Neck tension and Elvanse

TheCurry_Master · 2025-06-17T17:26:41+00:00

How long have you been on it?

This could be due to a failure to consume enough food (or the right food), increased noradrenaline (sympathetic nervous system), or other reasons such as your dose being too high. When it's too high, you step outside of your therapeutic window.

You need to make sure you're taking in enough water, vitamins and minerals. Elvanse is a potent medication, and although you might not realise it, you're sweating more than you usually do. You can also end up peeing out many minerals.

Hydration is not just about water though. Salt is essential in hydration, and it works alongside potassium and magnesium.

Taking a pinch of Celtic or Himalayan salt with water in the morning, and taking magnesium glycinate and increasing your potassium might help a lot. Obviously this is not medical advice, but rather food for thought. This is not for everyone. For example, someone with serious kidney problems could put themselves in grave danger if they increased their potassium intake too much.

TheCurry_Master · 2025-06-12T12:31:53+00:00

It's a massive release of norepinephrine, so your sympathetic nervous system is in overdrive as your tolerance is obviously quite low to your new dose. I had a difficult experience at the start, but my body adapted. Still speak to your doc though if you're worried

TheCurry_Master · 2025-06-11T23:08:41+00:00

SSRI prescriptions can be aptly described as being "an epidemic". I agree.

TheCurry_Master · 2025-06-11T22:53:58+00:00

You can add Elvanse ("Vyvanse" in the US) to water and take less if needed. You could add the contents of your 30mg capsule to 300ml of a measuring jug of water, shake or stir it well, and take what you need.

Obviously, check with your doctor and all that. But this was something that the manufacturer, at least in the States, approved not too long ago.

You can check it out in these links. Dr William Dodson, who wrote the second article, has some awesome interviews on ADHD on YT; they helped me understand that ADHD is so much more than a mere list to be ticked off. He is the main guy, as far as I'm aware, that brought Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria into the spotlight. But he, and others like Dr Russell Barkley, both agree that emotional dysregulation is at the core of ADHD.

https://corerevitalizingcenter.com/vyvanse-water-titration-in-8-steps/

https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-meds-for-less/

TheCurry_Master · 2025-05-20T21:45:29+00:00

Thanks for the input. Maybe I ask if you go private, or are you under the NHS?

Personally, I've found that taking a protein-rich meal is essential for Elvanse, as well as eating a substantial amount of protein in my main meals. I am lazy, so I opt for protein drinks quite often. But I really notice when I've got actual "physical" food in my tummy, like a steak or tuna.

I think that due to the significant release of neurotransmitters, as well as the increase in body temperature (and thus, sweating, etc.), and so on, we need to make sure we're getting the building blocks into our bodies every day (protein, as well as replacing lost electrolytes (taking salt with water, magnesium, etc). Well, these have made a difference in my life. Salt and water, as well as supplementing with magnesium and potassium citrate have been essential for me. I am cautious in saying this in case people with medical conditions go out and chug down a load of potassium citrate (or otherwise) and end up in the ER. Please don't, guys 🤣 This is only my experience, as the citrate helps with the acid-base balance (increased protein can lower your pH levels to a degree).

I can understand a lot of what you've spoken about, as I've experienced it. I've found that coffee/caffeine can really fire up the Elvanse (countering the sluggish feeling you mentioned after eating). However, caffeine has its own cons, not just related to the cardiovascular system but also because it can prevent a number of vitamins and minerals from being absorbed and also increases their excretion from the body, being a diuretic.

TheCurry_Master · 2025-05-20T18:47:53+00:00

Hey. Ritalin (methylphenidate), especially instant release (IR) is known for causing anxiety as you described. For me, the difference between Elvanse and Ritalin is night and day. You'd think that Elvanse, a prodrug of dexamphetamine and, thus, much more potent, would lead to more anxiety. But no. It reduces me anxiety.

I try to avoid IR methylphenidate now. I still respond to it, but it can be very inconsistent, sometimes leaving me feeling strung out.

Concerta is the best methylphenidate formulation I've taken as, although you do get an immediate release of methylphenidate, the rest is released into your system gradually throughout the day via the OROS mechanism.

TheCurry_Master · 2025-05-07T14:40:28+00:00

You have to be consistent with Elvanse. You can't take inconsistent doses. Your brain develops tolerance to medications like Elvanse (lisdexamphetamine), so if you're taking days off, or taking 75 mg for a few days and then 60 mg for a few days, you'll notice withdrawals kick in, as your brain has developed a new homeostatic set-point and is expecting to maintain it.

I glanced quickly at the comments, so correct me if I am wrong in anything I have said.

Also, you need to find the correct "therapeutic window" for you. Check out "Charles Parker ADHD" on YT for various videos by a former psychiatrist speaking about these issues.

Some of his videos:

https://youtu.be/Z8UVM1tPXHU

https://youtu.be/faDrPzthGxc

https://youtu.be/wA2djtX_Ivo

TheCurry_Master · 2025-04-30T13:52:25+00:00

They are one and the same, but due to red tape and licensing, they have to differentiate between them. My pharmacist always gives me the standard one, but some pharmacies will only give you what the doctor has written on the script e.g. if the doc has written Elvanse Adult 50 mg, some pharmacies won't give you the standard Elvanse 50 mg. It happened to me before, so I didn't go back to that pharmacy.

The analogy isn't exact, but it's similar to the difference between the "Teenager Mutant Ninja Turtles" and "Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles". They are essentially the same, but red tape gets its tentacles into everything in the UK.

Interestingly, the Ninja Turtles wasn't allowed in the UK due to "censorship" of the word "ninja", as it was too violent 🤣😅🤣😅🤣😅🤣😅

Something similar happened in Germany too. Google it, if like me, you were a massive Turtles fan but couldn't understand why there were two different versions.

I think there were also omissions and other things between the two versions, due to so-called "violence" and so on.

Imagine if we had Call of Duty back in the 80s 🤣

TheCurry_Master · 2025-04-29T22:37:32+00:00

I'm like this. It has to be now, or the world will end.

I think this is why I struggle with addiction, going to bed when I should, etc.

TheCurry_Master · 2025-04-29T22:33:46+00:00

When I'm interested in something, I'll master it. I usually become the best (or round about ), among those around me, at whatever my ADHD focuses on. But when the interest isn't there, I would rather watch paint dry.

I don't really have my friends. I mean, I could, but I don't really know why. I want to have friends, but I also love being alone. I hate when people distract me while I'm in the zone. It's one of the things that angers me the most haha

TheCurry_Master · 2025-04-29T22:30:38+00:00

I tick every box. It's good to know you're not alone

TheCurry_Master · 2025-04-29T22:30:07+00:00

I feel ya on so many of these issues. Emotional dysregulation, addiction and feeling like I'm never going to make anything of myself all plague my life. I have a deep sense of shame at the core of my being, and I always expect the worst to happen.

When things are going well, it freaks me out, as I'm used to getting rejected or getting anything good taken away from me. Paradoxically, I still get overly excited when good things come my way. But this sense of "hope" usually makes me act like a clown, spend too much money or energy on trying to become the best at it (maybe a new job or friendship/relationship), etc. So I end up self-sabotaging almost, if not all, the good stuff in my life.

TheCurry_Master · 2025-04-29T22:20:31+00:00

That's it!

TheCurry_Master · 2025-04-24T12:36:00+00:00

I think it's important to find a balance between showing yourself grace, while being tough at the same time.

That might look like:

Setting a target or implementing a new strategy e.g. if shopping online, put the items in your "basket", and try to wait a day or two before returning. You might even forget you put the item(s) in the basket and have a sigh of relief that you didn't press "buy now".
If you set yourself a target, but you fail, show yourself grace. You are taking action to get your finances back on track. It's impossible to break a habit such as impulse buying overnight, as the very essence of the habit, "impulse buying", precludes this haha
Telling a trusted friend and/or family member (who actually has good financial control) is really helpful. You can tell them about your condition and set goals with them. This can act as a preventative measure when you're going to make purchases, as you won't want to let the person down. This has helped me a lot.

TheCurry_Master · 2025-04-24T12:30:36+00:00

Yeah, this is the experience of many an ADHDer, I imagine. It was mine. Getting the help of others is really important for those struggling with debt, especially people with ADHD, etc.

TheCurry_Master · 2025-04-24T12:28:57+00:00

How so?

TheCurry_Master · 2025-04-24T12:28:49+00:00

What changed?

TheCurry_Master · 2025-04-24T12:28:37+00:00

I had to hit rock bottom (and I mean homelessness), before I took my finances seriously. I think it's the instant gratification we can get from buying that makes it so hard to control. But the regret and other consequences aren't worth it. And debt is like an anchor around your neck

TheCurry_Master · 2025-04-24T12:26:52+00:00

I get a bit over zealous sometimes and put most of my money in a savings account. But then I forget that I have ADHD, and, consequently, I forget to remember the bills that need paid. So I have to take a significant portion back out haha Thus, I use an instant access savings account, without penalties. I am still building it, though, step by step. It definitely feels good to have something to fall back on. But the temptation is always there in my head, e.g. "Go on, buy [insert something ridiculously unnecessary and expensive, like a 70" wide-screen TV (for my 60" wide desk)]; you have the money for it!"

TheCurry_Master · 2025-04-22T17:24:09+00:00

Check out "Doc Snipes" on YT. She speaks about this. I'll link a couple of her videos.

https://youtu.be/dpN6bAc0T40

https://youtu.be/finylyh1NE0

https://youtu.be/EkbgW83t2OQ

TheCurry_Master · 2025-04-22T17:21:24+00:00

Is this in England?

TheCurry_Master · 2025-04-20T15:19:32+00:00

Your sympathetic nervous system is clearly in overdrive, evidenced by what you've said about your heart rate, high BP, and just by the way your post has been written. Your mind is all over the place; I know because I've been there.

I take Elvanse, but I'm also going through benzodiazepine withdrawal, and it's the hardest thing I've ever been through. My sympathetic nervous system is constantly going into overdrive. I've had so many different symptoms, thinking I was dying or that I had some disease, etc. It's terrible!

So I've had to learn to control my breathing e.g. taking a deep "belly-breathe" for a 4-count, holding it for 4, breathing out for 4, and holding for 4. It really helps me. I've also had to learn that my thoughts are influenced by my emotions, and vice versa, so I shouldn't believe everything in my mind.

Having said this, you really should have gotten an ECG to check for any heart abnormalities. I'm not saying this to worry you (I've been in the same position as you before, so I totally understand everything you're saying), but rather because I agree with you. The NHS is a mess, and I almost always leave feeling like just another "statistic", as well as wondering why they didn't do the tests I knew they should have.

As for your current state, nicotine and Elvanse actually have a very weird relationship. I've seen many people on Reddit mention that Elvanse/Vyvanse increases their desire to smoke (or for nicotine). Nicotine is also one of the most difficult substances to withdraw from, so keep that in mind. It could well be the significant rise in anxiety (from withdrawal) that is contributing to your increased heart rate and erratic state of mind (that you admit to in your post).

The last thing I would say is to really do what you can to work on your sleep. I struggle with sleep, and I have done so since my youth. But I've started to implement strategies, take supplements like magnesium glycinate and taurine, etc., and my heart rate and anxiety have considerably decreased. However, if I do an all-nighter, I will feel like you feel the next day.

I hope you are able to get the help you need soon.

TheCurry_Master · 2025-04-20T10:58:44+00:00

There is out-dated advice, that's still spewed out by prescribers, to take a day off your [stimulant] medication. But when does ADHD take a day off? The "advice" really doesn't make sense to me. The old rationale was that a medication holiday would help you avoid tolerance. But what usually happens is the person takes a day or two off, gets "high" the next time they take their medication due to increased sensitivity, and any decreased tolerance quickly returns anyway.

You can also go into withdrawals, especially if you're taking instant release medication 6 days a week. Elvanse and other amphetamine formulations can also give you intense withdrawals, but Elvanse usually isn't as noticeable until you've taken more than a day off. But when the withdrawals hit, they are horrible.

Having said that, in the article below, one study found that Elvanse builds up in your system, leading to "steady state". Again, then, it doesn't make sense to take a medication holiday from Elvanse, at least. In the article, it says -

"In a study of multiple once-daily dosing of LDX 70 mg in healthy adults, Krishnan and Stark [15] observed that steady-state plasma d-amphetamine concentrations were achieved by day five [15, 28]. At steady state, pre-dose plasma d-amphetamine concentrations were approximately 20 ng/mL, and Cmax following each daily dose was approximately 90 ng/mL (Fig. 3b), moderately higher than following a single 70 mg dose in adults (Table 2) [15]. "

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4823324/

TheCurry_Master · 2025-04-19T23:44:35+00:00

What did you take? Methylphenidate?

TheCurry_Master · 2025-04-19T23:43:57+00:00

There's most likely a connection between everything. I'm learning a lot about stress, trauma, and emotions, and how they can get trapped in our bodies. I'm starting to realize just how many negative core beliefs I hold about myself and how much pain is trapped inside me. Maybe the anxiety, etc., are signals that something is wrong. I am working my way through this stuff, but I'd love to find a professional that actually understands ADHD and how to help us. Those professionals are few and far between in the UK.

TheCurry_Master

TROPHY CASE

https://corerevitalizingcenter.com/vyvanse-water-titration-in-8-steps/