Methylphenidate for ADHD User Reviews (Page 3)

• Day...
• October 29, 2016

"I am 30, started taking this due to excessive daydreaming and, quite frankly, not getting anything done. Could not focus for more than 10 minutes before a thought would come and get distracted by it. Apartment was in a mess. Priorities are all over the place. Wanted to do so many things and all at the same time. So I went to the doctor and left with a prescription for Concerta 18-27-36mg. I don't know if he had the right diagnosis, but stuff is getting done and everything is great. Less tired, fewer naps, did not take a nap since I started this. Now I'm at the 36mg step. The truth is the drug is only 10% of the solution. Once you know you can do something, you have to keep that mindset and go with it, or else you will take this drug forever and ever."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 6, 2023

"It works amazing!!! I 110% recommend it. I can finally get up in the morning without the stress of actually getting up (if you know, you know). I feel so much more motivated and can actually do my work! My appetite doesn't seem affected too. I still eat good food during the day, hehe. Just make sure you make a habit of taking it by 7-8pm."

• Mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 18, 2025

"After trying multiple ADHD medications—Vyvanse, Concerta, Adderall—my daughter struggled with mood swings or lost her personality entirely. JORNAY PM changed everything. Taken at night, it kicks in by morning, making school prep smoother and focus easier—without dulling her vibrant personality. Appetite suppression is minimal, and its extended-release formula prevents the dreaded afternoon crash. If you’re struggling to find the right ADHD medication, JORNAY PM is worth trying. It’s been life-changing for my daughter!"

• Fuz...
• June 6, 2019

"My daughter was 9 when she was diagnosed with ADHD, but I always knew. I figured if it didn't affect her schoolwork, why treat it? Well, come 4th grade, her teacher commented that her grades are okay, but she's much brighter than what she displays and is completely distracted. Just a week or so before the teacher meeting, I was just starting to think I would get her evaluated since she started to hate herself, getting in her own way (you ADHD folks know what I mean by that). She was put on Concerta and is now in honors math and a straight A student. The best part was seeing her go from hating herself to loving herself and owning how bright she is. People would tell her she's bright, but she just didn't believe it until she was able to work up to her full potential. Also, afterwards, I was diagnosed with ADHD and am having great success with Ritalin and will be switched to Concerta at my next visit."

• Anonymous
• October 8, 2014

"My 9-year-old son has been on Metadate 20mg for over a year now. Only side effect is a loss of appetite, so I make him eat a big breakfast. He only takes it on weekdays for school, it has really helped him focus. My son's grades improved from 60s to 90s. I like Metadate because by the time he's out of school, the medication has worn off and he's back to his normal active self. During the summer, I also give him a break from the med and we do not have to taper off in order for him to stop. We've tried other medications that had not-so-good side effects. Metadate so far is the best."

• Eve...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 14, 2022

"Jornay PM is outstanding for me and my DD. Nothing has worked like this for me, and I’m 38 and have been treated for ADHD since 12. I didn't like taking meds. I’d throw them away after my parents gave them to me, but by college, I needed it and took Adderall as needed. It worked, but I went to Vyvanse 10 years ago. Vyvanse worked, but took forever to get going, and I became moody and irritable later in the day and felt terrible. It was very hit or miss… depended on how much I was able to eat. I don’t know about most ADHD adults, but when I have a bad mood day, I feel like a failure. My psychiatrist had me try this a year ago, and I first was on 60 mg of J. I was on 40 of V and was freaked I’d have issues. I took J that night and woke up the next morning with a clear head, and I was ready before I had to get my kids up! All has been great, but I had a job change, and my days are longer. My doc gave me 80 last month, and J works longer now!"

• Meg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 26, 2023

"For most of my life, I have drifted in and out of employment. Being told I am a daydreamer and missing out on things most people would spot a mile off (dates, small details on forms, cleaning, rota, etc.). A few months after starting this medication, I also started a job! In immigration, so a lot of paperwork, extensive training, long shifts, and difficult customers. Almost a month in, and I’m getting appraisals, 100% on most of my work, always on time, and never miss a beat! I am 30 years old, and I could cry. This has literally changed my life. In the first week, you will experience jaw clenching, etc., but it settles. I am taking two tablets of 18 mg a day. Sorry to those that have experienced bad side effects, it’s trial and error, and maybe your chemistry does not align with the medicine, but that’s okay-keep trying!"

• mar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 13, 2023

"I had ADHD for many years. It already saved my life. Clarity, concentration, memory, work, focus, I stopped drinking, began to work, be stable, organized, serious, focused, had good work, and could pay my bills. A month ago, a doctor I didn't know removed my lifesaver, saying I didn't have ADHD and never had... which is false, multiple doctors in the past have confirmed I have ADHD. This random doctor ruined my life. I'm not functional, have apathy, anhedonia, memory loss, depression, can't drive, can't concentrate, can't focus, trouble paying things, narcolepsy, feel depressed, can't work, can't find initiative. I look forward to finding my Ritalin back. Depression sucks. Just need it to live. It was my lifesaver. Good luck."

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2019

"30, female, ADD, 95 lbs. Just to share what I have experienced for starting on Ritalin (5 mg) today for the very first time. I did not feel anything on the first pill (at 1:10 pm) and I took the second one around 7 hours later (around 7:50 pm). The second one kicked in around 2 hours later. I was alert and could stay patient at one task before jumping onto the next one. I also felt talkative, so I responded to a couple of emails efficiently (it usually takes me a while to draft an email) and got on social media to greet friends (I do not chat on social media much, I am never good at keeping in touch with people). It was until 4 am and I felt my body needed rest, but my brain was still alert. I put myself to sleep, but then I woke up with a fast heart rate just 1 hour and 10 minutes later. At this moment, I finally feel it is wearing off as I am typing. I know this because it has taken me 20 minutes so far to write this comment - I am reverting to the attention-deficient and anxious myself."

• Jon...
• August 11, 2015

"My son has been on this medication for 4 years. He's now on 40 mg, and it has been a godsend! He went from Ds and Fs to As and Bs. It wears off after school, but as long as he makes it through school, that's all that matters to me! I would recommend this medication to any parent. It truly has helped our son and brings out the best in him!"

• Suz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2021

"(F35) Like many others, I went through many different antidepressants and mood stabilizers, even EMT, and nothing would help me with depression, lack of attention, and energy. When I was finally diagnosed with ADD, I was worried because I am bipolar, that the medicine would make me hypomanic, but quite the opposite, it makes me relax and focus. I don't need to spend the afternoon in bed like I used to. I can finally go back to work full-time. For me, it's best to not take it in the morning when I am more fresh, and wait until I have the afternoon crash that happens between 12 and 2. I try to do a single dose of 10 mg, unless I have to work after 5, in that case, I take the second. I also try to take it only 3 or 4 days a week to avoid tolerance and becoming too dependent. It does increase my anxiety a bit at night, but nothing too serious."

• Max...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 5, 2015

"Worked for me the first year I took it but then it started to have really bad side effects. I have ADD but I don't have hyperactivity and I was getting socially awkward and having anxiety and even depression. I don't recommend it for someone who's not hyperactive."

• Anonymous
• November 7, 2018

"I'm 54 years old and recently started taking 10 mg once a day, 5 times a week (usually weekdays). After years of talking about projects and ideas, it is now quite easy to get and stay on task. It's not like I didn't get things done before, but now I am motivated to complete tasks. In the past, most projects that required any substantial amount of time to complete would immediately be put on the back burner. Now I feel motivated to see them through. In the past, I would self-medicate with large amounts of coffee, but that only lasted for so long. Now, I have switched to decaf and take medication once I get to the office. My dosage is minimal at this point and I have a follow-up to see where I'm at in regard to possibly changing the dosage in a couple of weeks. With my dosage (immediate release), I can tell the medication is kicking in as I start to feel warmer. That takes about 30 minutes. As others have stated, this dosage lasts about 4-5 hours. So far, so good."

• Lin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 16, 2017

"I'm 21 and I've been taking 72mg (two 36mg capsules) a day since I was about 17. Concerta changed my life. I was failing school, and no matter how hard I tried, it didn't change anything. I became depressed, slept for 14+ hours a day, and gave up. Then I was prescribed Concerta, and it changed my life. It keeps me focused, motivated, and energized. However, the side effects are very real. I don't sleep much, which is why I usually don't take it on weekends to catch up on sleep. It reduces my appetite, so I eat a big breakfast before taking it in the mornings. It does elevate my anxiety, and not saying it's something I suggest.. but I smoke cigarettes to help that. Also, I don't know if this is common or not, but it keeps my digestive tract regular."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 15, 2015

"I've been taking Concerta for the past five months. When I first began taking it, I would get headaches and appetite problems, but those side effects disappeared after about three weeks on it. Concerta has not only improved the amount of work I'm able to accomplish, it's improved my self-esteem as well. I no longer feel as shy and cluttered as I did before I started taking Concerta. I like that it lasts throughout the entire workday, so I don't have to worry about redosing. Overall, Concerta has been a very positive experience for me."

• Ome...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 13, 2018

"This drug is a lifesaver. If it weren't for this drug, I would be failing in college and sleeping all day. Concerta has helped me study and lessen my depression symptoms. It's definitely worth the risk. The only downside to this drug is that it doesn't last 12 hours, well at least for me. It lasts like 9 to 10 hours. Also, as with other ADHD medicines, you can become tolerant to the point you don't notice it working. My grades improved with this medicine, and I was able to write a 10-page paper in the 12th grade and a 25-page paper in my junior year of college. I'm even more organized outside of school. I wash my clothes and shower more on this medicine. I can finally read more without getting mentally tired as much. I wouldn't be able to pass my classes in college if it weren't for Concerta. Everybody with ADD or ADHD should try medication for it. I recommend Concerta because it lasts throughout the day. It lasts longer than Ritalin."

• Anonymous
• April 3, 2012

"My husband and I didn't believe in ADD. My child's doctor said that he would only medicate if my child's grades were suffering. We postponed medication until my son was in the 5th grade and grades started plummeting. He is not hyper or misbehaved but has difficulty focusing, completing tasks, and becoming overwhelmed. We tried other medicines, but Daytrana was for us. No fuss to take medicines. No sudden drop in mood. No depression. The only drawback was itchy skin, but he overcame this and difficulty removing the backing, but over time this becomes easier. I would recommend this. Do not give up on your child. ADD is real!"

• Cri...
• December 13, 2012

"I have been on Ritalin for 5 months now and it works great for my ADHD. I wish I would have been on it when I was in high school, maybe I would have finished high school. I am 25 years old and I'm going for my G.E.D. so I can go to college. I am so happy now, I can concentrate and do things that I was never able to do. The only con is that it is not lasting as long as it did when I first got on it. I really believe Ritalin saved my life."

• C11...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2020

"I've struggled with ADHD and depression for about half my life. I started this medication around 3 months ago. I take the 54 mg dose. I've tried probably every antidepressant there is, and quite a few for anxiety. But this, I think personally, Concerta has helped quite a bit in regard to both. Because of it, I've been able to wean off my antidepressant and no longer have to take it. The appetite suppressant does help me out since I'm working on weight loss, but it can also be a struggle to eat at times or find a food that is appetizing in general because of it. And the medication can cause constipation and dry mouth, which is inconvenient. Overall, I think it's helped me a lot in focusing on coursework and its intended purpose."

• mou...
• August 9, 2013

"Before Concerta I was labeled disruptive; unintelligent, impulsive, poor concentration etc. The worst part was that no matter how hard I tried, I always messed up, and it was never on purpose. I am often described as having 'no-filter' between my head and mouth. Now, with Concerta, I am able to 'filter' information correctly. I have control with what I say, and I can concentrate when I need to. This is, however, no miracle - I have bad days. Like anyone, my cognition suffers if I haven't had enough sleep, etc. Concerta only gives one control of their actions and organizes things in your head a bit better - something I had been long without. Please consider the facts provided by health professionals."

• Can...
• September 14, 2019

"Concerta is by far better than other ADHD meds, such as Adderall, in my experience. It is milder and much better at helping where it needs to and doesn't make me feel sick like Adderall did. I recommend this for all of you who have anxiety. Adderall made my anxiety worse on it. Concerta helped me feel less anxious because I have ADD and anxiety, this helped so much."

• Dbl...
• April 27, 2010

"I am 36 and was diagnosed with ADD shortly after my youngest son was diagnosed with ADHD. I take 36mg Concerta, and it has changed my life and saved my career. Looking back, I should have been diagnosed as a child, but my intellect got me through college, the military, and life in general thus far. Had I been treated as a child, life would have been a lot easier. However, my struggles have made me who I am. I recently began a new position at work, and it is extremely challenging. I need to be exceptionally focused and organized. I was drowning and getting depressed about my lack of success until I started taking the Concerta. 2 months later, I have been promoted and able to handle a larger workload... HOWEVER, my son developed severe tics."

• neb...
• April 1, 2008

"I'm 20, I have been on Concerta for 3 years. Before, I was on everything else, every other medication was an emotional rollercoaster ride, and I was very angry. Now, 5 years later, I'm the happiest, most confident person. I graduated college with honors and lead an 'out of trouble' life!! THANKS CONCERTA!"

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2021

"I've been on Concerta for a few weeks now, I was just recently diagnosed with ADHD, and it's my first medication. I am a 15-year-old female. I started with 18 mg but didn't feel any difference. It only decreased my appetite (I lost about 5 lbs a week) to the point where I became underweight. My doctor recently upped my dose to 36 mg, and I feel worse than before. I've been having a hard time falling asleep and have slept very restlessly. I am still losing weight. I've also noticed that I feel more moody and impulsive, and I have been hyper-fixating more and lashing out at my family. I have a doctor's appointment next week where I hope to switch medications."

• dnb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2019

"I started taking Concerta about 6 months ago. The first month after being diagnosed with ADD, I was on Ritalin, then switched over to Concerta. I’m on the 72 mg of Concerta, and it really has changed my life. I failed two classes in college before I started medication, and now I am doing really well in school. It really helps me focus in general as well. I’ve lost 70 pounds since I started taking medicine for my ADD, so I’m currently 140. This medicine destroys my appetite until it wears off, so I usually only eat at night. It also has messed with my sleep, so I make sure to take it by 9 in the morning so that it will wear off by like 10 at night. Whenever the medicine wears off, I become super unproductive, but I’m not sure if that’s how I am without it or if it’s just worse when the medicine wears off. I really recommend Concerta, it really has helped me so much."