If you want to continue with the stimulants, I'd talk to your doctor about adding a small dose of a shorter-acting methylphenidate to get you through the afternoon and smooth the crash.


WAIT - scratch that!

You know what? If you are taking it at 11 and having these symptoms at 5 or 5:30, you probably aren't crashing from coming off of it. Actually, Concerta peaks at around 6 hours after you take it. It sounds like you are having symptoms when it peaks, not when it's wearing off. You may need a lower dose rather than a higher dose.

Yes, talk to your doctor. Be sure to let him/her know exactly when you are taking it and exactly when you are experiencing these symptoms.

Do you see a huge difference at work before and after you take it?

I do pretty well on either 36 or 54 mg concerta in the am (about 7:00 or 8:00) and then, on an as-needed basis only, may take 5 to 10 mg of methylphenidate in the late afternoon or early evening to get me through until midnight or so. Frankly, I usually sleep at least as well if I have been alert and together in the evenings than if I descend into a distracted fog. I've been going this route for several years since diagnosed (at 40) with inattentive ADD.