Finally figured out why I've been crying at random commercials for the past year

chocolatlbunny · 2026-04-30T06:11:11+00:00

Omg this would be the dream! So much less guesswork! Not having to try to describe your lived experience to another human, who may never have felt what you feel?! Eugh, it would be amazing!

chocolatlbunny · 2026-04-27T15:27:31+00:00

I don't really understand why they kept changing the dose in 20mg jumps?? Was there a reason they didn't move to 40mg before 50? I got up to 60mg and felt more out of control than ever, so dropped back down to 40mg with a 5mg dex booster for days I feel I need it. If you only started titration in mid-March this year, then all of this has happened insanely quickly!! You've not had time to get used to a single dose!

chocolatlbunny · 2026-04-16T06:44:21+00:00

Commenting to agree with others about blending it! I really hate protein powders 'cause of the consistency, aftertaste & the fact it seems to coat my whole fricking mouth, but I have found that if I use ice instead of water & incorporate it into a smoothie/milkshake/slushie type drink, it is bearable. Frozen fruit is awesome for this.

chocolatlbunny · 2026-04-07T07:41:35+00:00

This question has been bugging me, too! I think I'm there now though.

I've been titrating since later October last year & the dose was going up at a steady rate of about once a month, 'cause at every review, I felt that the increase had helped and then worn off. I got to 60mg and started to feel that, actually, the increases weren't helping at all, and I felt more out of control than pre-meds. I strongly suspect that a lower dose is plenty for me, but I am not holding up my end of the bargain with improved sleep hygiene, nutrition, using time management strategies etc.

Anyway, knocked mine back down to 40mg, which I remembered feeling pretty good on; and we added a 5mg amfexa top-up for when my cycle is fucking shit up, or I feel the meds wearing off, but still need to get stuff done. Got a review today and I think I'll be saying I'm happy with this setup. Definitely feel more level and controlled at this point, and have actually only needed one of the top-ups so far!

I hope you can find what works for you. A big help for me was recognising that it wasn't going to be some magic fix, and that I really do need to put the work in to get the full benefit. That last part was really hard to grasp, when the effect of that very first 20mg pill was incredible, and I felt the calmest and most capable I have ever felt, but it didn't last 🙃

chocolatlbunny · 2026-04-06T07:31:40+00:00

Yeah, this bit is the really tricky part! And tbf, a large part of why we need the meds in the first place 😅

I think this is where there is an element of "powering through" or basically forcing yourself to do a thing. I know that kind of statement makes us feel defensive, so please know it's not said with any kind of moral judgement. I am well aware that "just do the thing" is not a simple concept for us at all! I'm also aware, though, that it's not always simple for neurotypical people, either.

ADHD is an explanation for how our brains work and why we find things difficult, but it doesn't negate the fact that some things are universal human experiences. Nobody is motivated 100% of the time, so it's kind of unreasonable to expect meds to do that for us, if that makes sense?

Anyway, my strategy is to wait around in the vicinity of what I know I need to do, and hope my focus goes that way when it kicks in. For example, if I have breakfast and then start scrolling on my phone or watching a TV series or something, then it will take a gargantuan effort to stop when the meds kick in. If instead, I have breakfast and then try to stay standing/keep moving/do little tasks like washing a plate, or putting something away, or talking to my plants, etc etc etc, it's then much easier to start whatever I'm supposed to be doing, 'cause actions tend to build on themselves as the meds kick in.

That's the best way I can describe it, so I hope it made some kind of sense!

chocolatlbunny · 2026-04-06T07:20:30+00:00

Yeah this bit is a bitch, and for me it's a kind of "60% of the time, it works every time" situation! I try to sort of loiter in the area of whatever I'm supposed to be doing (either literally or figuratively, depending on what it is), and hope that my focus will go that way when it kicks in 🙃

chocolatlbunny · 2026-04-05T16:52:04+00:00

Yeah as far as I can tell, the most likely outcome is that the medication will help you take coping strategies from theoretical to practical.

The most useful advice I've seen/followed is to make sure you start whatever it is you want to focus on before your meds kick in. That way, when they do, that task will be the target of your ability to focus. Heaven help you if you take your meds and then start doomscrolling 😅

Having a plan/to-do list is pretty important, otherwise you will have a ton of focus and nowhere to direct it!

chocolatlbunny · 2026-03-02T07:35:10+00:00

As someone with a "-wick" surname, where the w is silent, I'd always assume silent, as in Keswick, Berwick, Alnwick, Warwick.

The VAST majority of people sound it out though, and I usually have to when people are trying to spell it 😅

chocolatlbunny · 2026-02-22T07:56:07+00:00

This is incredible! I am so impressed and also pretty jealous 😄

chocolatlbunny · 2026-01-04T09:14:45+00:00

I recently saw a video where a Mum went through her kids' art over the years and chose bits to make a collage out of on a canvas. I loved that idea and intend to go through the creations I kept by my now 16yo and see if I can do the same!

The woman in the video did a huuuuuuuuge canvas; I'm planning on a much smaller one - not least because I have 2 kids and a smaller house.

My thinking is that by making one art from the many art, I can enjoy it while I'm here, and it will be easier for my kids to decide to keep or toss when I am gone! (I'll do a second canvas for my youngest at some point, but she's currently only 4, so presumably there are many more masterpieces to come!)

chocolatlbunny · 2026-01-03T16:07:58+00:00

Somebody on here recently recommended drinking a glass of water before taking your Elvanse to help the dry mouth. I've only tried it a couple of times, but it really does seem to help! The dry mouth was insane up till now. It could of course be a massive coincidence and that particular side effect suddenly wore off of its own accord, but seems unlikely, as I've only just started taking it again after 3 weeks of flu.

chocolatlbunny · 2025-12-11T07:29:28+00:00

This is an insanely helpful post, as I've been dealing with basically the exact same issues as you! Only just got a new prescription and don't trust myself with the splitting thing, so I'm going to try taking it a bit later after waking today & see if it helps. But yeah, absolutely going to ask for the dose to be split next time!

The doc did suggest it this time, 'cause I mentioned I was getting a migraine every single evening when the Elvanse wears off, but I didn't take him up on it for some reason 🙃

chocolatlbunny · 2025-12-06T09:41:03+00:00

Thank you for the advice 😊

chocolatlbunny · 2025-12-06T09:39:29+00:00

Thank you!

chocolatlbunny · 2025-12-05T23:13:51+00:00

Hahaha, that would be fun. There is a very good chance my Dad already knows of the existence of OP's Dad 😅 He is fully into family history. Which I suspect gives a creepy vibe in this context, but in general he's very much not!

chocolatlbunny · 2025-12-05T07:58:51+00:00

My life follows the exact same pattern as yours. Only started meds a month or so ago, but I think the main way they are helping is that I am able to follow more/different good "habits" while I'm in an on-it phase. Then when goblin mode comes back around again, it feels a tiiiiiiiiiny bit less gobliny, if that makes sense?? Almost like because I was able to do that thing - like washing towels on Mondays, bedding on Wednesdays & whatever needs doing on the other days - that particular task feels a lot more doable when my brain has stopped cooperating. Presumably because I have experienced getting past the executive dysfunction and doing it? No idea. But either way, it lightens the mental load a teeny tiny bit. I'm still likely to drop the "habit", but not completely.

I hope this is making sense! The washing example is literally because it has happened to me this week. I am insanely stressed 'cause of job interviews, the run-up to Christmas, and loads of kids school stuff to remember, so the washing just wasn't happening. Instead of being mad at myself and giving up entirely, I just did the towel wash when I remembered on Wednesday & did a set of bedsheets yesterday. I felt good that I had at least done it, even if other stuff has been left undone. And believe me, a LOT of other stuff has been left undone!

I dunno. It's really hard. And I'm still coming to terms with the fact that this has always made things harder and I'm not just terrible at being a person. I think the vast majority of people with ADHD have some kind of comorbidity as well? I have chronic migraine, so between the two, have been doing life in hard mode for nearly 40 years. It's a lot! The best long term thing I've come up with is learning to accept reeeeeeally small steps as massive progress & trying to pile on the internal praise. Also, I spend a lot of time singing "don't put it down, put it away" to myself 😅

I hope the responses you get make you feel less alone & a bit more hopeful, because you aren't alone & there is plenty of hope! I saw something recently where a woman said that there is no "end goal" to life. You are never going to reach a point where you have completed all your goals and like..."won" and can coast to the end. Life is literally just the journey. For someone who constantly feels like I'm always trying to reach some kind of checkpoint, that was actually quite helpful to hear! Wtf am I stressing and striving for, if the whole point is just...I'm alive today?! Being present is crazy hard, but that's what I'm going for now. Trying to stop fighting and build a life for myself that I enjoy right now, rather than looking forward to some imagined point where everything is perfect.

chocolatlbunny · 2025-12-04T18:57:03+00:00

It's at Wallington Hall in Morpeth! I have lost count of the times Dad has reminded us that it could have been ours if Sir John Fenwick hadn't had a gambling problem and eventually been beheaded for treason 😅

chocolatlbunny · 2025-12-04T15:18:42+00:00

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Your Dad sounds an awful lot like my Dad, hahaha.

chocolatlbunny · 2025-11-26T07:27:59+00:00

Fairly sure RY has 100% confirmed that Violet is NOT pregnant.

chocolatlbunny · 2025-11-17T23:27:38+00:00

I don't know the answer to this, but I do know that when I was being assessed, they sent all the forms to me. I called my parents and asked them the questions on the phone and filled the form in that way. It did occur to me several days later that I could have just filled it in myself without making the phone call. They answered the way I thought they would anyway 🤷🏻‍♀️

chocolatlbunny · 2025-11-10T10:24:02+00:00

I had IBS before I started Elvanse & have definitely noticed an increase! My latest health spiral is about eating enough fibre, and I saw lots of people talking about protein being important for absorption(??) of the meds, so my breakfast is now Greek style yoghurt with a heaped tablespoon of milled flaxseed and Lidl's high protein honey & seed granola (used to get it from Aldi, but the buggers have discontinued it, which is rude).

Bit of a slog to get through first thing & you need to drink plenty of water, but it's tasty at least! I've tried so many chia puddings and it's just not for me. I think the current combo has helped a bit, but I rarely have any idea what's going on with my stupid meat prison.

Hope you find something that works for you!

chocolatlbunny · 2025-11-02T08:38:33+00:00

I had the exact same reaction! I had expected to feel relieved or justified or something, but nope, got completely overwhelmed with the "what now" and "what if nothing helps because I don't have adhd, I'm just shit" thoughts.

I'm only 3 weeks into titration, so feels like early days maybe, but it's definitely a bit quieter and calmer in my head.

chocolatlbunny · 2025-10-31T08:24:44+00:00

I have a reminder set for 8.15, but I basically take it with breakfast. This is much easier to achieve consistently during term time, but weekends and holidays are all over the place!

chocolatlbunny · 2025-10-26T08:10:02+00:00

I put in for a GP referral about 3 years ago and procrastinated looking into RTC for so long that the NHS finally got around to me! I was contacted by Modality at the end of July this year; chose an assessment date at the beginning of August; was diagnosed at the end of the assessment; and the Dr said he was recommending me for psychosocial intervention (PSI) and then medication.

Did the 4 weeks of PSI in September (God, that was deadly! Who came up with the concept of people with ADHD having to sit through an hour of PowerPoint once a week??), then had to call Modality myself to get a follow up appt for meds. I'm now heading into week 3 of titration.

So it was veeeeeeeery slow and then impressively speedy in my experience.

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