The following information is NOT intended to endorse drugs or recommend therapy. While these reviews might be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care.
I was diagnosed a few months ago (I'm 19) with ADD. The first--any only-- medicine I have tried thus far is Concerta (27 and 36mg). Not only has my ADD not gotten any better, but I feel I have anxiety, mood swings, restlessness, and insomnia. I've used it for several weeks, adjusted my dose, and minimized any external stress and it's not any better.
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Started Concerta 5 weeks ago. Started with a "pediatric" dose (I'm almost 40) and worked up to 54mg. LOVE that I can finally focus and finish tasks, work is getting completed, my lists are getting checked off, and I'm making it to appointments on time. THEN...2 weeks ago, slight insomnia started to get worse, and minor anxiety..thought it was various life issues I was dealing with. Tonight..I'm dealing with severe insomnia and anxiety so bad I can barely sit and research my problem. I have a check up with my Dr in 2 weeks, I'm calling tomorrow to get in sooner. I'm very upset as it solved my ADD problems and thought I started a new life...I do not want to start the trial and error roller coaster all over.
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My son is 10 years old. I suspected he had ADD when he was 6 and the teacher kept telling me he was spacing out in school, but he is also so smart I decided maybe the work was just too easy and he was bored. In 4th I couldn't take the complaints (almost daily)and had him tested and he was diagnosed with ADD and given Concerta. I can only tell you that his math teacher sent me home a note on the day he started medication to ask where I got my new son from, she could not believe it. She said he even went in during his lunch break to catch up on some work. He lost his appetite for the first week or so, but regained it and hasn't had trouble sleeping at all. He is happier, his teachers are happier and I am HAPPIER! Thank You CONCERTA.
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My son was prescribed the drug just before summer. It worked great at the beginning but now since school has started the drug is not working. He is very moody, impulsive, short tempered, sad and depressed. This is not my son. I also have a friend who's son is also on it and is doing great. It maybe worth a try, just watch for the side effects.
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Since I've been on Concerta I've lost 9 1/2 pounds within the three months. So far I've had to go to the hospital because it has caused me to have bad anxiety. Also I can't eat, I can't sleep. Although it makes me sick everyday and I have depression, my grades have gone up. So I guess it helps with something.
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As an adult with ADHD Concerta is the way to go. Focused and able to complete tasks. Although the lack of appetite and sleep come into play the time released 18mg work better for me then the 27mg...With 27 mgs I was tired and moody.
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My son is 8 and started taking this med 8 weeks ago. We took him off. He looked like he had black eyes from not sleeping and wouldn't eat. He also developed tics and reported stomach and chest pain. He did okay on Ritalin. We switched him onto Concerta because of the once a day dose.
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My daughter was put on Concerta when she was 6. After working with the medicines and getting the right dosages (it took about 8 months) starting at 18mg and ending at 54mg, it did wonders for her. She was actually tested for the gifted program in 1 grade (7 years old). She stayed on 54mg for well over a year. Little side effects. Sometimes disrespectful. No problem sleeping at bed time (9pm) for the most part. Until January 2009 she developed tics (verbal ). They took her off and put here on Strattera. (she could focus great, but it made her want to sleep). They are going to try her on Focalin. Despite what happened with the Concerta I would recommend it to anyone. I miss my daughter. I hope Focalin works.
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I've been on several medications for my ADHD and Concerta is by far the best I have tried. Ignoring the slight sleeping complications I have and the lessened need for food, this medication works well. I've found that while Concerta is in effect I'm less fidgety and anxious, and I can concentrate for longer periods of time. I really do prefer this medication over any of the others I have had.
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My son is now 13, and has been using Concerta the past 2 years. Was working great, went from doing homework until 12-1:00 am to finished before I got home from work. Concentrated more and was overall happier with himself and his achievements. Around November he had started having trouble sleeping and eating and was acting different. I guess since he turned 13 and puberty is starting to set in it wasn't working for him anymore so we are changing medications. I do recommend this medicine though, while it worked, it was great.
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My son took 18mgs for 2 days and it was like there were five children wrapped up in him at one time. He was nasty, negative, unhappy, and would not stop moving for 3 days after his second dose. We and the doctors were shocked at this reaction.
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I used concerta for my ADD and it worked pretty good. It gave me a little boost and helped me concentrate better but it kind of just felt like I was on a controlled form of caffeine. The side effects were a lack of hunger, mood swings, and the crash was terrible. I felt tired and got in a terrible mood. So it does help I'm not going to lie but I have since switched to another medicine because the side effects were too much for me.
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I'm 17 and have been taking this for about a month now for ADHD. I started at small doses of Ritalin (10 mg) and then moved to 20 mg. My doctor thought it would be easier to just put me on Concerta since it's 18 mg a pill. I then took 36 mg of Concerta which didn't work out. I got major irritability and started feeling depressed. Even my focus was off. I went back down to 18 mg and it's working much better. No irritability, depression feeling. Make sure you're on the right dose for your body, too much can do more harm and too little may not do any thing.
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I am 26 years old and having been using Concerta for approximately 9 months. I have been extremely impressed with my new ability to focus and attention to detail. I have always been a daydreamer and that paid off in creativity. However, daydreaming during a meeting with the president of the company you work for doesn't pay off. My wife, out of angst, suggested that I might have ADHD and should consider getting tested. After a 5 hour psychological evaluation it was decidedly so. Since I have started Concerta I have been promoted to the top position in my office. It controls my anxiety and keeps me calm and focused. The only side effects that I have noticed are weight loss (lost 30 lbs) due to loss of appetite and a lack of emotion.
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This is it. You might have to up or decrease you mg according to how you feel at first. I take 3, 18mg tabs in morning. It is the Concerta ER, lasts from 8-12 hrs. No side effects at all for me. I am calmer, more focused, and still get a lot done during the day. I easily go to sleep now. Recommended for ADHD though, not for ADD symptoms. I am energized during the day and do not "feel" like I am "coming off something". I highly recommend this.
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This drug works. I'm a senior at high school and ever since I was in Elementary School I have had grades ranging from D-F.
All through school I had problems paying attention and in recent years (9th grade) I was put on concerta and I have had nothing but good grades and teachers were amazed at how good I'm doing now. THANKS CONCERTA.
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I just started taking Concerta again and I have noticed big differences in my attention span and being able to focus more. I was on it for quite some time when I was younger and then wanted to come off of it in the 10th grade. Now several years later I asked to go back on it and I noticed big changes in school and I thank God for this drug to help me get back to a somewhat normal state.
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I am very happy with Concerta. I am 17 years old and started taking this about 3 months ago. Before I took this, I had a lot of trouble in school with paying attention and focusing, and after I took it, I noticed an immediate difference and it was so much easier to focus and pay attention. Another really positive feedback from Concerta is that it helps me engage in conversation more because I am more focused and I don't interrupt people like I used to. Also, it helps me think things through more.
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My son's attention span now exists. He does not wander off into his fairy land every 2 minutes. His teacher and other educators are very impressed with his work now.
My son complains of headaches probably because he has trouble falling asleep.
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I had a great experience with this medication. I had to go off all medication for a while but will ask for this again when I can resume. My doctor gave me Concerta and I didn't think it was doing anything. I felt calmer, the way you feel after a well rested vacation, but that was all the difference I felt. THEN my co-workers started complimenting me on my work more, saying I was doing much better (They were the ones that suggested I get tested for ADHD).
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I'm 20 i have been on concerta for 3 years.... before i was on everything else... every other medication was a emotional rollercoaster ride.... and i was very angry before... now 5 years later.... i'm the happiest most confident person... graduated college with honors, and lead a "out of trouble" life!!! THANX CONCERTA
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it's a lot more mild than Ritalin and more effective than Focalin. The only problem i have with it would be weight loss (i'm 5'2" and only 100 lbs) and sometimes i can't react as quickly as i would without the medication. weird, but an awesome drug for any adhd or add college student. It instantly gets rid of fidgeting and you'll be able to listen and focus to the most boring lecture imaginable (and learn from it!).
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my son has been taking concerta at varying mg's for the past 6 years. He has experienced increased heart palpatations at night for the past year. Cardiologist and ADD doctor state that its anxiety related. Rx has worked well for years. Unfortunately, i think its time to rethink the prescription as he enters his preteen years.
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My son was taking the 54mg for 8yrs when all of a sudden he started to get severely depressed and thoughts of hurting himself. He was immediately taken off the Concerta. I had read about the side effects but it seem to be a small percentage of children getting this.
Make sure you read ALL side effects and the long term usage on how it will effect your child.
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my daughter just started taking concerta for ADD about 3 weeks ago and she has made significant improvements. she is now able to stay on task and complete assignments, which she was having a hard time doing before. there has been no difference in her personality, which was a concern of mine. she also has developed a better sleeping pattern, whereas before she had tendency to have insomnia.
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rancherdx said: 
Tyler13 said: 
