alexh
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Post by alexh on Jul 4, 2019 10:11:02 GMT
Hi! New to the forum. I’m my mid 30s and just been diagnosed! To cut a long story short my upbringing wasn’t very good so it was missed for a long time.
Anyway, I have started taking Concerta at 18 mg and it did nothing I had to count the tablet to check I had taken it. It’s been increased twice now in 4 weeks and doesn’t seem to be doing much at all. I fell asleep while it was active today, well it’s still meant to be active now. So anyway I’m on 54mg at the moment and it’s doing very little. Has anyone else had this issue? Is the medication wrong? It can’t be upped much more surly?
Anyway sorry to ramble on, it’s good to be here!
Cheers!
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Post by vagueandrandom on Jul 4, 2019 11:37:08 GMT
Hi alexh I found concerta made me tired and had little positive effect. Sometimes you need to try a few different meds before you find one to suit you. Everyone responds differently, so I’m wary of taking someone else’s advice when they say that med X has changed their life and everyone should try it. I haven’t found ‘the one’ but have settled for one which helps a bit. I wish I had the amazing, life-changing experience that some people describe, but I’m resigned to the fact that it’s unlikely to happen for me. Keep trying
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alexh
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Post by alexh on Jul 4, 2019 11:41:22 GMT
Hi,
Thanks for getting back to me. I have another Appointment next week and might ask to have a swap around and see if that helps, but he seems sure this is going to work.
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Post by vagueandrandom on Jul 4, 2019 12:12:27 GMT
Some specialists are cautious about prescribing meds and can have one they’re most comfortable with. Concerta (methylphenidate) used to be the only med recommend by NICE as a first-Line treatment until last year when lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse) was added. Your Dr might not have had much experience prescribing it. This is current NICE Guidance: Medication choice – adults 1.7.11 Offer lisdexamfetamine[8] or methylphenidate[9] as first-line pharmacological treatment for adults with ADHD. [2018] 1.7.12 Consider switching to lisdexamfetamine for adults who have had a 6‑week trial of methylphenidate at an adequate dose but have not derived enough benefit in terms of reduced ADHD symptoms and associated impairment. [2018] 1.7.13 Consider switching to methylphenidate for adults who have had a 6‑week trial of lisdexamfetamine at an adequate dose but have not derived enough benefit in terms of reduced ADHD symptoms and associated impairment. [2018] 1.7.14 Consider dexamfetamine[10] for adults whose ADHD symptoms are responding to lisdexamfetamine but who cannot tolerate the longer effect profile. [2018] 1.7.15 Offer atomoxetine[11] to adults if: they cannot tolerate lisdexamfetamine or methylphenidate or their symptoms have not responded to separate 6‑week trials of lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate, having considered alternative preparations and adequate doses. [2018] Link to full NICE Guidelines www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng87/chapter/Recommendations#medication
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alexh
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Posts: 5
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Post by alexh on Jul 4, 2019 13:40:32 GMT
Thanks so much for that! I’ve just done some research on lisdexamfetamine and it’s a bit more potent than methylphenidate. Concerta works when the dose is increased but only for a day or two then nothing it’s like I haven’t taken it, no side effects nothing. The only thing I do get is really hungry about 6 hours later but I’ve had food as normal between time. All my symptoms and there’s a lot lol are just as bad. I can see how it can work because it does for 24/48 hours on dose increase, but I’m on 52 mg now the maximum is only 102 I think? I told my Dr it’s really tempting to titration my self lol but my wife keeps an eye on what I take and of course the Dr strongly advised against it. I think he’s going to up it by 18mg again and wait two weeks for the same results I hope not.
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