this post was submitted on 29 Nov 2024
19 points (100.0% liked)

ADHD

9754 readers
280 users here now

A casual community for people with ADHD

Values:

Acceptance, Openness, Understanding, Equality, Reciprocity.

Rules:

Encouraged:

Relevant Lemmy communities:

Autism

ADHD Memes

Bipolar Disorder

Therapy

Mental Health

Neurodivergent Life Hacks

lemmy.world/c/adhd will happily promote other ND communities as long as said communities demonstrate that they share our values.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Hi everyone!

I’ve just recently started titration, I’m now on 50mg of Elvanse (Lisdexamfetamine).. curious if anyone has had the same effect as I am having now.

On the 30mg I felt like the static/shouting/noise whatever in my brain was muted but I had access to it, like it was in a cabinet in my head. I was able to focus on tasks at work and all that, although it didn’t last all day, maybe until about 2pm (taking the dose between 830 and 9).

A couple days ago I moved up to 50mg and the first day was… okay. I have definitely been able to concentrate on work. Yesterday was like I was a zombie. During the work day I got plenty done. It was like I was in a controllable hyper focus all day, but I didn’t feel like myself, and I feel like the personable side of me is not there. I’m not sure if it’s lack of emotion or what.

I had volleyball practice last night and honestly I felt like a zombie. A completely empty shell by that point, which I have had pre-medication after coming out of a particularly long hyper-focus before, but I am a bit worried about this because it was not pleasant. I’m not sure if I could face that every day.

I am due to increase to 60mg from next Wednesday and it is making me nervous. Will the impact of the medication reduce a bit over the next few days or is this what it will be like?

Out of curiosity, is anyone on a lower dose like 30 or 40mg? If you are do you do a booster in the afternoon?

all 18 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] Zombiepirate@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago

I am due to increase to 60mg from next Wednesday and it is making me nervous. Will the impact of the medication reduce a bit over the next few days or is this what it will be like?

Please talk to your doctor or pharmacist for medical information. It's potentially dangerous to trust random people on the Internet with your health.

[–] Redshoes@lemm.ee 3 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago) (2 children)

I'm on the same dose at the moment - 50mg i take it at the same time and feel like i start crashing by about 2-3pm. My psychiatrist mentioned it but then was reluctant to give me an extra top up of adderall last time I spoke to him but I'm going to push for it next time I see him. I'd be a mess if i had to do anything in the evening after taking the vyvanse in the morning. But the effects are good generally and very few side effects for me.

Are you sure you aren't just worn out by the evening?

[–] eleitl@lemm.ee 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

If you're prescribed a higher dose you can split it for an afternoon booster.

[–] KumaLumaJuma@feddit.uk 1 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

How do you split the capsules? Are they just powder inside?

I am scared to open one 😅

[–] eleitl@lemm.ee 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Elvanse/Vyvanse are capsules packed with powder. You can carefully twist them open, gently get out some powder upon a teaspoon by squeezing the sides of half capsules until the desired (eyeballing the size is easy enough) amount is out, and then close up the capsule again for later consumption. The powder is slightly bitter to taste.

[–] KumaLumaJuma@feddit.uk 2 points 3 weeks ago

Thank you so much, I think this is going to be a massive help!

[–] KumaLumaJuma@feddit.uk 1 points 3 weeks ago

It could be exhaustion. I tried having a much higher protein breakfast this morning (ended up with a hot Huel meal in the end) and I didn’t feel quite as zombie-ish today but I still think everything is a bit too muted on this dose.

I still have a few days of the 50mg left and then I’m due to go up to 60, with my follow up with the doc next week.

[–] TDCN@feddit.dk 3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Rule number one about taking medicin. You can absolutely decide for yourself if and how much of the medicine you want to take. If you feel bad after a dose you can just stop. If you feel 30mg is better for you just do that instead (split pills or ask your doc to give you 10mg that you can dose up and down yourself). NOONE IS FORCING YOU TO TAKE IT. If your don't feel safe about it absolutely just don't take them. This medication is not dangerous to quit on cold turkey (unlike some antidepressants) so do what makes for feel good and talk to your doc about trying other variations of the same meds to find the right thing.

[–] KumaLumaJuma@feddit.uk 2 points 3 weeks ago

Thanks for this, yes looking forward to chatting with him and getting this adjusted back down to a lower dose which I think is the right thing for me.

[–] Uranium_Green@sh.itjust.works 3 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

30mg daily with an optional booster of 5mg instant release has been the sweet spot for me.

Over the span of like 6 years I started on 30mg, went down to 20mg for a while until a bit of a tolerance kicked in then back up to 30mg, eventually got the 5mg booster which I normally only take a 1/4 of a pill for the actual boost I need without effecting my sleep too much, but even then if I take the booster for a week I'll certainly start to feel drained, so it's an option not a requirement for me.

I imagine you're probably going to be better off feeling a little bit of the randomness associated with you being on the lower dose. The medicine is supposed to help you function a bit more like a regular person, not a robot. Humans have got randomness/noise in their thoughts, we aren't supposed to be robots.

I've had what you're experiencing but on methylphenidate; it doesn't really go away until you lower the dose or stop.

Other things that can impact the robot feeling is excessive caffeine before bed, and nicotine usage.

I think if you're asking this question; you already know that you want to go back down and just need some confirmation that it's a good idea 👍

[–] KumaLumaJuma@feddit.uk 2 points 3 weeks ago

Thank you for this, really appreciate the feedback and your experience!

I think you are right, and I like the idea of having a booster available but not necessarily something to take daily unless it’s needed.

[–] ijustlookatpictures@feddit.uk 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I started on 20, went to 40 and I've been here ever since. I get a bit of a lull at about 6pm, but it's not so bad.

During the shortages a while ago I managed to get prescribed some 50 and it was just a bit too much. I like a coffee or 2 in the morning and 40 works well with that for me. Any higher and it would buzz a bit.

I have the occasional break, usually when I forget to get my repeat. generally 3 days of aching and complete lack of concentration, then when I take it again I'll have a very very productive and late night.

Find what you're comfortable with, It sounds like you already have!

[–] KumaLumaJuma@feddit.uk 1 points 3 weeks ago

I like the idea of having a morning coffee again (I did a couple of days on the 30 and just took the dose a bit later), which made my mornings feel a bit more relaxed..

Getting the timing right is a bit tricky as my workday can vary but that’s something I will (hopefully) get better at over time…

Do you have any issues taking a break? I have been wondering if skipping a day or two would be a bad idea once I’m settled in a bit, although if I get the dose right maybe I won’t feel that need.

[–] Dr_Nik@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

So my experience was with Stratera, but talk to your doctor about reducing your dose to try it out. I started on 40 mg and was completely numb. I had no desires at all even though I could get shit done (I knew what was expected of me and I did it). I hated it and when it started to wear off I broke down in tears because I did not want to live like that. I spoke to my doctor and he reduced my dose to 10 mg and that did the trick. I'm so much more in control of my emotions/impulses, I can easily task switch, my memory has gotten a lot better, and I don't have any of the weird floating through life feelings I had on 40 mg.

Sometimes just going higher is not the solution.

[–] surewhynotlem@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago

Second this. 40 was too much for me. I ended up on 10 as well.

[–] srestegosaurio@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Uh, I'm on 30mg of Elvanse and I think I took two pills (60mg) this morning by mistake.

On a scale of 1 to 10 of much funked am I?

(With 30mg I wasn't noticing anything at all so I hope to not overdose). :)

[–] KumaLumaJuma@feddit.uk 2 points 3 weeks ago

Probably a question for your healthcare provider or dial 111 if you need more urgent advice (assuming you are UK, otherwise look up the non emergency number for your area).