Concerta + Caffeine = big problems?

[Anonymous]

So yesterday was the second day of taking Concerta 18mg. The first day was not pleasant, and i don’t think i want to stay on this. However, i quit taking Strattera immediately and I agreed with my doctor that this time I would stick with it for at least 7 days even if I did not like the effects at first. After last night I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I took my concerta at 8am, and i had a little more caffeine than the first day (I normally drink a ton before I was diagnosed and prescribed meds.) I drank a 32 oz cup of mt. dew at about 10:00 pm. I was under the impression concerta works for about 12 hours, so i didnt think it would matter. About 11-1130pm, I was sitting down and began to feel really lightheaded, suddenly, and I just had a feeling i was going to pass out. I didn’t exactly pass out, but my heart was kind of racing, and i was definitely shaky and really concerned i was gonna pass out and just fall over if i stood up for too long. It was like i zoned out for a minute (not normal or even add normal zoning out, it was like i was there but my mind was not present).

Basically (to keep from rambling more), Do you think this would have happened anyways if I did not consume caffeine throughout the day?

REPORT ABUSE

[Anonymous]

I’m concerned that if my body can not tolerate concerta, the other options will pretty much be out of the question. Any thoughts on that thought?

REPORT ABUSE

[Anonymous]

yes. none of the stimulants mix well with caffeine! Caffeine is a stimulant by another mechanism. Combining them is hazardous! I made that mistake one day and will never ever repeat that! I got horrible anxiety followed by horrible insomnia. never again… If you still have that reaction even without caffeine, call your doctor!

REPORT ABUSE

[Anonymous]

Yeah I do keep thinking I should’ve just called immediately, but i just found my appointment card today with an after hours emergency number (which i didnt even consider might exist for some odd reason). If it was anxiety it was definitely the worst attack i’ve ever had. I do also have generalized anxiety disorder, but what i usually consider anxiety has never felt like that in a physical way. But yeah, I believe I will call my doctor before I decide whether or not to give it another try. I’m kind of scared to even drink caffeine without the meds after that. Thanks for the reply!

REPORT ABUSE

[Anonymous]

that sounds like the best plan. only you know how you felt. When I mixed it, I felt horrible, but nothing felt physically dangerous. I also have GAD. although now, I am beginning to question this as my worrying and mental noise seems to decrease on the meds. However, I know I’m a naturally anxious person!

REPORT ABUSE

[Anonymous]

Questioning the GAD? I was diagnosed with it before add, but it was with depression, and the more i read about various mental disorders, the less “depression” seemed to fit. Certainly felt under-par a lot, but not depressed with no end in sight. I was questioning my anxiety diagnosis too, because almost all of what I worry about is related to not having things done, or not remembering if i did something, or supposed to be doing something other than what I happen to be doing at the time. I was like, well that actually makes sense to worry about that, because more than half of the time, it’s because its true! lol

But yeah, talked to a couple more people, and panic attack is making a lot more sense than what i was imagining. Just never felt so intense. Like, thought I was going to die intense. I am a smoker, but my thinking then seems a lot less rational thinking about it today.

Doc said it was probably the meds mixed with caffiene, but got an appointment tuesday. MUCH sooner than I expected to be able to do anything other than not take it anymore.

REPORT ABUSE

[Anonymous]

glad you got an earlier appointment best to err on safety. also piece of mind is invaluable. To know whether my GAD is actually GAD, I will probably need to wait until school begins. it will be a good barometer of my usual neverending worries

REPORT ABUSE

[Anonymous]

I always seem to get the shakes in the morning and now Im wondering if it is because of the coffee I had. I only drink one cup but maybe thats enough. Im going to try to cut it out tomorrow and see what happens.

REPORT ABUSE

[Rick Green – Founder of TotallyADD]

I went on a Concerta vacation this summer. And switched back to 3 coffees a day. Now I’m back to Concerta and one coffee a day. Hmm. Maybe I’ll try getting off the coffee altogether. Knowing to get there I’ll have to go through a withdrawal headache.

R

REPORT ABUSE

[Author]

Posts