Hello everyone. I was officially diagnosed with ADHD just over a year ago (although I always knew something wasn't quite right). My doctor at the ADHD clinic has had me on Concerta since the beginning. My immediate advice to the person that started this thread would be to definitely speak with your doctor. The side effects you are describing are certainly not conducive to helping you live life with your disability. Concerta is definitely not for everyone. I did struggle with it in the beginning until I was able to find the proper dose that worked for me (54mg - which I take at 630am). I do have side effects from the medication but it is my responsibility to be able to manage them. My appetite is definitely a lot less than it has always been, so there has been some weight loss, but what I do though is worked hard at making sure I have food at my desk or in my gym bag.
I also find that I sleep quite deeply, so of i stay up too late I run the risk of sleeping right through my alarm. So, I make sure I am at least in my bed at the same time so that I don't become distracted and find a good reason not to go to bed. The proper sleep then allows me to get up and take my meds on time. This is super important for me. I take my meds at 630 am weekday an weekends. Taking it without a consistent schedule doesn't workout well for me. So I do my damnedest to make sure things do workout well for me.
I have to remember that the medication is just one part of the entire picture. The other parts are all about behavior, routines, habits, feelings, thoughts, attitudes, etc. My meds allow my brain to focus on the task at hand (sometimes too focused), which in turn provides clarity, mindfulness, and awareness of what is going on; both inside and outside. As long as i don't forget that, that my meds will not magically cure me, I am able to take full responsibility for my life and do everything in my power to live as happy, joyous and free as I can. Anything that gets in the way of that, or jeopardizes it, cannot be a part of this journey. As I mentioned earlier, there was a point in finding the right dosage with Concerta that I thought I was going insane. I was jacked through out the entire day, wasn't eating, was angry and miserable, and was only sleeping three to four days of the seven day week. Deep down I knew this wasn't normal, but the twisted part of me craved the chaos. It was a dangerous situation to be in, and eventually I gave myself a swift kick in the ***, saw my doctor and went down to the dosage I am on now. Big difference between the two. Feeling that way and living that way was not happy, joyous or free, so i owed it to myself to change it.
Your side effects do not sound like they are contributing to a serene existence my friend. See your doctor.
Stay strong my friend.

Mark