Is this normal for Elvanse?

Yes if you're not eating with it, you're likely to feel v strange.

Do you have a way to contact your provider between appointments? It might be worth telling them that this dose feels too high to start on, that you're having a very intense experience and that makes it impossible to eat which is then exacerbating the result of the medication. Since it's preventing you eating, I'd probably skip taking it until you can talk to them.

I'm not a doctor but it sounds to me like your starting dose is too high. And just because other people find 30mg a low dose doesn't mean you don't have ADHD or that stimulant medication will be bad for you always. The dosing of ADHD medication is weird because what works for one person won't work for another and it doesn't seem to be correlated to things like body weight or severity of symptoms. But it also sounds to me like you're on this titration schedule where they start you on 30 and then go very quickly to 50 and then 70. I find this irresponsible and there was even an article about someone who died following this protocol recently. I also have read many accounts especially on the Reddit forum ADHDUK of people getting on well with this protocol, so don't think I'm suggesting this could be dangerous to you, I'm just saying that the provider following this plan does seem a bit lacking in communication and you might need to be more forthright in asking them for support. The Reddit forum is helpful as well.

This is the report that was made after the man died. I shared this rather than the news articles, which all made it sound like the medication itself is what's dangerous. I think that the lack of supervision and communication from the provider combined with sudden increases of the medication is what is potentially dangerous. It's a pattern common with the online RTC providers and that is a problem because the NHS services are so overloaded and causing people to need to use these services instead.

The approach where you start very low and increase slowly seems much safer to me.

Smoothies are a good shout, made with whole milk. I wouldn’t bother with protein powder or anything. Likely to put you off. If you can have nuts, ground almonds can be added. When I can’t eat due to meds side effects (happened a few times), I just have a Nesquik with whole milk. At least it gets calories in and tastes nice.

My DH found 30mg great, then they put him up to 50mg after 2 weeks and he felt a bit like you described so he went back down to 30 and that seems right. Maybe it's just too high a dose. I think it's a bit silly of PP asking if you definitely have ADHD- it's not an exact science dosing meds! You've only had 2 days on it too, you'll build a tolerance. His prescriber suggested that he open the capsule and empty it into 50ml water then dose himself with 30ml - you could try that and take 20mg tomorrow?

I’m on 70mg and don’t feel wired at all but stimulants aren’t right for everyone with ADHD 🤷‍♀️. I think it’s a bit too soon for you to write them off yet but if it doesn’t settle down after another week or so then maybe try non-stimulant meds instead.

I take 50mg in the morning and 30mg around lunchtime. I find it kicks in straight away.

For me, 30mg wears off after 3 hours 50 minutes.

It gives a feeling of calm and focus.

that dose made me feel a bit more like doing stuff - the washing up, brushing my teeth, making that call I’d been putting off for weeks; but not jittery or nauseous. I feel it kick in about 45 mins after I take it. It wears off late afternoon when I feel vv tired. Gives me insomnia too.

I don’t think so. I’m on 50mg and it’s doing bugger all 😣

Have it with protein and eat every 3 - 4 hours. You need to eat on it or you will just get anxious.

IME it did settle down as my body got used to it. I would definitely speak to your provider though especially before moving to 50mg if that is the plan. You might need to start on a lower dose and go more slowly.

You can open the capsule and dissolve it in water then drink half the water, the other half can be kept in the fridge for the next day. That's what they do if you need an even lower dose than 20mg. Obviously check with the actual doctor before deviating from their advice but might be worth a try.

My dd struggled on methylphenidate as it gave her terrible rages as a side effect

the Elvanse is ok but can’t get it to last a full day

so now not sure what to try - her being on meds does worry me but she does need it

it’s tough and I’m sorry you are in this position - I’m sure you will find the right thing for you but please speak to your prescriber

There is no such thing as a "neurotypical response". It's totally normal for stimulant medication to make you feel basically high the first time you take it. They usually start people on methylphenidate for this reason because you can get it in as low as 10mg.

The entire point of the titration process is to start on a dose that's too low to be effective and then slowly taper up so this isn't the experience. Some right to choose providers seem to have this policy of starting with Elvanse and going very quickly from 30-50-70 and I think it's mad. I felt so incredibly weird just on 10mg, I can't imagine starting on 30 the first time ever, and jumping 20mg at a time is a big jump. My usual dose has been 40/60mg at various times. But I'm very sensitive to changing the dose and that was even stronger the first time. DS1 seems to have the same reaction.

TBH 40mg barely impacts me TBH

I'm on 70mg and barely notice that! 30mg would have absolutely no affect on me at all!

My dd is on 40mg - kicks in within the hour but effects have worn off by early afternoon and not sure where to go from here! Has impacted her appetite and sleep.

it does sound like it’s not impacting you the way it should if you do have adhd. Are you sure the diagnosis is right? I don’t know who diagnosed you but perhaps you have a more nuanced diagnosis and adhd has been a lazy answer from them?

there are other meds you can try though - perhaps a non stimulant would work better. But you can discuss with your prescriber and see their take. If you are worried about how you are feeling on the 30 and not sure about continuing then get in touch with them asap

No. I’m on 40mg and don’t feel anything like that… I’m also wondering if you definitely have ADHD as it seems like more of an NT response.

The drug starts to be metabolised (it’s a prodrug) within an hour. Maximum effects should be 3-5 hours after taking it. Personally, I wouldn’t even notice 30mg — I could take it before bed with no difference. I have taken stimulants of one sort or another for a long time. But 30mg is not a high dose. You shouldn’t be feeling massively wired or odd, just a clearer-headed version of yourself.

You may not have ADHD.

Other than a lack of appetite I wasn’t really aware of feeling different on it although my DH noticed that I was.

I would keep going and see if it settles in a few days.

I started on 30 mg. It made me feel quite..wired to start with. Quite intense, super alert. I did adjust. I had a a review after a few weeks and found it was less effective and I moved to 40 mg. I’ve stayed there except for the week before my period when I take 50 mg. If you’re in titration, I’d speak to your prescriber about your side-effects.

No, that sounds much too much. Are you entirely sure you have ADHD? I’ve never heard of a reaction like that from someone taking ADHD meds, but it sounds like what I imagine an NT person taking speed would experience…

Sorry , just realised not the op who tried 20! Multi tasking fail!!