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Use this forum to discuss neurodiverse parenting.

Late diagnosed ADHD - to medicate or not medicate?

2 replies

SanPellegrinOh · 05/05/2025 13:45

I’m 51 year old woman and recently received a private diagnosis of ADHD (combined type)

Just over a week ago I started on Elvanse 30mg and the first two days were amazing - I got loads done, the noise and overthinking in my head stopped, I felt calm and serene but yet lots of motivation, focus and energy - amazing!
After a couple of days, the effects didn’t last as long and weren't as noticeable- I’d take pill at 8.30am and at about 1pm I’d be feeling a crash which left me more worn out than I was prior to taking the meds.
I feel calm and relaxed the rest of the day but this is coupled with not a great deal of motivation, in fact I feel knackered -
feel slightly hungover!

I’m now wondering if other people have had this experience and
is this pretty normal? My thoughts are:

Do I need to go up a dose? I’m due to have a medicine review this week and wonder if I need to ask for a booster or higher strength?

Should I bother with meds at all? What do most people do, medicate or not medicate?

Should I receive my meds but just not take them every day? And save them for when I feel I need them?

Will I grow dependent on them if I take them everyday?

Can I travel with them? I heard stories of people who got stopped at borders and cannot bring them into the country, which ruins their holiday because they are unmedicated all holiday and so can’t fully enjoy it.

Im 51, I’m on the cusp of having high blood pressure. Although ECG and heart rate fine, I’m a healthy weight and good diet and lifestyle but I still worry what these meds are doing to my cardiovascular health long term?

Anyone else in similar situation and what do you choose to do?

Sorry for all the questions, perhaps I’m overthinking this?

All advice welcomed, thank you in advance

OP posts:
CharLdn · 09/05/2025 12:11

I’ve been on medication for 3 years - aged 35 and I’ve found overall it’s more positive than negative for me.

Ive currently come off because I’m TTC but overall I prefer medicated life.

it’s an individual choice but overall life’s much easier for me when I’m medicated and I think I’m more healthy in general so it’s better for me.

I got a blood pressure monitor I use at home so I can keep an eye on it.

Adhdsucks · 12/05/2025 00:14

It’s a hard one OP. Only you can decide. For some people meditation is a wonder drug but it wasn’t that way for me, I didn’t ever get ‘well’ enough to manage to get onto the right medication. A couple of the side effects were unpleasant.

I think for you when you’re so early in the journey it could be worth trying a different medication or a higher dose before you rule it out.

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