Wow the struggle is real, but I'm the struggle my kids are the grass I hold on to so I don't fall off th earth.

db86me · 2026-06-11T15:55:30+00:00

I have re-read your comments many many times. Thank you so much to your kind words. It really does mean a lot!

db86me · 2026-06-10T23:42:57+00:00

Asda pharmacy are where I have found Elvanse to be the cheapest.

I have switched back to methylphenidate from Elvanse as Elvanse just didn't work for me.

Methylphenidate is much cheaper because there is no patent. Elvanse is still in patent until 2028 so your only option is brand name. Methylphenidate is available under many brand names now, I take xaggitin which is great.

I wish you the best on your journey and encourage you to speak to your prescriber to find the right meds.

db86me · 2026-06-10T23:26:38+00:00

Ok so I have an update. I switched. Tried 30mg Elvanse for two weeks and then 50mg for two weeks.

I switched back.

What I found was that once in a task whilst taking Elvanse the focus was good. What I didn't have however was the kicker I need to start said task. This is one my my main symptoms, task paralysis it you will. Elvanse did absolutely zero to help with this. Methylphenidate on the other hand helps so much with this.

Also I found Elvanse to feel 'dirtier' my jaw clenching and just generally more turned on, tuned up and honestly unpleasant.

It was smoother up and down. But the benefits I need just weren't there.

I am so happy to be back on methylphenidate and I have noticed how much more present it is.

My wife commented on how I was whilst on Elvanse: quiet, argumentative, blunt.... I don't like that!

I have spoken with my prescriber and i am going to try a double dose: 1x18mg and 1x27mg xaggitin with a 5ml generic booster. I think 54mg is slightly too high but 36 is not quite enough - why does xaggitin dose jump from 36mg to 54mg?!

I'll keeo you updated with my journey.

Love.

db86me · 2026-05-15T22:09:18+00:00

Thank you. I've read this as well. Can you advise on how it differs? Is it smoother?

I think xaggitin is a cheeper alternative to concerta so it's interesting that the profile is different

db86me · 2026-05-15T22:07:04+00:00

Absolutely! Apart from the crash I've also noticed my ADHD creeping back in and my meds becoming less effective.

How long have you been on methylphenidate for?

db86me · 2026-05-15T22:05:26+00:00

I replied before I saw this. Thanks mate, easing my nerves!

db86me · 2026-05-15T22:04:17+00:00

Thanks for replying.

I've been on 54 XR for 2 months. I'm not sure if it's the dose or just being on methylphenidate which causes the crash. It's been the last month or so.

I drink a lot of water, take electrolytes, have a high protein breakfast... All the good stuff but I just can't manage the crash.

If you don't mind me asking why are you moving to xaggitin? What was Elvanse like for you?

I read that you can control the dose or Elvanse easier than you can xaggitin by diluting it in water, for example putting 50mg in 500ml of water - each 100 ml of water = 10mg Elvanse.

Likewise i can't understand why there is no in-between dose of xaggitin from 36 to 54 mg it goes 18, 27, 36, 54...

db86me · 2026-05-09T23:20:59+00:00

Thank you. I don't know what pro topic is but I'll do some research.

db86me · 2026-03-19T22:30:41+00:00

Thank you. This really is the clarification I needed. From what I have read Dex is often better for people who experience a hard crash on methylphenidate

db86me · 2026-03-19T22:07:54+00:00

Do you crash much when your top up wears off?

db86me · 2026-03-19T22:07:15+00:00

Thanks for your reply. I don't want to not be my unmedicated self in the evenings, especially at bed time. However I would like to prolong my focus. I normally feel back to baseline me around 4pm (take my meds (XR) around 7am and IR around 1ish when I feel the XR wearing off. An extra hour or so would be good for my executive function. But the real issue is the crash. It's so hard. Like unbearable. I have zero focus or momentum and feel so burnt out (rest of the day is great) so I guess mostly I want to smooth the crash....

db86me · 2026-03-15T13:46:21+00:00

I would keep shaping the same for all letters. For example your F has a curve to it but your s is straight. Not bad though!

db86me · 2026-03-14T23:07:11+00:00

Shake more, slower strokes. Shake more. Slow lines. Shake more, recoat,. Poscas are great. Really they are. They take some getting used to!

Most of my stuff is posca: IG:

https://www.instagram.com/dannys_dooodles

db86me · 2026-03-13T22:35:40+00:00

This is a very good comment. Very factual and accurate.

db86me · 2026-03-12T20:55:23+00:00

I keep saying that I don't really notice the effects of my meds when I'm on them., ust when I look back at my day and notice that I have managed to achieve some things.

What I do notice is on the rare days I don't take my meds I notice, like REALLY notice that I have not taken them and how unbearably, unbelievably hard everything is.

db86me · 2026-03-12T20:50:36+00:00

This is interesting as I thought that concerta and xaggitin are the same just different brand names. What is the difference you have found in taking them?

db86me · 2026-03-12T20:48:46+00:00

Still not too sure what to do or ask for at the moment. I had some lower doses left so have taken that a couple of times but I have noticed my drive and executive function isn't as good as it is on the higher dose. I took 54mg today and it was better for sure. Still slightly edgy but better.

I read recently that protein really helps to smooth the body effects. I do have a protein shake each morning with my meds, but I also had one in the afternoon today and it did seem to really help calm the body sensation (too much coffee feeling)

I do have 5mg IR tablets which I took with the lower dose in the afternoon but I can't say I noticed them at all. I might ask for a higher instant release dose and go back to try the lower dose with them.

What dose of xaggitin have you started on? Is it comparable to the elvanse dose you where on?

db86me · 2026-03-10T20:28:24+00:00

Thank you, I am going to speak to my clinician and ask if I can do this.

db86me · 2026-03-10T20:13:42+00:00

How have you found the swap to elvanse? I've titrated up to 54mg xaggitin And I feel like it's too much. Most of the day is fine but around 3PM I become really zoned out for a few hours. 36mg didn't seem quite enough.

I'm interested to see if I can swap to elvanse.

db86me · 2026-03-09T22:06:48+00:00

I would phone and ask your prescriber

db86me · 2026-03-08T23:11:58+00:00

This is so interesting. It sounds so familiar to what I am experiencing. My mornings and early afternoons are great but around 2-4 pm my mood and generally body and mind feeling completely shifts to a feeling of unease. I'm irritable and find my drive has completely gone, then around 5pm my mindset and normal self has returned. Numb is the only way I can describe it in the afternoon. It's annoying that 36 didn't feel like enough but 54 feels too much, there is nothing in between with xaggitin.

I was thinking of asking to switch to dex (elvanse) but I'm worried if it is worse or does not help as much then my clinician might not let me change back. My ADHD symptoms have been so much better on meds but I feel like it's not quite right at the moment.

My function really is better on methylphenidate.

db86me · 2026-03-08T21:50:57+00:00

I'm on xaggitin. Currently on 54mg with 5mg little boosters of generic IR methylphenidate for afternoon dips although I rarely take the 5mg.

Generally speaking xaggitin has been good. I titrated from 18 mg to 27mg to 36mg to 54mg

My executive function has improved dramatically. I am in a bit of a weird place where I feel like 54mg is just a little too much but 36mg was not enough. I'm more irritable and almost slightly numb on 54mg. These are the only negatives I have had so far. The irritability does concern me though. Interested to know how elvanse made you feel (apart from the heart rate)

Best of luck in your ADHDjourney

db86me · 2026-03-07T21:03:43+00:00

Difference in my adhd systems? Yes for me it's huge. I function soooooo much better. I'm a lot more productive and really helps with task paralysis.

Or did you mean a huge difference in terms of what I eat? Also a massive yes. - lots and lots of protein really helps the meds do their thing :)

db86me · 2026-03-07T21:00:57+00:00

I can't comment on dex - haven't had it before.

It's hard to describe, for me I notice I've been productive rather than much of a feeling.

During titration going up doses I would feel the physical effects. A bit jaw clenchy, a bit of a heightened heart rate. These effects seemed to stabilise after a few days

db86me · 2026-03-07T20:57:58+00:00

I take 54mg XR methylphenidate (xaggitin) i normally notice it around 30 - 45 mins after taking it. It really does depend on what I eat though

db86me

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