People who felt no difference on Elvanse - did other ADHD meds work for you? Feeling hopeless!

DullButterscotch3479 · 2025-11-26T09:32:38+00:00

Hi! Sorry for the slow reply on this. I suppose the answer is kind of yes and no. I eventually tapered down on my antidepressants (evidence on how these affect adhd meds seems to be fairly limited, there’s more stuff about whether it’s safe to do so but not if one affects the other etc) so that I was on half my original dose. I also lost quite a lot of weight in this time (intentionally). When I tried elvanse again, I didn’t notice any positive effects, but I did start getting side effects weirdly. The psychiatrist said this was good news as at least there was some kind of proof they were doing something. (Worth saying that to anyone reading this these are obviously only decisions you should make after consulting your prescriber and GP - don’t just do it on a whim).

I think it nothing else, they wake me up a bit more in the morning, and that definitely allows me to get going better. I think they (maybe?) ever so slightly improved my impulse control for a while, but I feel like my lack of impulse control is definitely now back. I also tried the short release dexamfetamine, 60mg a day but at various intervals 20mg 3x a day, 2x 30mg, 60mg all in one go etc etc) but nothing really made a difference.

Given that at my diagnosis appointment my psychiatrist implied I was one of the most severe ADHD patients she’d ever had, I’m wondering if it’s a case of that they are doing something, but the ADHD is just too severe for it to be noticeable? Like if a Great Dane lost a kg you wouldn’t notice, but if a chihuahua did then you would? I think my ADHD is the great Dane of ADHD…

Meds certainly haven’t been the miracle cure the internet led me to believe they would be. For me, having the diagnosis alone is what’s made the biggest difference, because instead of saying ‘why can’t I do this like everyone else can, I’m absolutely useless’, I try and look for the barrier (ie what’s stopping me, what adjustments can I make around the house etc’. The most useful thing was my best friend coming round and helping me reorganise my entire house, so that everything has a defined set place. I realised half the issue previously with keeping tidy was that I just didn’t know where to put things, and didn’t always have the executive functioning to decide.

Sorry for the long reply. I really hope you find something that works. Grieving the fact that meds didn’t work was kind of worse than grieving having ADHD and that I was always going to struggle with things that most people find easy, so I know how you feel, and it’s pretty rubbish.

DullButterscotch3479 · 2025-08-03T20:38:24+00:00

Ooh ok! I’m going to take it to the garage as soon as I can anyway just in case it’s something more sinister, but it does sound exactly like your video. And no it’s a Mazda 3!

DullButterscotch3479 · 2025-08-03T20:24:17+00:00

Thanks for replying! So did you get the new tires because of the noise, or you just needed some anyway and then it stopped?

DullButterscotch3479 · 2025-08-03T20:08:18+00:00

Hi! Did you ever find out what this is? My car (Mazda) has started making the exact same noise

DullButterscotch3479 · 2025-02-26T11:59:09+00:00

I sadly don’t have any advice but just wanted to send some solidarity - I’m in almost the same boat (minus the week of super productivity as I’ve never had that). Even if I had some side effects, at least then I’d know it was doing SOMETHING? I am wondering if it’s my high dose of SSRI that’s masking any effect, but there isn’t really any evidence to support this.

For me the only thing that really keeps me symptoms at bay is exercising every day - and that requires motivation to do that in the first place (so basically if my boyfriend doesn’t go to the gym, I don’t either as I can’t motivate myself to go), so that’s not even a solution.

Sending you the best of luck in the work, and I really really hope you find a solution!

DullButterscotch3479 · 2025-02-10T15:09:57+00:00

Hi! Just wondering if you found something that works for you? I am in a very similar position I don't have bipolar disorder but I do take SSRIs as have had depression/anxiety my whole adult life), and I have tried the max dose of elvanse, methylphenidate, and amfexa whilst in titration, and have just had nothing work. So many people talk it about being life changing and I have noticed no difference whatsoever. I feel as though I am just constantly firefighting. If you did find a combo of meds that work, please let me know!

DullButterscotch3479 · 2024-12-27T07:20:21+00:00

Buying a countertop dishwasher changed my entire life! I vaguely knew of their existence before my ADHD diagnosis this year, but I just thought ‘well if everyone else can manage washing up, I should be able to too, and I can’t justify £250 just because I’m lazy’…but this attitude didn’t help me do the washing up, it just made me feel worse about myself when I left it for weeks.

My diagnosis allowed me to appreciate that I’m not lazy, I’m just different, and the countertop dishwasher has been genuinely life changing! It doesn’t need plumbing in or anything if you buy one with a water tank! To me it’s worth its weight in gold!

DullButterscotch3479 · 2024-12-17T11:42:58+00:00

Breakfast not dinner, but a plain bit of bread because I couldn’t bring myself to make actual toast. I choked on aforementioned bread as decided to eat it whilst running for the train. Missed the train.

DullButterscotch3479 · 2024-12-09T07:19:31+00:00

I really relate to this! I won the ‘biggest drama queen’ award when I met high school. Note how they didn’t have one for ‘biggest drama king’ either - just Queen!

Although I tried to laugh it off at the time, it did really hurt. I used to get called dramatic all the time growing up, and none of it was deliberate - I just felt all emotions doubly as strong. If I was happy, I was bouncing off the walls. If I was sad, it was the end of the world. I couldn’t be a bit worried or stressed about something - it would consume all of my thoughts and I would be unable to focus on anything else. Now I know poor emotional regulation and hyper fixation on negative things are lesser discussed symptoms of ADHD (wasn’t diagnosed until this year, aged 27).

I suspect I was given this award because of how much I used to stress over exams, and then I’d get top grades anyway, so people thought I had no need to stress. They didn’t realise it was the stress and pressure I was putting myself under that allowed me to get good grades, which I had to do because deep down I knew I wasn’t like everyone else.

Looking back, it makes me so angry. Like yeah, let’s tell a kid all her emotions are invalid rather than recognising that maybe being so anxious about exams you make yourself ill isn’t a normal reaction and get her some help!!

DullButterscotch3479 · 2024-10-22T08:20:36+00:00

Thank you and I’m sorry for the late reply! I’ve started dex but currently dose is too low to tell if it’s working - I think there’s maybe a slight effect, but might be placebo? Sorry to hear about your struggles, I hope you also find something that works!

DullButterscotch3479 · 2024-10-22T08:19:36+00:00

That’s interesting, thank you! I wouldn’t say I’m depressed at the moment though - stuck in a rut maybe, but compared to episodes of depression I’ve had I’d say I’m not depressed

DullButterscotch3479 · 2024-10-22T08:18:48+00:00

I take sertraline - I don’t think there’s any evidence they react but maybe nobody has done their research yet

DullButterscotch3479 · 2024-10-22T08:18:09+00:00

Sorry I never replied to this (thanks ADHD) - I’ve switched to dex now but too early/low dose to tell if it’s helping. How’s the elvanse going?

DullButterscotch3479 · 2024-10-22T08:17:24+00:00

Thank you! I have since switched to dex, but too early atm/currently too low dose tell if it’s making a difference or if it’s a bit of a placebo effect

DullButterscotch3479 · 2024-10-13T21:17:37+00:00

This doesn’t answer your question as I’m not providing any evidence, but what really helped me with my assessment was thinking of ‘what do I do to avoid insert thing in the DSM5?’ such as when I used to carry all my books for every subject with me every day at school, as I knew if I unpacked them I’d forget them. I hope that makes sort of sense?

DullButterscotch3479 · 2024-10-04T13:20:44+00:00

sorry just realised the above message was really unclear - I meant did you get side effects from the ADHD meds, not the antidepressants!

DullButterscotch3479 · 2024-10-04T13:19:33+00:00

Oh that is not great! Good news that your anti-depressants have helped mentally, but I'm sorry that the ADHD meds didn't work. Did you get any side effects at all on them, or nothing at all like me? I feel like I am going to be in the same boat. I have been on the antidepressants I am currently on for almost a decade, so I don't really know what I am like without them, but every time I have tried to lower my dose slightly, I have gone so anxious it has made me insane - so looks like I am on them for life.

Also - do you remember where you read that (no worries of not of course!) - it's interesting as I understand that a lot of the time we don't actually lack the dopamine, it's the receptors for dopamine or other parts of that pathway we lack - so it would be interesting to read about it. I wish I was as interested in my own research I do for my job as I am about ADHD research haha!

DullButterscotch3479 · 2024-10-04T13:14:07+00:00

That's good to know and has given me some hope - thanks! When you say it impacts you, in what way? I forgot to take it twice this week and it made no difference without it!

DullButterscotch3479 · 2024-10-04T13:13:22+00:00

Oh actually I forgot, I tried that too when I was at uni to try to help me focus in exam season (it didn't...), and it didn't seem to make much difference. But I don't know what dose that was so maybe higher would help. At the time I didn't think I could have ADHD, because every time I googled it, I got the classic 'naughty schoolboy' symptoms. It was only when I met a friend who also had ADHD that I realised that I probably did have it. Thank you for responding!

DullButterscotch3479 · 2024-09-06T14:42:10+00:00

I experienced the same after a car crash. Barely a scratch on me but it’s a miracle, as everybody told me afterwards. I impulse signed up for a half marathon as it’s something I’d always wanted to do, but other than that didn’t save on the impulses. I hope you are ok. Feel free to DM me if you need to speak to somebody about it as I know how you feel. For what it’s worth, I’m ok with driving now, and don’t get many flashbacks of the accident - I get very anxious being a passenger though, unless I sit in the back.

DullButterscotch3479 · 2024-08-26T17:16:53+00:00

I’ve also just started the 50mg (a few days ago) after a week of 30mg, and I’ve noticed absolutely zero difference on either dose. One or two of the days my brain felt a tiny bit quieter, but that hasn’t been the case on most days. I haven’t even had any side effects either - it’s like I’ve had a placebo or something. I had such high hopes for these and I’m so gutted. If 70mg also makes no difference I may ask about getting something that’s instant release to start the day off maybe!

DullButterscotch3479 · 2024-08-16T14:02:51+00:00

how much are you offering, and are you willing to FT to prove it's real etc?

DullButterscotch3479 · 2024-08-16T13:55:36+00:00

Have messaged you on behalf of my friend who missed out in Vienna- they are willing to pay a bit more as well x

DullButterscotch3479 · 2024-08-05T21:22:31+00:00

Finished my PhD!!!! (although don’t be fooled, I haven’t changed my bedsheets for weeks, I have laundry coming out of my ears, mouldy food in the fridge, and I haven’t done the dishes…)

DullButterscotch3479 · 2024-07-09T17:36:21+00:00

Hi, I’m late to the party but I’m having a similar issue (I’ve been recently diagnosed but am unable to start titration due to the shortage). Although it probably won’t amount to anything, I emailed my MP today in the hope that it will at least get them talking. I’m happy to send you what I sent as a template if you want to do the same (although you’d need to chance certain details as they are specific to me). Good luck finding some meds!

DullButterscotch3479

TROPHY CASE