Just wanted some feedback on my concerta side effects. I have been takingit for a little over a month, titrating up by 18mg until I reached 72mg a day. I've been monitered weekly for side effects etc and now I am switching to monthly.

I have found that 72mg is a really good dose. I can concentrate on tasks and definitely get things done, although I continue to have problems with organization and housework.

My main side effect has been an increase in heart rate. Before I started Concerta, my resting heart rate was about 70bpm or so, if I remember correctly. Now, my resting heart rate is at times over 100bpm, and gets higher when I stand up to do something. I am pretty atheletic, and find that I don't have the same amount of endurance. Also sometimes I feel like I can't take a good deep breath. And there is a little anxiety mixed in too. I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar response, and if so, did it pass over time? Did your heart rate get back to normal once your body adjusted to the medication?

I have had an ECG, and it didn't show any heart abnormalities, and my doctor monitors my blood pressure and heart rate at each visit. He did note the increase in my heart rate, and said it isn't serious. But to call him if I have any concerns.

Anyways, I'd appreciate feedback. Thank you!

I found that my endurance in the gym and on the treadmill sank on Concerta and my heart rate went up as well. I'm glad to hear that it works for you though. I guess just keep an eye on it. Hopefully your body will become acclimated to the medication.

Thanks for you response. Did you experience shortness of breath while working out? Sometimes I feel like I just can't get enough oxygen into my lungs. This worries me, but I am hoping that it will pass as my body adjusts to the medication.

Not so much that it was very noticeable. I only worked out a few times on it, though, since it killed my endurance and strength. The rest of the time, I would just go to the hym early in the morning and take my Concerta with my post workout shake.

I have noticed the same thing but not a 30 bpm addition to resting. I am no doctor, but I would think that the dose is too high if it is adding 30 beats to your heart at rest. However, keep in mind that the heart rate monitors today are very sensitive and measure in two beats your pulse, so just standing up is going to increase your heart rate for a couple of seconds.

My resting heart rate is 57bpm and I have noticed an increase of roughly 4bpm at rest but upto 10-15bpm when running, when on 36mg a day. When I run on Concerta, in order to keep my max heart rate at 80% or max, I have to slow down my pace by a little over a minute a mile. So I try to do my runs before taking my pills.

Thanks for the information. It seems that my heart beat is stabilizing, and not going as crazy as before. I was really worried about it, and I talked to my doctor again today. I am exercising before taking my medication now and that seems a lot better. I use a heart monitor, so maybe that is why I am getting these wild fluctuations in my heart rate.

Is your blood pressure up as well? If that dose of Concerta is most effective, you doc may want to consider adding an antihypertensive.

You should be able to exercise while the concerta is in your system. If you can't exercise while it is in your system then the dose is probably to high. Some of your symptoms seem like anxiety, perhaps you need to lower your dose.