r/ADHDmeds

I finally got my first dose of ADHD medication after a lifelong struggle, and was hoping it would change everything for the better. PCP even put me on Vyvanse, which was the one I thought would work the best for my situation from my own research. He put me on a starter dose of 30 mg generic and so I took it on Friday 9:00 AM. Long story short, it didn't do anything for my executive dysfunction, but it did have some effects that are still present over 48 hours later. The main one I'm concerned about is the effect on my mind. When I first took it, I noticed it made my face, brain, and head "flush" and feel unusually warm every time I tried to visualize, have a inner monologue dialogue with myself, or basically use my brain for any cognitive task. I didn't think too much of it, I figured it was the medication throttling my thoughts for focus or to quiet my tendency to bounce from thought to thought. So my thoughts seemed to be sluggish and they would run into a lot of mental blocks. But then I started to get concerned when it was still doing that well into the night. And my worries started to grow when it still did that after sleeping and throughout all of Saturday. Now it's Sunday morning and that effect hasn't subsided. It feels like the only asset I had to combat life's difficulties has been taken away from me permanently in part. And it was for nothing, because the medication didn't even result in anything positive. Even while writing this post, the top of my head feels like it's hot from the inside, I checked my temperature and it's completely normal so I don't have a fever but it just feels hot. I can provide more details, please ask away. Any amount of guidance will be much appreciated, I've been waiting this whole time for PCP office to open so I can ask if I can continue taking it, as I didn't take another dose after the first one.

So I love to do art. I get super creative at times with so many ideas running in my head. My husband keeps pushing me to be medicated since I cannot focus. It doesn't help that I used to smoke weed, he was a heavy smoker and got me into it. He has Asperger's, his brain goes too fast and weed makes him normal.

I stopped weed because that is when we had problems. It made me clumsy and just not motivated to do anything but I had moments where I could focus on a movie. I felt groggy the next day, so I called it quits.

I thought stopping weed would help, but he is still pushing I get on meds.

For people that are creative, do you feel like the meds helped you become more creative or did it dull you out?

Hi everyone,

I’m currently taking 20mg a day of Dexamphetamine and I find it works great for focus, boost of motivation and a bit of “happiness”..however i really also struggle with emotional regulation (for most of my life) and controlling/switching off my thoughts which dexies help a very small bit but not so much.

I’m too scared or hesitant to switch to something else other than Dexies as they really do help with my executive dysfunctions and focus.

My psychiatrist has mentioned that dexies can be combined with some other forms of ADHD medications but I just wanted to see what people have experienced and have any feedback or opinions.

I’ve read that Guanfacine is a common medication non-stimulant that is commonly used in conjunction with dexies, and that it may help with emotional regulation and sometimes improve sleep (which is what I struggle with heaps too).

Thankyou all in advance 🥰

Took 60mg at 8 am then 40 and hour later then another 40 at 1:30 pm.

Will I be fine or do I need to go the hospital?

OK, so I had my doubts on this topic… I justified the decreased side effects and efficacy of Adderall due to my long-term use and high tolerance. However, this past week, I was at the hospital, and they gave me namebrand vyvanse and namebrand instant Adderall. OMG - I got so freaking geeked! it was unbelievable! I felt like I was in college again. The cottonmouth… The icky comedowns.. the cigarettes cravings.. I experienced it all. It was amazing and also alarming. One of the nurses asked me if I noticed any changes or differences in my medication‘s and I told her that my stimulants were 10 times stronger than normal and I asked her if she hears that a lot and she said yes.

I have a feeling that many of these generic companies are not using the right type of amphetamines or at the very least, they will find significant dosing discrepancies. This goes beyond conspiracy theory… Adderall aids in executive function and is a tool for people with learning disabilities and sleep disorders.

I’ve thought a lot about this, and I think the only way we may be able to have testing done on generic Adderall vs. namebrand would be to have a law firm Perform the actual tests since they have the power of the subpoena. If we are right, this could be a very lucrative class action suit for the law firm and also all of us victims who’ve had our livelihoods disrupted.

I now 100% believe that this is not in our heads and that’s something significant has changed in the production of generic stimulants. It is illegal, it is negligent, and it is fraudulent.

I personally know that my performance at my job has significantly decreased over the last five years and it’s largely due to my meds not working the way they should. What kind of (quantifiable) damages have you experienced?

Today I got up early (6:30) for a big family event, I took 10mg short acting Ritalin right after waking up and also had 3 shots of coffee (I was extremely exhausted and thought it would help). Later (9) while doing makeup I guess I took concerta, then somehow forgot I already took it, and took it again. I normally take 36mg, so with the short acting I had a total of 82mg and it was BAD. I felt the effects 1hr into a car ride (wasn’t driving thank god) and was so painfully aware and alert. I am less anxious now but still feel uncomfortably awake, I am unable to stay still or relax. However I did know this wasn’t a dangerous amount for me (accidentally did same thing a few years ago and didn’t die so I knew I’d be ok) which helped ease anxiety and racing heart. I took the Concerta around 9am this morning and it’s now almost 7pm, still feeling it pretty strongly. Has anyone else done this? I am assuming since ADHD makes us forgetful it might be quite common to accidentally double up.

Also, if you have any tips on how to avoid accidentally doubling up please share cause I absolutely don’t want to do this again lol

edit: yes I know the coffee made this astronomically worse lmao (hence why I included it as a detail!) that is not an amount I have everyday.

Final edit: I am sorry if anything I’ve said hasn’t made much sense, my brain is going so fast I cannot properly contemplate everything. It’s almost 10:30pm now, I am still very much awake and alert, will likely be up all night. Thank u for the genuinely useful advice.

I picked up my prescription two days ago and noticed the pill looked different but with all the shortages, I figured it was another generic.

2 days I’ve been on Dexedrine instead of Adderall and the side effects are awful and clearly I prefer Adderall. I’m exhausted, my mood is so low and it’s causing depression like feelings.

It’s a new prescriber, so I assume it was a mistake. I did message her advocating I switch back to Adderall asap.

Has anyone else had Dexedrine substituted for Adderall?

I just started taking adhd meds (5 days in) and i’m on 18mg of extended release xaggitin/concerta. I’m not a fan at the moment, Everything is slower but im still getting distracted and staring off into space and procrastinating. I usually take it at around 8/9 and by 6pm I crash and have a headache and need to take a nap.
I’m with the NHS after waiting 3 years after my diagnosis so I am relieved to begin the process, im just groaning at the thought of staying on the dose/type of medication for 6 weeks till my appointment.

I was wondering if anyone is with the nhs and has managed to change their meds before the 6 weeks?
I know I should probably just stick it out it’s just this headache and tiredness for not a lot of help with my adhd is frustrating :,)

I used my Vyvanse and dexies not just for Adhd but to treat my mood - as after several failed trials of antidepressants it seemed to be the only thing that worked. I now eat them like lollies to keep my mood up. After a period of stopping them for 4 months I found nothing enjoyable - my mood felt like a balloon I was desperately trying to keep in the air and stop hitting the ground. I don’t want to feel euphoric - just content. Is there any hope for antidepressants working for me ?

Meet Jane.

Jane has ADHD and has taken Adderall 10mg for years without issue. She moves, gets a new doctor and new insurance. One month her pills look different. Same medication, different manufacturer. She takes them anyway — “It’s the same thing.”

Within days: anxiety, jaw clenching, sweaty palms, headaches, elevated blood pressure, worse focus.

Sound familiar? I’m not speaking hypothetically. I’ve been on ADHD medication for almost 25 years and lived this myself.

Now I’m watching it happen to my 6-year-old son.

Intuniv helped impulse control but left him drowsy and checked out at school. We added a stimulant. Generic Concerta worked for focus — but caused headaches, nausea, and 2.5 lbs of weight loss in three weeks on a kid who could not afford to lose it.

Adderall XR 5mg was next. His need to move went through the roof, he got scrappy at school, and I caught that his BP had crept into hypertension range. HELL NO. I called the office, got us in, and pointed it out to the doctor — then pushed for Vyvanse. Smoother onset, all-day coverage, no hard crash. She agreed. But forgot to write brand.

Oh — and because she switched him mid-script, the pharmacy refused to fill the Vyvanse until the doctor called to confirm he was off the Adderall. He is six years old.

So now he’s on generic Vyvanse. School reports are great. But his appetite isn’t suppressed — it’s gone. On 10mg. The generic manufacturer has multiple reports of increased appetite suppression vs. brand. Shocking, right?

Here’s my take: the ONLY reason an alternative formulation should exist is to serve patients with a specific allergy to something in the brand — gluten, synthetic dyes, whatever. That’s a legitimate medical need. But generics as the automatic default? Especially for children? Absolutely not.

Nobody should be handed a generic from the get-go on these medications. ESPECIALLY CHILDREN.

If insurance companies and PDMPs want to CONTROL these medications so aggressively, perhaps they should start by controlling the manufacturers first.

So I was prescribed ineffective Adderall (alvogen)June 22. Can I get another refill ..a new prescription before the 30 day mark? And let's say he's able to refill half the amount this month.. it would best to just wait to see him at the end of this month right? Obviously. Ugh

I finally saw a POTS specialist and he put me on ivabradine. I was on Guanfacine from my primary before this POTS specialist appointment. My primary did diagnosed me with POTS from symptoms + after my catecholamines test came back over 600 for norepinephrine levels. The Guanfacine has been great for my adrenaline dumps/surges, excessive sweating, headaches, etc. - it has lowered my heart rate some but not that much (about 95-110 resting, 80 sleeping).

The POTS specialist told me to get off Guanfacine for the ivabradine. I tried tapering off to just a 1/2 pill for one day and it was not good. Full adrenaline surge and dump all day long. I told the POTS specialist this, he doubled down on still not taking it. (Note: the POTS specialist “doesn’t believe” in hyperPOTS and I told him that it helped other symptoms, he didn’t want to hear it).

I reach out to my primary as he prescribed the Guanfacine. He said to try adding ivabradine and not stopping the Guanfacine for 3-4 days to see. Then I could slowly taper off the Guanfacine (he’d give me a schedule) if it’s not good. I feel much better with my heart rate, my visible band didn’t go off once today. I feel less hot and less dizzy.

The only couple of problems I have are -

1. I slept a longggg time after taking my first dose. Like I couldn’t keep my eyes open after 30 min of taking it.

2. My heart rate is a little low and it’s worrying me a little. It was 69 sitting up in the car (I was not driving), 60-62 lying in bed. The highest it’s gotten is 87. Websites say below 58 is bad / bradycardia, which I might get to when I go to sleep. I have my Fitbit set to wake me up if it does.

3. The middle of my chest is a little uncomfortable but in no way is it affecting my breathing. O2 is 97% on my Fitbit.

I’m on 5mg 2x a day.

Area these things normal and go away with time?

This is literally my first day taking it so I’m going to give it the 3-4 days. I’m not sure if I should ask to lower my ivabradine dosage or try to get off the Guanfacine (I really don’t want to). I’ve already tried other meds so I was hoping this one would work.

Thank you for reading & for any insights you might have.

Im out of state for work in Illinois, and will be in Indiana for the next 2 weeks starting Monday. I wont be home/ in Texas until the end of August. I have a prescription for Adderall XR from a NP clinic in my home town In Texas. I have got it sent to the local walgreen’s - back home - before but there is a smaller local pharmacy that is cheaper. So Ive been getting it sent there for the past few months after finding out it’s cheaper… Anyways, Long story short. I have about two weeks worth remaining. I’ve tried Dr. On Demand. they don’t handle CS ( controlled substances ) i need advice on what to do to get it refilled, without messing up the current prescription in Texas or anything like that (if messing it up is even possible) I’ve spoke with the NP and he said that since he is only licensed in Texas he can’t send my prescription and/or my medication up here. If yall know anything or have experienced the same problem please let me know how yall have overcome this situation. Anything helps. Thank you!

( if there is a specific subreddit i should have posted this in instead also let me know, so it can reach the right people and hopefully get the help i need)

I’m going to be traveling to England in a couple days and I’m prescribed Adderall 25 mg XR BID. I’m definitely not putting it in my checked luggage- my dad has had meds stolen from him when in his luggage. I will be bringing my meds in my carry-on. My psych NP wrote me a note to explain that I’m prescribed these meds and I will also will have the prescription bottle with me.

Any recommendations? Am I overthinking this? Thank you in advance.

I took the brand name Adderall and four generics to a lab in Canada and had them tested. the lab is a harm reduction lab and the tests were basic. I did get milligram count, accurate to within 2 percent. The brand name Teva 20mg IR had 10 mg in it. Epic was underdosed by 50% as well. please keep in mind that the different manufacturers vary from month to month. This isn't meant to be a guide for which medication to take. This is meant to be validating for those of you who have also been experiencing problems with Adderall and other CNS stimulants you may be prescribed. I have retained a law firm and we are trying to get more information. My hope is to put pressure on the FDA to do their job and regulate our meds properly to keep us safe and functional in a world that was not designed with our brains in mind. you can verify my results here yourselves: Substance Drug Checking click "check my results" and enter code 802 646 016. result posted here is Brand Name Teva 20mg IR.

Brand Name Teva Adderall 20mg IR

The change that ADHD meds have brought me have been pretty intense honestly, don't know if it's really intense in a bad way it's just... I felt like my life was kinda hopeless before taking them. I had completely lost hope in being able to socialize or ever feeling like I could fit in. I was depressed and kinda just expected life to continue that way, and honestly, it was a bit comforting accepting that truth. But seeing how drastically my life has changed in such a short period has been jarring and pretty much shattered my worldview. Anyone else relate to this experience?

I got a 90 day supply of this (CVS Caremark mail order) a couple weeks ago and it’s terrible. It doesn’t feel effective at all and I’m just now putting 2 and 2 together and realizing I think it’s causing some shitty mood symptoms and muscle tightness? (Never experienced this one before…)
I’ve taken more than I usually do and it still hasn’t done anything for me. Anyone have experience with requesting their Dr write a script for vyvanse so shortly after receiving a 3 mo supply? Nervous about being stuck with this for the next 3 months and desperately need something that works

I recently moved to Virginia, and transferring my ADHD care has honestly been a lot more difficult than I expected.
Before moving, I had been seeing the same psychiatrist for several years. It took a long time to find a treatment plan that worked, but once we did, it remained stable for about two years because it was effective and my symptoms were well managed.
Now that I’ve moved, it feels like all of that progress has been reset. My new providers are understandably cautious and want to evaluate everything themselves, which I completely respect, but it’s been discouraging feeling like I’m starting over after spending years finding what worked. I need a psychiatrist that will personalize a treatment for me and not just a one shoe fits all solutions. I also don’t wanna it to look like I’m fishing for a prescription for abuse or recreational use.
Has anyone else gone through this after moving?
How long did it take before your new psychiatrist felt comfortable continuing your established treatment?
Did your previous medical records help?
Was there anything you wish you had done before changing providers?
Any advice for making the transition easier?
I’m not looking for recommendations about medications or doses—just hoping to hear from people who’ve been through a similar situation and how they navigated changing psychiatrists after moving.
Thanks!

I’ve been trying to find the right medication combo for a while now, but I still can’t get through a full 8-hour work shift without feeling like everything wears off.
Here’s what I’ve tried over the years:
Adderall XR
Adderall IR
Vyvanse
Generic Concerta
Generic Ritalin
Mydayis
Dyanavel XR
Bupropion (currently 300 mg)
Right now I’m taking 300 mg bupropion and 15 mg Dyanavel XR.
The medication that helped me the most was honestly Adderall IR. My ADHD is pretty severe, and without medication I can literally spend the whole day in bed unable to get started on anything. The IR gave me enough energy to actually get moving and function, which made a huge difference.
The problem is my psychiatrist will only prescribe one 10 mg IR tablet a day along with a long-acting medication.
Vyvanse only seemed to work for about 2 hours for me. Dyanavel XR has actually been my second favorite because I like the immediate kick, and it lasts longer than Vyvanse for me, but it still isn’t getting me through a full workday.
I’m curious if anyone else metabolizes stimulants this quickly.
Did you end up finding a medication that lasted longer? Did your psychiatrist adjust your dosing schedule, or did you have to see someone else for a second opinion?
I’m not asking how to get more medication or anything like that. I’m just wondering if it’s worth talking to another psychiatrist since I still don’t feel like my current regimen covers my day.
I’d really appreciate hearing what ended up working for other people.