It seems like I read somewhere that Concerta is one of those drugs that has different side effects at different doses (Effexor is one drug like this; a higher dose will actually stop side effects). I had thought someone said that if a lower dose causes jitters, increasing the Concerta dose may actually help.

I am in with an ARNP right now that I don't think prescribes ADHD meds regularly; unfortunately I have to stick with her for now. I'm not sure how knowledgable she is; otherwise I'd ask her this.

I am on 18mg and have been for one week. Have been on/off Concerta for several years for variety of reasons. It helps and am trying to stay on it this time.

Is this a case where going to 36mgs may actually help relieve the jitters? I am due to increase it tomorrow and am not sure how to proceed.

Is this a case where going to 36mgs may actually help relieve the jitters? I am due to increase it tomorrow and am not sure how to proceed.

Increasing the dosage probably won't relieve the side effects. You could try adding something called "Nadolol(Corgard)" or "Atenolol" to your Concerta and keep the dose of Concerta the same. Ask your doctor. It might help you a lot. :D

Or you can even switch to something called "Focalin"

Hey Carol. 18 mg is kicking my butt with the jitters.
Not a direct answer to your question, but I have found avoiding chocolate :( and caffeine has a HUGE impact on the level of jitters caused by concerta.

Good luck!

Hi Guys!

I'm pretty new here and I just came across your posts. I found them very interesting because in some ways with certain things I can relate a bit.

My situation is opposite with the type of drug. I just wanted to share anyways. I'm just now off of Concerta.....wasn't doing anything for me. I also am on Clonazepam for anxiety which was amazing. My GP took me off of the Concerta because the higher dose we went, still no results. So...

I am one week on Dexedrine....anxious as all get out.....jittery and veeeery frustrated. Clonazepam quit working. I can't get into my doc till the end of the month so I went to the pharmacy. She said to stop the Dex for one day to see if that was causing the issues. Went back on it today(both) and it's going better. Anti-depressants can't be stopped cold-turkey, but ADD meds have less harm at the level I'm at (5mgx2 per day) I did feel extremely exhausted and slept most the day away, but wasn't dissy or hallucinating. Everyone's body is sooooo different how they react.

So....my main point is....I'm getting more confused by meds as the days go on. Because my dose has been changed starting today to 10mg x2 per day, and I thought I'd be even more irritable. But so far so good. I can't understand if my body reacts negatively to the satrting dose how it will get better. I guess it's my body absorbing and adjusting. I was worried it would get worse...but I'm hopeful.

I was gonna drop the Clonazepam because they lost their lustre, but today has been better with both. I'm not a patient person, but with the Concerta doing absolutely nothing, it didnt seem useful to continue them. If they are doing something for you and you're body is adjusting, maybe sticking it out, as difficult as it is, may be worth it. But none of us has medical degrees, so I don't want to misinform you. Just wanted to share my experience with Concerta.

I hope things work out for you :O)

Thanks all for your help!

I ended up just increasing to 36mg and taking a chance as to what it would do. The jitters are gone & my organizational skills are seeming to be better. I am sort of hyperfocused though and have a lot of projects going; I hope this will level out with time. I think it did when I took Concerta in the past.

Thanks again!

I know what you mean by side effects not lessening with a dose increase - amu d. That's what I'm going thru right now. I'm at my wits end. Each week my dose goes up...the worse it's getting. I feel like everyday on these meds is so unpredictable. Seems like some parts of the med helps, and other parts are just rough.

Uggghhhh!

Hey Carol. 18 mg is kicking my butt with the jitters.
Not a direct answer to your question, but I have found avoiding chocolate :( and caffeine has a HUGE impact on the level of jitters caused by concerta.

Good luck!
Definantly when I drink coffe, in particular filter coffe on it I feel irritable, and a little anxious. Avoid nicotine if you can! I'm gonna get off the gum soon, next week (as I've got college enrollment this week and at college everyone smokes all the time.)

What side effects are causing the most irritation?