ADHD Medication

[watchtheglitterdustswirl]

Hello,

I was wondering about ADHD meds (as in considering taking them myself).

What do you take and how do you find it? What are side effects - good and bad?

I am aware that I can read the official information online but wanted some real person perspectives.

Thanks!

I currently take 20mg Vyvanse. It’s still under review because a higher dose put my blood pressure up.

I find it helps me focus when people are talking. I can follow other people’s train of thought much better. It also helps to calm down my thoughts and connect my thoughts into sentences.

I had side effects for the first few days but none now.

Just to add, I LOVE these effects. It makes work so much easier.

I’m still overwhelmed in other areas of my life though so that’s why I’m hoping to maybe add another adhd med in combination with the Vyvanse.

I was on methylphenidate 5mg, three times a day. It really slowed my brain down and I felt like I was in control of it instead of it being the other way round. I felt calmer and could do things in a more measured way. I even read a book, something I can never normally do.

Unfortunately, I had to stop them because I had terrible palpitations, high heart rate and my blood pressure went up. I tried taking a higher dose of Propranolol to deal with this, but it didn't work and I got chest pain and thought I was going to have a heart attack. I'm unable to tolerate any stimulants and can't even drink caffeinated coffee.

The psychiatrist wanted to prescribe atomoxetine, but I couldn't afford it as it was over £80 a month plus prescribing costs. I gave up after that. I can't deal with the NHS so have never requested help from them.

I take some nootropic supplements to help, but they have a limited effect.

I take methylphenidate 36mg in the morning, and take a 5mg booster in the afternoon if I need it. Often I don't bother though.

It helps me focus and slows my brain down so my thoughts aren't constantly racing. It also helps with my emotional regulation and relentless searching for dopamine hits.

Side effects - headaches when I went up to 36mg from 18mg. Also, sometimes I forget to eat and I am ravenous when it wears off. I have to remember to eat breakfast before taking the meds and then I'm usually set for the day.

Sorry, I meant to start my own thread and have reported.

I've tried ALL of the meds available and some on restricted lists 😂
Because I get palpitations from most of them, I've just ended up taking dexamfetamine 3 or so days a week. Apart from the palpitations (which I take propranolol for) and the insomnia, I also find that after taking them for a few days and stopping my mood absolutely plummets and I feel hopeless and awful.

It's such a shame because when I do take them I feel focused and sharp and confident.

@BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation

I was on methylphenidate 5mg, three times a day. It really slowed my brain down and I felt like I was in control of it instead of it being the other way round. I felt calmer and could do things in a more measured way. I even read a book, something I can never normally do.

Unfortunately, I had to stop them because I had terrible palpitations, high heart rate and my blood pressure went up. I tried taking a higher dose of Propranolol to deal with this, but it didn't work and I got chest pain and thought I was going to have a heart attack. I'm unable to tolerate any stimulants and can't even drink caffeinated coffee.

The psychiatrist wanted to prescribe atomoxetine, but I couldn't afford it as it was over £80 a month plus prescribing costs. I gave up after that. I can't deal with the NHS so have never requested help from them.

I take some nootropic supplements to help, but they have a limited effect.

I had a similar experience on Adderall, so I switched to atomoxetine, but it has never cost me that much, and I'm in the stage of the year where insurance doesn't cover anything. I'm in the US. I wonder why it's so expensive in the UK?

Everything's expensive in the UK

I guess I was shocked because the NHS usually negotiates good prices on drugs - but I guess it must be something the NHS isn't buying?

60mg Elvanse and it's been quietly but profoundly life-changing. I sometimes wonder if it's doing anything, then I take a day off it like today and realise how much it's helping

I was lucky the first one I tried had an effect for me, it just took a while to figure out the dose and I sometimes wonder if I should have tried others while I was titrating to see if there was a difference! It's not a magic bullet, the loss of appetite is bizarre, I'm still late for everything but I am slowly starting to make progress on my house, and business projects which have lurked unfinished for a decade.

I would say absolutely worth trying but remember however effective it is, it won't change everything overnight (this is something I keep having to remind myself about!)

I've just started titration and started Xaggitin XL, I'm on 36mg at the moment and going up to 54mg in a couple of of days, and so far I'm a lot calmer, I'm able to concentrate, and my mind is a lot clearer, I do crash at like 4pm, so that's something I can discuss with my nurse. Thankfully it hasn't affected my heart rate, or blood pressure.

Other people can see a change in me too, I still struggle with prioritising and all that shit, but I think I'm going to be able to go back to work again, because I had a nervous breakdown last year that led to an ADHD diagnosis, and has potentially changed my life as there is a reason I am how I am.

@ZZTopGuitarSolo

I guess I was shocked because the NHS usually negotiates good prices on drugs - but I guess it must be something the NHS isn't buying?

I was prescribed atomoxetine on NHS