Depsarately need any input!!!

Does add medication affect the menstrual cycle ????? I have been on concerta for about 3-4 weeks. My "friend" was expected 1-2 weeks ago and not here yet.

Also, in the last few days I have had short bouts of crying for no reason(that come on suddenly). I this normal for the meds??

PS. On birth control so I'm pretty sure I can't be pregnant.


ANY input is greatly appreciated !!!!!!!!!

Depsarately need any input!!!

Does add medication affect the menstrual cycle ????? I have been on concerta for about 3-4 weeks. My "friend" was expected 1-2 weeks ago and not here yet.

Also, in the last few days I have had short bouts of crying for no reason(that come on suddenly). I this normal for the meds??

It pretty much matches my experience in the past 2 months on Adderall XR.

I'm also going through pre-menopausal symptoms, too, but this has been my experience:

--My first month on Adderall I was a few days "late". Even though I've been having premenopause symptoms, I've stayed pretty regular, so this was unusual.

--This month my "flow" was much lighter than usual.

--I've experienced some depression. This has worried me a bit, since I've been extremely stable for the last decade. But, I think it's pretty normal.

You've got to remember that hormones and neurotransmitters are all interdependent. When you raise dopamine, you're bound to see an initial decrease in serotonin, etc.

Hang in there!

When you raise dopamine, you're bound to see an initial decrease in serotonin, etc.
Please forgive me---
I'm not sure what this means ??:confused:

Please forgive me---
I'm not sure what this means ??:confused:
Sorry. I sometimes forget I'm not in a room full of geeky research psychologists!

The symptoms of ADHD are primarily caused by too little dopamine activity in parts of the brain required for attention. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter -- the chemical that allows brain cells to talk to one another.

Serotonin, another neurotransmitter, is heavily involved in mood. When you have too little serotonin activity, depression is usually the result.

Hormones are very active in the brain and all these neurotransmitters are connected in that they affect one another.

Stimulant medications allow dopamine to stay active longer, so they raise the amount of dopamine activity. When you raise dopamine, you affect the other neurotransmitters as well, often by temporarily reducing their activity.

Did that explain it? If not, just let me know & I'll try rewording it.

Thanks so much !!!

I've never had a regular "time of the month" so I can't comment on it being late. However before meds my period lasted longer (5-7 days), was very heavy and always gave me a few days of bad cramps. While on meds (Adderall XR for 5 years) it is much shorter (1-3 days), much much lighter and I get cramps a few times a year instead of a few days every month. I'm loving this side effect. :D

I don't think my mood has changed much but my meds are a lot less effective during this time.

Mine has been earlier than usual since I've been on Adderall and my cycle has always been like a clock. Always on time! Are you under stress? Stress can make it late.

I have been under some stress--
Dealing with diagnosis, holidays, selling house, going back to school, hubby, etc.

I guess there is not much to do about it but wait.

Thanks everyone for the info !!!:) :)

I don't know about adderall, but Strattera makes my friend run away. It is a good thing that I am not doing anything that could cause pregnancy, because if not I would get to have a monthly panic.

All birth control pills are different, and act differently in different people.

Some birth control pills can make you not have a period. Have had that happen before, as have some of my friends. (eg pregnancy symptoms)

You have to see a doctor, or at least get a Pregnancy Test -- and then re-test in a week.

Also -- have you had sex in the last 6 weeks? Could you be pregnant?

If you are, and you want to keep the baby, you should probably not take medication. (Concerta is basically Ritalin and it reduces blood flow for the baby's growth and development. This is called a "vasoconstrictor" effect.)

If your period is late, you should be able to do a urine pregnancy test. First Response is a fast and good brand.


PS the Pill can also cause mental/emotional problems; so can Depo-Provera. Never under-estimate the effects of altered hormones!!]
Emma

I am on 72mg of Concerta a day and my period is normal but heck do I relate to the weird crying spurts. They are better now cause my Dr and I have decreased my dosage (for that reason). It was a very embarassing problem. Perhaps try a lower dose and see if that makes the crying go away.

ktucker--
Thanks for the info--I'll look into it.