:o this is probably a dumb question? But I am sitting here in an awful mood. I've had ADHD for 21 years. I finally decided to do something about it, and saw a doc and a psych. I was prescribed 18 mg Concerta, with the instruction to take two pills if one didn't work. I started taking them Friday.

Friday: Took one (18mg). Noticed no side effects, good or bad. Only, I could focus slightly more on things. Lasted for about 3 hours.

Saturday: Took two (36 mg) in the morning. One of the most amazing days ever! I was getting things done, doing great socially (usually I'm awful) and was happy and upbeat all day. I was shocked at how well it worked for me!

Sunday: Went to work. My manager and coworkers noticed a definite improvement. I was doing so well at work and with people. I was ecstatic.. I took the two pills at 8:30 AM. By 3:30 PM, it had worn off completely and it was obvious. I became incredibly slow, sluggish, and wanting to leave.

At 11 PM that night, I felt like a migraine was coming (I get them once a month) so I took two Midrin. (the outside of the bottle says 65/100/325). They always make me fall asleep for about 8 hours. I went to bed at midnight.

Monday: Woke up at 8:30 AM. Took two Concerta again. I have been slow, sluggish and extremely tired ALL DAY. I cant focus on a thing and I want to go to bed. I am about to cry thinking I had to great days and that I may never have them again. Like I've been robbed of being happy again.

What do you think? Should I wait a while and keep taking 36mg cause today might have been an isolated incident? Should I take one more pill tomorrow, to make it 54 mg? Am I still tired from the Midrin even though I took them last night at 11 PM? Or does it not work for me anymore? I am so sad.

One day of the medication not working or not seeming to work really doesn't mean anything. After all, you had a migraine headache, you took other medication, and so on. Lots of things can affect how well you feel and focus, including those, whether you are on medication or not.

Hang in there, don't let it discourage you. Take your regular dose again tomorrow and see what happens. DON'T take more than your doctor told you to, no matter what. If the two pills continues to not work after all the effects of your migraine and tiredness are gone (in a couple days), then call your doctor and tell him what you told us. He'll have advice, and will probably either increase your dosage or change your medication. Just another day or two will tell you MUCH more than just today.

Hang in there!

I took two the next day and all was well.

I guess Midrin and Concerta don't treat each other very well.

But it only last for six hours or so. I'm going to see my psych about it

Thanks!

Oh Selby? They like to say Concerta lasts 12 hours, but that's a pretty myth ;) I get 8 hours, max, out of 81mgs.

Sounds to me like you may need to bump to 72 mgs if its lasting 6 hours at 54 mgs.

Keep us posted and be aware that many people get a gritty, too-much-caffiene feeling when they reach optimum dosage. That is a stage that will pass once the body adjusts :) And then its clear sailing.

Oh, I forgot to say what happened...

I took 36 mg in the morning at 8, on the day that I originally posted this.

After I made this post, in the evening, I took another 18 mg. OMG...!!!

It was like I was having a panic attack. Someone would just shut a door and I would get really startled and scream. I wanted to cry at everything. I also wanted to fight people..lol. It was a disaster.

I now know what everyone means by "slowly" increasing your dosage.. I was just so frustrated that it seemed to have worn off.

One thing I have noticed.. after it wears off, I become incredibly depressed. More than ever. Almost suicidal.. I was never diagnosed with depression officially but I was on Paxil and stopped taking it.. guess I need to keep taking it.

I'm seeing my psych on Wednesday as well. He gave me an "assignment" to buy a planner which I haven't done yet.

Ah..sorry for the rambling. I'm going to start exercising, improve my diet, meditating as well to see if it all will help. Bye..

Perhaps you do need the Paxil back, I dunno, asking the doc is a good idea about that.

What you seem to be describing is what we call a "rebound". This is when the meds wear off and for a time your symptoms will actually be worse than your "normal" level of impairment.

It can be very depressing to feel worse after experiencing clairty. It feels like fading back into darkness and that's upsetting.

Any chance you are close to getting your period? The affect of stimulant medication decreases during different times in the cycle.

Hey! How did you know? :p

Yeah, I just ended it yesterday... seems like it didn't work as well on the days that I was on it.

I'm going to the doctor in two hours. I'll see if they give me more meds..

Just coming back to add that Concerta definitely does NOT work very well while I'm on my period..

I'm on it again and it's like I didn't even take a pill... I feel soo awful.. I hope this passes soon.

FWIW...

I'm not a doctor, but there seems to be a lot to be said for keeping constant dosing and making relatively slow changes in dose, even with something as fast acting as Concerta.

Also, I have seen many people pointing out that lots of patients are taking more than the optimal dose, so they aren't getting the best effects.