View Full Version : Is It Fatigue or Concerta Side Effects?


pkoko
05-03-09, 07:38 PM
I need help figuring out my symptoms!!....

I am 34 and I have been on 54 mg of Concerta for over six months now, taking two days off from it per week (as recommended by psychiatrist). Only major side effects have been weight loss, needing more water during exercise, sometimes a nervous stomach and trouble getting myself to bed. I drink one cup of coffee in the morning. About 10 days ago I blacked out in ballet class (its for pleasure but very strenuous), and I have not been the same since, I have had a constant feeling of fatigue and whooziness. The doc I saw 5 days later was useless, and my chiro had a musculo-skeletal explanation for the ballet incident, but it doesnt explain the all-day tired/whoozy feeling. I've only done one more class since then and was more careful but was seeing stars sometimes. It never feels like the room is spinning or floating.
I have no idea if this is even related or a coincidence but my symptoms have gotten worse. Besides the fatigue and whooziness, 4 days ago I developed a feeling of pressure in my head, hot flashes, palpitations, and just feeling loopy. I went to emergency and they said it was exhaustion. My blood pressure and temperature were normal. It has occured every day since then around mid-late afternoon and lingers a few hours. I did not take the meds the day after I went to emergency and I am sure I still had the symptoms (its all getting to be a blur).
I have definitely not been sleeping enough and this is probably a major contributing factor, but even after getting 9 hours of sleep last night I had the symptoms today (on the meds).
I am worried that it is Concerta side effects, but can you develope them over time??
It could be the fatigue, but its strange how the symptoms just show up suddenly. I am going for bloodwork tomorrow and I will experiment with not taking the meds the next two days and pay attention to how I feel.
Any ideas? Any similar experiences?

Laserfocus
05-03-09, 09:22 PM
I take Concerta everyday 36mg X 3. It has made me dizzy or shaky before as one of the side affects. If the coffee you are drinking has caffeine, you need to stop drinking it, and anything else with caffeine I have been told; don't always listen myself but it stands to reason, a hyper mind doesn't need stimulated. I would possibly get an opinion of another Psychiatrist; maybe one of the moderators can provide you with helpful professionals in your area or steer you in the right direction. You also might increased, decreased or a change in medication. If you are having problems with Concerta, you need to let someone know, but don't stop taking it unless told to. That's not a good idea. I would also keep a diary with you or a checklist including time, activity, and how you felt, maybe log before an activity and then after. ADDers, which I am one too, probably won't remember everything they need to tell the professionals and writing a simple log could help, nothing too long though just a simple time, activity and how you felt, otherwise you could go off on an ADD tangent with your thoughts. I hope this helps give you some ideas.

pkoko
05-04-09, 04:36 PM
Thanks!

I took an off day today and still had the same symptoms but they were less severe and did'nt last as long. Anyway I am seeing the doc tomorrow.