Concerta

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As I have diagnosed ADD, I take stimulant medications to help me concentrate. I switched from regular methylphenidate to an extended release version, Concerta. The pdoc also made a point of telling me to take it every day, rather than as needed (but prescribed twice a day) as I had been with the other pills.

I've noticed that when I am on it, my frustration threshold is significantly lower. I'm less apt to have meltdowns, but rather teeter on the edge of them most times. The sensory stuff is still there, but I'm looking to have that remedied and it's not germane to this post anyway. My impulse to throw things to vent is now gone for the most part. Of course, that's not been tested beyond a certain point, as I've only been on it for a month. Distractability is still there somewhat, but the pdoc said upping the dosage is always an option.

When I'm off it, I feel much less 'stable', and unexpected things upset me more. I'm more 'myself', I suppose, but I never realized that there was such a huge difference between medicated me and the real me.

Has anyone else had this experience? I checked google and saw that Concerta is one of the top 10 meds for AS-related symptoms on RemedyFind, so I don't think I'm too far off base.

I was REALLY annoyed with Remedyfind.com when I saw Lovaas ABA as a remady for PDD!

Yeah, I noticed that as well. At least it didn't have any raving reviews about that...

Concerta gives me Tourette's, I have lots of facial tics when on it. And I'm on the edge all day.

You're not supposed to take Concerta if you have Tourette's. It says so on the manufacturer's "fact sheet" that the pharmacy is supposed to give you when you fill the prescription. I'm sure it's also in the doctor's reference if he bothered to look.

I found that when I started taking Concerta I was really agitated and had no appetite for about a week. After that all the side effects went away (which is too bad, as I'd like to lose about 20 pounds). The only time I really notice anything is when I miss a day - there are no side effects of the missed dose, but it reminds me just how distractable I would be without it.

I think at least some of the "always on edge" feeling may come from the fact that once you're not wasting so much effort on keeping your mind on track then you start to notice things that were previously ignored. It gives you time (and the ability) to think, and sometimes thinking can be dangerous to the status quo.

BTW, why does the doc have you taking Concerta twice a day? It usually lasts between 12 and 16 hours. Every time I go to the doc to get a renewal he reminds me to never take it after about 11AM or else I'll be up all night.

I worded it badly, the doc didn't know I had Tourette's until he saw me on Concerta. Unless of course I'm remembering wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's how it happened.

I've never been on prescription adhd meds, but I know that otc stimulants like caffeine help me a lot. Not only does it help with my adhd symptoms, I also find that I talk more (usually I'm too quiet), I'm more sociable, I can get my inner personality out better, and it helps with sensory issues and I don't get overloaded as easily.

Oops...I wasn't clear in my original post.

I was taking 10 mg regular methylphenidate twice a day. Now I'm on 36 mg Concerta once daily, which could be upped to 54.

And I noticed that I initially got somewhat twitchy while on it (Concerta); I'd have random muscle contractions at the oddest times. It has either almost stopped or I don't notice it anymore.

Yes it's been very similar for me, although there are many aspects, including some motor control issues (others, especially inertia, are helped a lot by Concerta) and most sensory problems (apart from being able to hold a sensory channel stable for longer) do still occur.

So being pretty new to this stuff...are stimulents ever recommended for Asperger's?
I live on Vivarin, and the times I've scored Ritalin off of friends,its seemed to help me a bit.

A lot of us benefit from stimulant drugs, muddlinthrough. I drink coffee extensively, and take ephedra here and there. After noticing how much those helped I went to a doctor and played up my ADD-like symptoms of AS, and got a Ritalin prescription. It helps with my AS symptoms tremendously, especially when it comes to multitasking, socializing, etc.

In answer to your question: Yes, if you have a diagnosis of ADD or severe enough ADD-type symptoms as part of your AS to warrant a trial of medication.

However, as someone who appears to be abusing prescription drugs ('scoring' them etc.), you are not only committing a criminal offence, but drug abuse will also significantly diminish your chances of being taken seriously and of being prescriped certain ADD medication (which is counterindicated for people with an addictive personality), should you ever need to get help for these problems.

Actually, the clinical psychologists I've talked to are abit suprised at how limited
my drug use has been (given my generation and background.)

Thank you for your concern though.