I've gotten my official ADHD diagnose last week, and got prescribed Concerta. First week I'm starting on 18 mg, second week 36 mg, third and fourth week 54mg and then I've got a check up to see how I've been doing.

The first day on Concerta was terrific - I was amazed at how much it worked within an hour. I felt clear, like a fog had disappeared, was a lot more regular considering my mood, no fidgeting and able to focus more on things so I could get them done. So, I was very hopeful! Not very hungry, but that hardly was an issue.

The second day, that kind of shot to hell. The improvements were still there, but I had completely lost my appetite. Pretty much lived the entire day on some rice crackers and a bit of yoghurt that I'd forced myself to eat. In the evening (7 pm), just the smell of food at the foodcourt literally made me gag, and it wasn't until 9 pm that evening that I could get myself to eat some soup and a sandwich. You may think it might be something that you can overcome, convenient to loose some weight, but it was killing me. I enjoy food and cooking, and not even when I took a bite of an oreo cheese cake I felt the "Yum!" feeling, it was like taste didn't even register.

Now I'm on day fourth, and I'm slowly getting back to 'normal' eating, also because I now make sure to take my 18mg after breakfast. However, it seems as if the Concerta isnt working as well anymore as on day one - possibly because I'm a bit used to it now? It's also starting to become a major bother when it wears off, it's almost like I can feel it slip away - like a gentle storm rousing again in my head, and my legs and feet start tingling again as I go back to my fidgeting, tapping my feet against the floor or seat - it's like ADHD is coming back full force.

As for the nights - it takes even longer for me to feel tired, at 11 pm I still feel bright awake. I do however fall asleep easier when I actually go to bed (this was a real issue before). I do wake up several times, esp in the morning, but still I can be dead awake way too early (and my face isn't too happy with the circles under my eyes that are becoming more visible by the way).

Overall, I don't know how to feel about it - it's like every day is different so far. It is however a fact that I'm more calm and composed, even a collegue of mine really noticed it. In four days, I'm going one step up to 36 mg, but part of me gets so tired by the thought that that week may be again different by the day, and with (esp physical) 'super-adhd' in the evenings. Maybe I should go and take up sports in evenings, I'm starting to wonder.

Does this all sound normal to you, and do you have similar experiences? Also, what do you use as a 'boost ', e.g. when you're at work and tired? Normally I'd have an espresso or cappuccino, but I'm a little tentative with that now I'm on medication, not sure how that will react.

-- Adinda

Hi there

My son has been on Concerta 54mg for 2 months now and he really likes it. The 1st 2 weeks were bad. Ist week was a loss of appetite and then the 2nd week he got very moody and emotional.

Once a month had gone by he was much better as his body had become adjusted to the meds.

Last semester his highest mark at school was 58. This semester while he is on Concerta his lowest mark is 70.

My best advice is just give it some time :)

I am myself at my 6th days on Concerta 18 mg. Strangely, my appetite is still good. I got mild headaches the first few days after the effects wear down. I get really good sleep now.

Now I feel like that dose is not enough. I noticed I feel better during the first 4 hours I take it. After, seems not enough, like the fog is just coming back.

It look like our body must get used to it. The low dose at the beginning must help to minimize any side effects. I am scheduled to increase the dose at the end of the week.

As for coffee, I don't feel the needs for it anymore. I decreased to only one espresso in the morning. If I need it, I will take one in the afternoon.

My impression overall: WOW!!! I feel productive, focused, calm and driven to action at the same time! I never thought that being "normal" was like that. I will just be patient and get the right dosage to make it last the whole day.

Pray4him, thank you very much! Good to hear he's doing so much better! My exam week is coming up soon, so I'm curious to see how it'll go. The past semester has been a bit of a mess as I found out about possibly having ADHD (and then the final diagnose), kind of a rollercoaster.

Patboul, I also have the headaches, although I wasn't sure it was because of Concerta or the fact that I was tired after long days of work and wearing my contacts (that sometimes is the case for me). For me, it's not soo much the fog that comes back, but mostly the physical reactions - twitching, moving around a lot in my seat, those kind of flares. Later in the evening my head starts to fill up again with everything. And yes, I find myself thinking "Damn, I need a new dose - I need more - it's not working as good as on day one". I guess it's almost as needing your fix with other substance drugs, LOL.

May I perhaps add you to my MSN (or AIM) to see how you are reacting towards it when we're both going into our second week with a higher dose? I find that I feel myself a lot more at ease with the 'side effects' etc if I see that I'm not the only one in it. Are you also planned to go up to 54 mg?

Precious85,

I will post my experience here for the benefits of others. Feel free to send me personal messages if you want.

I will call my doctor before going to 36 mg this week. We have not talked about going higher yet. To make it convenient, he prescribed me 18 mg tablets in quantity of 60 that I can renew 5 times. He insisted that I call him before changing the dose.

As for the side effects today:
-This morning: no side effects.
-This afternoon: decreased effectiveness. Feeling a bit "nervous".
-Tonight: I feel really "crapy", out of it. Bad headache. I am happy now that my 3 kids went to bed without much noises...

I got mild headache for a long time before my diagnosis and taking the meds. However, the headache is really uncomfortable right now. I will get to bed early.:confused:

Like the two of you I also just started on concerta 18 mg and then moved up to 36 mg after 4 days and I'm schedualed to see my doctor friday to discuss it, but honestly I wish my experience could be more like yours. I have been on it for 8 days and I have not felt the focusing effects yet, I am still just as distractable and can never say focused for long. This being said though I have experience the calming effects of it, though even with that it just made me tired, yet awake. And in terms of the side effects when it wears off I feel even worse which sucks because it doesnt really do anything for me during the day. Well I really don't know why I haven't responded possitively, or really at all, but when i go to see my doctor friday Im going to tell him that we need to do something; either keep increasing the amount of medication or switch to something different. Also right now I sort of feel like I may just stop because my insurance company says they won't cover any adhd medication even with proof, so it cost me like a 140 dollars for a thirty day supply or maybed if he could switch me to another med with a geniric I think that would be fine too, maybe. I really just don't know everybody seems to be convinced this works and it just isn't working for me when I especially need something to help even with all the couselling I have set up. So Im glad it works for you guys, cause trust me its not fun waiting for results.

I talked to my doctor today. I told him I feel the dose seem not enough, that I get only good results in the first 4 hours. After that, I just feel tired, not really sleepy, and I must force myself to concentrate. I still feel it's better than before when I took nothing.

The doctor insist, and I will follow his recommendation, to stick with the plan and wait a complete 2 weeks at that 18 mg dose so my body will adjust to it. He said it is not worth it to rush a bigger dose and get side effects that could be avoided. It make perfect sense to me. I have been living for 35 years without any meds that a few more days won't make a difference.

Today, I don't have side effects except a bit of confusion early in the afternoon, when the effect of the med is going away.

nova1: I think a lot of people here who started taking med long time ago will agree to say that one must be patient in adjusting the dose. Some have reported that other med are more effective for them. Seem like we all react differently to the drug. Talking to your doctor is a good idea.