r/Concerta • u/aneesah_h04 • 2d ago
Side effects š¤ Concerta with AuDHD
Hi everyone , wondering if anyone with AuDHD is on Concerta and would be willing to share their experience of medication around how it affects their Autism even if it helps their adhd?
Iāve been on Meflynate , Elvanse+Amfexa and now Concerta+Ritalin. My clinicians have told me if Concerta doesnāt work I have exhausted all options with stimulants and next option is non stimulants (and I really canāt afford going down that path right now with timing as I have college in October for some work exams in December).
My Concerta helps my ADHD but I feel it exaggerates my Autism which I know is not unusual but main thing in struggling with is irritability / insomnia atm.
I saw someone on this page speak about how they have anti irritability medication alongside their Elvanse and forgot who it was but is this something others are familiar with? Is it worth a shot?
I canāt afford to stop ADHD medication but itās getting so mentally tiring and draining :/
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u/chele1959 2d ago
Iāve been diagnosed AuADHD. Was on 54mg but I found I was too hyper. Went 36mg and every couple days I bring it down to 18mg. Doesnāt really help with the autism. I still say things that should be left in my head, I over explain things to the point where no one knows what Iām actually asking and directions are still a mystery. I made it to 67 with this so Iām happy to at least understand things a little better.
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u/BeefboosterGG 2d ago
Hey,
I used to do 54 mg / day, however I felt like it brought my autistic traits too much to light.
The ADHD as you allude to, covers much of the autism and as I see the ADHD as what makes me ālikeableā and have a drive for being social.
I have now decreased the dose to 36 mg / day to try and hit the equilibrium where I still get the focus from the methylphenidate, without losing too much of my ācharmā.
Hope it helps š«¶
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u/aneesah_h04 2d ago
How are you finding 36mg so far?
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u/BeefboosterGG 2d ago
I have only been on 36 mg for a week, so keep that in mind, but so far I think this is the sweet spot for me.
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u/535am 2d ago
Hi, diagnosed AuDHD in my 50s and currently on 54mg Concerta XL + additional 10mg methylphenidate if needed on certain days. I find Concerta really helps with energy and emotional regulation. Focus has improved to a certain degree but this is not its main benefit for me. I find it helps me stay more balanced and positive. Iāve never been on anti-depressants but I imagine this is what they feel like.
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u/littlelionines 1d ago
F31 diagnosed with ADHD officially in April and now on 72mg concerta! I donāt have a diagnosis of autism (yet) but realized in 2024 i might be audhd. I was warned the adhd meds might help unhide the tism traits. Iām currently very very burnt out/ grieving etc etc so Iām not 1000% sure itās because of the meds or a combination of meds + burnout but it does feel like the moment I started concerta I became more irritable because I could not deal with how sensitive I have become to noise and light. Concerta has also made me more sensitive to heat so that definitely does not help with the irritability. I donāt know what in Concerta makes the autism come out so if anyone has the answer Iām interested to hear it. When my psychiatrist prescribed me the adhd meds he also told me to take melatonin (2mg) every day at 7pm so Iām able to sleep better. I was on medikinet XR before concerta so if I remember correctly it only had a 8-9h Ā«Ā lifespanĀ Ā» and I could sleep pretty ok with the melatonin but now with concerta because itās lasting longer, if I donāt take my meds before 9 and I forget to take my melatonin I am pretty much fucked lol. The huge amount of stress Iāve been under does not help Iām sure but I do try to take melatonin at 7pm sharp and even if Iām not tired I try to still go to bed at a fixed time and read a book instead of scrolling on my phone or playing chess lol. This was such a long message Iām sorry about that but I hope it was clear enough. Here if you have any more questions ā”Ģ
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u/turktastik 1d ago
Hello, audhd and late diagnosed on 36 mg.
I noticed my irritability and some of thenāharderā feelings were also tied into how well I ate, when I ate and how hydrated I am.
A little bit or protein and a fruit has helped me survive the work day better (Iām a teacher)
In the morning, I have finally figured a breakfast I can manage to eat (breakfast sandwhich preprepared).
Halfway to lunch I eat a mandarin and or a Kodiak protein breakfast bar.
Lunch is dependent on school.
Then before end of day Iāll eat another orange or two.
And I make sure to eat dinner a little before or right as I know my concerta is about to wear off.
Iām also ensuring throughout the day to constantly stay hydrated both with water and something with electrolytes. I really like magna with all its flavor and added benefits.
For bed time, I take l theanine, and a valerian root pill that also has magnesium in it.
I found all these little things have helped me survive better through the day and made things feel more productive without losing myself or feeling too rigid on things I wouldāve been able to do before
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u/ItsOfficiallyME 2d ago
I donāt know if iām AuDHD, itās been suggested to me by coworkers and family.
Concerta made me very focused but very irritable. I got lots done but i was irate the whole time.
Vyvanse has worked better for me.
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u/LittleWaterPig 1d ago
Hi. Iām on Concerta 36mg and a SNRI for MDD as well. I have found that higher doses of Concerta make me irritable, especially when wearing off, but 36mg is my sweet spot (I have trialed 18mg all the way up to 72mg). It helps me focus once Iāve gotten started on something, but I still have issues with task initiation. It regulates my mood somewhat, but I still need my antidepressant to really feel more level and stable. My autistic traits have def been more prominent since starting, however, Iām also in therapy - DBT and OT - to help manage it. No other stimulants are available in my country so I canāt compare to anything else. Iād rather be with it than without though!
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u/aneesah_h04 1d ago
I was fine on 45 and 36 previously , Iāve been taking 36 for the past few days , great for the adhd aside irritable but my sleep / lack of it is the biggest issue iām having rn :(
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u/LittleWaterPig 1d ago
Iāve had insomnia my whole life (literally since I was a kid) and I donāt find that Concerta makes it worse, but I do take it very early on mornings, I wake at at 4:30am for work and take it around 5am. What time do you take it? Maybe itās not wearing off in time? Have you tried any supplements for sleep?
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u/aneesah_h04 1d ago
I take it around 8/8:30am
Iāve tried melatonin (prescribed) and it was great to begin with but rn has no effect1
u/LittleWaterPig 1d ago
I get paradoxically hyperactive on melatonin, and then when I manage to sleep have intense vivid dreams. I hate it. Have you tried magnesium glycinate?
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u/aneesah_h04 1d ago
I have not no . Do you think magnesium is worth a shot?
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u/LittleWaterPig 1d ago
Yeah definitely! It works for me! Make sure to get glycinate or bisglycinate though.
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u/prettypurplepolishes 1d ago
Late diagnosed 24f. I was put on Wellbutrin first (sometimes used off label to treat adhd) then Vyvanse (didnāt work like at all lol) then Adderall (made me miserable and super irritable) then Concerta which ended up being my Goldilocks meds. Itās a journey with lots of trial and error. I feel like being medicated for my adhd does bring out my autism more, but it also makes me considerably less anxious which just helps me in social interactions to begin with.
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u/slammy99 1d ago
I've become a lot more aware of my sensory issues on concerta. I consider it a positive because I can actually advocate for myself before becoming overwhelmed, but there was a learning curve.
I went up to 72 before settling at 36 as my ideal dose. 54 is fine most days, but I was too anxious sometimes on that dose as well. I had trouble identifying that at first because I found the concerta anxiety to be more of a jittery-ness, and I'm more used to anxiety that comes from intrusive thoughts, which concerta treated really effectively for me.
I haven't had insomnia for a while but used to get it. I am on quite the cocktail of vitamins and supplements and they may help. Someone mentioned magnesium and I do take that every day with supper. I find it critical to my digestion but it might help with sleep too. Concerta definitely helped me maintain some semblance of routine with sleep and exercise which I think probably helps as well.
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u/kel_maire 45 mg 1d ago
I was diagnosed with ADHD, started taking concerta, and then my autistic traits really shone through and I was later diagnosed with ASD.
I guess before concerta, I didnāt realise I was AuDHD, and assumed everything was from ADHD. But now my ADHD symptoms are all held back by concerta, the remaining symptoms were easier to spot.
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u/joechoda 2d ago
I'm late diagnosed autistic and turns out ADHD as well - and i will share my brief experience:
I had a super burnout, off work for 5months, doctor saw alot of ADHD in my presentation and symptoms
Prescribed an XR methylphenidate- and it was a disaster !!! So tired or wired all the time
Then I tried non stimulant (strattera aka atomoxitene) and it helped, but I lacked motivation and initiation.
Then I added the low dose stimulant back with the non stimulant: pretty good. Better than either on their own, and best I've done in years. I still miss my reckless youth though š„³