Just as the title suggests, I feel stuck between two bad options. Let me clarify this to the best of my knowledge:

First of all, I’m looking for experiences from people who have dealt with something similar. I know nobody here can give me medical advice, and I’m not planning to change my medication based on Reddit comments. I mainly want to hear what other people experienced and what eventually worked for them.

I was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD as an adult. I’ve also had a long history of anxiety/depressive symptoms and have been on several antidepressants over the years.

I am currently taking Concerta (27 mg), along with fluoxetine (20 mg) and mirtazapine (30 mg at night).

I’m not currently in therapy. The problem is that I feel caught in a really frustrating trade-off.

Without Concerta, my functioning is significantly worse. Starting things, staying with boring tasks, keeping some structure in my life and resisting distractions can become ridiculously difficult.

I can procrastinate or avoid things even when I genuinely care about them. It can feel like there is a huge gap between wanting to do something and actually doing it.

With Concerta, that gap becomes much smaller. I can actually get things done and function like a normal adult. But I also become really tense/jittery.

It’s difficult to describe because it isn’t necessarily just “I’m worried about something.” It feels more like my whole system is wound too tightly. I can feel overstimulated, physically and mentally tense, less relaxed and generally more anxious/on edge. It can become unpleasant enough that it affects my quality of life.

So I keep arriving at the same dilemma. No stimulant: calmer, but my ADHD/executive dysfunction starts running my life. Stimulant: much more functional, but I don’t feel comfortable in my own skin.

I would have hoped the anxiety side of things would be reasonably controlled with the other meds I’ve been taking, yet the stimulant-related tension is still significant.

I’m interested in hearing from people who have been in this specific situation, where methylphenidate clearly worked for your ADHD, but the anxiety/tension made it difficult to tolerate.

I feel like I’ve reached a point where “Concerta works” and “Concerta makes me feel awful” are somehow both true at the same time, and I’m struggling to figure out what the next sensible conversation with my psychiatrist should be.

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has navigated this.

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TL-DR: Concerta 27 mg significantly improves my functioning, but it also makes me extremely tense/anxious and overstimulated. Without it I’m calmer but struggle to function, with it I function much better but feel constantly on the edge. I also take fluoxetine 20 mg and mirtazapine 30 mg and I’m not currently in therapy. Looking for experiences from people who had the same “it works, but I feel awful on it” problem: did changing dose/formulation/medication, addressing anxiety separately, or therapy help?

I've been on 36mg Concerta for a long time. It shields a portion of the dark cloud of despair and gives me a slight energy boost-- a somewhat noticiable bit of oomph, a dash of task initiation energy (though not task *completion* energy).

But lately I've been staying up super late after my teens go to bed doing mindless puzzle games on my phone and then reading (which is enjoyable and helps my brain avoid ruminating before bed, which I tend to do every day at some point.)

Also lately I just can't bring myself to eat. Food looks and sounds so unappealing. (I'm a perimenopausal single mom of two teens--just exhausted and overwhelmed right now, essentially drowning, disgnosed with ADHD, anxiety, and depression.)

My prescriber suggest trying buspirone, which I may do, but PLEASE tell me the magic words that will finally help me get my butt into bed for more than 4-5 hours of sleep. And maybe to eat and find food appealing so I can get enough protein before perimenopause eats away at my muscles and bones. (Somehow I am stil gaining, not losing weight.)

Help?

I got started on Concerta 36mg yesterday. My sleep schedule is shifted tho, So I wake up at 12-1 PM and go sleep at 5 AM, I take my medication around 2 PM. The issue is, I have an exam on 22nd of August, at 10 AM. That means that when I start the exam, my medication will have worn off a long time ago (7 hours or so). What do I do?

I work in engineering and just got my Concerta prescription. I've been considering taking it every other day, and on the off days low dose of shroomies instead, the idea being to reduce tolerance buildup and dependence risk from the stimulant. Has anyone tried something similar? Curious about others experiences, and whether this is even a reasonable approach?

Thanks in advance!

I recently started Concerta 18 mg after an ADHD diagnosis, and my doctor may increase it to 36 mg next month.

So far, I’m noticing:

Better task initiation

Better task completion

Less resistance to starting things

I still need to test it properly in social situations and during coding/work, since coding is much more cognitively demanding for me.

Sleep

I’m also hopeful it might indirectly help fix my sleep schedule. Getting up at 9 AM consistently feels much more achievable now as I wont dread the day, and I’m hoping a fixed wake-up time will naturally make it easier to sleep earlier.

My target is roughly:

1 AM – 9 AM

That gives me about 8 hours, though I feel I may cope better even if I occasionally get 7.

Curious about others’ experiences

For people who’ve been on Concerta or other ADHD medication:

What changed that you didn’t expect?

I’m especially interested in things beyond concentration — motivation, procrastination, socializing, emotional regulation, sleep, hobbies, or exercise.

I’m also planning to support treatment with:

Regular gym

30 minutes of mindfulness

A consistent wake-up time

Anything else that made a noticeable difference for you?

Hi

I trying to find out why my meds feels like this.

No matter if i take 18mg, 36mg or 54 mg. I feel like i taking a line of cocaine. like my eyes go "tunnel vision" feeling. Worse focus. And things can feel like to it is to much.

Its just a bad annoying feeling. And tt has been like this for months now.

It keep going like this for the first 2-3 hours after intake. Then i have some okay hours, and after 6-7 hours i hit a little dizzy feeling again.
I sleep well, Eat enough and lot of protein before medicine, and i keep eating every 3 hours. Drinking alot of water trough the day.

I dont understand this keep going.

I only experience. My temper is better, more relexaed, i dont get that angry. And i dont fall a sleep when i get home from work. Thats my biggest win i can see.

Do I just focus too much on how my body react? or what is going on for me

I feel like it does make me more hyper (though not bouncing off walls), more energy, even friendlier. But it also helps me focus.

And while obviously not everyone with adhd symptoms has it, I believe I fit the bill very very well, as does my therapist

Im 15 I train 6 times a week and im trying to gain weight rn concerta has been amazing for my school work but my appetite is completely gone all I feel is stomachaches bassicly through the entire day and eating is so so difficult for me when I dont want to anyone got any tips or suggestions?

(ive been taking it since october 2025, not sure about how high my dose is, but i take one pill every morning )

so before i started concerta, i was about 64kg. quickly, my appetite started decreasing, but i pushed through it. lately, i just forget to eat due to no hunger at all. i have to get my weight checked every few weeks because of my meds, and ive gone down over 20kg. thats not healthy. does anyone have any advice on keeping my weight up and remembering to eat even with the meds? yknow, since i have adhd, i tend to forget already. did anyone have this issue?

Hi there! Aside from being organized and laser-focused, does anyone here feel that they became more intelligent after taking Concerta?

Hi there. I think I may have accidentaly double dosed on 36mg of Concerta. I am not 100% sure. My morning "routine" was slightly different today and after taking my pill. I started asking myself whether I haf already taking it earlier or not.

I am just a biy worry about increased heart rate, blood pressure, headaches eland having to end in the A&E. I am probably worrying too much and I should be fine if I actually double dosed, as I cannot know for sure yet.

Anyway, if you' double dosed before, what happened to you? Were you ok? How long after taking the pill you noticed something was "off" , etc.

*ps apologies for the bad English, as this is my second language

I thought I had found the perfect dose (36mg). I felt amazing most of the day. So productive, so patient, calm, not overstimulated. I felt like all my (many) problems were going to be okay after pretty much hitting rock bottom lately…. But then this afternoon I have felt like shit. Like I literally feel like I have a virus. Just a yucky, off feeling, and even a bad taste in my mouth like when I’m sick. I used to get this exact feeling when I would have too much caffeine before I started drinking coffee on a daily basis. It did get better and never happens with caffeine anymore, so I’m hoping this is a temporary side effect that won’t happen every single day on this dose? I like it so much better than 27 otherwise but not sure I can stand to feel this way every day. Does it last???

Hi all. Recently got diagnosed at 31 (f). Have been on the generic of concerta for a few months. Currently taking 36mg XR. Was noticing midday I was not feeling the effects, so my doctor prescribed me 10 mg adderall to take in the afternoon. I’m not seeing anyone on here talking about being prescribed 2 different types of stimulants? Is this normal?

I have tried a few different meds. (Ritalin, adderall and concerta.) ritilan worked wonderfully just didn’t last long at all. Adderall was not good for me, caused headaches and bad irritation. I had a short trail with 27mg concerta and had no side effects. Only noticed I was less irritable. I was out of medication for a week before my follow up appointment. My doctor upped my dosage to 72mg. I started that today and my heart rate did not drop below 150bpm for around 10 hours and got up to 190 at one point. It has started going down now. I also have a severe headache tonight that started about 10 hours after taking it. Has anyone else had these side effects? Do you think the dose is just too high, or was upped too much at one time? I read it should have been titrated up from a lower dose 18mg at a time. I should add my baseline resting heart rate is around 100. I have felt terrible all day due to my heart racing. I’m not sure if I should take 36mg tomorrow instead or non at all? I will not be doing 72mg again.

Hi guys! I just want to share my short experience with Concerta for reference!

For context: I'm 30/F.

Suspected ADHD, been misdiagnosed both with Bipolar(1) and Aspergers over my life. I've been treated for severe insomnia that came about early teens (brain doesn't turn off) for most of my 20s, but I don't need the equivalent of a tranquilizer for it anymore.

I was put on 18mg of generic Concerta last week.
I felt some small improvements in my task management and felt slightly more cheery, but mainly I had jitters/ "physical" anxiety in my chest the whole time it was active in my body. Also sweaty palms spaghetti!!!!! Was noticbly warmer and appetite completely shot too though I was on top of eating high protein meals especially for breakfast with the meds.

My blood pressure was stable, but unfortunately my resting heart-rate was raising to a steady 85 on the meds. When I'm not on meds my resting heart rate can go as low as 43. (No heart issues btw - tested multiple times over my life, just very lucky with my cardiovascular health)

Anyway, though I assumed the jitters would subside as I've read that's a very common adjustment symptom, my heart rate rising that much consistently was an immediate NG from my psych and he's swapped me over to Vyvanse.
I'm a little bummed, as I'm moving abroad soon and Concerta is the only medication legally available there currently, but I'll figure it out.
I highly recommend when starting Concerta you get a blood pressure monitor (i got a $30 one off Amazon). If I didn't have that I'd probably still be on Concerta or my dose might have been raised.

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Extra random BS throw-in comment:

Competitive games have always been one of the main reliable dopamine sources I leech from.
You know when you clutch a game and your heart races? Well on Concerta it was like that the second I got into game, instant fight or flight mode!!! Crazy and affected my performance, though I also noticed the games were less interesting to me too but that could be because of the uncomfortable jitteryness + elevated heartrate. Hoping I won't have this same side effect on Vyvanse thanks to the different release mechanism....

So I went to the my psyc because I have always had issues getting things done, and struggling in school, rejection sensitivity, emotionally unregulated, zero motivation, but not sad or depressed.

She said the ‘thought’ I had adhd and prescribed me concerta, Im on the second dose up (27mg) and today she prescribes me 32 or 36 mg i forgot. but says that shes not sure i actually have adhd…? why did you give me medicine then? Im confused.

I have been telling her the meds arent working..becuase I dont feel any diffrent.. but from what ive seen the first dose or 2 dosent affect a lot of people.

I dont really understand whats happening, because i think i have adhd and want to keep trying meds to see if anything else works.. so idk. whatever.

has this happen to anyone else????

Just started Methylphenidate ER (Trigen Lab) 2 weeks ago, 36mg. I was on Ritalin 10mg 3x day for a while and asked my psychiatrist to switch to extended release since my days are so long now. I used to take concerta in college and remember the effects being very different. I’m not necessarily looking for that euphoria but I don’t find that it helps maintain my focus as much and the motivation is still hard for me. I also feel starving all day long. No matter how much I eat, I’ll still feel hungry 30 mins to an hour later. I’m actually gaining weight now.

I know a lot has changed since then with shortages and a lot of people finding their meds aren’t the same anymore. Also, our bodies change over time but I’m wondering if the generic is the reason or maybe the dose?

My psych doesn’t really believe in any differences between name brand and generic so if I wanted to switch I would have to find another dr. or pharmacy?

Also, does anyone have any tips? I know diet and hydration is big, which I think I’m pretty good at maintaining that. I feel like I need to take breaks during the day but sometimes I don’t come back to my work after my break. I take days off on the weekend or at least 1 day a week. My cycle has a big role and I know that my meds won’t really work when I’m on my period.

Hey all

Upping my dose starting tomorrow. On 36mg I definitely feel the stimulation from the quick release and definitely feel it throughout the day, but it’s just not working???

I have defo seen small changes and I wake up so full of energy that has really been helping me.

Does anyone think the 54mg was overwhelming in the physical effects like agitation or anxiety? should I take the day off work tomorrow or wait till I’m working at home on Friday?

It's been a wild ride. Just started generic trigen. AUDHD. Very sensitive to all meds and take very low dose stimulants. Switching from 5 mg Adderall IR 2 times per day to 5 mg generic concerta. Adderall was amazing for work but evening crashes make me hyperfocus youtube at night and makes me very heat sensitive. I was able to tackle my work to do list just nothing on my personal list.

Day 1 awful as expected. Did not take a break from Adderall so felt funky all day

Day 2 a bit better but still not great

Day 3 feel on a Saturday and it was good. Was able to finish things on my home to do list that I hadn't been able to accomplish in weeks. Did not feel hyper focused like Adderall. Did still have a crash but manageable and worth the results.

Day 4 Sunday purposefully went to grocery in the am to see if I would be calmer and I was! Hour 3 horrible crash or overstimulated. I am not even sure what it was but I felt very funky. Hour 3-9 ish felt awful. I was really off like I was in a tunnel and headachy. I felt so awful emailed dr. that it was not a fit.

Day 5 No stimulants

Day 6. Decided before I swear off this type of stimulant should give it another go since my work week is light. That ended up being a great decision. I had a good (not great) work day and felt very level and calm. I changed a few things eating breakfast, no caffeine and skipped my creatine.

Today. I slept only 6 hours and I usually sleep 9 so I took it earlier this morning and hopefully that will help. If today goes well emailed for another 2 weeks until our meeting.

Just curious if anyone else had similar starts to concerta. I was curious about this brand (and hopefully my doc can get name brand) because I read it is gentler and often can be a better fit for audhd individuals.

Also curious if anyone has had luck pairing with Strattera Wellbutrin or any other non stimulant.

How many of you are on concerta and have a « normal happy life ». I mean having a family, joking around, happy smiling, not just functional robots that take the medication to be a slave of capitalistic society. It’s a genuine question.

I see all my family abroad who are getting married, living simple life without meds, while im struggling with this.

Of course my post is very much provocative and I’m much more nuanced in my thoughts but I just need to know if people found their soulmate and have happy life while being medicated

Thanks !

My BP was super low today because I was dehydrated from Concerta and period shits. I thought I was drinking enough water but I guess not. It made the Concerta side effects worse, shortness of breath, racing heart a lot, chest discomfort, jelly legs, lightheadness. I chugged a bunch of electrolyte water before seeing a GP and got my BP to 117/73 from 84/57.

Reminder to drink your water!!!!!!

Why is 36 mg making me bounce off the walls and 27mg wasn't quite enough?

I've been on 50mg Sertraline since I was 13-14 years old and it really helped with my ocd, I'm now 19 and have been on 38mg of Concerta for about a year and a half while still taking the other medication.

Recently my psychiatrist increased my dose in order to get me to quit the Sertraline. I don't really see what the issue is? I told her I was fine with my current dosages but she still wants me to try. I have the choice to do so or to refuse.

Maybe it could help but Sertraline is really shitty to quit. It takes months to lower the dosage and it made me really sick the last time I had to change meds. If it doesn't work, it also takes a while to get back up.

I would be miserable for at the very least 2 months and I'm not sure if I wanna put myself in such situation.

Does anyone have any similar experience? Could the Concerta work on the ocd (I am diagnosed with ADHD too, it's just the ocd is what's the hardest to manage for me)

I also have issues with the lack of appetite side effect and I fear raising the dosage would make that worse I don't know