Concerta: My First ADD Prescription
April 21st, 2005Concerta was the name of the medication that the doctor prescribed for me. I had never heard of it, but then again I was never the type of person who talked about medications with friends or who trusted the media and the Internet for health-related info.
The first time I went to pick up my medicine at the pharmacy, it was nerve-wracking. I was terrified that I might run into someone that I knew. Living in a closed little suburb, you tend to run into people you know wherever you go.
I didn’t want anyone to know that I was picking up a prescription for ADD medication. I was afraid that people would think I was a stimulant-abuser, a druggie. I was afraid that even the pharmacist would think that.
I knew it would help me, though, so the same day I found the courage to pick up my Concerta. I was relieved to find that there was no one else my age there at the pharmacy. The other people in line were elderly ladies, and I told myself that they probably didn’t know what Concerta was anyway, or even what ADD was.
April 21st, 2005 at 3:44 pm
what do you think it is that causes ADD? I’ve heard it’s an injection kids get when they’re young.
April 22nd, 2005 at 11:41 am
Those old ladies probably assumed you were buying birth control
There is no shame in trying to be well.
April 25th, 2005 at 3:05 am
Kelly, he funny thing is that I can drink cups and cups of coffee and it helps me concentrate. But I try to avoid that because it’s not very healthy.
That’s great that you have learned to deal with it. One of my doctors said that the meds are good for helping you learn the skills to manage your time, concentrate, etc. and that eventually with effort they won’t be necessary anymore (which is where I’m at right now, trying to go without the meds).
Doug, that’s pretty funny!
February 17th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
I have been on Concerta now for 4 months. My doctor told me of how he used to “dope” with coffee, and I tried the coffee thing. That is how he was able to make the diagnosis easily for me. Now I am able to concentrate better, and be more aware of my life living with AADD.