Hi, I can't see my doctor until next week so I have a question til then. I take one, 36 mg. Concerta pill at 8 AM every morning. It works beautifully until 3 PM. Then, I get that rebound thing that everyone talks about. I can no longer function productively, daydream, and go back to my unmedicated ADHD symptoms. I work until 9 PM, so I'm doing awful. I'm sitting here so frustrated!

Can I take another 36 mg. pill at 3 PM every day until I see my doctor? I tried it once, and it seemed like it didn't work as well. I just NEED something to get me through the rest of the day.

Should I ask my doctor about taking Ritalin at 3 PM when I see him? Does that work better than Concerta would at that time?

Thanks so much, I don't know what I would do without this forum :p

Hi Selby,

I had the same problem and my doctor put me on 18 mg in the AM and another 18 around noon and that worked for me. I know some people take 27 or 36 in the AM and 18 later in the day and some use Ritalin, but if you're working until nine at night Ritalin probably won't get you there since it typically lasts four hours or less. Do talk to your doctor, so he doesn't think you're trying to increase your meds without his blessing -- can you talk to him by phone? If not, I'd suggest waiting until your next appointment (as hard as that is) or exercising first thing in the morning and waiting until 10 or 11 to take your medication. I find that works for me. Another thing that may help is caffeine at one end or the other to help extent your time until you can get your prescription adjusted. Good luck!

Scattered

Thank you so much for your response. I was lucky enough to get an appointment with my doctor this morning. He recommended taking 54 mg. every morning, he says that should last me most of the day. So we'll see. Fingers are crossed.

I would ask for methylphenidate I.R to help with the rest of the day, you have more control over dosing with immediate release. Taking another concerta at midday will create a major peak in the middle of the day. I would think that you would want steady blood levels of medicine over time. I don't know why they prescribe the medicine to last only 8-10 hours, people have things to do after they get done with work, pay bills, run errands, etc. Well I quess the doc has to start the dosing somewhere.