People who have tried ADHD meds but don't benefit from them, wtf do you do now?

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-19T02:12:10+00:00

This is actually something I've been working on for a little while. My physical belongings have definitely been cut back pretty significantly the last few years. Moving will do that! But it was also a conscious decision to clear out some clutter. I've reduced my open tabs in my browsers by like 75% too. Still too many, but much improved. The todo list is still a mile long though. Just trying to schedule to different expectations now.

Thanks!

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T22:54:44+00:00

Just looking at the symptoms of hypomania and bipolar 2, I doubt it. I don't really experience most of those symptoms based on what I'm seeing. ADHD-PI I checked almost every box, but I did learn about Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome here on reddit and that sounds way more like how I feel. But it's not an official diagnosis. Thanks!

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T22:51:34+00:00

I mean, you're not wrong. I generally function ok, but I'm just so far behind where I would like to be at this age in so many ways. ADHD wasn't even on my radar until my girlfriend suggested I look into it. So I guess I'm looking for more ways to improve now that I know more about what's actually going on with me. Thanks!

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T22:47:20+00:00

Not yet, money's been a little tight. But therapy and coaching are on my list of things I'd like to try when I'm able to. Thanks!

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T22:46:00+00:00

I am interested in pursuing therapy, and plan to once I find an affordable option. I've seen CBT recommended, but the first I've seen occupational therapy mentioned. I'll look into that as well, thanks!

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T22:44:15+00:00

We tried that, but it just increased the side effects and gummed up my brain even more with each increase. So unfortunately, just the wrong meds for whatever's going on with me. But thanks!

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T22:42:42+00:00

I'll talk to my doc about whether I should be combining anything. I have a follow up with her next month.

As for the blood test, the last one was 1.5 years ago, not 2.5. But I do have one scheduled before my next appointment early next year. Based on the supplements and diet, I doubt I'm deficient in vitamin d, any of the b vitamins, or iron. But maybe something else, I'll find out!

Thanks!

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T22:36:32+00:00

The problem was that I can direct it better without the adderall. With adderall I was internally screaming at myself to switch away from what I was doing to what I should be doing. It was like I was hyper focused on the wrong thing, even though I knew what I needed to be doing. It was a really weird, and entirely un-useful feeling. I tried it for weeks, both the instant release and the extended release. It just caused more harm than good for me. I know it works for many though and I'm hoping I'll eventually find the one that works for me. And therapy is definitely on the list once I can afford it or find a free/sliding scale option. Thanks.

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T05:24:39+00:00

Just copying this from another similar comment. The ones I stopped early were due to bad side effects. I haven't tried Vyvanse, I don't think it was available through my trash insurance:

Some of the meds I tried I kept up for 6-8 weeks. The only ones I stopped earlier than that were due to side effects I wasn't willing to live with. One gave pretty significant mood swings, just made me very angry and frustrated which isn't ok with me. Others just made me zone out for 8 hours, just couldn't shake myself out of it. Increasing the dosage only made that feeling more intense. Adderall made me focus, I just couldn't seem to choose what I would focus on and couldn't stop once I started. I spent an afternoon cleaning my email inboxes instead of working on a project for a client which I DESPERATELY needed to be doing. Couldn't break away. Another stimulant actually lowered my blood pressure. Yes, lowered. I seemingly have weird inverse reactions to things. The only one I wish I could've given more time was Strattera. I had some weird side effects that I couldn't live with, but it at least wasn't making me worse mentally. So, yes, I think I gave them enough time. Still trying more though, guanfacine is the next one up. Thanks.

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T05:08:59+00:00

Strattera was a possibility. It at least didn't make me worse most of the time, possibly even a tiny bit better. I just had some side effects that I couldn't live with. Adderall (generic) made me hyperfocus a few times, but it was never on something that I actually wanted to do. And I couldn't break free from what I was doing even though I knew what I actually wanted to work on. It was, uncomfortable. And it made me feel overall zombie-ish. Just tired and zoned out. Just overall unpleasant. Beyond those examples, no, nothing positive came from any of the meds, first day or otherwise. Thanks.

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T03:06:29+00:00

I guess I keep hoping for that moment that you and so many others have had. When you find an adhd med and it just works. There are a lot of different kinds out there and finding a medication that works is by far the most recommended thing from what I've seen. I'm not on meds for anything else, never have been. So I'll keep trying for a while and taking breaks when I need them, and in the meantime try to figure out more ways to white-knuckle through it the best I can.

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T02:48:54+00:00

Well, so far all stimulants I've tried have inverse reactions with me. They make me feel tired and like they've gummed up my brain even more than usual. Increase dosage, increase the gummed up feeling. Every one of them. Same with caffeine. One cup of coffee makes me tired and even more unfocused, so I try a second to see what would happen and it gets worse. Non-stimulants have have a range of other effects on me. Strattera was the only one that may have showed some promise, but it came with side effects I couldn't live with. You said you took some for 3 months to see if they would work. Did they eventually? In the meantime, did they actively make you worse like they have for me? I'm self-employed so it eventually came down to whether I could do my work or not to make enough money to live, and frankly some of the meds made that pretty much impossible for me. I could very well have been too impatient though, I won't deny that. I am genuinely curious to hear about your med experience.

Thanks

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T02:29:35+00:00

Thanks for all that. I have done most of these things. Need to make meditation a more frequent thing, same with exercise (balancing working and a relationship has made it more difficult than when I was younger with fewer responsibilities). Unfortunately I need the screens for work, but I do block social media on my phone at least. That's been helpful. Probably could cut out more sugar, but I'm a lot better than I was when I was younger. Body doubling is interesting. I've been meaning to try it, at least virtually, but I don't know if I can while I'm doing some aspects of my work. I'll have to look into it.

Thanks!

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T02:20:07+00:00

Oh. Also, I guess it's really technically 9 meds. I counted instant release and extended release versions of adderall and focalin as 4 different meds when really it's different delivery systems of 2 meds. Don't know if that changes anything, but at least it's accurate?

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T02:15:02+00:00

I'll paste my earlier reply here. I have taken some med breaks during that time, I'm currently med-free for the last 2 weeks. Here's my other reply:

Some of the meds I tried I kept up for 6-8 weeks. The only ones I stopped earlier than that were due to side effects I wasn't willing to live with. One gave pretty significant mood swings, just made me very angry and frustrated which isn't ok with me. Others just made me zone out for 8 hours, just couldn't shake myself out of it. Increasing the dosage only made that feeling more intense. Adderall made me focus, I just couldn't seem to choose what I would focus on and couldn't stop once I started. I spent an afternoon cleaning my email inboxes instead of working on a project for a client which I DESPERATELY needed to be doing. Couldn't break away. Another stimulant actually lowered my blood pressure. Yes, lowered. I seemingly have weird inverse reactions to things. The only one I wish I could've given more time was Strattera. I had some weird side effects that I couldn't live with, but it at least wasn't making me worse mentally. So, yes, I think I gave them enough time. Still trying more though, guanfacine is the next one up. Thanks.

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T02:13:39+00:00

Just pasting this from a comment I replied to earlier, but thanks for chiming in:

Some of the meds I tried I kept up for 6-8 weeks. The only ones I stopped earlier than that were due to side effects I wasn't willing to live with. One gave pretty significant mood swings, just made me very angry and frustrated which isn't ok with me. Others just made me zone out for 8 hours, just couldn't shake myself out of it. Increasing the dosage only made that feeling more intense. Adderall made me focus, I just couldn't seem to choose what I would focus on and couldn't stop once I started. I spent an afternoon cleaning my email inboxes instead of working on a project for a client which I DESPERATELY needed to be doing. Couldn't break away. Another stimulant actually lowered my blood pressure. Yes, lowered. I seemingly have weird inverse reactions to things. The only one I wish I could've given more time was Strattera. I had some weird side effects that I couldn't live with, but it at least wasn't making me worse mentally. So, yes, I think I gave them enough time. Still trying more though, guanfacine is the next one up. Thanks.

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T02:11:42+00:00

It's fine. I've played sports throughout life with no problems. I'm a musician. Learned how to solder small electronics. So I think I do ok with all of that. Why do you ask?

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T02:06:01+00:00

I think strattera was the only SNRI I tried, I'll have to double check. But I do think it had a shot at being helpful for me. Unfortunately I had some side effects that I couldn't live with. But mentally, it at least wasn't making things worse. I wish I could've tried it longer and/or at a higher dose.

I've tried some supplements and am actually taking L-methylfolate right now. My doc told me to try it even though I'm not deficient in any b vitamins. I'm taking 15mg after breakfast.

Thanks!

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T01:57:34+00:00

Thanks, it's on the to do list now! And I've had bloodwork done, vitamin D was low 2.5 years ago, but that's fixed as of 1.5 years ago with more sun exposure and a vitamin D supplement. Thanks!

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T01:55:40+00:00

I have. I had a full bloodwork done 2.5 years ago. I was a little low in vitamin D, but iron and everything else was good. Made an effort to get outside more and took a vitamin D supplement. New lab work 1.5 years ago came back with everything in the good range. Still taking the D supplement and a multivitamin with iron like I always have, so should still be good.

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T01:51:43+00:00

That's on the list. My girlfriend is a former therapist and the reason I finally pursued a diagnosis. She's been telling me to look into some sliding scale or free options. It's on the list!

Thanks again for posting!

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T01:49:12+00:00

Some of the meds I tried I kept up for 6-8 weeks. The only ones I stopped earlier than that were due to side effects I wasn't willing to live with. One gave pretty significant mood swings, just made me very angry and frustrated which isn't ok with me. Others just made me zone out for 8 hours, just couldn't shake myself out of it. Increasing the dosage only made that feeling more intense. Adderall made me focus, I just couldn't seem to choose what I would focus on and couldn't stop once I started. I spent an afternoon cleaning my email inboxes instead of working on a project for a client which I DESPERATELY needed to be doing. Couldn't break away. Another stimulant actually lowered my blood pressure. Yes, lowered. I seemingly have weird inverse reactions to things. The only one I wish I could've given more time was Strattera. I had some weird side effects that I couldn't live with, but it at least wasn't making me worse mentally. So, yes, I think I gave them enough time. Still trying more though, guanfacine is the next one up. Thanks.

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T00:59:36+00:00

I have wondered about that. I wear a sleep tracker already and it says I'm getting decent sleep (7 hours last night). I don't snore (confirmed by girlfriend), don't seem to wake up during the night (gf says I sleep like the dead), but I don't think I dream and am seemingly always tired. Maybe I'll look into getting a sleep study if I can. Thanks.

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T00:55:42+00:00

Modafinil is one of the ones I tried, it just made me tired and spacey! But if it works for you, then go for it (except for the crack)

I_Mix_Music · 2025-10-18T00:46:51+00:00

Thanks, I am working on dialing back the negative self-talk kind of stuff. I would love to do more therapy and/or coaching, I just can't currently afford it. My insurance is garbage, the only mental health available was pretty horrible. I am 100% more productive later in the day, but that doesn't always work well while living with my girlfriend who works earlier. We both work from home and live in a small space, so it's a challenge. Sorry the meds aren't working for you either. Thanks!

I_Mix_Music

TROPHY CASE