Hi all, my first post.

I'm on day two here. I was prescribed ritalin when I was in 2nd or 3rd grade, and I think I was on it for about 3 days before I refused to take it anymore.

I'm 27 now, and was just prescribed concerta. My primary problem is trouble avoiding distraction, especially at work, and focusing on one task at a time. I tend to shift to something else any time I'm forced to wait for more than a few seconds, and I get carried away in pleasurable distractions (like posting on forums).

I'm not sure whether this medication is helping with that or not. It seems to vary, and I'm not sure how much my actions are influenced by my expectations, but I'm fairly certain I've had a few side effects, and I wanted to see if they corresponded to other peoples' experiences, and whether I could expect them to go away.

Day 1, I felt extremely energized. All day, I felt like I'd just downed 3 cups of coffee. It lasted about six, six and half hours. When the effect wore off, I became tired, a little disoriented, and generally 'out of it'. I was also in a pretty crappy mood.

Day 2, I didn't notice the giant energy boost as much, but I started getting tired and disoriented at about 2pm, roughly 5 and a half hours after I first took the pill. At first, I was convinced I was getting sick, but I wonder if that doesn't just stem from the fact that I forgot to eat, because the damn pill seems to be masking my appetite. Anyway, I ate lunch, but I'm still feeling pretty shot.

Any of this sound familiar to anyone? Do I just need to get used to it? I planned to give it at least a week or two before I decided whether I thought it would work for me, but these are some fairly significant side effects, and I'm not sure how much of the intended effect I'm really getting.

Hi,
I can definitely confirm the the day1 effect, I think we share a valid concern for weather or not this medication is working and will work. I was just put on the drug as I have been diagnosed with add from a boy but was never put on anything. Like you I have problems with concentrating at work and worse at school. I take classes online so that's even worse. Lets keep in touch and maybe us both being new to this drug along with others input can determine if were on the right track.

I think I'm going to take one this weekend and see how my wife thinks it affects me.

Well I told my brother to keep an eye out on me and let me know what if any changes that he notice with me. I'm just worried now after reading all the responces from other concerta users that this pill at my dosage may actually not work but cause me more issues.

Mmmmmm... I had the eating problem too (very common) but no energy burst. In fact I felt that Concerta was giving me a constant energy slump... not as severe as Ritalin did, but just a low grade energy low.

To be honest I don't feel that Concerta is helping with my distraction and focus. It helps me become less distracted and more focused in conversations with others, but I'm still my old self when I'm working.

Well day two and this whole day was productive for me, I'm not experiencing anything like what the others are. I'm feeling a bit tired but I don't know if that's from the actually drug. I can honestly say my brain is feeling motivated to move today.