Concerta

Hi, is there anyone out there who currently takes Concerta for ADD? <font color="#000088"> </font>

Yes, 3 18mg caplets in am. It's been a few months and seems to be helping. My pdoc for the longest time was hesitant about prescribing it for me, because I had also been DXed Bipolar-II (mild) and take a mood stabilizer.
After a few years and me supplying him with my school yr history and how in college when using stimulants things were so very different, night and day, from grade 1 to HS, I always struggled, scolded for daydreaming,talking,not talking,etc. barely got through. It took pdoc several yrs and then decided to give Concerta a try with me. Otherwise the only times before that I can begin a task and complete it was while using phenterimine for weight loss, also was on honors twice in college.
Do you take Concerta? How do you like it, so far?

DE

Yes, I just started taking it yesterday. My older brother is bipolar, too, as well as having ADD which was diagnosed 14 years ago. He kept telling me that I had the ADD but I was too lazy(?) and forgetful(!) to do anything about it. I just thought that I was more so a scatterbrained airhead. I attempted college 4 times, 3 different universities and each time I made it almost a month. Now, almost ten years later I would like to go back and finish what I barely started. So I finally got tested. In fact, it was practically a checklist on the two tests that I took. It scared me how high my score was. I wish I would have done something about this years ago. Although I don't know that ADD was talked about too much when I was in high school like it is now.

Anyway, I was wondering how long it takes before the Concerta starts working? Also, are you having any side effects?

Thanks for any info! <font color="#000088"> </font>

No side effects, maybe due to the fact my brain has needed such med. and years ago there was "no such thing as ADD", remember I come from the 50-60's era, so kids like me were labeled brilliant but mis-behaved or just daydreamed not paying attention at all.
The true and final test was with stimulants in college, I did excellent in so many ways.
Honestly, the only teeny side effects but can be confused with pre-menopausal symptoms, is dry eye and nasal passages. Soooooooooooo, I use eye drops and AYR gel,insert in each nostril with a q-tip, and things are fine, over non-medication for both disorders. I prefer dealing with the inconveniences (side effects) over the un-medicated symptoms.
But that is my own personal opinion. Everyone has to do what feels right as well as keeping them out of trouble, ha!ha!
I hope all works out for you.

DE

Darkeyes, have you tried Ritalin? Can you compare it to Concerta?

I just tried Ritalin, which wasn't a success, and am now trying Adderall. My doctor, though, would like me to try Concerta, which I am reluctant to do because of the Ritalin trial. (The Adderall puts me to sleep, though. NOT the intended result.)

So, I have the prescription for Concerta, and am not impressed by the Adderall, but I'm still scared to try the Concerta. I'd actually rather try Dexedrine, or even Strattera.

Any comments you can make? Thanks!

Concerta is ritalin, (methaphendidate) (sp?), but due to the way it's forumulated it is time release.
The shape is an odd little teeny cylinder, the time release mechanism of the pill is in the design, if you try to break a pill to use for anything it will not work as ritilin tabs.
My doc says no Adderal, it is dangerous to the liver,more findings have made him leerie. Ritilin has been around about 50yrs, he feels safer with it. I had try my other brother's ritlin tablet(s) and I see how that is quick acting, due to being bipolar(mild) my pdoc prefers using concerta due to it's time release quality, less risk of extreme peaks and valleys.
Well, we have to take what agrees best with our brain and body, I suppose.
Lots of luck with your course of treament.

DE

my son of 14yrs has been on ritlin and is now on concerta hes been on concerta for 4yrs was on ritilin for 8yrs he was taken of ritilin at my request as he didnt want to have to go to the school nurse for his doses during the day as concerta is slow released he takes it in the morning before his breakfast we see results by the time hes due to leave for school and hes doing ok at school , we just had parents eve hes as expected but writing is a bit messy he only had one day well night were he had side efects , it was when he had started his first dose bedtime was not very good he had panic attack but since then hes been ok
good luck