32 yo female first day on concerta!

[turtlejean]

Hi All! I am a new member here who is very impressed with the great threads!

Anyway, I am a mother of 2, wife and full-time student. My life is full of chaos. I have always been a sufferer of depression and I am on Celexa 40mg/day. I'm also a person who has always had issues sleeping - for which I alternate between Ambien/Ativan (@HS) to help keep me un-addicted...lol.

Well...with my crazy life, I have been falling asleep everywhere, eating like a crazy person, a little anxious all the time and just have zero motivation. After speaking with my doc, she suggested I try Concerta 27mg for 30 days. <removed> But I'm wondering if anyone else out there has had an experience such as what I am going through...what should I expect? Advise? Off-label uses?

I took my first one about 2 hous ago....and I just feel a little more peppy...focused but not crazy????

Thanks SO much!!

[janewhite1]

Well, lifelong insomnia and some depression are pretty common reports among ADD-ers. (so, yeah, you're in the right place). Focused but not crazy is about where you want to be with the meds.

Main side effects include appetite suppression, which usually gets better after a while, and trouble sleeping. Although some people sleep better on stimulants, we're just odd that way.

Once you find a medicine that works for you, and you can pay attention, then you have to learn how to listen in class, be organized, and study the way other people do. It's hard work, and an ADD coach can be great help.

Anyway, welcome to the board!

[jinx2418]

Yes welcome! I don't have ADHD, but my son and husband do, so I might as well!! But as jane said, appetite gets suppressed as I have seen for my husband and son. I usually have to force them to eat... so I make them eat a good breakfast so at least they have something in their stomach.

My son was on Concerta and it did not do well for him. He was very emotional and cried all the time about EVERY LITTLE THING. He was very angry also on Concerta. He started with 18 and then went to 27. Also, after a while my son said that the pills weren't working like they should and he needed better pills. He's 7, so he words it funny! I noticed that he could not take naps during the day anymore, even in long car rides, which is weird.

Now he's on Adderall, as is my husband, and he is doing much better. He doesn't get angry, he eats a bit, and he can sleep and nap during the day.

So just be careful and watch for certain symptoms. Different meds do different things to different people, so who knows what it will do for you. Good luck and welcome again!