You might want to get blood work done to test ferritin, D3, magnesium and B12
Nico,
This message spoke to me. I am very much into holistics and finding the natural cure for everything. I'm taking Concerta 54mg but I have noticed although it works better than when not taking it at all (which I attribute probably to the withdrawals), it also definitely doesn't work as well as it first did in the beginning.
I've tried several times weening myself off, but the depressive state that follows is extremely scary and the unease that I experience on a mental front usually leads me to starting back up even though I feel as though I am not getting my money's worth. I recently started a new job where focus and concentration needed to be a major priority but I'm still having
tremendous trouble focussing and being there and not in a mental fog.
I feel lethargic from the moment I wake, and it only piles on until very late after a full day's of training and homework. Vision is blurry and almost as if things narrow in and get dark around the training I'm trying to pay attention to. The headaches are extremely debilitating also. The part that scares me the most is that when I'm extremely tired, toward the end of the day...I start to see things. I think it's half due to the drugs, half due to being delusional from being so tired.
I could also add that the training takes care of accomodations as it's in another city. However, because I am put in a hotel room, eating appropriately is very hard. Prepackaged or premade everything essentially. Im worried that my health is suffering and I understand that this is necessary as training and it'll naturally be more stressful but I want to not crumble under stress and somehow find ways to make it manageable.
All this to say I need help and don't know where to look or what to do. I know I am extremely into holistics and extremely into everything natural but weening myself off scares me and I don't want it to affect my state of mind and/or jeopardize my state of mind anymore than now.
Thank you,
I know that was a lot to read but feedback is greatly appreciated :)
My first suspicion would be low thyroid function.
You may have had standard thyroid tests which miss more times than not
Low thyroid function. This is not indicated on serum levels!
So you need Free T3, Free T4 and Reverse T3 to rule this out.
Low thyroid function is associated with fatigue, hair loss, cognitive issues
and a lot more.
The other suspicion raised by Sassylassie, is estrogen dominance.
But before you go ahead with the cream suggestion, do a screening
quizz/questionnaire. Don't take a shot in the dark.
Do a search online or let me know and I can send you some links.
Also the treatment is not as simple as it seems.
Concerta is a very controversial drug and if you can get your doctor to wean you off it, there are numerous safer and more effective alternatives.
You probably need to see a holistic practitioner who does not prescribe drugs and can treat you with natural herbs and supplements.
I am totally opposed to the "Ritalin Nation", that society has accepted as normal??????? Where are we going with this?
Your life can get normalized, but you need the right help to achieve this.
Let me know if you have any questions or if you need more details .
Best wishes,
Niko
Hello,
The hair loss could be a side effect of the drug, the other symptoms could be due to fibromyalgia, have they done any blood work to test your immune system? It could also be hormone related. Women's hormones fluctuate lots in the teen years and can cause all kinds of trouble.
I would try some bio-identical progesterone cream. You can get this at any, good health food store. It can help all types of issues, and it is great for relaxation and sleeplessness.
Assuming I read your description correctly, you are still taking Concerta, right? If that's the case then be advised that Concerta, like all stimulants, has the side effect of hair loss(http://www.drugs.com/sfx/concerta-side-effects.html). It's likely that most doctors won't mention this, because it isn't a very prevalent side effect. In regards to a lack of concentration, it could be possible that the dosage of Concerta you're currently on isn't high enough, or Concerta simply isn't working out, but definitely talk to your doctor about this. Also, if you're having trouble sleeping, try adjusting the environment your sleeping.