How do you know if it's working?

[zealousredhead]

Okay here's the situation I'm in. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD. I have been taking Concerta for approx. 2 weeks. Started at 27mg. And now I'm at 54mg. The question I'm asked by doctor is "Do you feel it's working?" or "Do you notice any improvement?" But I don't know what to say. My therapist has asked too. But again I feel like saying......sorta. But I have nothing to compare it to.

Truth be told.....I don't really know. Yes, I feel more alert. Yes I feel a bit calmer. Not so easily overwhelmed. BUT while I'm reading or in class I don't feel like I'm 'getting it'. The information just isn't sinking in. Don't get me wrong. I do realize that it's not a magic pill. And I do have to put forth extra effort. It has always been difficult for me to learn. I have noticed that I can catch myself zoning out a little quicker. I'm not off in LaLa land for 20 minutes before I snap out of it.

I guess I just thought that by being on medication that it would help me out more. That during lectures it would be like things just made sense to me a little quicker. But I'm not seeing that. And that I'm not fighting so hard to be mentally present. And that I wouldn't be exhausted by 3PM.

Can someone tell me their experience with their medication? Like, how did you know that it was the right one? What should I be looking for? I'm supposed to check in with my doctor again. And I guess depending on what I think either stick with Concerta or try another stimulant. I just don't know. Am I expecting too much?

[nibblerd]

Okay here's the situation I'm in. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD. I have been taking Concerta for approx. 2 weeks. Started at 27mg. And now I'm at 54mg. The question I'm asked by doctor is "Do you feel it's working?" or "Do you notice any improvement?" But I don't know what to say. My therapist has asked too. But again I feel like saying......sorta. But I have nothing to compare it to.

Truth be told.....I don't really know. Yes, I feel more alert. Yes I feel a bit calmer. Not so easily overwhelmed. BUT while I'm reading or in class I don't feel like I'm 'getting it'. The information just isn't sinking in. Don't get me wrong. I do realize that it's not a magic pill. And I do have to put forth extra effort. It has always been difficult for me to learn. I have noticed that I can catch myself zoning out a little quicker. I'm not off in LaLa land for 20 minutes before I snap out of it.

I guess I just thought that by being on medication that it would help me out more. That during lectures it would be like things just made sense to me a little quicker. But I'm not seeing that. And that I'm not fighting so hard to be mentally present. And that I wouldn't be exhausted by 3PM.

Can someone tell me their experience with their medication? Like, how did you know that it was the right one? What should I be looking for? I'm supposed to check in with my doctor again. And I guess depending on what I think either stick with Concerta or try another stimulant. I just don't know. Am I expecting too much?

I think you have some valid concerns that you should bring up at your next appointment. My little sister was diagnosed with ADHD about 10 years ago, and she said that she had difficulties on every medication she tried (Concerta, Adderall, Vyvanse), though some were better than others. I think she settled on Straterra due to the long-lasting effect it has.

[AnneMarie]

Tell you doc what you said here. It could be that you need a higher dose. It could be that you to try need another med.

[SashaSue]

Since you've had some response to your current med, it probably makes more sense to try a higher dose, than to switch to a new med entirely. Though, not knowing what dosage you're currently taking, it's hard to say.

[ldo]

He said he was at 54mg. But then, you've got ADHD too. So you're permitted to miss that.

Here are some things I noticed with meds:

-I could ignore a TV. That was new.

-I could stay awake in meetings.

-When arguing with my s.o., I could come up with specific examples instead of having to say that just because I couldn't think of an example didn't mean I was wrong. This didn't, however, save the relationship!

-Itching after haircut was not a big issue anymore.

This stuff won't make you smarter, it just helps you pay attention.

It could be that you need more, or something else, but I don't know whether 54mg is a big dose, although I'd guess that it was. It does sound like it's having some useful effects.

If you're feeling exhausted at 3, perhaps that means the stuff is wearing off. Methylphenidate drugs in particular are known for having an obnoxious "crash" when they wear off. Perhaps you need a little booster? And sometimes, if they interfere with sleep, it's the rebound and not the med itself, so a small (1/4 usual?)dose at bedtime may help you sleep.

[chipmunk]

I know it's working because I try to do the same things unmedicated and I crash and burn. I can't work in a noisy office. I can't think with the radio on. I can't remember what I went upstairs for after I climb the flight of stairs.

Put it another way - if you are the same off of the meds, why take them? Even at a low dose, on vs. off meds was like night and day. I knew I needed a higher dose because the meds wouldn't last long enough (45 minutes at first, now they work all day), not because I wasn't getting results from the lower dosage.

[Velvet Elvis]

Try an amphetimine based stim and see if it's any better. There are two classes of stimulants. Amphetimines and Methylphedates. Most people lean towards prefering one or the other. You've tried a methylphenidate. Now try Dexedrine, Adderal or Vyvanse. Based on your reaction to your first med of both classes you should be able to fine tune from there.

There is also Strattera that's worth a try or addition, particularly if there are other learning disabilities involved. If you're more on the hyper side, consider aedding Intuiv, clonidine, or Tenex.

Tricylics such as Nortryptiline and Desipramine can also be effective as second and third line meds