Caffeine works better than Concerta?

[pandapup]

I stopped taking my 36mg of Concerta yesterday and started taking caffeine pills ( 3 at a time) like I used to. The concerta did work, I was slightly more in control of my actions and speech and I definitely felt calmer, but I still sat on my butt all day procrastinating which might just be due to me being lazy for my whole life and now trying to start being productive.

I find that caffeine makes me not want to waste time and it actually makes me be like "no, im not gonna sit around and waste another day, im gonna get my school work done!.

Only problem is that caffeine gives me huge anxiety, anxiety that makes me feel like something is wrong, like i'm about to freak out or something. But oh well, it works so much better. Its weird how caffeine can work better than methylphenidate...

[Alex9]

Have you ever tried any other meds? Concerta absolutely did not work at all for me but I've had success with ritalin and now adderall. Ritalin is still methylphenidate, but its instant release and it has worked a lot better for me than concerta. Also, it might be worth trying amphetamine-based medications like adderall and vyvanse because amphetamine has more of a motivating effect on me than methylphenidate does, and the motivating effect seems to be what you want.

And I know what your talking about with caffeine, the stuff works great except for anxiety and restlessness

[aeon]

Concerta has helped me, but certainly not in the procrastination/motivation department. Caffeine can help with that, but yeah, it comes with a cost — anxiety — which tends to negatively affect the aspects that Concerta is helping with.

Consider that 36mg of Concerta may not be enough — by some estimates, that is roughly equal to 8mg of methylphenidate, 3 times a day — not much by any means.

Also consider that a switch to another med for evaluation of its efficacy might be in order.

You’ll normalize to the caffeine, and it will cease providing any clarity or motivation, but the anxiety will remain, and should you stop it, the headaches aren’t fun. I’ve been there.


cheers,
Ian

[Xenolith]

Same here, 36mg and it does absolutely nothing to motivate. In fact I don't think I feel different at all maybe slightly placebo better. I'm thinking man did I just order a bottle of high end sugar pills!? Probably improved my dexterity, but does nothing to make me start doing anything productive. I still crave stimulation like mad

[sredjo]

I've had the same experience. Taking 72mg of Concerta makes me calmer and focused but not motivated at all. Caffeine - better motivated but lots of anxiety and headaches.