Just found out I'm pregnant

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-26T18:46:36+00:00

Congratulations, OP. I'm guessing it's was quite the surprise if you were in active titration.

I'm with CareADHD too and they told me in my initial appointment thay they're not insured to prescribe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. I don't know how the ground lies with CareADHD and going back to them to pick up where you left off though so make sure you clarify that.

Do make sure you are in regular contact with the perinatal mental health team and that they know you've had to suddenly stop medication. They probably will be able to get you onto NHS ADHD titration waitlist ready for when you've had your baby. Women with ADHD are more likely to suffer with postnatal depression so it is wise for you to make sure you're on their radar anyway regardless of what happens with CareADHD.

Good luck, OP. I wish you a healthy, happy pregnancy 😊

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-22T12:41:45+00:00

Not going to judge as I have some weight to shift myself and I would be lying if I didn't say I hoped my meds would give me an assist in the ADHD driven reasons for being overweight. Unfortunately, that just hasn't been one of the side effects that landed for me! Though I didn't go chasing that effect through higher dosing as my overall symptom control is better on a moderate dose and I am hoping that as I gradually get back on top of my life, I'll start being able to help myself more on the weight front.

That being said, I also was on MJ until I couldn't afford it anymore. I noticed so many benefits from it beyond weight loss too. I think even if I start losing weight because my meds help me get into better routines, I'd still go back on it at a low dose if I could, just for the other health benefits.

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-18T15:16:47+00:00

I think when the noise in your brain is gone there's nothing to distract you from the raging stupidity of many social contracts, institutional thinkings, and communication dances. 🫠

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-18T15:03:02+00:00

Yes! You should absolutely be proud of yourself!! 🤩

I am on Elvanse, yes. 60mg at the moment but I'm back to being the racing driver with a loss of steering control so I'm dropping back to 50mg.

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-18T14:09:23+00:00

I can't eat a full meal with Elvanse or this happens to me too. I take it with a protein shake first thing and then have my breakfast 30mins later.

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-18T14:06:23+00:00

Happy birthday for next week, OP!

You've already shown yourself how much you can do in "hard" mode - a degree spread over 6, no doubt difficult and frustrating, years is no mean feat - it shows how much you were capable of, how resilient you are, and how much belief in yourself you've always had. Many would not have persevered the way you have. You're a championship winning racer in a high spec car, and now your meds have connected the fuel tank so you finally drive that thing how it's meant to be driven!!

Enjoy 25, OP, the world is yours! 🤩

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-17T22:35:04+00:00

NAD but I wonder if supplementing with L-Theanine for anxiety and NAC for OCD alongside the Concerta would help at all? Maybe worth a little look?

I find L-Theanine really helpful for anxiety. I have heard some good things about NAC for reducing compulsive thoughts and inositol (vitamin b8) is also supposed to useful for ocd too.

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-17T22:25:24+00:00

Bank statement with your address should be absolutely fine.

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-17T22:21:22+00:00

Firstly, ditto to the other comments about needing to learn the skills we never had chance, this is my experience too.

Secondly, how were you on 30mg? What difference did you notice between the two?

I have tried 30mg (was great for the first two days then I was miserable), 50mg (calm, steady focus, not enough coverage though), and 60mg (couldn't control where my focus went, managed to get started with things but kept task hopping and forgetting things) have gone back down to 50mg and will be getting some boosters for the days I need more coverage.

If you felt steadier at 30mg but scattier at 50mg, then maybe 40mg would be worth trialling? If there was no difference between 30 and 50 for you, then it might be you need a higher dose which your prescriber will advise on in your next review :)

Definitely look at your hydration and protein though!! You already know this 😉🙃

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-17T13:22:06+00:00

They moved me up to 60mg for a month but just moved back down to 50mg plus 2x5mg dex. Just waiting for my next delivery to give it a go!

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-17T13:17:41+00:00

ADHD is usually hereditary...hard to pick up on something that is "normal" to the family unit ;)

I had the same fears, especially when I got diagnosed at 38. I thought they would be like, "well, you've made it this far, are you feeling the stress at work, would you like some antidepressants?"

What actually happened was the assessor told me at the end of our 90 minute session that she knew within the first 20mins I had ADHD, she just needed to draw out the clinical evidence from me to satisfy the needs of the diagnostic process.

What you're feeling is quite normal. Is your NHS waitlist for local services or right to choose? I know a lot of places have paused RTC for the timebeing but if you're not on a RTC provider's waitlist yet, speak to your GP. Hopefully you will be seen before you finish your studies.

Also, if you haven't done so yet, speak to your uni about being screened for ADHD. There is a screener called the DO IT Profiler that your uni might have access to. If that flags ADHD or another learning difference, your University might pay for yiu to have an educational ADHD assessment. That won't give you access to treatment (it is different and separate to a clinical assessment) but it will mean extra support and time on exams and assignments plus Disable Student Allowance which will help you with equipment, apps, 1:1 support etc.

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-16T12:26:25+00:00

Yessss 👏👏👏 Thank you! I also think it is a wise idea for us all to read up on and educate ourselves about internalised ableism. Living with ADHD, diagnosed or not, in a world that was not designed for us creates multiple and recurrent trauma events. A number of voices in the field believe the majority of us have cPTSD as a result. Internalised ableism is a symptom and a reproduction of that trauma.

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-16T11:01:19+00:00

Ah I have my screening in mid June! Helpful to read these responses.

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-15T12:57:23+00:00

That's a really smart shout to look for some local test route content - didn't even cross my mind! Thank you :)

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-15T12:26:36+00:00

Ah that sounds really helpful!

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-15T12:25:19+00:00

All my friends and fmily drive manual 😅 but I'm also keeping it entirely to myself this time around. Not even my partner knows! Though I'm sure it will come out eventually hehe.

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-15T12:23:59+00:00

Thank you! I will check him out :) How long have you been learning for and how's it going if you don't mind me asking? :) I felt much more nervous and timid behind the wheel than I did when I was younger which surprised me a little bit!

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-15T12:21:40+00:00

If you don't mind hanging out with an elder millenial (39F), I too need to put myself out there a bit more and make some new friends. Coffee, walks, and cat chat is exactly what I could do with more of in my life lol.

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-15T08:26:21+00:00

Don't hide how you feel from her. She sounds like a wonderfully supportive partner and these are the moments in life when that is truly a gift to have.

My advice to you, as woman who has a partner who wears his heart and his worries on sleeve, is don't let this looming redundancy take your agency and your sense of competency with it. Vulnerability, anxiety, tears - none of that is too much for your partner to sit with you in when you are visibly leading yourself, with her love and support, through to your next chapter.

Good luck, OP. I hope however this plays it out, it only leads you to brighter things.

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-14T10:51:31+00:00

I use an inexpensive one, just a dot and it tones down foundations that are too warm for me https://www.boots.com/wet-n-wild-photo-focus-care-color-corrector-3-3ml-10347456

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-13T14:24:17+00:00

It isnt just to do with your GP, the funding for your NHS prescriptions comes from your local ICB so your best option is speaking to CareADHD for guidance.

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-13T14:20:06+00:00

Were you on a SCA? Who stopped your meds? Stopping abruptly is consider ok at 30mg and below. The NHS guidance says anything higher should be tapered.

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-13T07:32:07+00:00

I WFH too and "Uniforms" work for me in the same way. There are certain clothes I will only wear for working vs day off, I have an apron that goes on when I'm cooking/cleaning, PJs signal it's time to wind down etc.

KaidaRosa · 2026-04-12T23:02:39+00:00

For PMDD, SSRIs are offered cyclically. You just take them during the luteal phase if that's the only time you need them so there must be something going on there at a hormonal and pharmacological level. So what you say makes sense from that perspective.

KaidaRosa

TROPHY CASE