I recently went from ritalin sr to concerta because the ritalin sr was pretty sporadic and didn't last very long. My doctor said the concerta should be a lot smoother and longer lasting, but I've found it doesn't help me enough if at all.

And its not like its so smooth I don't notice it working, I'll be trying so hard to concentrate on what a professor is saying and then my mind will wander. Same goes for trying to read a text book.

Perhaps the dosage isn't high enough, but I'm tired of calling my doctor's office all the way back home. It takes a couple days for him to call me back usually and even if he were going to increase my dosage or change anything, its not like he could phone it in. So whats the point.

This really sucks because I'm nearing the end of the semester and a few classes hang in the balance. Its not even like theres a ton I have to do. Its mostly just reading and doing homework. But of course that's damn near impossible right now.

Does anyone have and ideas?

same here...18mg day two and felt nothing really.

do a little piece of hw and then come back to it about an hour later and do a little more. Reward yourself with something each time maybe? Also I think highlighting key words helps when you're trying to read....

exercising might get you a little stimulated.

What dosages are you taking? Concerta is supposed to release the methylphedinate every 3 hours, and maybe the dosage is different from ritalin sr. I'm taking 54 mg concerta and it works great but for only 8 hours or so, which deffinetly isn't enough.

or what always worked for me somehow... waiting till the night before everything is due
and somehow I get it done staying up until god knows when.

Planning never really gets very far... lol

or what always worked for me somehow... waiting till the night before everything is due
and somehow I get it done staying up until god knows when.

Planning never really gets very far... lol

Exactly! I have my whole life scheduled to a "tee" even HW time. I can sit there for an hour have 5 problems to do and accomplish absolutely nothing... the night before, something about the adrenaline and quiet late night hours that waht takes me 4 hours during the day only takes me 45 minutes at 1am the night before. I hate doing that but my best work comes on those nights.

Papers (thank goodness I'm done with the humanities) are the worse! I have a paper due on April 23rd and I'm just dying here trying to come up with something and I know that at the last minute I'll get a brain download and a clarity I can never do much on my own during my set hours...I need that last minute do or die feeling. That's why I have to keep myself so busy so that everyday is do or die. If I have time, forget it...it'll never get done.

I'd make a darn great emergency doc if only I wasn't such a softie... :) At least with the Adderall some of that was getting better.

Give Concerta time.. after the first week, you will notice it..

got the OK from the doc to try two. It's working great...but I feel jittery a bit.

Same with me. switched from ritalin a few days ago and i'm on concerta 54mgs now and i was taking ritalin 20mg x3 before. Now I don't feel focused or concentrated, i do few spacey and dreamy, and sometimes drowsy.
What do you guys think? is the dose not high enough?

Ritalin SR is probably the most notoriously least reliable med ever created for ADHD. It was a good idea but the design is faulty. It only comes in 20mg strength.

Concerta will not give as rapid effect or as high plasma levels that the others will give.

Suggestions:
Ritalin LA (50/50 med release. 50% immediately and 50% about 4 hours later).
Metadate CD (30/70 med release). 30% immediately and 70% about 4 hours later. Designed with the idea that most people need more med as the day goes on.

Here's some info on Concerta. It's actually getting ready for FDA approval in adults for doses up to 108mg a day.

http://www.concerta360.com/mcneilpediatrics360/concerta360/concerta-solutions-dosing.html

Samm: If you were taking Ritalin 20mg 3x daily you should be on 72mg a day of Concerta. The 54mg option is designed to equal 15mg of Ritalin 3x daily.

J

Thanks JR1973,

I guess 72mgs might be better for me. But why do u think that methylphenidate makes me drowsy occasionally? Is the dosage too little? Or could it be the wrong med for me? Thanx again.

Wish I could answer you about the Methylphenidate issue. Does the same thing to me. I mostly have the problem with the rapid drop-off with Ritalin based meds.
I was on 54mg of Concerta for a month or two and it made me really drowsy. I've switched back to amphetamines (Adderall XR and now Vyvanse).

Adding Provigil to the mix really helps with the drowsiness of rebound.

J

Wish I could answer you about the Methylphenidate issue. Does the same thing to me. I mostly have the problem with the rapid drop-off with Ritalin based meds.
I was on 54mg of Concerta for a month or two and it made me really drowsy. I've switched back to amphetamines (Adderall XR and now Vyvanse).

Adding Provigil to the mix really helps with the drowsiness of rebound.

J

You switched to Vyvanse? Is it better than XR? I've heard a lot of good things about xr but not so much about vyvanse.

Better is probably too subjective to opinion but I'll say Yes. If I can sum up Vyvanse in one word I'd say .... "Consistent". Works every time and I don't have to worry about food issues which is the case with Adderall.

Adderall XR never lasted long enough for me, only about 4-6 hours tops. Vyvanse gives me 8-10 hours tops. I take 5mg of Adderall IR as a booster and it works suprisingly well for such a tiny amount.

J

welcome to the club. same problem here with Concerta... I only take "normal" ritalin or dex