Reply To: Starting ADHD medication as adult – did your world turn confusing too?

[gianmaria]

Hi lollibyte.

I’m having some hard time with medications too. I’ve been diagnosed recently (I’m 34) and except the gender, I would say my story is pretty much like yours. I’ve been helped a great deal by a great family, good teachers, good friends, so much so that I never felt an “underachiever” or a “troubled kid” in my childhood and teen years.

Anyway. I started with a low dose of Concerta, which I could tolerate very well. Except the loss of appetite, everything was like before. Maybe too much, for I could not really tell the difference in focus.

I went to a stronger dose of Concerta but now, after 2 months I’m not entirely happy. While I can focus on “boring” tasks for longer without drifting I feel very very nervous the whole time and my heart is beating “harder” (not necessarily faster, but I feel it in my chest).

This nervousness makes me a lot less nice to be around.

I didn’t feel this tense since I had exams at university. And while I can manage feeling tense or nervous when something’s on, I can even say I like the adrenaline kick I get when I do art or perform or I have a date (oh, well I’m married now, but I used to like the excitement of a date) – I cannot stand to feel like that for no apparent reason.

to a degree it’s like Concerta is putting me in an exited mood which usually helps me do stuff, but it’s only my body that get excited, not my brains .

 

I don’t know if this makes any sense to anybody.

I must also say that while concentration is improved, motivation hasn’t and I still have a long way to go. I pointed out to my Psy that my wife did not notice great improvements in time or task management. So she would like to put me on Rilatine, but I’m afraid I’ll feel even more boosted.

 

I suppose I’ll wait and see. If it does not feel good, then I probably let it go.

At least I know where I’m at and I have a better understanding of my condition. It’s possible I’ll have to make some major changes (find a Job that suits me more, learn tricks to manage time and tasks – which I’m doing already) and so on.

This isn’t an advice, you better check with your doctor, but expect effects from meds because they do have effects.

 

Have a nice day

 

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