I'm hoping to find some success stories here.

I've been on Concerta or Ritalin LA since November 2006. My max Concerta dose was 54 mg and my current Ritalin LA dose is 30 mg, b.i.d.

Neither seem to last longer that a few hours. I attribute that to poor metabolism of the controlled release formulations along with a rapid metabolism of drugs.

I could ask to increase the dose, but I'd rather not, am I'm not too sure how my doctor would feel about it anyway. I don't think it ever helped my concentration considerably, especially with studying.

I have tried Strattera, for about 5 months, but eventually stopped working and did have side effects, common to reuptake inhibitors. It didn't help with studying, but I was more organized in my overall life, like maintaining my apartment and such.

I tried Adderall twice before, but the "crash" led into depression last time. I don't clearly recall the first time, but I think the result was similar. Part of me wants to try it again though, just because it's regarded as such an effective drug.

I'm not sure what to do. I don't want my doctor to give up on me and think I'm a lost cause. I do know there are other options, like dexamphetamine and dexmethyphenidate, but they're less commonly prescribed, right? Sometimes I hate suggesting meds to my doc, especially less mainstream ones, because I feel like I'm just acting like a drug-seeker who's undermining his clinical judgement and authority.

Have you tried the regular release form of Ritalin?

Dextroamphetamine, aka Dexedrine, is not uncommonly prescribed as far as I know. Its just not typically a first choice for ADHD in the USA. Its often prescribed and widely used in the UK and Australia.

And I take it myself.

No, I haven't tried it.

Your doc should agree to up your concerta dose to 72mg (that is the highest approved dose for kids).

Or you can keep an eye out on Vyvanse. Supposed to hit the pharmacy shelves in a few weeks. It's an amphetamine prodrug (it's harmless and useless until it passes through the gut). The product that is released is dexedrine but the advantage is the slow, controlled release profile that is supposed to be much better than even Adderall XR (which is highly variable on how it releases). We'll see though....

J

Your doc should agree to up your concerta dose to 72mg (that is the highest approved dose for kids).

According to my p-doc, that approved dose business is not a rule cast in stone, its more of a guideline ;). To diagnose above those guidelines just makes that dose qualify as off-label.

I took 81mgs Concerta when I was taking it, and that was approved by my insurance..and ya know how much they can resist such things if they really want to?

The answer is "quite a lot" :rolleyes: and I did have to persist with them. Eventually they agreed that off-label doses were still valid and thereafter paid for my Concerta, minus the co-pay of course.

I think if the OP is willing to try a higher dose of Concerta and possibly use booster doses later in the day as her meds wear off, she ought to have that option and go for it! I, too, am a rapid metabolizer, and nearly always have to go into off-label doses, plus apply boosters later on. Some of us are simply unable to get that "full extended realease profile" that the drug companies like to claim we will.

Actually I'm not taking Concerta right now, I'm taking Ritalin LA twice a day.

Concerta's release mechanism is very odd and I don't think I metabolize it well. I'm not thrilled with Ritalin LA, but it's a little better.

Actually I'm not taking Concerta right now, I'm taking Ritalin LA twice a day.

Concerta's release mechanism is very odd and I don't think I metabolize it well. I'm not thrilled with Ritalin LA, but it's a little better.You could always try regular Ritalin.

I do have side effects, such as increased anxiety and muscle tension at times from Ritalin LA, so I'm not really enthusiastic about the drug as a whole. I've never told my doc this because I'm afraid he won't want to rx stimulants anymore. They do improve alertness, along with Provigil, so that's one postive. Without them I'd be sleeping quite a bit and accomplishing even less.

I don't do well with SSRI's or SNRI's so, that's not an option in terms of treating the anxiety. Only Xanax has helped. Right now I'm taking Xanax XR, which is not as good as the original version and just plain makes me feel sedated.

I know this is "wrong" to do as a patient, but sometimes when I need to do some serious studying for an exam, I make sure to save one of my Ritalin LA doses for whenever I'll be at the library. I open the capsule and chew the beads. It works well. I'm able to sit and concentrate for hours without a break.

When I don't do this, I end up doing anything but studying to correct material. I walk around. I use the computers. I read parts of my text that has not yet been covered.

Imnapl always give good advice. Try regular ritalin.

I take regular. 17.5 mg 3 times a day. I had to know how to use it properly, meaning gain control of the new focus, but it works for me pretty well.

People make the mistake that from day one, you are going to be absolutely different. I certainly did. It is like getting glasses after not being able to see well, and hence not having had the chance to learn how to read. You can see but you can't read really well. You have not discovered the skills yet.

For me ritalin has been like that. It took me weeks, and I am still learning, what this feeling is and how to use it for me

I would honestly prefer immediate release because it gives me some control over the dosing and I can tailor it to my needs. However, doctors seem to hate this idea! They want control, not the patient (which I do understand, of course... if I were prescribing to a patient I'd like to have orders set in stone and documented).

Controlled release meds are definitely preferred because of the lower abuse potential. Vyvanse is now going a step further in this respect.

I don't think any drug will ever be a miracle cure. I just am seeking improvement.

I would honestly prefer immediate release because it gives me some control over the dosing and I can tailor it to my needs. However, doctors seem to hate this idea! They want control, not the patient (which I do understand, of course... if I were prescribing to a patient I'd like to have orders set in stone and documented).Perhaps it is different in each locale? Where I live, regular Ritalin is the most common ADHD med prescribed to new patients because it is readily available, less expensive and has been around a long time. Regular release meds are often prescribed so that the patient can work out a dosing schedule, with the help of a doctor, that works for them within the recommended guidelines.

"Controlled release meds are definitely preferred because of the lower abuse potential"

Not with all SR meds, some SR meds are actually easier to misuse in certain ways.

I used to take IR generic Ritalin, which i prefered-3-4 hours of anticapated effect, but my Doc has put me on supposedly 8 hour SR gen Ritalin.

Answer: Dexedrine long acting capsules.

Lasts 12 hrs, in my experience.

And the wear off isn't brutally sleepy.

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Some companies (Adderall XR) make claims of '12 hrs', but i found Adderall XR only lasted 7 hours!!

Long release meds are abusable. People crush them and IV inject or smoke them. They aren't taking them orally. :S

(I had a genius friend at University who, sadly, became a morphine pill addict. I also learned some about this, and methadone programs, etc. -- from growing up in a Prison Town.)

Concerta SHOULD last longer than a few hours, it's a very complex formula designed for 12 hours use.

maybe a couple doses a day?