Question about Concerta crash

Schecky · 03-16-2006, 12:43 PM

Hi everyone,

I have been taking Concerta ( 36 mg daily) for about 3 months. I liked it at first but lately I haven't really been happy with it. I wake up at 630am for work but can't take it until 10 or 11am so I don't crash while at work (I leave work around 430). Usually when I take it at 11, I will crash somewhere around 530pm.

I think what happens is a crash? I get really REALLY moody, bitchy & snappy, and just exhauseted (not tired just like blah...make sense?)

I am going to see my doctor Friday but I wanted to know what you guys think. I really do not want to up my dose. Should I switch to something else?

index.html · 03-16-2006, 01:37 PM

If you want to continue with the stimulants, I'd talk to your doctor about adding a small dose of a shorter-acting methylphenidate to get you through the afternoon and smooth the crash.

WAIT - scratch that!

You know what? If you are taking it at 11 and having these symptoms at 5 or 5:30, you probably aren't crashing from coming off of it. Actually, Concerta peaks at around 6 hours after you take it. It sounds like you are having symptoms when it peaks, not when it's wearing off. You may need a lower dose rather than a higher dose.

Yes, talk to your doctor. Be sure to let him/her know exactly when you are taking it and exactly when you are experiencing these symptoms.

Do you see a huge difference at work before and after you take it?

Schecky · 03-16-2006, 02:04 PM

Really? Wow I didn't even think of that! I will definately tell my doctor about that. hmmm....when I was taking 18 mgs I was doing really good and I really liked it but then I started getting depressed and really snappy so my doctor upped my dose. Maybe it was even too high of a dose then? I never told my doctor what time I took it and what time I started feeling weird. I will tell him tomorrow.

I don't really even feel a huge difference before or after I take it. I was really happy with the 18 mgs for the first 3 weeks (well the first week I didn't feel anything, but after that I loved it).

Maybe stimulants are not the way to go? I tried Strattera and HATED it so that isn't the way to go either. argh this is so annoying! Maybe I should ask about Adderall?

index.html · 03-17-2006, 04:40 AM

Let me know what you and the doc decide!

The stimulants tend to give you a lovely sense of well-being when you first start taking them. Unfortunately, it doesn't last. People tend to think at that point that the medication isn't working anymore and up their dose. You really have to step back and try to analyze not how you feel, but how you are performing. It's difficult to do.

If you don't see a huge difference in your performance with the Concerta, perhaps it's not worth the side effects and risks. That, of course, is entirely up to you.

Adderall is a stimulant, too. Many people experience roller-coaster emotions on it, too. However, like all medications, YMMV! It may work better for you; it may work worse.

Like I said, let me know what you decide!

Schecky · 03-17-2006, 03:56 PM

ok so my doctor is having me try adderall xr. I started today with 5 mgs. Doctor said 5 mgs probably is going to be too low but he wants to try low. He said to go up 5 more mgs in 2 days if I do not notice any changes.

Anyone have anything to warn me about what I should expect?