Help! I can't sleep on ADHD meds!

[snoopyscar]

Hello;

Newly diagnosed and only on day 3 of my meds. I am currently on 18mg of methylphenidate (delmosart) which is slow release of 12 hours. I have taken it at 8am every morning.

I have not had any side effects apart from headaches and insomnia!! The insomnia is brutal. First night I didn't sleep until 6am- then my toddler woke up at 7am.

Then last night my sleep was so light and broken. It's almost like I'm not sleeping.

So, the last two days I have felt so bad. I'm 34 and have two children and I'm a stay at home mum. My youngest wakes up every two hours anyway.

Is this something that will wear off as my body gets used to it?

I can deal with the headaches.

I will be upping my dose to 27mg after my first week, then 36mg for a week, then 45mg for a week and then finally to 54mg.

I am monitoring my side effects; writing them down for my next appointment.

I thought I'd get a lot more side effects from reading reviews, but is this because I'm on such a low dose?

Anyway; just some advice really. I can't carry on feeling like I do in the day time currently as I'm knackered.

I feel your pain. I tried 3 different stimulant meds, all caused severe insomnia to the point of becoming mentally unwell. I am hyper-sensitive to a lot of drugs, so I expected problems.

The prolonged release drugs, I found, had a greater negative impact on my sleep. You may want to ask your health care provider for shorter release drug to see if that helps with your insomnia.

I'm unmedicated and will remain that way.

PS - I can't remember the order I took the drugs, but I've listed them below for info:

Concerta XL 18mg prolonged release tablets
Medikinet XL 10mg modified release capsules
Elvanse 30mg capsules

Hi,
Good that you're keeping notes for your next appointment. Maybe you can ask for a medication with a quicker release.