Hi there,
I have tried various medications/supplements/dosages for my ADHD since being diagnosed at the age of 36. I have recently changed to a non-stimulant (atemoxetine), known as strattera in the US, but previously I have used both instant release methylphenidate (Ritalin) and extended release (XR).
As far as side effects go, be prepared to feel absolutely AMAZING for day 1 (depends on your dosage, of course), this “high” doesn’t last, unfortunately but it will settle down. I felt like someone had turned the volume down in my brain, and I actually felt quite emotional at being able to sit on the sofa and have a cup of tea, only thinking about how nice and hot the tea was, AND NOTHING ELSE. It was revolutionary, and I thought “is this what most people’s brains are like??!!! No wonder they get so bloody much done!!!
I found it absolutely killed my appetite stone dead so do schedule in times to eat, even if you don’t feel hungry as otherwise when it wears off you will want to binge on sugar as it has an instant effect. Not good. I tended to have headaches when it starts to wear off, and also mood swings, as you feel SO good and in control when it’s working, and then when it stops, everything gets noisy again. I felt quite bereft, and angry about it. I now take myself off for a walk when I know it’s due to wear off as I get overly irritated at being around people and emotionally overreact.
Oh, don’t take vitamin C (orange juice/vitamins) while you’re taking stimulants as they can negate the effects. However, if you’re struggling through the wearing off-period, have a glass of OJ to flush it out of your system. Drink lots to negate the headaches. It’s OK to feel emotional about everything, the medication helped me to clearly see how much I’d been struggling all those years and I definitely did go through a grieving process.
I would recommend learning as much as you possibly can about your particular presentation of ADHD, as you can develop specific strategies to deal with it, as well as supplements. I take magnesium, zinc, B-complex and vit D, as I struggle with emotional regulation the most, but they are helpful to most women.
Oh! Your menstruated cycle will affect your symptoms too, I found my medication just DIDN’T bloody work for a few days leading up to my period, and it took me so long to work it out. Track your symptoms using something like the Clue app. It’s free, and easy to use.
Some people found stimulants make the anxious, and I didn’t think they had that effect on me until I changed to atemoxetine and my son said “mummy, it’s nice you are happy now and not worried”.
It can be a long process finding the right medication for you, but remember that it is a tool to allow you to develop the habits to manage your life. Use your medication/brain working time to train yourself what it feels like to get things done. This builds neural pathways and the plasticity of your brain will really help to make lasting changes.
Join a forum (I’m on the Reddit sub /ADHD) which is full of useful real life experiences and non judgemental support. Happy to chat over PM or on this thread.
ADHD is a tough card to be dealt, but there are ways to survive. You’ve done the worst bi. It’s going to be OK now.
OH! Don’t have caffeine with the stimulant, it will interfere unpredictably with the effects. If I had caffeine it would give me the absolute rage, and I would NOT stop talking. No social filter AT ALL. It didn’t go well.