r/ADHDmeds

Hey everyone,

I’m a 24F, diagnosed and medicated for about a year now. During the day, my medication works incredibly well for my focus and alertness. However, the nighttime side effects are becoming unbearable, and I need some advice on how to manage them.

Even if I take a single dose as early as 8:00 AM, I cannot fall asleep that night. To make things worse, every time I'm stuck awake, I experience intense hypersexuality. I’m not sure if it’s a direct chemical side effect or just a result of being awake and restless, but it happens every single time.

I’ve already tried three different types of medications with no luck, and my doctor essentially told me there isn't much else to do about these side effects. Because the price I pay at night is so heavy, I've started avoiding my medication altogether.

For those who have dealt with severe insomnia or hypersexuality from stimulants:

How do you manage these symptoms?

Do specific bedtime routines, supplements, or sleep aids help you "turn off" the meds?

Should I push my doctor to look into non-stimulants, or is it time to find a second opinion?

I really want to stay on my treatment because it helps my daily life so much, but I can't keep living on zero sleep. Any tips or experiences would be highly appreciated.

I’m so confused how 2 drugs for ADHD can affect me so differently. I know the drugs affect everyone differently and it depends on your own chemistry, but it genuinely baffles me.

Adderall (20mg XR Lannett) made it so much easier for me to talk to people and I had much better verbal comprehension on it so I could reply faster and more smoothly. I wasn’t stumbling over my words.

I got switched to Focalin (10mg XR Teva) and it seems to be making me almost stuck in my head and it feels so much more difficult to almost “drag” my attention up to talk to somebody. I also feel like I’m kinda just staring in one spot and not getting much done.

I got switched because the Adderall was giving me some annoying side effects like sweating or feeling physically a little stiff/clenched sometimes. Does anybody else have a similar experience or suggestions?

These past weeks have been the hardest of my life. My son, (M8) was having trouble sitting still and focusing in his classes according to his teachers. We tried talking to him many times, but he’s just too hyperactive for the school environment. My partner (NB33) was diagnosed with autism at around the same age. We were given the advice to start him on ADHD medication now, and see if it worked. We started him on 30mg IR by recommendation of his psychiatrist. Since starting it, he has been nothing but pleasant. He sits still, says please and thank you, and is nothing but the nicest kid. Yet, part of me can’t help but feel guilty medicating him at his young age. The other day, I decided I would try one of his pills to see what he was feeling, and it was unreal. I felt like I was on some kind of party drug, and couldn’t stop grinding my teeth. Need advice from other ADHD parents on whether it would be better to leave him unmedicated and struggling or keep him on the adderall.

I’m prescribed generic Adderall 15mg IR twice a day. I don’t vape anymore but I crave nicotine when I’m medicated. I find myself unable to feel my meds after I smoke a cigarette whether it’s while I’m medicated or I just took it and waiting for it to kick in. I feel nothing except for a dull feeling in my head and I wanted to know if anyone has dealt with this. Any advice helps

Just started Methylphenidate ER (Trigen Lab) 2 weeks ago, 36mg. I was on Ritalin 10mg 3x day for a while and asked my psychiatrist to switch to extended release since my days are so long now. I used to take concerta in college and remember the effects being very different. I’m not necessarily looking for that euphoria but I don’t find that it helps maintain my focus as much and the motivation is still hard for me. I also feel starving all day long. No matter how much I eat, I’ll still feel hungry 30 mins to an hour later. I’m actually gaining weight now.

I know a lot has changed since then with shortages and a lot of people finding their meds aren’t the same anymore. Also, our bodies change over time but I’m wondering if the generic is the reason or maybe the dose?

My psych doesn’t really believe in any differences between name brand and generic so if I wanted to switch I would have to find another dr. or pharmacy?

Also, does anyone have any tips? I know diet and hydration is big, which I think I’m pretty good at maintaining that. I feel like I need to take breaks during the day but sometimes I don’t come back to my work after my break. I take days off on the weekend or at least 1 day a week. My cycle has a big role and I know that my meds won’t really work when I’m on my period.

i recently was upped to 54mg of ritalin (concerta xl). was on 36 but i felt no change. first few doses of the 54 and i am struggling - i feel a strong buzz of energy in morning and night but still 0 motivation so i get stuck.

i cant focus on anything it’s either too stimulating or not enough. i have no motivation to be productive but have all this energy that i feel wired and stuck. last night was hell, unable to sleep, unable to watch anything, listen to anything, or do anything, but doing nothing felt so wrong.

am i on too high a dose? i felt nothing on 36 but now i feel this might be too much? i have depression so have always struggled with motivation maybe thats why?

26, M - I work a tech job and barely manage to get shit done .

Read a lot about medication - aderall, vyanese, ritalin - one thing that massively concerns me is a lot of people on this sub talking about how ED is a consistent side effect?

Need your thoughts on this

Any guys out there who have been on meds for long and didn't face this?

Hey all, looking for suggestions/guidance. Have spent months trying to find a medicine that works for me. I tried three doses of (generic) Adderall XR (10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg.) None gave me any noticeable improvement in energy, mental noise, focus, task initation, paralysis, etc. It also made me significantly more depressed, angry, anxious, stressed, and irritable. I tried it as long as I could but it became unbearable.

Switched to the other class (Methylphenidate) with (generic) Focalin XR. Currently on 10 mg a day. I do notice a bit of improvement in terms of energy and focus, but it's not huge. I feel a bit more irritable on it and get these weird depressive "pangs," and I also notice that I get this extreme sense of air starvation. Like I can never get a satisfying breath. It got so bad that I went to the ER because I almost passed out and my vision went white because I felt so starved for air. Stopped taking it for a couple of weeks until my breathing became normal again, now I'm giving it one last shot to make sure it was the medicine that caused that and not something else (the tests that they did at the ER showed absolutely nothing was wrong with my lungs or heart.)

Some other considerations: I'm already a bit prone to irritability and espexially anxiety. I also tend to only sleep about 4 hours a night (trying to get better.) Which direction do I go after this if it doesn't work? Non-stim? How effective are those? Thanks in advance.

Edit: Can't check manufacturer names lately but should be able to update about the generic Focalin XR in a bit.

My wife is on Vyvanse after being on Concerta for years. I’ve noticed since the switch… or maybe before the switch that she talks constantly now. So much that it’s difficult to get a word into the conversation. I certainly notice it and I believe that some of our friends notice it too.

Can anyone tell me if Vyvanse can cause this?

Thanks

Exactly what the title says I've lost access to care because I requested a 7-Day trial of Zenzedi, which they gave me but they did not like at all and when they did that they stuffed my 4 mg of clonazepam just completely stopped it and gave me 10 mg twice a day of Valium and without the I can't even find my words without the stimulant my executive function is not working at all to try and deal and cope with this current situation. I don't know how to post or where to post that maybe someone that can help me with see my message. I'm crying I've been to two yards and they turn me away and I just don't know what to do.

I am in the process of trying out adhd meds. I am on the first med, which is Ritalin IR 10mg. I don’t have much to say about it. most of the side effects are when I am off of it and it’s mostly mood swings. really what I’m look for is something to shut my brain off. it’s always chattering, catastrophizing, obsessing. Im an adult in a profession where oddly enough focus isn’t really required. I just want to be ”normal” .

a couple of my family members told me they’ve had great success with Vyvanse so I’m going to try that next.

anyhow just curious what your med success story is!

I started taking Vyvanse about 4 months ago...I didn't feel much effect until my doctor got me to 30mg. At first i felt like it was working and helping me concentrate more, taking out the mindless noise in my brain and helping me start and complete tasks. Now that i have been on 30mg for 2 months, it doesn't seem like it is working like it was before. My doctor is hesitant to raise the dose because I am also on Lithium, but I am not sure if if I should just ask for it to be raised or try a different medication...Please let me know your thoughts!!!!

37-year-old female. I have major depressive disorder. I’m currently taking Pristiq and Zoloft. I am currently reducing my Zoloft was on 200 now I’m down to 100. Both generic versions of the prescription.

I’m wondering, how do I talk to my doctor about putting me on Vyvanse or Concerta? I feel like I have ADHD and that’s part of the reason I have depression. Some days I don’t feel like getting out of bed. And some days I do when I do feel like I’m ready to get stuff done. I can start in one room and get distracted and never come back to finishing my task so I’m getting not a lot done but working hard. I drink caffeine constantly. I can fall asleep after drinking 2 Alani‘s. My sister was diagnosed with ADHD recently and I’m wondering if I have it too. We share the same symptoms which include forgetfulness low energy can’t finish one task, constantly leaving doors and things open.

Last night I went to make myself something to drink, got the ice in the cup, got distracted, maybe an hour or so later I got thirsty again, went in the kitchen, and I still have ice in my cup with nothing to drink in it. I know I didn’t drink it constantly losing my phone or vape when I do clean up I can’t remember where I put anything. please someone and help

I am not really sure what to put this under, but I came back to reddit to hear others experiences.

Right now, I am on stimulants (Adderall Ir with Adzenys). It was my providers idea a few months ago when neither seemed to work to their full potential in me. Anything long term helped with moods, stability, but not with the focus or initial dopamine to get started. IR helped with the initial focus and starting tasks, but it didn't last and led to mood issues.

Prior to this, I had always just been on IR for 12 years. I had tried others in that time, but it worked for me. Until it didn't. Right before this addition, and it is on the higher side of dose, I (33m) was diagnosed with anemia. It wasn't too bad, so my Dr put me on iron. I was also diagnosed with severe vitamin d deficiency and got put on meds for that. immediately I noticed the ADHD meds worked 20 times better with the vitamin D being stabilized. However, the anemia never did and got worse.

Since the anemia has moved to severe, and specialists are now involved, I feel like the ADHD meds aren't working at all. I'm so physically exhausted I can't focus. I can't find anyone else that has had a similar experience. I am hoping someone here has had a similar experience just so I know I am not alone.

TL;DR

Has anyone had the experience with stimulants no longer being effective and been anemic? I don't want to feel alone, like I am losing my mind.

Has anyone had this experience, I need it for studying because it wore off, I am planning on studying all night. Has anyone taken it like this?

Alguém aqui utiliza ou já utilizou a combinação de duloxetina e Venvanse (lisdexanfetamina)?
Minha psiquiatra iniciou o tratamento com 30 mg de Venvanse, e nos primeiros dias tive bastante dificuldade para dormir. Cheguei ao sexto dia praticamente sem conseguir dormir direito. Depois, a dose foi ajustada para 60 mg, mas a insônia continuou.
Mais recentemente, comecei a perceber algo que não acontecia antes: dificuldade de memória e de concentração durante a fala. Às vezes estou formulando uma frase e, de repente, simplesmente me perco no que estava falando ou esqueço a palavra/ideia que queria expressar.
Gostaria de saber se alguém que já usou duloxetina junto com Venvanse passou por algo parecido, principalmente insônia e essa sensação de perda ou bloqueio de memória.
Para quem teve esses efeitos: eles melhoraram depois de algum tempo ou continuaram enquanto usava a combinação? E alguém percebeu melhora após ajustar a dose ou trocar um dos medicamentos?
Não pretendo alterar a medicação por conta própria; quero apenas conhecer experiências de outras pessoas para conversar melhor com minha psiquiatra.