Got adhd diagnosis yesterday.

[Mabelface]

Already diagnosed with L1 ASD. Have taken my first Concerta XL, starting titration. Does anyone know how soon I'll start to see benefits?

I was diagnosed with adhd earlier this and prescribed Elvanse. I have just finished my titration process and am on 70mgs a day having started on 20mgs. I saw benefits from medication immediately, particularly in relation to my ability to focus and manage my emotional dysregulation. While I was on the lower doses those beneficial effects wore off quickly, but now I'm up to 70mgs, I feel more in control and capable all day. However, medication isn't "the answer". I found that the self awareness that comes with having a diagnosis is extremely helpful - you end up being kinder to yourself, which is very healing, and don't feel guilty or useless when asking for help in those areas where you do have deficiencies. It makes you more likely to ask for help too, which creates a virtuous circle. I recommend getting some therapy if you can. That will help you process the trauma of a late diagnosis. Reading up on adhd is very validating and helpful. There are some great books out there - I like the Sari Solden and Gabor Mate books in particular. Lastly, there are many excellent podcasts on adhd that help you feel part of a community. I hope all this is helpful. Best of luck to you in the titration process. Medication can be life changing, but it is not a silver bullet and I strongly recommend exploring therapy, doing lots of reading (listen to audiobooks if you can't face reading - this is what I do) and enjoying those podcasts.

@dillydally24 What a brilliant post! I completely agree with what you've written.
@Mabelface you'll know when it's right. It took me a few months to get to the most effective med and the correct dose - for me it's Concerta XL 54mg. I've viewed it as part of a process as dillydally suggests. Lifestyle changes, such as rethinking work have been critical for me.
I've found Kate Moryoussef really helpful to listen to.
Good luck!

Thanks both! I'm at peace with how I am and have been since my asd diagnosis 2 years ago. Took my first dose on Friday and felt like I could climb mountains! It's calmed a bit now. I'm under no illusions that it's a magic bullet, but to be able to focus more and my brain quieter is what I'm hoping for.

I still have permanent music going through my head, which I don't mind, but the constant chatter is quieter.

@Pharos Thank you! One thing I forgot to mention above, which is because I'm still figuring this out for myself, is how exercise and diet can impact the severity of adhd symptoms. If anyone has any answers here, I'm keen to hear them!

@dillydally24 I'm not quite there either but I would say that since on meds, my eating is much more regulated. I find that having more protein certainly works.
An additional factor for me is how it intersects with peri-menopause - Kate did a really good podcast on it the other day.

@Mabelface That's fantastic. It sounds like you have unusually well-calibrated expectations of what meds can do for you, which is great (it took me much longer to figure that out 😂). I'm so pleased, too, that you've had a positive experience of the meds so far. I found the same when I went through the titration process... each step up in the dosing regime came with benefits (and some side effects e.g., dry mouth, loss of appetite) which seemed to diminish as my body adjusted, however, once I reached a certain level I found the side effects did drop away but I continued to feel the benefits. I am very happy with where I am right now. I worry a bit about the downsides of taking these meds long term, but I'm not in a place where I want to be without them (I'm a busy working professional with two young children). Maybe, in time, as the demands on my executive functioning skills diminish, I can phase out the meds, but that's a long way off. As I said earlier, good luck with it all! Adhd has caused me many difficulties in my life and anyone going through the same thing has all my sympathy and support. x

@Pharos Noted! I haven't tried Kate's podcast yet but I am going to make that a priority.

I can cope with dry mouth and reduced appetite is NOT a problem. 🤣

My eating is shite, but that's due to the asd too. I either forget to eat completely or I need to eat all the things right now. Working on it!

My adult dd has started Elvanse at 20mg today. She’s terrified of serious side effects but still keen to try medication. We’re desperate for her to have some respite from the difficulties she faces daily. How soon do you think she may see any improvement?

Hello @Mydoghealsmyheart She should not be terrified at all. The titration process is all about getting you going with a very low dose and increasing it slowly from there. As soon as you start to feel unpleasant side effects, you can reduce the dose back to the level where you felt comfortable. I started on 20 mg for 14 days, then 30 mg for 14 days, then 40 mg for 28 days, then 50 mg for 28 days, then 70 mg. 70 mg is the max. allowable daily dose and is where I feel comfortable. At every incremental increase in the dose, I experienced mild side effects - dry mouth and loss of appetite mainly. However, my body soon adjusted and I no longer notice any side effects, except I stay awake longer in the evenings now I'm at 70 mg. At no point did I feel less myself or like I'd lost my personality. I was still me, just calmer and more capable. She should start to see effects immediately, but they will be small initially, as 20 mg is a very low dose. I found I really started to feel the benefits at around 40 mg a day, but that they wore off by around 3pm in the afternoon if I took my dose at 7am in the morning. Now I'm on 70 mg I take my dose at 7am and it lasts all day. Hope this helps!

Thank you so much dillydally24 that’s such a reassuring message. I’m really very grateful.

Thanks very helpful