Started elvanse- not sure I should continue

[unambiguousbeard]

I’m on day 4 of elvanse 30 and struggling a bit. I’m not sure whether to keep taking it or not. I was expecting to feel calmer and clearheaded but I just feel like I’m speeding. My thoughts are faster if anything, I’m having more problems than usual socially in terms of interrupting and just shutting up. It’s made me more hyper rather than less. I’m also getting migraine type headaches every morning and a huge crash in the afternoon. Does this sound normal? Does this all settle down? I’m currently questioning whether I do actually have adhd or maybe I’m just autistic (also diagnosed) the only changes I’ve seen are instead of walking over my doom piles/crap on the floor I put them in their places (and put the lids on!) which tbh feels pretty good and I’m not struggling to get going in the morning which is a big issue for me. I’m enjoying getting up and getting going.

Anyway my question is does this settle down? And also do the headaches tail off? Not sure if the hyper ness is an initial thing. I’m due to go up to 40 next week and not sure I’ll cope.

Are you taking it with food or on an empty stomach? I had exactly this on day 1 of Medikinet but I took it with food the next 2 days and it's been much better, though I now don't feel like it's doing anything. I'm going to increase the dose after a week.

Also are you drinking any caffeine and do you smoke? These are both stimulants which can interact with the drug if you're sensitive to it.

My doctor said try it for a week and then see how you go. Do you have a way of contacting your doctor for feedback?

Thank you for replying! You’re so right. Previous days I had it immediately I got up before breakfast. Today I wasn’t sure about taking it so I had breakfast first. And it’s been so much better. I don’t feel hyper at all just very calm and clear.
Also I get my normal dopamine hit (well one of them) from quite extreme cold water swimming and did that first thing yesterday. I’m not stopping it but might take meds afterwards or something. I’ll ask dr when have catch up. I’m so much better today.
Just hoping the migraine is a short term effect too

I’m with adhd 360 who are pretty rubbish so no way of contacting dr and admin staff are pretty ropey

For stuff like swimming that gives you dopamine, I wouldn't change that as it's good to get those sources of dopamine, in fact the meds should help you to hold onto it a bit longer. Dopamine is natural and won't hurt. It's just stimulant drugs that can interact, and even those are normally OK in low doses - I have found now I take the meds with food, coffee is really no issue at all, in fact I can even drink it in the afternoon now, which I couldn't before.

I don't know how Elvanse works, but if it's an extended release drug, most of those apparently rely on having some food in the stomach for the release mechanism to work properly. If it just hits stomach acid then you'll get the whole dose at once which is a lot. The American name for that one is Vyvanse, so you might find some info if you search that.

So something else I was told if you can't speak to a doctor, you can go to a pharmacy and ask for advice about any prescription medication you are on in terms of timing, food, interactions etc.

It is slow release so that all makes sense. I didn’t have a slump at 3 today either. Bit hyper at times. I only have 2 coffees a day and I’d like to stop them as I rely on them heavily plus get horrendous withdrawal headaches.

You may find you get on best with a combination of slow and fast release. I have slow release in the morning (always with food!) and then a fast release at lunchtime-ish (also with food).

This is a good balance for me as otherwise I can get a big slump in the afternoon. Although interestingly if I am having a very hectic day, I am usually OK without the extra dose. I think it is the added dopamine which keeps me going!

Good luck on your journey

I’ve stopped having a slump (although only on day 6) and it’s taken less than a week to think they are pretty life transforming. I watched an outdoor performance last night and for the first time I wasn’t scanning the crowd, checking my phone, planning my week, I actually watched it and really engaged with it. I might be able to start going to
the theatre again which I gave up on as I sat there making mental
to do lists.

I seem to be able to socialise too, normally I get exhausted really quickly and go monosyllabic and leave early! It’s incredible how many aspects of life it seems to be affecting for the better.

just wanted to get that down somewhere really!

That's great to hear @unambiguousbeard - don't worry if things settle over the next few weeks and you do start to experience slumps or feel like the meds are not as effective. Your psychiatrist can keep tweaking your dose until you find the right one for you