u/canarybrainrot

I'm not great at reddit yet apologies if I've put this in the wrong place!

Went from Concerta (felt it was doing nothing even at max dose) to Elvanse (Vyvanse in US) which I think helps a little more. Didn't feel super 'up' - my friend pointed out this is likely a good thing & I AM more productive day to day now. It's just not the 'magic fix' I'd hoped for.

But fucking hell, the 2pm crash is ALOT. It wears off, which is frustrating, but I'm not really 'wired' in the first place. Psychologically, I just feel absolutely horrendous about myself. It's the mental side more than physical. I have bipolar & OCD, so I get this anyway so I'm not sure if this is 'just me'.

I'm also worried that if I mention the emotional effects of the crash to my doc, they'll take me off the meds completely due to perceived risk.

I've seen amfexa booster as an option to last through the day, but it'd mean I'm paying private prices longer (really struggling to afford rn).

I'm on 60mg now, titrating up to 70mg soon; doc has said this might help it last longer as I don't really feel too many side effects otherwise until it wears off.

It's really the mental side I'm struggling with - has anyone had any similar experiences with either with a dual diagnosis or managing crashes emotionally?

Thanks all!!

title basically. decade & a half interested in the genre & i fuck around on ableton but anyone got any specific advice?

thank u all

I'll try & keep it brief!

Was on concerta - felt like it was doing nothing even at max dose. Switched to elvanse, feel like it's doing more-ish? But I don't feel wired or 'up'. A friend pointed out that maybe I'm disappointed because I was EXPECTING that, but if I look at my actions, I'm much more organised (morning & early afternoon) and can think more clearly. I think that's true! Still, it's not a BIG moment of clarity I was hoping for.

But fucking hell, the crash is messing with me. The mental issues are effecting me most, at about 2pm I just feel awful about myself. Issue is I have bipolar, so I don't know if that's 'just me' as I get that anyway. I also think the meds are helping overall - so I'm worried that if I mention the emotional effects of the crash, they'll take me off them completely.

I've seen people be prescribed an amfexa booster (although sometimes leading to issues with shared care) to combat this, and I think that could be helpful, however I've been on private care for a good few months now (titrating concerta, then elvanse) so I really don't want to have to continue paying even further if possible. I'm now titrating up to 70mg from 50mg this month as my doctor has mentioned this might make it last longer (I mentioned it wears off, which it does, but discussed the psychological effects less).

Has anyone else had similar experiences and found ways to manage emotions?

(re shared care: I've discussed it at length with my GP, in about the best position I could be for it. I realise it can still be an issue.)

Thanks all!!

Hi! 2 months ago I finally went private after no end in sight via the NHS (you all know the drill). I already had a diagnosis, had been on instant release methylphenidate previously, but had stopped and was told I needed a specialist to sign off to restart meds.

My private Dr started me on extended release methylphenidate. I think maybe my expectations were a little too high - it seems to help A BIT? With VERY minor side effects. But not a silver bullet whatsoever. I've now titrated to the max dose and honestly a bit disappointed.

Each 'follow up' appointment is £250 + meds cost. The plan is 3 appointments, discharge to NHS shared care when stable, which obviously I'd like to do ASAP. If I ask to trial elvanse, I imagine I'll need more private appointments - with no guarantee it will be any better. I am mostly concerned that if I switch, will they let me go back to methylphenidate? As I DO think it's helpful, but not as much as I'd hoped.

I've tried to stop reading posts on how different people react as we're all so different. But I just don't know whether it's worth the money, to trial something, and then potentially not get any meds whatsoever. I'm also in the 'do I even have ADHD?' mindset lol.

Has anyone been in this situation? Advice appreciated, ty.