Elvanse Positive Stories

[millymonkins]

Hi. My 19 year old daughter has just diagnosed with ADHD and has been prescribed 20 mg Elvanse per day for 14 days then increasing to 30 mg. I would like to hear some personal experiences to reassure me that she isn't about to become anxious, depressed or addicted. I’m hoping that the benefits will outweigh the side effects. Thanks

Hey my family member took Elvanse and mentally it really worked (they have a history of depression/anxiety and it didn't bring on any symptoms). Unfortunately they are allergic to lactose which the Elvanse contains so they then had to find an alternative as it aggravated their allergy.

What you might notice is that your DD 'crashes' at the end of the day. Be prepared to support them with early nights etc. Good luck.

Also just to say when my family member went up to the 70mg dose it really didn't agree with them but the low doses were fine. There are lots of options out there so if it doesn't work do go back to the dr and discuss alternatives. It's taken my family member almost 2 years to get their best balance of meds but totally worth it as they are able to function so much better with medication.

Wonderfulstuff Many thanks for your responses. Very helpful advice and fingers crossed low doses will work.

I titrated from 20mg to 60mg - I thought I'd stay on 40/50 but there was a huge jump in function for me between 50 and 60.

It's been quietly life-changing, and I can also skip days if I need to, it metabolises in 11-13 hours so doesn't stay in your system.

Was terrified of meds when I got my diagnosis in May last year but it's been one of the best things I've ever done. I'm 35 so a bit older than your DD but definitely worth trying and seeing how she finds it.

I figure Elvanse is like my allergy meds - I don't love that they're daily and for life, but they make my daily life much better so it's worth taking them.

Be aware that it might take a while to find the right doseage and/or right medication - not everyone responds to the first one they try.

Side effects for me have been an increase in my night owl behaviour (I can still sleep, just do it later, but that is mostly my own natural routine anyway) and loss of appetite in the day which has been a surprisingly emotional one. If she experiences that I'd say having easy food to hand and setting alarms to remember to eat it is helpful, as is having breakfast before you take Elvanse so you don't get to the end of the day and wonder why you're grumpy and your mood has dipped massively (it's hangry but no hunger pangs means it took me a while to figure out!)

I started on 30mg but didn’t really feel but different apart from not sleeping until really late.

I was upped to 50mg (wasn’t too keen but went along with it) and it’s life changing.

I usually suffer badly from fatigue that’s now 100% gone. I focus and get things done. I no longer feel anxious and generally very chilled.

I still struggle with sleeping but I think it’s because I’m always thirsty but changed to decaf. I set my alarm for 6/7am to take them as I feel they take a few hours to make a difference.

Also lost half a stone in the first month as my appetite was completely gone but it’s slowly returning.

Elvanse has pretty much changed my life.

Since starting it 18 months ago my anxiety has improved by maybe 80-90%, I've lost 5 and a half stone (because I had the self control and belief to stick to healthy food and exercise as well as not needing to find dopamine in food)

It's not a miracle. I still have ADHD. I'm still me. But I'm a much better happier me and I wish I'd been able to be this me as a teen rather than hate my "laziness/forgetfulness" for all of my 20s and most of my 30s.

Many thanks for all the responses. I really appreciate them and they give me some reassurance that this is worth trying and that hopefully the positives will outweigh the negatives.

@millymonkins I think as long as she's starting it under supervision from a professional, it's exactly the right way to try it - so she can figure out what the effects are etc and whether it helps her. I had to do a weekly diary for mine which I was intermittently bad at but which they could then assess side effects and things. Wishing you and your DD luck!