[PrincessxKitty]

so i've never officially been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. my original/old doc prescribed me concerta when i mentioned that i can't concentrate in school, am having trouble keeping up, and sometimes would leave because i would get so frustrated that i can't concentrate or focus. i had lost my insurance at the end of 2011 and had to seek help with the county's urgent mental health center.
apparently the county's mental health unit (at least the urgent one) is very against prescribing stimulants, even if the patient had already been prescribed the medication before. even though the doc was very against it, i got her to prescribe me the concerta since i proved to her that i need it in order to survive my classes.
i was started on 18 mg when i first started the med with my old doc and she increased me to 36 mg after i had a base dose in my body and i started crashing.
well after being on the 36 mg for about 2-3 months now, i'm having the horrible concerta crashes again. extremely fatigued, really bad headaches (almost migraines), extremely irritable, etc. etc.
now if the concerta was able to last for at least 8-10 hrs like it's supposed to,

i wouldn't complain, but i'm one of those (unfortunate) people who metabolize medications quickly so an "extended release" medication would last the same as a "instant release" medication would last in an "average" person. my physician and i had this same problem with pain medication when i had injuries. i brought this up to the new doc i'm seeing and her response seemed like she was implying that i'm addicted and made me feel like some sort of junkie which of course did not make me happy at all.. THANK GOD she was only a temporary...
so until i get a new (permanent) doc, i'm stuck with the same 36 mg and same negative side effects. i really would just not take it if it wasn't so detrimental to my schooling, but that's not really an option right now...

has anyone experienced these negative effects and if so how did/do you deal with them??

[hamster-bamster]

What do you need - more of this medication? Are you not prescribed as much as the old doc prescribed? Sorry I do not have difficulties concentrating so I have not been on Concerta; I am trying to understand your post.

[PrincessxKitty]

i'm guessing i need to either have my dose increased or something/anything that would prevent such an awful crash.

i really wanted to discuss options with the doc. i have a friend with ADHD who switched to adderall from concerta and takes her XR in the AM and has IR adderall for late afternoon to prevent crashes. honestly though, after her response making me feel like i'm a addict or a fiend, i didn't even bring up alternatives. it just sucks cause it's going to be a while until i get referred to a new (permanent) doctor, so i'm going to have to stick with my 36 mg/once a day. i guess i'll just have to find an alternative or anything that can soften the crash. i wanna refrain from taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen for the headaches.

[Anika.]

I think you should post this in the add/adhd forum as well. I think you will get a much better response there with more experience with these medications.
Which is right above the Bipolar forum on the main forum menu. Just copy and paste what you wrote here.

I have never taken these meds either so I can't really help. But I hope someone can help you.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by PrincessxKitty

i'm guessing i need to either have my dose increased or something/anything that would prevent such an awful crash.

i really wanted to discuss options with the doc. i have a friend with ADHD who switched to adderall from concerta and takes her XR in the AM and has IR adderall for late afternoon to prevent crashes. honestly though, after her response making me feel like i'm a addict or a fiend, i didn't even bring up alternatives. it just sucks cause it's going to be a while until i get referred to a new (permanent) doctor, so i'm going to have to stick with my 36 mg/once a day. i guess i'll just have to find an alternative or anything that can soften the crash. i wanna refrain from taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen for the headaches.

You are absolutely right. These drugs are pernicious; they cause what is called "rebound headaches". Do stay away from them.

I agree with Anika: go get advice on the appropriate forum and then perhaps write a convincing letter to the p-doc or her superiors to get what you need.