hi
I have known I have ADD since 2nd grade and now Im in 9th. I took a break from meds for all of middle school. now that Im in high school I need them, so I went to my doctor and he gave me concerta, which I had tried before had but stopped. I have been on it for about 3 months now and Im wondering if the side effects Im having are common. I have experienced constant headaches, Im never hungry ( so i don't eat much), I have lost about 10-15 lbs., never feel like myself ( I feel like a zombi), and I just found out that the pills make my pupills more dialated, so I am sometimes light sensitive.But I feel that all of these things could be connected, like the headaches, and zombi like feelings because I don't eat as much, which is because of the pills, but I don't know. I have talked to others and we all feel the same, but other pills do some of the same stuff so should I switch meds. does anyone else feel this way??????

You might be on too high of a dose. Your body might be nutritionally deficient in various vitamins and minerals (do a search on magnesium and its role in ADD). This might not be the right medication for you (methylphenidate). Isolate one variable at a time and you'll find your answer.

I had the headaches which were so intense i used pain killers but that seemed to only be on the first few days, i had other side effects like lethargy and a ' zombie ' feeling. Its very strange as amphetamines never gave me the headaches ( they really are BAD HEADACHES ! ) so i guess it has something to do with long acting tablets compared with instant release. If you have been on it three months and still having the side effects go back to ure doc id suggest. And on the losing weight side get some of those powders that mix with milk i used em for years and now im starting to eat some stuff its like 250 calories in just one, over in UK there called complan but others are made you can get em in pharmacys they do the world of good for people not getting sufficient calories and there yummy mmmmmmm try and get 2000 calories each day.

Oh and chadwick had great advice too vitamins and minerals will help amazingly, vitamin c in the extended release form is supercool - especially if ure a smoker. I dont know about magnesium il have to do a search on that one myself !

Those drinks im on about are high vitamin and mineral drinks including iron which is helpfull to people with adhd - vitamins and minerals might actually rid you of your side effects .

IMO, I would say that you eat some more because your body is being starved due to nutritional defeciencies since you're not eating and it is hightly possible that you are on a higher dose as you're also getting headaches.....