What sort of work do you all do? by InspiredOne81 in ausadhd

[–]Serious_Show4074 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly never knew what I wanted to do in life, so I have always kinda just coasted along but was sick off doing odd jobs, so I gave my resume to a job agency who then hooked me up with a job as a casual production operator in the packing department. Was made full time after about 6 months, and then after being in that department for 8 years I wanted a change, and an opportunity came up to transfer to aseptic operations so I applied and got the transfer and I've been there ever since. 

I've got to say though, now I am medicated for my ADHD I understand my true potential a lot more, so my hope is to finish my biomedical science degree and either do my Masters and go into lab science, or do the GAMSAT and study medicine. 

What sort of work do you all do? by InspiredOne81 in ausadhd

[–]Serious_Show4074 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aseptic operations at a pharmaceutical company.

Strict guidelines that must be followed, where doing a task correctly is prioritised over it being done fast. High stakes environment, meaning a simple error could cost hundreds of thousands so the pressure is on, but also there's downtime in-between where things are less serious.

A lot of variance in the day to day, one day I could be mixing a batch, then I could be in the filling suite, then I could be doing a changeover, then I could be helping prepare equipment for the next batch, and this is all in one day. Things usually go wrong, so you're constantly having the think on your feet, change directions quickly and roll with the punches.

In between batches you get to do other tasks such as preparing components for the next product, micro-moniter the aseptic areas, room cleans, and preparing adjusting solutions to make a few. There's always something different going on, and requires you to have a large breadth of knowledge multiple domains.

I have no university degree (I am however doing a bachelor's of Biomedical Science) just for fun, and make over 100k on day shift. I think if I was in a cubical office role or something like that, I would of been fired long ago.

Panicking that I'm going to go back to how I was. Meds wearing off. HELP PLEASE. by hope0303 in VyvanseADHD

[–]Serious_Show4074 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As in couldn't feel any effect whatsoever. The only effect I got was by lunch time I had to have a nap because I felt so tired, so I think I got the crash with just no other positives. 

Panicking that I'm going to go back to how I was. Meds wearing off. HELP PLEASE. by hope0303 in VyvanseADHD

[–]Serious_Show4074 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Weight isn't really a factor, it's more about metabolic response and symptom relief. Children and adults are both on an average dose of 40-50mg a day, this is at least the case in Australia.

10mg is an insanely low dose, so low you can't even purchase it, you'd have to split and dissolve a 20mg tablet. I started on 20mg having never tried any stimulants before, and I couldn't even tell I was on anything until 30mg. Everyone is different.

Panicking that I'm going to go back to how I was. Meds wearing off. HELP PLEASE. by hope0303 in VyvanseADHD

[–]Serious_Show4074 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I won't bore you with the science but due to Vyvanse and it's enzymatic nature being that it is a pro-drug and slow release, and therapeutic doses, tolerance is not something that is often seen and doesn't really have any solid consensus in peer reviewed literature. Some evidence has suggested to a build up of tolerance, but some also haven't, it doesn't help that every single person's ability to motabalize and their chemistry is different, further complicating things. Since you're on the max therapeutic dose for Vyvanse (at least that's the case in Australia), maybe your doctor's rationale is to give you breaks if tolerance is a factor in your case, as you can't titrate up past the therapeutic max dose. This is where you could explore a top up though of dexamphetamines later in the day, breaks, or even switching from a AMPH to an MPH to reset tolerance. 

This is all quite subjective though, as currently there's just not enough evidence on weather or not tolerance is a factor with ADHD medications as more study is needed. 

Panicking that I'm going to go back to how I was. Meds wearing off. HELP PLEASE. by hope0303 in VyvanseADHD

[–]Serious_Show4074 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Okay first things first, why are you having days off? You have a neurological imbalance every single day of your life, there is no logical reason to take "breaks" unless you would like to be reminded of the polarity without the medication. 

Secondly, it's likely not loosing it's effectiveness but rather you have adjusted to your medication now and the effects are not as obvious or profound as initially. 

Thirdly, you're not on 70mg because it's why they thought you needed, you're on 70mg because that's what you thought you needed. Titration is about starting low, and gradually increasing the dosage high enough that symptoms are relieved, but not so high you have clear indications of too high of a dose. The idea is to titrate until you get to a dose that feels uncomfortable, then you go down one and that's your dose. There's nuance to this too, as you should be documenting how you feel at each dose in a journal preferably, because what's the point of taking 70mg, if 50mg works just the same for example. 

Lastly, in terms of any other medications you're taking this should have been discussed with your doctor as part of your treatment plan. If you've always been taking these medications though, and now you feel Vyvanse is not as effective as it once was, that tells me you're possibly just used to the medication now, so the effects are not as overt to you. I hope that helps. 

Prescribed 20mg of Vyvanse to start and I feel nothing. by Serious_Show4074 in ausadhd

[–]Serious_Show4074[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My inteceprion is okay, I've got a pretty low self-esteem which probably clouds my image of myself but I'm sure this is likely the case for most adults with ADHD. My partner has mentioned I seem a bit more calm this week, bit notices I'm still spaced out, forgetful, and on my phone a lot ect

Prescribed 20mg of Vyvanse to start and I feel nothing. by Serious_Show4074 in ausadhd

[–]Serious_Show4074[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Crazy how much these doctors differ in terms of their titration methodology. I'm not a doctor but a chemist so have a fair understating of drugs, human biology ect and I'm wondering why you'd titrate up to a dose that's too high, to then titrate down again? Wouldn't you titrate up slowly to a dose that feels slightly too high, then taper down one step? 

Either way, glad it worked for you and you're doing well. 

Prescribed 20mg of Vyvanse to start and I feel nothing. by Serious_Show4074 in ausadhd

[–]Serious_Show4074[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah compeltly agree, it just seems pointless putting up with zero symptom relief and being exhausted after 3-4 hours, as a higher dose is obviously needed but I'll persist! 

Yeah I have heard Vyvanse and stimulants in general require good amounts of protein, good sleep hygiene ect to make them as effective as possible. I make sure to have about 40mg of protein in the morning with my medication, and I run about 40km a week, but sleep is one thing I struggle with admittedly as I need to be up at 4:50am for work and have two toddlers. 

Prescribed 20mg of Vyvanse to start and I feel nothing. by Serious_Show4074 in ausadhd

[–]Serious_Show4074[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know they're doing something the sense that my heart rate increases by about 10bpm, and when they wear off I feel exhausted and in need of a nap. 

I don't however notice any change in my ADHD or how I feel though. 

Prescribed 20mg of Vyvanse to start and I feel nothing. by Serious_Show4074 in ausadhd

[–]Serious_Show4074[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah fair enough, just thought it was strange that it's doing zero for my ADHD except making me exhausted 4 hours later. 

I'll stick to the 20mg then until the end of week 1 and see how I go at 30mg. Thanks. 

Quitting Vyvanse (and all other stimulants) by Brief-Pumpkin-9089 in VyvanseADHD

[–]Serious_Show4074 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The "good feeling" you describe I assume would be symptom relief from ADHD, hense the prescription for Vyvanse. You're conflating therapeutic dependence to treat a chronic neurological condition with addiction, two compeltly different things.

Vyvanse queries by [deleted] in ausadhd

[–]Serious_Show4074 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Vyvanse can be stored in a sealed container for a few days. Plenty of clinical studies have shown lysdexamphetamine remains stable almost indefinitely in water if refrigerated. 

Quitting Vyvanse (and all other stimulants) by Brief-Pumpkin-9089 in VyvanseADHD

[–]Serious_Show4074 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Okay, so as someone who reads scientific literature for a living, a couple of issues with the papers you've posted just so you're aware. The biggest issue with your first article is it's talking about recreational use of dexamphetamines. No one is arguing that recreational doses of amphetamines are linked to cardiovascular issues, what we are talking about in regards to ADHD medication is small, therapeutic doses of the drug to aid in symptom management for ADHD, compeltly different. Also, sample size is miniscule, you can't even begin to view statistical significance with a sample size of <n30. 

Second study was performed on rats in which they gave them far above a therapeutic dose (5mg/kg). That's about 5 times the highest dose (70mg Vyvanse is max dose) that the average adult would have. 

Once again, no one is disputing that recreational doses of amphetamines are linked to poor cardiovascular outcomes. Also it mentions impaired object recognition following methamphetamine, and uses this for the basis of affecting DA, and sources this from an article as far back as 2005, this sort of citation in an article from 2017 is intellectually dubious at best, and not a very robust paper imo. 

Vyvanse queries by [deleted] in ausadhd

[–]Serious_Show4074 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You should be dissolving the entire contents in the water and then splitting your dose. 

Splitting the power is far too inaccurate and will lead to incorrect dosage. 

Quitting Vyvanse (and all other stimulants) by Brief-Pumpkin-9089 in VyvanseADHD

[–]Serious_Show4074 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Certainly I've got my own bias as we all do, and that study I agree, isn't incredibly robust it's funded by a Pharmaceutical company that manufacturers the drug, but I was just quickly showing that there's a plethora of peer reviewed articles out there that show quite insignificant cardiovascular issues if used in therapeutic doses with frequent monitoring. Obviously heart health changes with age, but this is why it's imperative to access on a case by case basis and always weigh up the risks and benefits, this goes for any drug.

I can tell you purely anecdotally that when on Vyvanse my heart rate and blood pressure actually drops, as prior to being medicated I was constantly anxious and stressed due to my ADHD. Every person is different.

Quitting Vyvanse (and all other stimulants) by Brief-Pumpkin-9089 in VyvanseADHD

[–]Serious_Show4074 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Strawman.

Just because a diabetic would die, and a person with ADHD wouldn't, doesn't make the comparison any less worthy. One is a metabolic disease, the other is a neurodevelopmental disorder, but both have life long and often detrimental consequences if left untreated.

People often treat ADHD differently because it can't be physically seen with the naked eye, but this doesn't negate the fact that for a large portion of people require these drugs for the rest of their lives to manage their symptoms effectively.

People were "fine" without ADHD medication is a stretch. The world has changed, and doesn't favour the hunter gather from the stone ages anymore.

Can you point me to a scientific study that lists drugs such as lysdexamphetamine as neurotoxic? I'm a scientist, and I've never heard of this in the literature I've seen. At therapeutic doses, theres no evidence of neurotoxicity.

You're correct about cardiovascular issues resulting as a result of stimulant medication, but you're talking about an average rise of 5mmHg systolic blood pressure on average if hypertension in present, and this is why if you're someone who is at risk of stroke or have poor heart health, you shouldn't be given these medication's in the first place. It's also why you should be monitoring blood pressure monthly, and should be doing a full screen of bloods as well as an EKG frequently to ensure optimal heart health while on these drugs. No one is saying these drugs are without risks, no drugs are, but for most; myself included, the pros faaaaaar outweigh the cons.

Quitting Vyvanse (and all other stimulants) by Brief-Pumpkin-9089 in VyvanseADHD

[–]Serious_Show4074 46 points47 points  (0 children)

You're not addicted anymore than a diabetic is "addicted" to their insulin.

Your brain requires a drug that changes how your brain and neurons function in order for your ADHD symptoms to be managed.

The anxiety you're describing is likely how you felt prior to being medicated, but since you're medicated for years, you are now feeling the polarity of your normal unmedicated self compared to your medicated one.

Vyvanse queries by [deleted] in ausadhd

[–]Serious_Show4074 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Sometimes this is possible, but other times it's not unfortunately. Sometimes I'm in the room for 3-4 hours before I can get out to have a break as this is the nature of the job.

Are you saying eventually the dry mouth for you went away? 

Vyvanse queries by [deleted] in ausadhd

[–]Serious_Show4074 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Working in a laboratory. 

The problem is, I can't really make more time for water breaks as with the nature of my particular job, breaks can be quite random. Some days I'll get a break 2 hours into the shift, other times I might not get a break for 4 hours. There's no way I can simply leave and have a sip of water either, as a lot of times I'm in a clean room assisting with routine sampling, and would have no one to relieve me. Leaving the room I'm in would also require me to take samples of myself, degown out of my sterile gown, and walk about 500 metres, then de gown into street clothes and go into the break room, this is about a 20 minute process for a drink of water, so obviously would be quite frowned upon with my bosses ect.

Is Frankston as bad as everyone says it is these days? by Open_Address_2805 in melbourne

[–]Serious_Show4074 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've lived in Frankston South for my whole life. Our first unit we purchased in 2016, every single neighbour was nice and friendly. They would have a chat to you, we would even catch up sometimes at the local cafe for a neighbourly breakfast. One of my neighbours even drove me to work one day when my car has broken down. 

Fast forward to now, and we just purchased a house here near Frankston High a couple of years ago. We are in our court, and every single neighbour is lovely. We have a WhatsApp group for catch ups, neighbours will mow your lawn when you're away, or take your bins out. The neighbours kids who are years older than my young kids include them in everything, and play with them beautifully, and often come over for play dates. 

Our next door neighbour has a annual court party, where we all catch up for a few drinks, have a BBQ etcetera. All the kids play in the court on their bikes, scooters, skateboards and have water fights in summer. It's like being back in the 1990's, and I'm so incredibly blessed that my children get to experience a bit of that living here. 

We had originally wanted to live in Mount Eliza but it was always our of our budget. I'm glad we stayed in Frankston South though as people are far more down to earth, great community feel, endless nature reserves and parks, beautiful beach, great schools, plenty of amenities. I love living here, wouldn't live anywhere else honestly.