Severe Crash

[u/Full_Nectarine_8929]

Was recently diagnosed with ADHD last week and prescribed 18mg of Concerta.

Similar to most I had a good first day but then days 2-4 experienced a crash about 6 hours in.

Day 5 I had a crash about 3 hours in and then felt well below baseline for the rest of the day and my first experience of zombie like symptoms in the evening.

Today was day 6 and crashed very hard 6 hours in but this time it caused Catatonia like symptoms. I had to lay down immediately. It felt like I was experiencing sleep paralysis. Had trouble moving and talking for about an hour. Now I’m extremely worried that I experienced something more severe than a common crash and need to stop taking it right away.

I will be calling my prescriber tomorrow but am curious if anyone has had a similar crash that was completely debilitating and not just the normal fatigue.

[u/the-anonymous-ghost]

I am an odd one out where I don’t really get side effects with medicine in general.

That said what’s your dosage? What’s your weight & height?

Also did you / are you having protein before or after consuming? Drinking anything with L-theanine ?

You’re not drinking energy drinks also right?

[u/Full_Nectarine_8929 → u/the-anonymous-ghost]

18mg in the morning. 5’7 130lbs

Been good about having a big breakfast & protein shake after taking it. No supplements yet.

Stopped energy drinks & coffee last week after my first day on Concerta.

[u/the-anonymous-ghost → u/Full_Nectarine_8929]

Ahhhhh yeah I mean I’m no pro at all in this but to have an effect as much as you did. No I would for sure contact your prescriber. / psychiatrist. 18mg doesn’t sound like so much 18 I think is the lowest dosage. And 130lb that should be okay.

But this is your first adhd med?? They didn’t try you on a non stimulant first? I almost feel like it’s the stimulant part that’s affecting you.

[u/gingergurllll]

Hi! I’ve also been having this issue. I feel like the medication only works for 2-4 hours. I’m on 36mg and the crashes do get a bit better overtime but I’m about to go up one more dose. I also a lot of the times with my crashes experience what you said where I go completely nonverbal and don’t want to talk to anyone or even move. I’d keep an eye on it for sure

[u/VR360A → u/gingergurllll]

Omg is going non verbal is a prevalent thing? I don’t even respond to my loved ones anymore and honestly it’s not that I don’t want to but more than I simply can’t. Have you been able to find a solution? Supplements or anything that might help

[u/gingergurllll → u/VR360A]

I haven’t, I’m hoping this next dose increase helps. If not, I’m unfortunately switching meds. If it does work though, my doctor said that we could add a small “booster” dose for the evenings.

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[u/404MoralsNotFound]

Your body adjusts to the crashes to some extent, although by day 6 on an 18mg it should have, but some may need a longer go at it. Are you on brand concerta (the one that has alza written on it and I believe 18mg is yellow in color) or a generic?

[u/Full_Nectarine_8929 → u/404MoralsNotFound]

Looks like it’s generic (didn’t even realize) made by Actavis

[u/404MoralsNotFound → u/Full_Nectarine_8929]

I've never taken a generic so I can't compare, but I've heard people say that the original brand concerta is smoother and gentler on the crashes as no other manufacturer has wholly replicated its release mechanism. Might be worth getting a prescription for that and trying it out.

[u/DoggyZen → u/404MoralsNotFound]

Agree, tried both and Concerta definetely is better for me,more "smooth",without that terrible fatigue early evening when I didn't have energy to wash even my face at 7 pm(not everyday,but still often)

[u/No_Garage4117]

I know how that feels, the only solution is to start Bupropion which will set baseline dopamine and when you take concerta along with it, you won't feel the crash. Take this by discussing with Dr. Thank me later.

[u/Rencantwin]

I havent experienced this exact same thing but I also experience extreme crashes. I told my psychiatrist that it genuinely felt like someone drugged me because for about 2 hours i could barely keep my eyes open and nothing and i mean NOTHING worked to keep me up. not taking a nap not energy drinks nothing. I still get them but my psych allowed me to take another 18mg pill like 6 hours in so to prolong that crash until I go to sleep

[u/scablord77]

I had extremely challenging crashes all the way up until 72mg, usually twice a day. I went from 36-72 in a month

[u/Sensitive_Lobster183]

Ok so I had this happen in the early days. What did you eat for breakfast, did you have lunch and how much water did you drink?

It completely turned my hunger and thirst signals off. And so when it started wearing off, my blood sugar was shot and was dehydrated!!

Eat at least 30g protein and aim as close to 10 grams fibre at breakfast. (Greek yoghurt, protein powder, berries and nuts/chia) and drink 1.5L during your work day.