I was diagnoised with ADD (innattentive impulsive) a year ago when I was 16. I'm now 17. I started off taking Riddilin for about a month. After seeing no improvement in my life I switched to Concerta. My doctor started me off with 18 mg. After telling her that 18 mg was not enough I increased the dose to 27 mg. Everything was finally improving except for when the Concerta wore off. My brain starts racing again, and I feel really down and depressed (NOT sucidal depression.) Does anyone else feel this way after the medicine wears off at the end of day? Would decreasing the dose help this side effect? I refuse to be put on an anti depressent especially when I'm not sucidal.

It is called 'Rebound' and for me it was worse with Ritalin but with Concerta, if it does happen, it lasts a lot longer. For me I either just get reaaaaally sleepy and can't stay awake, or I get bouts of anxiety, depression and especially irritability and hyperactivity.

For me, the rebound effect seemed to diminish after I was on the med for a couple of weeks.

Also, you might want to think about Focalin XR. It's a different formulation of the same medicine in Concerta that seems to cause very little rebound (at least in some people)

I take Concerta and Lexapro (an antidepressant). I'm not suicidal, but I don't get so depressed with the Lexapro. It's not just for suicidal people! Lots of people with ADD are also depressed--maybe because it's so hard to deal with things with the ADD, or because of specific problems, but the depression and the ADD are both brain chemistry things, serotonin etc., not so different. (I'm definitely not a doctor!) If you are feeling depressed, you should talk to the doctor about it, and take the antidepressant if that's what he recommends. It's just another pill that can help you--don't let the name bother you--think of it as another ADD pill. If it helps you, fine, but if you start feeling worse, stop taking it.
I started on 18mg of Concerta but got very tired and fell asleep at 6pm. So the doctor upped it to 54mg, and now I have no problem staying up til bedtime. Don't know why it works that way.
Good luck to you. I wish I'd been diagnosed when I was younger, instead of wondering what was wrong with me all my life. Take advantage of this and get it fixed so you can enjoy your life!

Hi
i have recently been diagnosed ADHD (3months)and at the age of 41 and knowing something was right my whole life, things are sorta coming together. the problem I'm having right now is I'm not sure which direction i should go. I'm also a recovering alcoholic. before i was on concerta i was on effexor and things were not to bad other than i couldn't shut my brain off and still restless and that dooming sense of i feel i should be doing something just not sure what its is i should be doing. after stopping the effexor as directed then starting my concerta now up to 36mg a day some things have gotten better, restlessness is gone i can sleep calmer reading is better to a point, my weekend are the worst, between AA reading Scattered minds and trying to learn about me i end up thinking myself into a corner, anxiety comes and goes during the week worse when on on my way home from work till i settle down a little, on the weekends when my mind gets going like i said anxiety can come and go anytime. am i getting anxiety as a side effect of concerta like they say or because I'm not taking enough?. frustrated and I'm moving in the right direction, because I've come so far in a year and yet i wonder sometimes if I'm going to make it. (not suicide wise) just will i have to continue living my previous restless always wondering life. sometimes i think i should just stop reading talking about it and forget a live as simple and calm a life as i can where there is peace and quiet

Rick

Greendaysum182- I am wondering did you get the rebound issue resolved? My son is younger and seems to have the same problem when his Concerta wears off. He becomes very weepy, depressed, sometimes just angry about his "defective brain" (he is 12). Otherwise he was not normally depressed before starting the medication. Certainly not suicidal - and he is not now - and I totally agree that antidepressants are not reserved for those who are suicidal. They help a whole range of people deal with a whole range of chemical imbalances in their brains.

Hi
i have recently been diagnosed ADHD (3months)and at the age of 41 and knowing something was right my whole life, things are sorta coming together. the problem I'm having right now is I'm not sure which direction i should go. I'm also a recovering alcoholic. before i was on concerta i was on effexor and things were not to bad other than i couldn't shut my brain off and still restless and that dooming sense of i feel i should be doing something just not sure what its is i should be doing. after stopping the effexor as directed then starting my concerta now up to 36mg a day some things have gotten better, restlessness is gone i can sleep calmer reading is better to a point, my weekend are the worst, between AA reading Scattered minds and trying to learn about me i end up thinking myself into a corner, anxiety comes and goes during the week worse when on on my way home from work till i settle down a little, on the weekends when my mind gets going like i said anxiety can come and go anytime. am i getting anxiety as a side effect of concerta like they say or because I'm not taking enough?. frustrated and I'm moving in the right direction, because I've come so far in a year and yet i wonder sometimes if I'm going to make it. (not suicide wise) just will i have to continue living my previous restless always wondering life. sometimes i think i should just stop reading talking about it and forget a live as simple and calm a life as i can where there is peace and quiet

RickWe're about the same age Rick. I was diagnosed back in March. I definately understand the feeling of wondering whether stopping reading, talking etc about it would help -- or if that's even possible -- kind of hard to put the genie back in the bottle. The peaceful quiet life sure sounds good -- I think there's a lot to be said for living closer to nature, getting plenty of exercise, and having time for quietness inside. I wish you well on your quest.

Scattered

Hi Rick,

Congratulations on your recovery! I mean NO DISRESPECT at all, but when reading your post, I started chuckling a little. I'm laughing because I believe that I completely understand what you are talking about. I experienced it (and STILL experience it) too.

I am also "in recovery," and I can tell you that for most people I know - life for "normal people" doesn't require them to do so much serious introspection and reflection . . . and it doesn't ask them to constantly worry about everything they did or thought of doing . . . or JUST THOUGHT . . . and no worrying about if the thought stems from "the right" attitude or the wrong attitude . . . and is the deed, or consideration of the deed, or just the thought of the deed - harmful or potentially harmful . . .

If you think of stuff like that PLUS ask yourself the endless list of questions that you can about your ADD (or anything else for that matter) . . . ya - that can drive you nuts and make you feel anxious. I'm guessing that maybe you are doing well . . . and that might seem too weird and make you wonder what you're supposed to do now? Is that at all true? Do you have any hobbies or anything else that you enjoy besides researching mental health issues (not that there is anything wrong with that - I enjoy that too) . . . but maybe scheduling a walk, or a trip to a museum or ballgame or library or . . . ??? Exercise and getting your attention on something relaxing can bring you great joy!!! Maybe make that a goal: challenge yourself to find something to do on the weekends that is enjoyable, relaxing and (of course) healthy & safe. Ya know what - I need to do that too! Do you want to make this a contest? :-)

Please keep me posted, Rick.

SS