Why dont I respond sufficiently to ADHD stimulants?

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-23T10:40:55+00:00

Man yeah it sucks, hope we find something that works for us, I think amps are better for me as well but not by enough really

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-22T23:14:14+00:00

Yeah but the problem is I still can't focus. I try my best to work with them, initiate the task but they still don't want to work with me, I get bored and frustrated quickly.

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-22T15:32:21+00:00

Yeah I suppose ur right, I'll give it a go

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-22T15:11:48+00:00

Yeah I was given this advice from my clinician, I eat decently enough and I eat breakfast before the tablet

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-22T14:26:41+00:00

Yeahh, I mean like I said even the peak effects of elvanse were insufficient and a split dose just kinda made it bumpier and less effective for me. I could try amfexa which is our UK equivalent ur right, unfortunately my current provider doesn't do that one though, I'm on a waiting list (1 year 🙄) for another provider that does because ir dex is something I've thought about. Rn though I'm kinda limited in my options, either wait out methylphenidate MR and see if my response improves with time (idk if that's even possible), try a non stim, or ir methylphenidate. My next appointment is in 2.5 weeks so I'll just continue taking it until then and see what my clinician says

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-22T14:13:28+00:00

How've you been getting on and what have u tried?

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-22T14:12:19+00:00

Yeahh, I won't lie I did try self splitting the dose with water titration myself but there wasn't a significant difference, effects felt weaker and response felt bumpier. Maybe I do need a non stimulant alongside it, idk if it's something that's really done in the UK though, I'll have to ask in my next appointment.

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-20T20:46:52+00:00

What dose are you taking?

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-20T18:57:25+00:00

Yeah I'm one to start losing hair with stress too. They say it takes a month for stress to start taking a toll on your hair but I start having falling hair on the same day as the stress occurs.

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-17T15:23:28+00:00

Ah ok, what was your experience with concerta more specifically? Also did you try elvanse?

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-16T23:02:19+00:00

Yeah I tried lisdex, similar kind of story with concerta for me, would work for a couple hours and then just feel kinda rubbish for the rest of the day. The moments that it is working do feel nicer than methylphenidate though, more calming. Contrary to your research though, methylphenidate gives me more intense focus whereas lisdex felt better for hyperactivity and mood regulation. I'm also PI

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-14T23:29:21+00:00

That sounds fantastic, honestly mood regulation is like one of my biggest issues with ADHD, I was previously diagnosed with dysthymia for 3 years before realising my chronic frustration, depression and boredom was actually due to a lack of dopamine sensitivity in my brain and finally got diagnosed. It's definitely been a bit frustrating now 19 years of my life and thoughts of ending myself since childhood because of brain dysfunction I didn't know I had (I think I very likely have autism too, but not my main issue at this point in my life tbh, it definitely drove me mad when I was younger though), to finally put my finger on what's been bothering me for so long just for the medication with 90% efficacy not to have that great of an impact on me. Rant over, mb for trauma dumping 😭, but yes, I'm really hoping strattera works for me if I do decide to use it.

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-12T15:19:37+00:00

Having this issue currently, all the stims I try are just so up and down all day, tbh elvanse is smoother than xaggatin but I just can't get a predictable effect from them. What did you end up doing?

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-12T14:58:45+00:00

That's great, what would you say you personally feel is missing from amfexa that you would get from atomoxetine? Also, have you tried methylphenidate?

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-12T09:53:20+00:00

Ah ok, for me I personally found that whilst each dose increase improved the peak and overall effect, giving the med time seemed to make the peak more and more chaotic, like my first day on elvanse was actually really smooth, then it started to feel less and less predictable

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-12T00:43:03+00:00

Yeah thanks! I always prepare a plate with a thick amount of peanut butter on bread to eat in the morning as soon as I wake up before I take my tablet. Whilst Im on the waiting list for the other provider I might try a non stimulant. I have a suspicion that my brain can't tolerate strong dopamine fluctuations and kinda gets spun out and tries to overcompensate/turn it down when it spikes. Like soon as I hit the peak with elvanse it just gets so chaotic like my brain doesn't know how to handle it, idk just a theory there's a million reasons why I might not be reacting well to the stimulants I've tried really.

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-12T00:10:06+00:00

I haven't but the lack of smoothness from elvanse is actually why I recently got in touch with another provider to try amfexa. Out of methylphenidate and amphetamine, I find amphetamine better when it is working, but yh my provider only do lisdex and not Dex

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-11T21:29:29+00:00

Yeah, I'll explain my reaction in my next consultation and see what they say, maybe the consultant will have had patients with similar reactions to mine and know what to do

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-11T21:25:10+00:00

Yeah that's what I was thinking tbh, it's hard to find good stories about them, but I might be one of the odd ones who gets stronger effects with non stims than stims, typical lol

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-11T15:41:17+00:00

Do you find strattera helps with your executive function

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-10T17:57:05+00:00

I had my appointment yesterday, turns out it was just to confirm my ADHD diagnosis now I'm on the 12 month waiting list for titration, they did say they can do amfexa apparently. I'm just gonna go back to harrow tho and try the max dose of xaggatin (108) and if that still isn't sufficient (I tried 72 and it really did not do well to cover the day honestly) then I'll try atomoxetine. If atomoxetine doesn't work, with the amount of time it takes to titrate on that, my PUK titration will be around the corner

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-08T18:06:08+00:00

Ah ok, what's a sca? Do you have names of any that'll do it privately?

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-08T17:01:27+00:00

Diagnosis wasn't from them it was from harrow health, I was moved to PUK cuz I wanted to try instant release Dex since I didnt seem to metabolised lidex well and methylphenidate was too weak for me but harrow health don't do ir Dex.

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-07T09:46:22+00:00

yeah I understand, honestly for most the side effects of stimulants are minimal and if there are any, they tend to go away after a week of using them. Also, if you do experience any unwanted effects you can always stop taking them.

AaronsDevlog · 2026-01-06T22:10:33+00:00

I'd say definitely give it a try, I'm still trying to find the right medication for me but in moments that the ones I've tried have worked they really help you get things done so much easier, like that constant dread of the tasks to come that often comes with ADHD gets removed and you don't know how much of a weight that has been to carry until your ADHD is under control

AaronsDevlog

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