My 16 year old daughter is on 36 mg of concerta 1x a day and she is experiencing awful side effects:

She cannot concentrate at all
She is shaking
She has sudden mood swings
She is always physically exhausted
She cannot sleep
Her mouth is so dry she is guzzling water constantly

My question is:
Can you just stop taking this crappy drug or do you have to taper it down?
My beautiful, intelligent daughter is turning into a nervous wreck right in front of my eyes.

On another note, I am experiencing much the same thing with Adderall (old kind, not XR) 10mg 2x a day.

Any input is appreciated.

Thank you!

Lenore
(who is just too sensitive)

Can you just stop taking this crappy drug or do you have to taper it down?

I think that depends on how long you've been taking it. You should call your doctor right away.

On another note, I am experiencing much the same thing with Adderall (old kind, not XR) 10mg 2x a day.

It sounds like the dose is too high in both instances, and you should see if it's ok with your doc to lower the dosages.

Being sensitive I believe is a gift not a curse.

If she only recently started, then she can usually stop immediately safely. But call the doc immediately and tell him of the symptoms! ... and schedule a new visit and find another med to try! ...

One question: why isn't she on 18mg? ... If 36 is creating all these problems? Try that one if you haven't.

She started a month ago. She is a mess. What we thought would help her concentrate has turned her into a raging or crying ball of confusion.

It is making her not want to take meds at all, she is begging me to let her stop altogether.

I am not sure that is the answer, but since I am experiencing the same things I am starting to think that maybe meds are not the answer. I mean, what do they really know about these medications in the long run? Are we unknowingly destroying our brains?

I am not sure that is the answer, but since I am experiencing the same things I am starting to think that maybe meds are not the answer. I mean, what do they really know about these medications in the long run? Are we unknowingly destroying our brains?

I would experience very bad side effects on certain meds, and in the wrong doses. They would be detremental if I didn't take the time to find the right medication and dose.

It is very clear to me that ADHD treatment (and any neurological disorder treatment) has a long way to go. But, at least now we do have a variety of meds available that work for some. Our best methodology now is trial and error, so hang in there. Just try something else if your not getting results, and you will definitely learn something.

Lenore, {{{{{hugs}}}}} to you and your daughter. I am so sorry this has been your experience.

The worst thing about taking meds is the element of experimentation. Even if they came up with the perfect med that would work on EVERYBODY, there would be one person who would react horribly to it. Sadly, sometimes the only way to figure it out is to try one and see what happens, then use the "cons" side of the pros and cons to help identify what might be a better fit.

If your daughter feels this miserable, then a call to the doc is something that must happen right away! She might do better on a lower dose or a different med.

If, for some reason, your doc does not get back to you right away, I suggest very strongly that you call the pharmacy and ask to speak to a pharmacist. (Not a tech, a pharmacist, and make sure to get their name and write it down.) Report the symptoms, and ask for information about what might happen if she stops taking it altogether.

As awful as your daughter feels right now, stopping the med suddenly could make her feel as bad or worse. The pharmacist could let you know what might occur, and then you and she will both understand what may happen and can make an informed decision. Another option would be to go to the local emergency room and ask for them to help you make the decision.

I am not advocating for her to stop the meds or keep taking them. I am not a doctor, and cannot tell you what will happen. I just know that you can use this as a stop-gap measure if you and your daughter feel you must. You and your daughter need to find out the consequences of staying on the med and of stopping them, and then make a decision as to what would be best.

I am so sorry that you are also feeling like this on your own meds. I know you have had high hopes that the meds will help. As I mentioned before, sometimes there is a lot of changing of meds and plans before you find something that will help you.

Please keep us posted, okay? I hope you get some answers very soon!