[musicsinmysoul]

I was prescribed Concerta two days ago from my psychiatrist. I thought I was getting help, and turns out I wasn't right. I took my first dose yesterday, and felt a tiny bit slowed town but was still moving around a lot and unable to sit still. I felt as if it didn't help anything. This morning I took my pill at 10:30am, and was pretty much fine all day (no change really, maybe a little calm but not perfect, as I can't tell what I'm supposed to be like since Ive had ADHD prety much my whole life(so I thought I was normal). I'm better at the current moment, but tonight at work (from 4pm until about an hour ago), I felt like I was going crazy. I work in a restaurant, and I'm one of the head cooks some nights. There was another head cook there tonight but I decided to run the line because I was bored. I started to get lost in what I was doing, and felt like I was going super slow, all of a sudden the board was full of orders and I wasn't telling my staff what I needed them to get me or help me with in the orders. My focus was off balance and I couldn't concentrate on a damn thing. I finally asked the other cook to take my place because I wasn't feeling well. I started like, not getting disoriented, but I felt like I wasn't all there, everything was fuzzy and like blurry and I felt like I didn't know what I was doing really. Everything seemed slow motion, and then later on in the evening I was startled easier, by almost every loud noise or voice. I would take literally about 5 steps into what I was doing then Id stop because I completely forgot what I was going to do, or looking for, or getting, or saying. I am like this when I'm not on medication but its never been this bad. It's pretty mild, and I remember a few seconds later. But i actually stood still and looked around like I had completely forgotten things.

Fair warning, being ADHD I talk a lot, and I have a lot more to day in my story (sorry, I just really need advice).

I noticed that I was breathing heavier like I was out of breath almost, or trying to catch my breath, but I was barely moving around. I was cleaning off the counter with very little force and my muscles were hurting, and I felt as if I was working out. My heart was beating faster than usual and I was literally barely doing anything at all. I had to keep stopping to take drinks because I had dry mouth, and I haven't been hungry for most of the day.

I was upset when I got to work, because of a tiny argument before I left home, but it subsided within an hour and I was fine. It wasn't like I was stressed to be at work but I just felt completely useless and drained but hyper at the same time.

Aren't ADHD meds supposed to eliminate all that? And NOT make your symptoms worse?

So...Does anyone know if I should take my meds tomorrow or skip them and call my psychiatrist for an appointment? I don't know how soon I can get into see him, I'm supposed to go back in 3 weeks anyways.

Maybe the medications side effects are temporary for the first few days on them? My psychiatrist told me the ONLY symptoms were insomnia(which he said i shouldnt have because the meds will have died down by then), and suppressed appetite(which he said he hasnt heard many complaints about).....that just makes me feel even more NOT normal, since I have just about every single side effect thats listed for the medication.

Thought I was getting better, and now everything is worse.
Any suggestions? I don't know what I should do, and I can't even calm down enough to get a good sleep. Is this worth going to the hospital for if it happens again? Or do I just stop taking the meds?

ADD meds can take a while to figure out. Many times the doc will start you on a low dose then work up as he/she sees how you are doing. Honestly, I have not heard too many good things about Concerta. I have not tried it myself, it is just something I've read in a few posts. Don't give up just yet. I take my Adderall first thing in the morning, then about 5 hours later and usually a final 1/2 dose around 4:00pm. The thing about the stimulant meds is that you will be more aware of things around you, which is a lot of new stuff to process. Restaurants have always been bad for me. There are too many sources of imformation coming at me from all directions. Adderall helps me in noisy places, but I still prefer less chaos.

At first you can feel your heart being a little fluttery and get dry mouth, but in my experience they improve. My insomnia, which used to be really bad is actually better after I began treatment with Adderall. I would not stop the meds, unless you really feel out of sorts, if you do, let your doctor know immediately.

I felt really different after my first Adderall, like someone took a wet blanket off my brain. It takes some getting used to seeing/noticing more of the details around you. All the missed cues from peoples body language and facial expressions. I can react in a real time conversation by plucking one of the 500 things flying through my brain and I like it. It does take some time to adjust from walking out of the ADD Fog.

Let us know how you are doing

best to get back to the doc if anything just to get reassurance and some comfort!

getting sent out into the world on a new drug can be a mind warp especially if you have never had anything like it before.

I don't know if you have had anything like it before my guess is no? and add medication comprises a bunch of powerful drugs

many people say drugs take a while to work and this is a deception...in the sense that yes it does take time for the body chemistry to incorporate and adapt and integrate what is introduced but a chemical will have immediate effects anyway.

...so it's affecting you but not necessarily working yet.

I was an amphetamine user for many years and moved onto prescription dexamphetamine so I was familiar with the effects. ( don't recommend that either)

...I'm no doc so I reckon just keep in touch with your doc especially in the beginning ...they won't be surprised it's a tricky time

Hello Musics...sounds like a rough day. Really upset to hear this. What strength is your Concerta? What I understand from what my psy-guy said is that typically one is started on 18mg a day. Is that your dose? If it's 36 or 54 then I would think a mistake has been made. I think one has to wean up to those doses if required.

Don't get discouraged too quick. Did the doc check your blood pressure? You're young and shouldn't have issues with that but anyone can have it. The odds you do are low. Concerta and the other ADD stimulant meds can raise blood pressure a bit. Not too a great great degree but I think it should be checked.

If you're not really busy tomorrow perhaps you can wreck your Saturday a little by going to a hospital emerg. and tell them what your situation is. Also prior to doing that you might call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. You can speak to a registered nurse and she will research what she can and give you better advice than anyone outside the health system. She'll probably wind up telling you to go to emerg. Good idea. Just to straighten this out a bit. No sense in having this unecessarily upset you. Or perhaps not being good either. Just don't get too down on this. It may well be temporary. I don't know. Hosp. people will however and they'll advise you on what to do.

Here's a post I just found on another site...I went lookin' for info and this stood out. http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76579 Looks like a good site actually....just found it as I googled Concerta initial side effects.

****Hiya, GingerSnap!

How long have you been taking Concerta?? I've been taking it for about a month and a half, and it took almost two weeks of juggling dosages to start to feel a new "normal." When I first started taking it, I almost quit right away--I didn't like feeling so weird and zombie-like. I felt either really sleepy or spacey all the time, but as I adjusted my dose (went from 18mg to 36, then to 54) that weird limbo stopped, and it turned into a focused energy. It was like everything all of a sudden came into focus once I got used to the right dose. For ME, it took some time to adjust!!

Also, I second Smc3rd's suggestion--talk to the doc!! She won't know how you feel or what needs to change unless you tell her. And there's no reason you have to wait for your appointment to communicate--give her office a call! I'm sure she'll be happy to help!

Wishing you a happy, healthy, focused (!) New Year!!
FIO *****

So musics I'm glad i found that. I'm sure there are a lot of experiences to be found. I'm just ticked that it hit you so negatively so quickly. Again don't be too discouraged. You can find out soon what's going on. I don't think I can or should advise you on whether to take them today or not. Can you post the dosage tho? The telehealth line is a good start. You've waited this long to engage this med stuff you can wait until you have a definitive answer.

Also call your DOC! I have no doubt he'd see you if you tell his secretary the situation. Can you do that? That's his job too right? Maintenance and monitoring. 3 weeks or so I think is A typical wait for a second med appointment. Your reaction seems quite strong however. I think he really needs to know. Too bad it's the wkend but the hosp. and telehealth are available if you're really needing some quicker answers. Your Doc you should phone Monday. Any reason that couldn't happen?

Sorry to go on Musics. You're my test subject in real time. I was curious to know how it's going. My encounter with this stuff will be next week. I think things might be ok...or made to be ok. Even if it's not the appropriate drug for you then that's no disaster either. As with many drugs in the same class what works for one may not work for another. There are a few on the market. Not everyone responds the same way. Diff. chemical makeup etc. your doc will sort you out. No big bummers yet ok?

Just want you to maintain the positive. Let us know what happens today perhaps. I have to ask seeing as i'll be guinea-piggin' Concerta as well. Before I forget....I'd like the dosage per day iffen you don't mind. Good luck today however it progresses.

[sarek]

I think you should give it a while and get with your doc to adjust the dosages in a process called titration.
If and only if that does not work, consider other meds like Adderall(if available in Canada)

[musicsinmysoul]

Originally Posted by quizzickle

Hello Musics...sounds like a rough day. Really upset to hear this. What strength is your Concerta? What I understand from what my psy-guy said is that typically one is started on 18mg a day. Is that your dose? If it's 36 or 54 then I would think a mistake has been made. I think one has to wean up to those doses if required.

Don't get discouraged too quick. Did the doc check your blood pressure? You're young and shouldn't have issues with that but anyone can have it. The odds you do are low. Concerta and the other ADD stimulant meds can raise blood pressure a bit. Not too a great great degree but I think it should be checked.

If you're not really busy tomorrow perhaps you can wreck your Saturday a little by going to a hospital emerg. and tell them what your situation is. Also prior to doing that you might call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. You can speak to a registered nurse and she will research what she can and give you better advice than anyone outside the health system. She'll probably wind up telling you to go to emerg. Good idea. Just to straighten this out a bit. No sense in having this unecessarily upset you. Or perhaps not being good either. Just don't get too down on this. It may well be temporary. I don't know. Hosp. people will however and they'll advise you on what to do.

Here's a post I just found on another site...I went lookin' for info and this stood out. http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76579 Looks like a good site actually....just found it as I googled Concerta initial side effects.

****Hiya, GingerSnap!

How long have you been taking Concerta?? I've been taking it for about a month and a half, and it took almost two weeks of juggling dosages to start to feel a new "normal." When I first started taking it, I almost quit right away--I didn't like feeling so weird and zombie-like. I felt either really sleepy or spacey all the time, but as I adjusted my dose (went from 18mg to 36, then to 54) that weird limbo stopped, and it turned into a focused energy. It was like everything all of a sudden came into focus once I got used to the right dose. For ME, it took some time to adjust!!

Also, I second Smc3rd's suggestion--talk to the doc!! She won't know how you feel or what needs to change unless you tell her. And there's no reason you have to wait for your appointment to communicate--give her office a call! I'm sure she'll be happy to help!

Wishing you a happy, healthy, focused (!) New Year!!
FIO *****

So musics I'm glad i found that. I'm sure there are a lot of experiences to be found. I'm just ticked that it hit you so negatively so quickly. Again don't be too discouraged. You can find out soon what's going on. I don't think I can or should advise you on whether to take them today or not. Can you post the dosage tho? The telehealth line is a good start. You've waited this long to engage this med stuff you can wait until you have a definitive answer.

Also call your DOC! I have no doubt he'd see you if you tell his secretary the situation. Can you do that? That's his job too right? Maintenance and monitoring. 3 weeks or so I think is A typical wait for a second med appointment. Your reaction seems quite strong however. I think he really needs to know. Too bad it's the wkend but the hosp. and telehealth are available if you're really needing some quicker answers. Your Doc you should phone Monday. Any reason that couldn't happen?

Sorry to go on Musics. You're my test subject in real time. I was curious to know how it's going. My encounter with this stuff will be next week. I think things might be ok...or made to be ok. Even if it's not the appropriate drug for you then that's no disaster either. As with many drugs in the same class what works for one may not work for another. There are a few on the market. Not everyone responds the same way. Diff. chemical makeup etc. your doc will sort you out. No big bummers yet ok?

Just want you to maintain the positive. Let us know what happens today perhaps. I have to ask seeing as i'll be guinea-piggin' Concerta as well. Before I forget....I'd like the dosage per day iffen you don't mind. Good luck today however it progresses.

That was a long post haha, and I'm sorry to say I may have not read the entire thing but I got the main idea(you know). I am starting out on 18mg for 1 week, and then he also gave me 3 weeks of 36mg to start after the first 7 days for 2 weeks(then I go back to see him).

I know every drug has side effects, but I just don't think it was right of him to tell me there were ONLY TWO. The only 2 he mentioned were Insomnia and Suppressed Appetite, which I have both, plus a list of others as you can see.

I took my med this morning because I worked early, and knew it didn't do anything horrible yesterday until later on, and I needed to be able to focus at work. I could feel it working today, and I will admit that it's hard to adjust, I feel like I can see things I missed so much easier. Not all my symptoms are better, and I had a stomach ache this morning, but not too much that I couldnt eat.

I do however keep feeling this sharp shooting pain in my forearm(my right side) as if it's going through my vein. I'm not too worried about it though because it's not constantly bugging me.

I'm just a little afraid of what tonight/later on today will bring. I went into overdrive yesterday about 6ish until 1am. My coworkers are well aware that I'm on new meds and have no problem letting me sit down every 30 mins cause I feel a little tired(not sure if thats normal).

So I don't think my blood pressure is abnormally high, just a llittle elevated, and sometimes I feel out of breath from just walking around, but that's minor.

Thank you for your post! It was very helpful, and hopefully this is just my body adjusting to the new things.

[musicsinmysoul]

Originally Posted by dubblemonkey

best to get back to the doc if anything just to get reassurance and some comfort!

getting sent out into the world on a new drug can be a mind warp especially if you have never had anything like it before.

I don't know if you have had anything like it before my guess is no? and add medication comprises a bunch of powerful drugs

many people say drugs take a while to work and this is a deception...in the sense that yes it does take time for the body chemistry to incorporate and adapt and integrate what is introduced but a chemical will have immediate effects anyway.

...so it's affecting you but not necessarily working yet.

I was an amphetamine user for many years and moved onto prescription dexamphetamine so I was familiar with the effects. ( don't recommend that either)

...I'm no doc so I reckon just keep in touch with your doc especially in the beginning ...they won't be surprised it's a tricky time

I found out just this past couple months that I've had ADHD since I was a child, but only started medication for it now. I've never been on any sort of medication like this. The only thing I've really taken is sleeping pills which didn't work.

And like I mentioned in my first post(I think), my psychiatrist only informed me of TWO possible side effects, not the huge long list, so I just wasn't expecting this.

Hopefully It's just my body adjusting to it, and I agree, it's kind of weird because everything seems to be jumping out at me now.

[musicsinmysoul]

Originally Posted by sarek

I think you should give it a while and get with your doc to adjust the dosages in a process called titration.
If and only if that does not work, consider other meds like Adderall(if available in Canada)

We do have Adderall here, he mentioned that but decided to start me on this one instead cause I guess it's a little cheaper?

What does "titration" mean? ( I know I could just google it, but I'm already here haha)

[BlueInanna]

I haven't taken concerta. Are you on an extended release version?

But I had a thing happen with the extended release version of adderall. If I took it at 8am that part was fine, but then at 12pm when the extended release kicked in, i got anxiety and sweaty palms. So I just take the plain fast acting adderall. And I have clonopin for anxiety, so I can take that if feel like that adderall is too strong. Also important to remember to eat, and caffeine with adderall sometimes makes me jittery.

Of course call doctor or go to ER if you think you need to. Keep us posted.

[musicsinmysoul]

It's the extended release one, yes. I took it a lot earlier today because I had to work in the morning instead of my usual afternoon/night shifts. I had taken it around 11am the first 2 days(when I woke up), and the first day I was alright but the second was that crazy one. Took it at 7:30am this morning since my shift was from then until 2. I was okay, nothing more than a sore stomach but I forced myself to eat not knowing if I'd be able to keep it down. I was also really thirsty, and by around 12 I was ancy and kind of bored, walking around at work not being able to start on anything that needed to be prepped or done, and I felt a little jittery but it was just the weird phase from the new adjustment I think.

[BlueInanna]

Sounds like it's getting better then? I hope so