Hi, should I switch to concerta from ritalin?

[ditzygirl]

Hi,
I take "NIGHT" classes from 4-9pm and take 10 mg of ritalin(generic) 3x a day. Well, first off, I hate the peaks and valleys, one dose lasts about 3 and a half hours for me and then I'm pooped, and I know I have to take it every 4 hours and I do but I hate to keep popping pills like 3x a day. I know 3x doesn't sound like a lot but I dunno. I'm thinking of switching to concerta and my doc appt is on tuesday and I know he's gonna increase my dose cause he told me at the first visit that he's starting me off on a low dose for now. So, from reading alot about all this stuff about meds, concerta sounds like it would be good for me and I imagine it would be 54mg. When should I take it so I can function optimally in class on tue and thur night? Mind you, I HAVE A HEAVY workload this semester, and I'm sorry if I sound all jumbled up right now but I'm very tired, and I have ALOT of studying ahead of me for the rest of the semester and I'm SOOO stressed but that's another story. Okay, I'll ask again, What time should I take the concerta during the day so it will work good from 4-9pm? Or do you think I should just increase the ritalin and stay with that since I can "control it." I don't care what you say, criticism or whatever, just your opinion! Thanks

[Chadwick]

I'd take Concerta around noon if I were in your shoes. Gives you a couple hours to do homework, and then peak concentration of methylphenidate while in classes. Concerta is rediculously elegant in its dosing. One pill a day, then forget about it.

[Feuerfaust]

Chadwick, what are your experiences with the crash from Concerta when it wears off? What time do you take it in the morning and when does it wear off?