Concerta and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Van...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 14, 2016

For ADHD "I've been taking Concerta since 2003. For me, it's the only ADHD medication that works. It calms me down, I talk at a speed others can understand, and my thoughts don't run off. The side effects I get from it are loss of appetite (growing up I was underweight for this reason), trouble sleeping (I ended up needing a medication for this but am currently not on one), dry mouth (drink lots of water). I have also been diagnosed with major depression and bipolar after years of taking Concerta (diagnosed in 2007 and 2013 respectively, both are genetic in my family). Drugs affect each person differently. If you decide to take Concerta, I would suggest keeping track of your side effects and how often they occur and talk to your M.D. or N.P."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 12, 2019

For ADHD "I have been taking Concerta 18 mg for 5 years or so now. The first years were really smooth, and it did really help me. Before getting on it, I was suffering from depression, and I almost dropped out of college due to the number of courses that I had failed, but then I was diagnosed with ADHD, and since then, with a dose of 18 mg/day of Concerta, I managed to graduate. The depression never really went away, but it definitely got milder. My panic attacks decreased to the point where I almost never had them anymore. A few years back, my doctor suggested trying to take the 36 mg ones, but for me, this didn't work because I felt kind of lost and foggy. So all in all, Concerta did wonders for me until half to one year ago. I have severe insomnia, and I get irritated really easily. I had some milder panic attacks, but I also had two that were really intense. I have lost weight even though I eat the same. In general, I think that for me, after 4-5 years, the drug is starting to show its side effects."

• Anonymous
• October 15, 2010

For ADHD "My 7 and 11-year-old children take 18 mg and 36 mg, respectively. The 7-year-old also takes a 5 mg Methalin tab at about 3 PM because she melts into a screaming pile of shattered emotions otherwise. Actually, that's how she was ALL THE TIME before she started taking Concerta. The 11-year-old recently increased his dose because he's getting older and bigger. He was singing, humming, and making noise in class again (which is what clued me in to a higher dose). He started taking Concerta because he couldn't access information when doing homework. The information was there, he just couldn't concentrate long enough to access what he needed. VERY frustrating for him. He isn't hyperactive like the other child, so he was diagnosed at a later age. Side effects: sleepless until 12 AM."

• Lor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2015

For ADHD "I like this medicine since it lasts 12-14 hours. It helps with depression as well, and it helps me in college. Without it, I wouldn't be doing as well. It helps me stay on task and focus so I can get my work done. There aren't many side effects to this stimulant, maybe insomnia and a suppressed appetite, but that's all. I recommend this medicine for people with ADD, ADHD, and depression. It really improves the quality of your life. There isn't anything bad about this medicine. I hope it works for anyone who needs it."

• 83n...
• February 28, 2013

For ADHD "First couple of days, it was working well, then I started noticing mood swings, insomnia, anxiety, anger, agitation. On top of that, lack of energy and a sore throat. It's okay, but not worth all these side effects."

• Woo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 14, 2017

For ADHD "This medication worked fantastically for me! When I started taking it, I was at the bottom of my class, struggling at school, and within 2 years, I'd moved to the top. It totally transformed how I was able to concentrate. I always felt like this allowed me to 'be the real me' because it gave me the focus and patience to do the things I wanted to do. It helped me socially because I was able to think and communicate better (more tactfully!). In terms of side effects, I can't take it too late in the day or else I wouldn't sleep at night, but nothing else. I know some people have described many more side effects, but I didn't get anything like that. The only downside is that after 19 years on the drug, I don't find it as effective anymore."

• cls...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 10, 2013

For ADHD "I was diagnosed with ADD 2 weeks ago, along with depression/anxiety at the age of 33. My doctor wanted to treat the ADD first, thinking the other issue would clear up, so he started me on 18 mg of Concerta. The first week I would take one pill, and then this week increase it to 2 pills. I haven't been on this medication like others have, and I am experiencing so many side effects... i.e., nervousness, no appetite, headaches in the morning, can't sleep, paranoid for no reason. I feel like it’s doing the opposite of what it should. The first day I actually was able to just focus on one task and was able to get the laundry done. I will be talking to my doctor about other medications."

• ave...
• February 13, 2018

For ADHD "I have both ADHD and mild/moderate narcolepsy. I have been on Concerta for 9 months. I had not taken any medication till I was a teenager (my parents were very against it), so I took Wellbutrin for a while to help with depression and my ADHD and narcolepsy, however, it was not strong enough, so I switched to Concerta and am taking 36 MG. It changed my life. For years, I could not go a day without taking a nap and could not focus at all in class. I just started college a few months ago and got a 4.0 my first semester, which seemed impossible for me years ago. I can finally focus and stay awake, I cried a lot at first because I was so not used to this!! The only negative parts are insomnia, anxiety, and irritability. I recommend having the same bedtime every night and having something like melatonin on hand to combat this. Also, take your Concerta at least 12 hours before you plan on going to bed. These side effects aren't horrible, though the good by far outweighs the bad!"

• Jul...
• December 20, 2015

For ADHD "I am in grade 12, and I have been on Concerta since grade 3. I have noticed I am underweight, and I have trouble sleeping at night. But Concerta has helped me focus in school, but I just wish it didn't come with some of the side effects."

• Anonymous
• August 20, 2009

For ADHD "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 every day and I have depression, my grades have gone up. So, I guess it helps with something."

• Ang...
• May 9, 2011

For ADHD "My son has been on Concerta for about 4 years now. He started when he was 6 years and will be 11 years in 2 weeks. He was put on this medicine starting with 18 mg. Over time, he was gradually put on a higher dose as his age and weight increased. He is now on 54 mg. Since my son has been on this medicine, he has developed seizures because Concerta lowers the seizure threshold. He was diagnosed last year, 2010. He has paranoia, fearfulness, psychosis, headaches, nervousness, aggression, mood swings, trouble going to sleep, and doesn't want to eat a lot. He has had suicidal thoughts and depression."

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2022

For ADHD "I’m a 19-year-old. I have always been a straight A student in high school. During the pandemic, I started to have depressive thoughts, and I failed multiple classes. I have been taking Concerta for approximately 2 weeks now, and I feel motivated and focused. I am able to clear my thoughts and be more positive. I am slowly getting back on track with my studies. I don’t forget appointments and lose things anymore. I feel happier and more optimistic about the future. However, I experience small side effects, such as weight loss and trouble falling asleep."

• Mr ...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 19, 2016

For ADHD "Been taking Concerta XL for a while with a steady titration from 18mg up to 81mg. I take it around 9 a.m. each morning, and the first few hours are very restless. However, by early noon, say 1-2 p.m., I go into a slow, sometimes dragging comedown, which makes me sleepy and therefore having a nap during the day. This leads to an almost sleepless night, which can upset my brain in many ways. Positives: alert, talkative, sociable, and above all, concentrate. Negatives: jaw clenching (gurning), sweaty, sleepless night (because of the midday nap). All in all, I have tried altering dosage times in the morning, and I can quite easily eat without feeling nausea. Weight loss is noticeable but at a good stable rate. Many people have to give Concerta a chance."

• Anonymous
• November 6, 2009

For ADHD "I was diagnosed a few months ago (I'm 19) with ADD. The first-and only-medicine I have tried thus far is Concerta (27 and 36 mg). 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."

• Top...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 28, 2018

For ADHD "Concerta works very well in the first years. Gradually, I started showing many signs they have here, headache, flu-like symptoms, I cannot sleep, outburst of excitement, changes in personality, nausea, and skin rash and skin splitting. I am going to change to another product that does not have all these symptoms."

• Geo...
• February 9, 2011

For ADHD "I am an 18-year-old male. While I was in school, I struggled with subjects that involve high levels of focus to succeed in, e.g., Math, Chem, Physics, English (all of the important ones). In grade 12, I decided to try Concerta after a bad experience with Ritalin (night terrors). I only take it on days I will need it, which I think makes you not need to go up in dosage. It worked so well it is hard to explain what happens exactly, but it just makes you focus and understand what the teacher is talking about. My marks instantly went up. The only side effects I get are I feel warm, and sometimes if I take it too late in the day, I have trouble falling asleep. This medicine is a miracle, I wish I had it earlier on in school because it helps so much."

• Mar...
• May 29, 2015

For ADHD "I've started taking Concerta because of ADD when I was 21. I went to see my doctor, I was explaining to him that I had difficulty keeping up at school since I was a kid, but the only reason I'm in university was because I was in art school. He prescribed me Concerta. If anyone took speed before, it's exactly the same effect. You do get a down. You are more focused. You lose weight. However, you can go to sleep at night. The problem is, I don't take it every day, I think it's a little bit too harsh for me. I'll go see him again, maybe I have psychological issues. It did help with my sleeping: I always fell asleep in the afternoon, it took everything I had to stay awake (at school, at home, at a friend's house). I was known as the sleeper."

• Lov...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 3, 2019

For ADHD "This drug is atrocious, especially if you also suffer from bipolar disorder with psychotic features. I have increased anxiety, hallucinations, paranoia, and mood swings from this drug. In the meantime, it has done some things for my severe attention deficit disorder symptoms. Nevertheless, the side effects are horrible. I am cold, constipated, yet sweaty. I am in pain. I have extreme bloating whenever I am late by a few hours for my dose. The insomnia is unfathomably severe. I have undergone rapid weight loss on this drug. I have no appetite and must force-feed myself despite also being on antipsychotics. Do not even use methylphenidate stimulants if you have psychosis."

• Sta...
• June 22, 2016

For ADHD "Do yourself a favor and stay away from this drug. After being on this medication for about a month, I began to experience auditory and visual hallucinations, appetite loss, insomnia, and heart palpitations. It did nothing to relieve my ADHD either. Doc tried lowering the dosage and changing what time I would take it, but it made little difference. I flushed the rest down the toilet and stopped taking it after 6 months."

• Whi...
• December 3, 2016

For ADHD "When I was 9, my grades dropped and remained at a C-B average compared to my usual A. It became harder to socialize, and eventually, I started skipping school 3-4 days out of the week. I had anxiety problems and was on the verge of depression. At the age of 12, my mom, in a last-ditch effort, put me on Concerta, which did not magically fix anything, but within the next 2 years, I was attending school regularly and my grades got better. (From an Asian family, grades are everything.) I have to say I'm much better, but I took an 8-month break and returned to a 36 dosage, which makes me sick all day, headaches, and problems sleeping. I can barely eat half a meal without having to force it down."

• Anonymous
• November 14, 2012

For ADHD "I have been taking Concerta for ADHD about 3 months now. The effects have been both positive and negative. I started off with 36 mg, and my grades were increasing rapidly, and I was more focused, but I started to become more antisocial, angry, I didn't have an appetite, I had sleeping problems, and depression. Then, about two weeks ago, I switched to 54 mg due to lack of focus, and my stomach has been troubling me. I'm having twitching problems, and I am hearing voices."

• Kic...
• August 4, 2009

For ADHD "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."

• Anonymous
• April 15, 2009

For ADHD "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 finishing 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 13, 2019

For ADHD "Concerta has worked for me. Started when I was young, and then I had some bad side effects, but that was because the dosage was too high. But even with those side effects of extreme anxiety, hard to fall asleep, feeling unsafe and insecure, still, Concerta has helped me so, so much, and my teachers were really understanding as well. This was a vital part of my education during the early years in school. I can safely say that I have learned/gained experience from this medicine as well, it really helped me out. The positives outweigh the negatives in my experience, but we are all different, and you should really speak with the doctors and try to figure out which medicine is best in your case. And the cost of my medicine varies from month to month, it works like a circle. At the start, it is expensive, and then it gets less expensive. Then the circle restarts, and it goes from expensive to less expensive once again. Hope it works out well for you. And you can find the help you need."

• Anonymous
• December 9, 2011

For ADHD "I am a college student and found that for the first two months, Concerta worked wonders. It improved my mood, attention, and energy. It even helped with headaches. However, as I write this at 3 am, the side effect of sleep disruption has become unbearable. I either don't sleep for days or sleep for 20 hours a day for a week. Don't write it off, though. It is definitely effective, and adjusting the dose may do the trick."