Just recently started getting medicated for my ADHD. Here in Sweden they are a bit reticent about giving out stimulants, so first of all I was given Tricyclic Antidepressants (Pamelor/Nortriptyline). Those didn't work at all - was a long shot I guess, but was worth a try.

Started on Concerta 18mg today, and felt an immediate effect.

Today I have:



Had a shave without cutting myself to pieces (first time in God knows how long)


Not only did I do the dishes, I also cleaned all the surfaces and washed all the sinks. Then I got the vacuum cleaner out and did every room - even the nooks and crannies which I usually just ignore (which was strangely a fun experience).


During the time I was cleaning I also put the oven on to make the girlfriend something to eat.


After that I had something to eat, made some coffee for the girlfriend and went online for 10 minutes. Then I got myself off the computer (which usually doesn't happen for hours) and did some Sudoku puzzles which I finished off in record time. I also found time for some Swedish language work, which I haven't touched for ages because it bores me so much (I'm English but moved here a while back).


I've found my thinking is an order of magnitude more clear. One other very positive effect that I noticed was when my girlfriend was talking I felt the urge to interrupt - but I managed to keep quiet and actually listen to her for once instead of interrupting.
I realise this is the bare minimum starting dose, but seems to be doing wonders - though I realise that I may need to up it next week when I see the specialist again. To be honest I didn't think I'd notice anything, so was suprised to find I got an almost immediate boost.

All positive so far, just hope it can stay like this - I may actually get something done for once!

Well Kev,
Glad to see you are getting a positive response. Also that you are realistic that adjustments may be needed. I hope you continue to do well.

Thanks for the well wishes Vickie.

I think my girlfriend is enjoying it even more than I - just went the shops for her and her mum, then cooked us both dinner! I may have to start acting ADHD again in order to stop it, lol

I realise this is the bare minimum starting dose, but seems to be doing wonders - though I realise that I may need to up it next week when I see the specialist again. To be honest I didn't think I'd notice anything, so was suprised to find I got an almost immediate boost.

All positive so far, just hope it can stay like this - I may actually get something done for once!That's great! You're experiences sounds very much like mine. BTW more stimulent medication may not be better. According to You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy there is a very narrow window of effectiveness and too much can be less effective just like too little. My starting dose is what I ended up taking (one of the lucky ones). We experimented with higher doses, but the benefit wasn't there.

I encourage you to use this time to learn all you can about living with ADHD. Meds are a big piece of the puzzle but it takes education about your condition to consolidate the gains you make on Concerta or its easy to slip into old patterns even on medication. Peggy Ramundo's book mentioned above is a good one, as are any of Hallowell and Ratey's books (Driven to Distraction, Answers to Distraction, Delivered from Distraction).

Take care!
Scattered

Thanks for the very helpful post. I'd agree with you with regards to dosing, if I am lucky enough to keep the same effects (though I realise the feeling of 'wonderment' will fade) - then 18mg is all I want to be taking.

Me and the specialist will meet next Friday and will discuss whether to increase the dosage or not. One part of me says stick, another is curious as to whether more will be better (though the rational part of my mind says, no - I'm in this to become comfortable within my ownself, and not high).

Meds are a big piece of the puzzle but it takes education about your condition to consolidate the gains you make on Concerta or its easy to slip into old patterns even on medicationAgreed, when I talked to the specialist he asked me what I hoped to gain, what I expected etc This is definately a proccess that requires the person taking the drug to actually endeavour to help themselves.

I've found sites such as this to be incredibly helpful, and hopefully I can become part of the community.

Never heard of "You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy", but I will definately see about getting a copy.

I'm familiar with 'Driven to distraction' which I got as an Audiobook and transferred it to my MP3 player to listen to when I went out on walks. Found it a fascinating listen.

I have 'Delivered from distraction' too, picked it up a few days ago, will try and listen to it tomorrow - or at least most of it.

Hej Kevin!

I also live in Sweden and was wondering how the process was when you got diagnosed. And what type of adhd you are.

I'm on 18mg of Concerta now after being on 30mgAdderall for the last two months. I do notice a difference, but it seems as though right when it's about to make a difference it wears off. I feel as though this is going to work much better than Addy.

SD, you sound like a candidate to either titrate up another dose, or possibly stagger doses :) stick with it! I love my Concerta and Addy didn't work very well in my house, either. Works great for my Link Sisters though!

OP I am happy for you and don't mean to be a doomsayer here. I just want to remind you and everybody that newly found clarity can be a bit euphoric (like coming out of a lifelong fog almost) but the euphoria does not last. This does not mean one needs a higher dose at that time :) I am personally way past euphoria over here and have not changed my own dosing at all.

Cheers everybody!

Hej Kevin!

I also live in Sweden and was wondering how the process was when you got diagnosed. And what type of adhd you are.First of all I had to go and see the Doctor twice. Then I was referred to a specialist which took about 6 months (may have been a bit less, or a bit more - can't remember exact.

He then said he would send me another appointment to discuss medication. I waited and waited and waited.... for about 9 months. Went to the Doctors in the end because I was getting depressed and mentioned this to her. She was shocked and said that shouldn't be the case. Cue 3 days later the Psychologist ringing up and apologising - had had forgotten to send the letter (ironic eh).

Went to see him for the second time, he then prescribed Nortriptyline which didn't work at all. Then the third time he gave me Concerta.

Apparently there is a test that should be done, but he felt it could be skipped seeing as I'd waited so long, and he felt I was certainly ADHD.

He said I was combined type primarily inattentive.

Good luck SDspedTeacher, I hope the new treatment helps you.

OP I am happy for you and don't mean to be a doomsayer here. I just want to remind you and everybody that newly found clarity can be a bit euphoric (like coming out of a lifelong fog almost) but the euphoria does not last.No problem in pointing that out at all. I even alluded to it myself in my 3rd post first paragraph.

I think in the short time the euphoria is present, is probably the best time to put yourself an infrastructure in place to help you along - ie plans, charts etc Me and the girlfriend will be doing some of that kind of work today.

Thanks all a great deal for the message btw

Hej Kevin!

I also live in Sweden and was wondering how the process was when you got diagnosed. And what type of adhd you are.Welcome to the forums Kodare!:)

Scattered

Concerta helping a bit, but I thought it would help more. I am going to titrate up a bit, and have read in "I'm not lazy..." that it's not unheard of to take 1 to 2mg/kg. If I'm doing the math right at 160 pounds I should be at about 75mg of Concerta. The 36 is helping, but I'm going to talk to my doctor about taking more.

This is a stressing time in my life, and perhaps that's why meds aren't really working, or not working as much as I had thought they would. My wife is due with our 2nd baby any day now, and things around here are on pins and needles. Probably not the best time to be thinking about how well meds are or aren't working.

Helping a bit is at least slightly positive, better that than not at all eh. I figure the stress really won't help you, but hopefully that will alleviate soon. I wish you all the best.

Update on how it's gone for me:

2nd day, not quite the same buzz, slight increase of energy, was stressing slightly because I felt I should be doing more than I was. Managed to tidy up a pile of papers some important some not, and ended up throwing away most of it - and making 3 ordered piles of the rest which I then put in folders.

3rd day, horrible for a large part. Started off watching Football the team I support lost against our biggest rivals - badly. Even whilst watching it I was a bag of energy, mostly of the nervous kind.

The girlfriends Uncle and Cousins also came over, so as is routine I am expected to put in an appearance at some point. I went up not in the greatest of moods, and was then trying to force myself to sit and listen and even attempt to join in the conversation. Sadly it bores me a lot.

After a while I just stressed out far too much and told Kristina my girlfriend that I just had to get out and go walk about for a bit. Felt a little better after that, and then I ate which made me feel even better.

4th day - went well, felt happy, energetic and even started making plans.

Today, lively, energetic - went out for a long long walk whilst listening to 'Delivered from distraction' which is truly wonderful and I'd recommend it to others without hesitation.

The walk I went on was in fact the longest I have walked in my local area since moving to Sweden 3 years ago. I just walked as far as I could, finding things I hadn't seen before. Was well in excess of 2 hours in the end, normally I'm too bored after 30 minutes to do anything but return home.

Thinking positively and am definately still finding the positives to this low dosage.

Just an update for anyone who is interested.

Started wearing off on the 18mg dose, I felt like I wanted to do things - but my body just didn't have the strength.

The dosage was upped to 36mg, didn't notice anything positive, if anything slightly worse than 18mg. My heartrate and pulse certainly increased (slight but noticable).

One day I decided to go out with my girlfriend, and forgot to take my Concerta. Didn't take it at all that day, felt pretty good for most of it, though got pretty tired by nightime. Went to sleep - slept for 10 hours without waking once! That is something I can't remember happening to me before. Next day felt pretty good after taking the tablets, then I again got tired in the next few days.

Talked to my Doctor and we decided to go to 18mg and then to take 1 or 2 rest days per week when I don't take it at all. The thinking behind this is that I thought my body was becoming tired but the stimulants were stopping it from getting quality rest.

I was on 18mg of concerta, but was ok'd to take 36mg. I was to take double dose of the 18 until I could get in to get a new scrip. I had the 36 for a couple of days, and felt it was better than nothing, but not exactly what I was hoping for. Then...I accidently took two of the 36mg because I was in a hurry to get to work and not thinking. I felt great all day. I went ahead and did it again today, to see if it would be the same...and it was! I'm a bit afraid to call the RN who is helping me with this, but it works so well; I really think I want to! Stuck on what to do here.