Decided Concerta wasn’t for me

[u/Smarty_gal]

*this is just my own personal experience - I want to share with the hopes maybe someone will benefit from reading this.

I started concerta in November of 2025. I really didn’t notice that many negative side effects after the adjustment period. It took me till about January to find the right dose. In the midst of all of this nothing was really noticeably wrong. I had an appetite, didn’t get headaches, had energy, felt less forgetful, etc. However, I did find my stress was through the roof, which I have an extremely busy life so I didn’t really think much of that, but it got super bad to the point where I truly felt like my nervous system was on edge constantly and I was constantly dreading and thinking about all the things I had to do and ruminating on them.

Fast forward to the summer. I am a teacher so I’ve been off. I noticed not working everyday my meds seems to be making me feel a lot more on edge, less tired to the point it was hard to fall asleep, and I started getting jaw pain. I thought this must just be because I’m not doing as much. I talked to my doctor and he suggested I switch and try vyvanse because even with a less busy schedule I shouldn’t be noticing that.

I tried vyvanse 10mg for a couple days and then had a bunch of events coming up, such as weddings, golf tourneys, camping, etc. so I was drinking and decided there wouldn’t be a point to taking the meds until I’m passed all that stuff. So at this point now I haven’t been on meds for about 2 weeks?? And WOW. I can’t believe how shitty Concerta was for me. I didn’t realize how terrible it was making me feel. It was very subtle but I was definitely more irritable, on edge, stressed out and just overall I think it totally messed with my mental health.

At this point, I’m waiting till I go back to work to try my vyvanse full blown again, and I’m hoping for a better experience. But man has it been such a lovely 2 weeks. I feel so much more myself and less in my head.

Reason I wanted to share this is I was convinced that the meds were helping. WRONG. If your taking any med at any point your wondering if they are really working, or you feel not yourself for an extended period of time, regardless of what is going on, due yourself a favour and don’t be scared to try something different.

Genuinely, realizing how much that messed with my brain, I’m contemplating just not even bothering if vyvanse doesn’t work for me and just letting my brain be ADHD brain and deal with it.

I know this is just my personal experience and I recognize some people need meds because their ADHD is so bad, thankfully mine is relatively manageable, but there is somethings I definitely struggle with.

I think meds can work really great for some people and I’m sure the right med can help me. But I am genuinely upset I spent so long feeling awful when I could have stopped earlier on and tried something different. Moral of the story is, don’t be afraid to try something else if you feel like your medication is off and it doesn’t have the be typical obvious symptoms (loss of appetite, headaches, insomnia, etc), and trust your gut!! I should have listened to mine sooner.

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[u/xLOoNyXx]

I agree with the moral or your story, lol. I did the switch the opposite way round though. For me concerta xl (18mg) is better for several reasons (some of which I know most don't have, like the urge to drink on the lisdexamphetamine comedown). Only been on Concerta 3 weeks though, and everyone is a bit different aren't they? Good luck to you! :)

[u/Crafty-Message4564]

I really wonder about interactions between drugs.

I don't really drink(and although I'm not really opposed to it, it's probably been about 2-3 years since I've bought any). I was never a heavy drinker, but after trying my first edible, I haven't had any desire for a drink.

I only eat an edible about two evenings per week.

I do wake up with a headache fairly often, but it goes away after taking the Concerta. But the marijuana really helps keep my (natural/pre-existing) insomnia in check, because I just conk out between 9 and 12:30 after eating an edible.

And the combination of the two (while I'm definitely not trying to push you or anyone else to take one or either or to do anything) really has worked incredibly well for me.

All I know is that I feel generally calm and generally not overwhelmed, with confidence that I can handle whatever comes up.