I was diagnosed as having ADD (or at least possible ADD) recently and started on Concerta yesterday. I took the second pill this morning. Perhaps I'm being impatient, but my doctor told me I would feel the effect the night of the first dose, and I understand from other sources that these medications are supposed to work quickly (as opposed to anti-depression medications which have to build up in your system).

Ok, it's only been 1 day, but I haven't felt the slightest effect, good or bad, of the medication - no side effects, no primary effects, nothing. My next appointment with my doctor is next week and naturally we'll discuss it, but I'm curious what people here think. Does the fact that I have felt no effect at all from the Concerta thus far mean that I'm not going to feel any effect at this dosage? I am taking the lowest dose possible at this point. Or is there some chance that in the next day or so I will start to feel an effect of the dosage I'm currently on? Thanks.

Mick

Yes, it is possible that you will notice in a day or two that there is a difference when you're on the medication from when you aren't, even if you can't tell quite yet.

Sometimes it's a feeling, but not all people get a "feeling". Sometimes you can't feel anything different but you notice you're accomplishing more. Sometimes you personally can't tell either way, but people around you do. (My husband falls in this category. He doesn't feel any different, he doesn't notice that he's accomplishing more and forgetting less, but I certainly notice!)

Also, some people find that their medication has a different feel or a different effect depending on some outside things, like what they eat, whether they're taking any OTC medication (like allergy pills), how much sleep they got, and whether they're coming down with an illness.

So definately keep taking the pills acording to your doctor's directions. You are correct that they don't have to build up in your system, but there are other factors that can determine whether or not they are helping you, aside from any feeling of being different that may or may not be noticed the first few days.

Hang in there!

Some people with ADD find it hard to notice the effects of medication. It's funny because some people after minutes of taking medication notice a huge difference while others notice nothing. You could also ask others who are around you if they notice any difference in you.

Some times it takes more than one try to find the correct dosage for you as a person. Although I agree with the person above who says to go one ability to function as opposed to "feeling the medications" I also would like to mention that you are probably on what 18mg of concerta? You may need a few more dosage adjustments before you find the correct dosage.

I have ADD and been on Ritalin for almost two month now. I started on a low dose, 5mg, and after almost 3 weeks I reached the dose I'm on today, 80mg (4x 20mg)
To be honest, I'm not "feeling" anything... (I don't think us with ADD "feels" the same changes than those with ADHD) but I notice that I'm able to do things that I had problems with. I'm now able to start with one task at the time, and finnishing it :D And am not "acting lazy". Now I'm not waiting with doing things, but starts right away.

Give it a time, be patient , try different doses. I think you will "feel" a difference. Good luck!

It's hard to find a medication with no side effects. You might want to stick with it for about 2 weeks and see what happens. It may take a little while for the medicine to keep in with your own unique body chemistry. I hope it works out for you

#1: you have only been on it one day?! And you are impatient b/c your Doc said it would work (even if you took it at NIGHT, like, before bed)?

There are people on this Board who have to take their Stimulants to GET to sleep. :)

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I find it can take a while after a drug holiday, for me to notice the stimulants working again. Everyone is different. EG i restarted mine yesterday, and i don't feel like i have taken anything. It may take a few days.)

You will be able to judge its working more, too, as you do the things you have problems with: e.g. multitasking at work; task completion, doing dull tasks, or whatever your issues are.

#2: what is your dosing schedule? total MG/day?

#3: we all have different concepts of what [the drugs] "working" means... as we all have different symptoms that bug us/deficit us, the MOST. (e.g. restlessness; too many thoughts/ideas; poor working memory; impulsivity (speaking; spending); low frustration tolerance; impatience waiting in long lines, problems listening to dull people, problems with competing voices in room (auditory memory), Executive Dysfunction (the most SUBTLE ADHD deficit) and on and on and on....

#4: What does "working mean to you?

#5: You're not taking it with OJ, Grapefruit Juice, Vitamin C, or anything acidic, etc., right?

Also: Caffeine can do weird things too, interaction-wise. (Less effective, but more side effects.)