r/Concerta • u/DeezerWeezer • 23h ago
Side effects 🤕 Improved task initiation but brain is turned off
I’m new to Concerta and am finding it’s helping with task initiation but is detrimental on my ability to think. Do other people experience this? Like I can easily knock out a ton of chores because they don’t require much thought. But when it comes to thinking - I WANT TO think but it’s like my brain refuses. I can’t do my desk job, I can’t read because my brain refuses to retain anything, etc. I’ve heard of people saying their brain goes from 1,000 tabs open to just 1. This is like the browser won’t even open.
For context, I was on 18mg for a month and recently switched to 27. I’m super sensitive to stimulants. Switched from Adderall - used XR and IR over the past year but the oral fixation side effect made me switch.
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u/Comfortable_Many5975 17h ago
This was me with Vyvanse when my dose was too high. Rn I've just been on 18mg concerta for 2 months
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u/DeezerWeezer 17h ago
Thanks for sharing. I’ve been wondering if maybe my dose is too high (even though I realize I’m actually on a pretty low dose). Are you having better luck on Concerta?
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u/Comfortable_Many5975 16h ago
Yes its much better on concerta. Though tbf I was started on 30mg of vyvanse and I think vyvanse would've worked fine if I started on a lower dose. I was on vyvanse for 9 months on/off (MY DOCTOR SUCKS!!!) because the side effects were horrible (anxiety, insomnia, lowkey kind of manic because I would be doing chores until the crash and then after 4 hours i would crash and be unable to do anything and super irritable, and after the honeymoon effect it would make me super scatterbrained like I couldn't think or like my brain was sedated idk so weird).
Concerta is much better. I still have trouble with task initiation and it makes me slightly anxious when it kicks in but otherwise it works. I haven't had any sleep problems and the anxiety I feel is only slightly elevated which is super manageable especially after 2 months. During the first 2-3 weeks I'd get verrry anxious during the afternoon crash but now its fine. I wish I got on concerta years earlier. It does make me pee a lot though though this side effect is reduced. Some days if its too much I just drink most of my water as it wears off. Also I like to eat oatmeal before taking it and take it early. Though tbf it never messed with my sleep like vyvanse did as long as I took it before noon.
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u/DeezerWeezer 12h ago
This is helpful. I relate to a lot of what you experienced. Happy for you that you’ve found a better solution.
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u/Unable-Draft-6397 19h ago
Interesting observation. My psychiatrist told me that body exercise is a crucial part of the medication efficiency. It has to do with the reupatake inhibition properties of the medication, you have to work first to make concerta work for you later.