Need urgent advice/Aussie product recs
**Hello!** I read a lot of posts here about medication, but I’m still feeling incredibly lost and struggling bad. I don't have access to Medicare and my private health insurance (Bupa) doesn't cover therapy, so I’m reaching out here. Sorry for this Bible 😞.
I am 26, living in Australia, and was just diagnosed with mixed TDAH (strongly suspecting masked autism/giftedness). I was a very premature baby, and have been during my life many times prescribed low dose depression meds with awful side effects or therapy to deal with my obsession with perfection. And now, I feel like better with this med. Is helping me.
I’ve been prescribed 10mg of short-acting Ritalin up to 3x a day (up to 60mg max daily, titrating as needed). I’ve been on it for 2 weeks, trying to balance my daytime schedule with my night shifts at a busy restaurant kitchen. I am up to 20mg per time already. (Heavily struggling with timing cause if I take 8am/12/4:30, and I work until 10pm, I crash before I get home and if I take until 6:30, I feel sick when I get home).
The med helps me feel alert, less exhausted, and emotionally calmer, but the side effects and the "crash" are wearing me down. **I’d love some advice, especially from anyone in Australia.**
**The Challenges I'm Facing:**
**Pill Anxiety & Cost:** I hate the physical act of taking pills multiple times a day (taking them gives me sensory disgust). My generic Ritalin costs around $27.50. How much does a long-acting version (like Ritalin LA or Concerta) cost and would be better?
**Side effects:** It elevates my heart rate, giving me chest pressure and a constant feeling that I'm late or forgetting something. As it wears off, I get severe brain fog, stomach sickness, and feel like I'm getting the flu with a sore throat. How do you manage the comedown when your work shift is just ending?
**Zero Appetite & Hydration**: I can't stand normal water (only sparkling with lemon or coconut water). Food disgust hits me halfway through a meal. I can only stomach things sometimes like sushi or mom's food even tho I work in a restauran, can cook anything that I want. If you are in Australia, what specific supermarket products (Coles/Woolies) do you use to keep your protein/calories up when food sounds repulsive? I eat so slow and way less than before.
**Sensory & Social Changes:** My morning routine is still a mess, I am still waking up late, even tho I try to take my med right after one protein yogurt. Also, my attention span for hobbies has vanished—I flip through music and movies constantly without finishing them. My mom noticed I’ve become more rigid, displeased-looking, and avoid eye contact more than before. When it wears off, the intense daydreaming is so hard to switch off. I can feel people somewhat acting weird with me?
**Missed Doses:** If I miss a dose time, I immediately feel sick, get slurred speech, clumsy movements, and make mistakes at work. I feel sick.
If you’ve been through this initial adjustment period, what helped you navigate the physical side effects?
**Any Aussie-specific tips or product recommendations for eating/drinking would mean the world. Also any tools (apps, blankets, pomodoro etc) that has helped you? Would be great to know if I should invest in anything to make myself more confortable.**
Thank you for your time! xx