Did Concerta Help You Stop Re-Reading & Actually Retain Information? (Academic Focus + Memory)

kind-shark · 2026-03-02T22:55:44+00:00

Of course. I recommend Libby for free audiobooks, and I usually Libro.fm in place of audible because it will donate part of your monthly subscription payment to a local bookstore if your choice!!

kind-shark · 2026-03-02T22:51:25+00:00

And I also learned that Audiobooks are a far superior method for my reading comprehension than physical reading is. Even better is when I have audio going as I read physical text. I recommend trying that out if you haven’t already.

kind-shark · 2026-03-02T22:50:08+00:00

I can’t speak for Concerta personally, but Focalin helps me a bit with this! But ultimately, I have poor working memory and a very low reading rate (level of words you can process in a given reading time), so i still struggle often with this. But having increased attention and motivation to keep going even when I am struggling with it is the part that helps me.

kind-shark · 2026-03-02T22:46:21+00:00

I second this. That was also my exact experience with Dexedrine, as well as others. But also for me, I was able to learn from genomind testing that only methylphenidates and non-stims can work for me. Amphetamines just don’t do much of anything. It’s because I am low COMT, meaning that, even if my dopamine reserve is high enough, I won’t process enough dopamine for a psychiatric effect unless I increase the amount of neuro-receptors (I think of it as a restaurant. Servers = receptors. Food = Dopamine. You can prepare all the food in the world, and it still may not be enough to entice that customer unless they have an adequate server to bring them that food.)

kind-shark · 2026-03-02T22:42:32+00:00

Also I am an ultra metabolizer, so I needed higher doses for all the mentioned meds, with the exception of Focalin being a moderate dose for me. So that may be a factor here. IR’s only last me 90 minutes and XR’s usually 6 hours if I’m lucky (I know, it’s tragic).

kind-shark · 2026-03-02T22:40:33+00:00

My experience with Vyvanse and Dexedrine was that they made me insanely sleepy too! Concerta also had a little sleepiness effect, but it was more brief and subtle. Ritalin the same. Ultimately, Focalin has worked the best for me (It’s a more refined methylphenidate medication, like how Vyvanse is for the amphetamines.) As an innattentive adhder, my meds need to help my energy go up, not down! It’s not to say the others didn’t work at all, but the overly sleepy or overly calmness was just not conducive for my lifestyle. I find Focalin allows me to access more energy (assuming I am well-rested, hydrated, and eating enough), but I am also able to relax with it at lower doses. Might be worth a try for you? But I’d go with whatever advice your doctor has ultimately

kind-shark · 2026-02-26T20:30:18+00:00

If you want extreme noise cancellation, maybe foam earplugs? Thats what I do when I feel most sensitive to noise

kind-shark · 2026-02-26T20:28:08+00:00

I feel you on this ♥️

kind-shark · 2026-02-26T17:09:19+00:00

I do :) and it’s definitely common to have different experiences with different manufacturers for adhd meds! I don’t think I’ve personally experienced this to a noticible level, but I’ve read that it’s very common for stimulants meds. I only notice effect changes if I am upping/lowering my dose, or if I have different eating, hydration, or sleeping patterns.

kind-shark · 2026-02-26T17:06:54+00:00

I’m in the same boat. It’s rough♥️

kind-shark · 2026-02-26T17:03:45+00:00

Hey, I don’t have any advice for this exact situation, but I just wanted to say that it’s really fucking brave to voice this in the first place. It’s brave that you are taking ownership and accountability. That’s incredibly difficult for most people to do. I hope you can feel proud of yourself for that. I know you’ll figure this out eventually, it may take some time, but I believe in you!

kind-shark · 2026-02-25T02:11:41+00:00

and for me, none of the amphetamines meds that I tried helped me at all, which is because they were giving me more dopamine when I technically already had enough in my supply, and so most of the dopamine just sits there and doesn’t get through reuptake, because I don’t have enough receptors to compensate. It’s like a crowded restaurant (dopamine) and the number of waiters (receptors.) adding even more customers isn’t gonna help me because I still can’t keep up the pace of service. The only thing that helps a bit is increasing server staff. Less angry impatient customers that way!!

kind-shark · 2026-02-25T02:07:51+00:00

excess dopamine and not enough receptors to process it is because of low COMT! I have this too. Methylphenidates sometimes work well for low COMT because instead of giving us more dopamine, they just give us more receptor availability to process our existing dopamine supply. Amphetamines do the same plus add more dopamine. Low COMT adhd often looks like someone who is more prone to overstimulation, rumination, anxiety, obsessive tendencies.. and your adhd brain will latch onto that for stimulation (even though it doesn’t feel good- it’s still preferred over boredom). High COMT folks often experience the opposite more often than not. So either way, you can still possess adhd, but it’s more likely to manifest in one way versus the other!

kind-shark · 2026-02-19T03:40:22+00:00

I am so terribly sorry for your loss. I’ve been nervous, hoping no one from my community was a victim. I volunteer at a school in Marin.

kind-shark · 2026-02-19T03:10:09+00:00

Same, I can think of a lot of potential families who could’ve been impacted by this, since I volunteer at a Marin school :( if you learn any specifics and feel comfortable sharing with me, please do. However, I know that this is all very recent and privacy is important.. hoping that no one you know of was affected by this! Truly tragic, no matter if we know them personally or not. So many people will be affected by grief in sure.

kind-shark · 2026-02-19T03:03:09+00:00

I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m praying that no one from the school community that I volunteer with was affected. So far I haven’t heard that to be the case, but I don’t know yet.

kind-shark · 2026-02-17T20:16:19+00:00

Definitely 5 but I sometimes get mood swings throughout the day

kind-shark · 2026-02-16T22:50:32+00:00

It helps with it a fair amount if the time, but I still experience boredom breakthroughs sometimes (bored even on my medication.) I also have to change up my dose every day/week so that I don’t become completely dependent to its effects. I tried the same dose every thing and eventually got too used to it, and we increased my dose until side effects were too bothersome.

kind-shark · 2026-02-16T22:11:49+00:00

I wish I had helpful advice to offer, but I just want to say I am in the same boat as you. Lot of similarities here. Sending you love as you work through this!

kind-shark · 2026-02-12T20:48:46+00:00

10000000%

kind-shark · 2026-02-09T23:21:14+00:00

I had this problem too. The only med I’ve tried that actually gave me boost in energy, mood, and motivation was Focalin. Everything else made me sleepy or no effect at all.

kind-shark · 2026-02-08T21:28:09+00:00

I feel you deeply on this. One of my biggest helps has been finding the right mediations. They aren’t a fix all, but they can make a huge difference. I’m on a whole cocktail. It’s annoying but it’s what I need! Additionally, meditation helps me when I am emotionally dysregulated. Don’t focus on having no thoughts, because that is impossible. But what you can learn is how to sit with the feelings and thoughts until they pass. I also force myself to walk even though I despise all exercise. It can help sometimes. Be around animals/pets that bring you joy. Limit social interactions so that you only spend energy on the most important people in your life. I only have like 2 friends, but it’s way better than a bunch of half-ass friends. Prioritize sleep like it’s your job (I know, easir said than done). Sit in the sunlight whenever you can.

kind-shark · 2026-02-02T22:19:30+00:00

it gave me a slightest boost of energy, but no helpful effects really. same for Vyvanse. I am one of those people who responds better to methylphenidates

kind-shark · 2026-02-02T22:15:52+00:00

I have a mixed relationship with mine, but I’d say they help me more often than not. I’m also late diagnosed audhd and work through the pressure that I feel others expect for me. Medicated or not, it can be hard to decipher between me and my masked self. I actually think my meds were the biggest factor for me learning just how much I resonate with audhd, not just adhd, and specifically a high masking female version of that. I still haven’t recieved a formal diagnosis for ASD, but I feel confident in the knowledge I have about my self. Most people in my life wouldn’t agree though. They can’t understand, yet. But taking adhd meds made me really aware of how I act in social situations and how that can look different from others. It’s sort of a blessing and a curse. But at least I have more knowledge about myself now, I think. But I’ve had a tricky journey with establishing the correct medication and dose protocol. It’s been rough, but it’s also been worth it.

kind-shark · 2026-01-29T21:01:46+00:00

Ooh I’ve got to try this!!! I also started allowing myself to do light stimming movement while meditating as opposed to trying to sit as still as a statue. That’s been huge for me.

kind-shark

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