u/Loser_Naim

As above.

Trying to assemble a look for an event this summer.

Have had my eye on some Solovair Gibsons (dark brown greasy leather) for a while as a versatile casual shoe that I can dress up a bit. I like the bulky soles because they’re more characterful and casual.

(My friends have very lax/ fun dress codes at special events, so the focus is on style over formality. I refuse to wear loafers, they’re just not my style. I like suede but I really want leather shoes.)

But most events are in summer, where the general vibe is light colours/ fabrics eg linen or short sleeved shirts etc. I get hot easily too.

Are these shoes simply too heavy and worky for that kind of look?

Can anyone provide examples pics or advice on how to make this work?

I’ve scoured the internet but I’m totally lost. I live in shorts at the moment so this is a minefield for me!

I’m struggling with side effects for several days since starting 36mg.

I need to hear success stories from people who went through this!

Please no unsolicited suggestions of switching meds, or negative experiences. I’ve been reading enough of those!

———————-

Struggled at first with 18mg, but only had these side effects for one day (weirdly, not day 1).

Became much more stable and positive within 1 week. Had very high hopes for 36mg!

—————

Really struggling on 36mg, so far.

BP is fine, just anxious and lightheaded. Bit nauseous. Nothing achieved for 4 days so far. Spaced out. Stomach is jittery.

‘Manageable’ and safe, but not pleasant.

No physical energy, foggy brain, but very over-engaged with my phone, especially social media. Can’t do much else.

—————

It reminds me a little of Elvanse, which is troubling me. I was very sensitive to that, and couldn’t get the benefits without annoying side effects.

I’m just so anxious that maybe I can’t be treated.

(Yes I know there are non-stimulants available, but I’ve spent all of my money on this. It’s not time to go down that route just yet).

Also, week 1 felt very positive.

I want to remain optimistic. Mindset matters.

——————

Did anyone experience the same thing, but soon find success (without switching)?

Did anyone try 27mg and find that best for them?

Did anyone settle on 18mg and find it beneficial enough?

I’m sticking with it, and will extend 36mg to a second week if I’m not stable in time to increase. Or should I ask for 27?

Please share! Thank you X 🙏

Sorry for adding to the spammy noise with this post, but I’m looking for some insight on what’s happening here.

I gave up on Elvanse after a few years because it was barely helping anymore and the side effects were getting worse.

Trying methylphenidate has been the one thing keeping me going- the only opportunity for me to finally take control of my life, and the light at the end of the tunnel.

——————

Day 1 - no noticeable effects, except a subtle calmness and a fairly noticeable evening crash (similar to Elvanse but not quite as bad)

(This is great and what I expected. I seem to tolerate it fine, and feel optimistic for higher doses)

—————-

But… Day 2 - Really uncomfortable, nervous energy in my gut.

Feeling a bit faint and spaced out, but mega-focused on Reddit and other distractions

I’ve done barely anything today.

I’m not expecting miracles, but I was hoping benefits would appear at least at the same rate as any side effects… and this nervousness in my stomach is actively stopping me from being productive.

I took it 5 hours ago and it still feels almost like I’m about to come up on a pill - nervous stomach, disconnected, slightly spacey and withdrawn, just waiting for it to pass so I can get to the part I actually want.

————-

Did any of you have weird side effects as your body first adjusted?

Why did I have no side effects yesterday but feel weird today?

How can I combat the anxiety in my stomach?

I’ve had some magnesium glycinate to calm my body / side effects, (I’m aware this could also be negatively impacting my stomach but I don’t think it’s the main issue). I’ve eaten plenty of protein at proper mealtimes, and no caffeine (as normal).

Any thoughts?

Let’s say you have something arriving by post.

Something you’re really excited about. Something you need…

But you’re a little anxious. What if it’s not right and you need to return/ exchange… you’ve put so much thought into this, and now you can’t see your future plans working without it.

Anyone else get really obsessive?

Obsessively trying to load the tracking details 100 times… emailing the company /courier because tracking isn’t working… not being able to think about anything else?

Maybe the whole day gets written off - you suddenly NEED this thing, so nothing can be done until it arrives.

Or maybe just opening the tracking app keeps causing spiralling distractions.

Googling, just never-ending googling.

You’ve made your payment, but you can’t stop googling the thing you’ve already ordered. A bit like when you really fancy someone, and you suddenly want to talk about them at any opportunity.

This thing has nearly arrived, but you want to look at it, read about it, picture it being here. Pure fixation. Disappearing into a fantasy of being the person who owns that thing, and how much better or more convenient it makes your life.

Or maybe it’s nervousness. Have I made the right decision? Looking for back up options just in case, trawling for negative reviews. Asking Claude whether it thinks you made the right decision. Asking on reddit. Etc

Obviously, when the thing arrives… it’s fine. You can’t remember why it was so important. It goes in the drawer. Or it gets sent back and you don’t need to replace it.

Anyone else?

How do you deal with the impatience before it arrives?

Carharrt Sid Pants in Hamilton Brown and Salvia...

My favourite colour / style pants... but only available in too-slim (Sid) or too baggy (everything else).

1. What search terms would help me find these colours from other brands?

2. Can you recommend brands who sell very similar items (informal, rugged chinos in very similar colours)?

Not Carhartt or Dickies - I've tried all their offerings already.

Available in UK please - J-Crew isn't an option here. M&S don't sell them in my size (28-30). Thanks!

My private assessment/ titration etc came to under £900, which I had to pay for, but many cannot afford to (it was a struggle for me).

My Access to Work payout was over £3000 for equipment and private coaching.

Coaching was alright, but it’s not medication, and would have been totally useless without it.

I just CANNOT get my head around this.

If you’re already on meds, great, keep ATW as it is.

But if someone is desperate for treatment, just offer them the option of a £1k grant towards it, and take it off the coaching / equipment budget!

This would help so many of us to ‘access work’ but instead people are stuck on 6 year waiting lists doing endless coaching.

It makes zero fucking sense to me

Hi.

I have an Elvanse prescription but I'm really struggling with the side effects.

Stimulants can be really effective for me, but in the last few years it's felt like the side effects are outweighing the benefits, and often just make my symptoms present in a more intense and frantic way.

I can't think straight a lot of the time, and I often feel spaced out but with an intense gut feeling of dread and panic.
I spend the whole evening irritable, on edge, unsociable, tense, and bad at communicating.

I eat high protein breakfast and lunch.

I was on 40 originally, but I've self titrated down to 20 for ages, and given everything in between 20 and 40 a fair chance several times. I also have IR dex and I've experimented with boosters and split doses.

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I've trialled methylphenidate for a bit in the past and it made me really slow and sleepy.

But I can't actually tell my clinic this, as I didn't do it "officially..."

I wanted to see if it would be worth the investment, but I'm not sold on it.

It would mean losing my Elvanse and potentially having to titrate that privately again etc, and from my experience, MPH doesn't feel like the best call to try first.

------------------------------------------

I'm very optimistic that Guanfacine might be a possible solution (in addition to Elvanse) but I have some concerns:

1. How hard is it to access Guanfacine as an adult (I know its only licensed for kids)?

Particularly for an adult who doesn't want to try methylphenidate first, for apparently no good reason? My clinic is Mypace btw.

2. Adding guanfacine to an existing prescription - does this require buying Elvanse privately and titrating from a clean slate?

Or can I just add the Guanfacine to my current prescription?

3. Is it hard to persuade a GP to add it to shared care after titration?

My GP has been pretty supportive, but I'm worried the unlicensed / non-first line treatment status - and cost compared to methylphenidate - might be a dealbreaker? I've heard horror stories...

4. How have you found the effects of combining the two meds? It sounds like it would ease some of the noradrenaline side effects and help calibrate my focus and task initiation.

5. Did it make you very sleepy and if so, how long did this last for?

Thanks!!!