makes the brain active enough to realize it's sleep deprived and you end up taking a nap.
I haven't experienced this on ADHD medication, but I did when taking a cocktail of other stimulants in attempt to lose weight before my ADHD diagnosis. Make sure you're getting 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep every night, and you may find that this issue improves.
In regards to Concerta, I found its effects somewhat underwhelming myself, I had more luck with Ritalin (ironic, since they're both Methylphenidate) and Dexedrine.
I haven't experienced this on ADHD medication, but I did when taking a cocktail of other stimulants in attempt to lose weight before my ADHD diagnosis. Make sure you're getting 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep every night, and you may find that this issue improves.
In regards to Concerta, I found its effects somewhat underwhelming myself, I had more luck with Ritalin (ironic, since they're both Methylphenidate) and Dexedrine.
sticksandstones
09-15-2008, 11:20 AM
Thanks, Thunor!
jimmy07
09-30-2008, 08:37 PM
I was prescribed Concerta about a month ago and now take 54 mg/ day. From what I've heard, it's effects are much less intense than the other drugs available. Since I started Concerta, it has made it so my mind doesn't wander as much, whereas before I would never be able to listen/read things without my mind wandering and not processing what I was reading/listening to, so I'm happy with the results.
As far as side effects, for the first week or two I had a hard time falling asleep every night, but that has subsided. I also don't get hungry, which caused me to lose weight very quickly when I first started taking Concerta. This didn't cause me much of a problem once I realized what was happening and was able to remind myself to eat, and if I don't take it one day (usually Saturday), I pretty much eat everything I can find. Besides those two things, I have a kind of high heart rate (granted I don't know what it was before, but now it's usually 90 bmp resting and regularly goes above 100 when moving around) but this hasn't caused me problems and I run 5 days a week.
This is just my experience so far with Concerta, yours may be totally different, but I thought I'd share just in case you'd be able to get something out of it.
As far as side effects, for the first week or two I had a hard time falling asleep every night, but that has subsided. I also don't get hungry, which caused me to lose weight very quickly when I first started taking Concerta. This didn't cause me much of a problem once I realized what was happening and was able to remind myself to eat, and if I don't take it one day (usually Saturday), I pretty much eat everything I can find. Besides those two things, I have a kind of high heart rate (granted I don't know what it was before, but now it's usually 90 bmp resting and regularly goes above 100 when moving around) but this hasn't caused me problems and I run 5 days a week.
This is just my experience so far with Concerta, yours may be totally different, but I thought I'd share just in case you'd be able to get something out of it.
brandonb916
10-15-2008, 08:19 PM
I've been taking it for four days now and while it helps a bit, it doesn't really seem to do much for me. It gives me headaches, dry mouth, dizziness sometimes when I try to read, and I think it's what has been causing me to be really moody. I've been getting in these pissy moods for no apparent reason, similar to when I quit smoking. I don't have another explanation except maybe I'm just a jerk...I like to think it's the medicine.
mod-anon
10-28-2008, 03:17 AM
Please address your posts to the concerns of the original poster and start your own threads when you wish to discuss your own issues.
Posts by helen08 are moved to a new thread:
"Concerta and my son"
Posts by helen08 are moved to a new thread:
"Concerta and my son"