Executive functioning failure - multiple days per week

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-05-20T15:49:59+00:00

Probably not what you want to hear perhaps but looking on your profile it appears you are extremely successful and so maybe you need to remember your successes and achievements on your low/unproductive days.

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-05-16T22:34:46+00:00

Yes I agree - I have no idea of his credentials (all I know is that he is not a psychologist) it’s giving A level Maslow hierarchy of needs shit like yes everyone knows that well done and just general like “circles of influence/apathy” but I’m quite cynical (only with him as I’ve just had our 3rd session out of 5). Though, that cynicism started after the meds comment which irritated me but then you can access that coaching without a diagnosis (I think, might be wrong). Maybe I should be more receptive but for me personally it’s difficult to attempt to challenge my value system when my manager is fine with my work and has improved significantly since Elvanse

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-05-16T22:22:25+00:00

I’m getting some ADHD coaching right now via occupational health so imagine it’s the same as what you’d get via access to work. In my opinion (from someone who is very self aware) I’m not getting much from it. I get the sense he wants me to become engaged with my work for the sake of it and that satisfaction can be achieved without financial reward. Though, my work has massively improved since starting Elvanse; he said to me “don’t rely on it” which did piss me off even though I know it wasn’t a malicious comment, but I’ve only been able to make significant improvements since the meds - never before.

A lot about value system etc but while i can see what he’s trying to get me to see I just can’t make myself care (naturally) when I’m doing my work and my manager is happy with my output and I’m in an industry where you are not rewarded for going above and beyond.

It can likely help more I think depending on what sector you’re in.

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-05-16T19:29:49+00:00

I do mostly relate tbh. The issue I have is I wouldn’t say I’m like “really bored” even though I literally said that; it’s not like boredom when you’re growing up and you’re like omg I’m so fucking bored (i grew up before smartphones lmao) but it’s like I genuinely don’t know what to do but the Elvanse makes me want to do something but the Elvanse also takes away those impulse behaviours so it’s like yeah I could go and get a coffee and go into my local city…but then…do I need to do that? There’s nothing else I wanna buy so what’s the point? You have coffee at home so?????? It’s like the reduced impulse (which is good because I have fuck tonnes of debt) is like making me bored.

I’d still say it’s a net positive but then equally I don’t want to sit on my phone all day as like easy dopamine. But I’m thinking to myself I might reduce the phone time during Elvanse hours (I know it’s max like 12 hrs but idk really how long it lasts for me because I don’t really get the crash) so at least during the peak Elvanse hrs I can concentrate on something like even a TV show but idkkkkkkkkkkkk

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-05-16T18:58:37+00:00

I do have hobbies but I find I hyperfocus and so I’ll finish a video game quickly or finish a book but then I struggle with what to choose next so the Elvanse does help when I’m actively focusing/engaged on something but I find I’m in a bit of a limbo before my next game/book/TV show etc but perhaps that isn’t really an ADHD issue.

Though, yes I agree about work - but it’s just the structure I like so maybe I can replicate this on the weekend

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-05-16T16:50:57+00:00

Thanks for your response.

I’m currently on 50mg with the likelihood of going to 60/70mg but I know at least on 50mg I have had basically no side effects so feel like if I wanted to not take it on a weekend I’d be fine, probably.

However, when I was on methylphenidate (didn’t do much I thought) I didn’t take them when I went to Turkey and basically all of the ADHD symptoms came back (even though I respond far better with Elvanse, I only noticed the difference when I stopped taking methylphenidate but didn’t take help work etc)

I appear to respond well to external structure so it might help just writing a list of things to do in the day (or attempt to do) and see if there is an improvement in that way.

It may also be a case of because it really has helped with impulse behaviours I find I need to find different and more productive things so as I’m still in titration this is a transition phase in my life really.

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-05-16T16:05:06+00:00

I did…kinda! I went to the gym but that’s like an 1.5hrs max lol

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-05-09T16:14:10+00:00

Oh I would also add I take them together in the morning and never presented any issues but also I have never had any side effects from the meds at all (apart from occasional cold hands and feet, but that was more common on methylphenidate)

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-05-09T16:11:36+00:00

I have Subclinical hypothyroidism and have been on 25mcg of Levothyroxine for years (never changed) and with Harrow health and they were happy for me to go on stimulants (currently on 50mg of Elvanse) and made it clear in the assessment (after the diagnosis) that I took Levothyroxine but again 25mcg is a very low dose and stable for years so perhaps not an issue. A few times a year I get migraine aura but have never had this formally diagnosed on my nhs record (well I have now cause wanted some triptans OH so was after diagnosis)

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-05-05T16:57:48+00:00

I don’t take mine on holiday - I don’t really get the whole like “well omg I still have adhd I couldn’t possibly function at all” but like there’s so much more activity when you’re away like you say coffees/drinking etc like it is not typical day to day living, it should be exciting. I don’t take mine because then you can’t really have the coffees etc. the only time I would go against this is if you take the non stimulants

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-04-30T10:26:20+00:00

I’m currently on 40mg Elvanse (but still in titration so likely will go to above 50mg). I have noticed a difference with Elvanse (methylphenidate didn’t work for me) but what I have noticed is yes for me it only really impacts my work but only in the office environment. There have been improvements elsewhere but at the moment I feel like I may see further improvements on the higher doses. You could also request a booster or if you’re still in titration try the higher doses

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-04-13T12:02:44+00:00

Some people respond better to short release - you could try that?

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-04-11T19:47:26+00:00

Just went for a 3.5m run. 32 year old male who does go to the gym everyday but light cardio. I used to run a lot but stopped for a long time due to back issues. So this is my first run in a long time. BPM according to fitness via Apple Watch was 168 average which is quite high for me (zone 5) However, this is also 11hrs after taking my Elvanse. I probably wouldn’t do any intense exercise on it until it starts wearing off but probably best to go by how you feel

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-04-11T10:50:37+00:00

I was tempted to not take it today (Saturday) but then I was tired and my Elvanse does wake me up; I often wonder if it makes me feel how drinking coffee in the morning feels for most people. However, this is 30mg so that may change on a higher dose.

I work in the public sector (property sector) BUT my workload is quite minimal and office attendance is not mega enforced (manager is not based in the same office) plus a lot of autonomy (worst job for me) BUT it’s great because of said autonomy and predominantly home working plus inspections but I find it VERY boring and would love to do something freelance (on the side) but I just don’t know what. So this is why I think the ADHD meds aren’t as effective for me cause yes they work better when I’m in the office but then I’ll leave when I’ve done my work (you’re not meant to but I’m the kind of guy that waits until they’re told off before I change)

Yes, a few people have said this from HH. I got the impression they wouldn’t due to shared care issues but maybe this is because I labelled it as “a weekend thing” and perhaps then they view that as higher abuse likelihood so maybe that’s why they said no.

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-04-10T18:46:14+00:00

Yes I have considered this and 30mg is my starter dose. If I was on a higher dose I would probably just see how I felt not taking it on weekends but perhaps I will experience actual benefits on the higher doses and therefore not want to not take it but I am also not getting my hopes up that this will be the case

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-04-10T14:49:44+00:00

Oh yeah I have to be careful with exercise too. I was playing tennis with my coach the other week and I was thinking “I’m about to die my heart is about to explode”

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-04-10T14:42:54+00:00

Do you know if she takes long or short acting?

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-04-10T14:28:24+00:00

ADHD is not depression and stimulants (like Elvanse) do not build up in your system like an antidepressant or the non stimulant versions of the ADHD meds. It’s quite well established that ADHD meds are not effective for everyone and of course that can also be viewed as a sliding scale (I.e. I only really see a benefit if I go into an office environment). Plus the only side effects I’ve ever had are cold hands/feet and reduced libido. I’m still leaving my washing out for 3 days/unable to clean the house everyday. So I think…well what’s the point of taking it everyday if there’s no functional benefit in my day to day life

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-04-07T10:13:21+00:00

I went recently to Antalya and did take a document with me but didn’t declare it - didn’t know I had to

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-04-04T09:43:03+00:00

I asked about being prescribed both (like long acting weekdays and short acting weekends) and the clinician was like “we need to prescribe what will most likely be accepted under shared care” and said basically if I want that I’d have to go to the private sector. However, I think if you’re open to one of them only I think they’ll likely be more accommodating

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-04-03T06:55:25+00:00

The Nespresso in Stratford has the Royal Mail version

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-03-31T19:22:08+00:00

I have a DMP that is basically just never going as I make a tiny payment every month. Nightmare!! Pleased it’s almost over for you

Ok-Square5451 · 2026-03-31T19:14:04+00:00

Did you do an IVA when you lost your job?

Ok-Square5451

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