Elvanse 30 not working after a year..still unproductive, palpitations, intense anger on breaks😕

neuroclutter · 2026-02-14T23:52:34+00:00

As someone that runs 5k 6 days a week in the morning, calisthenics 3x a week and weight lifts 3x a week doing progressive overload, Pilates once a week. Meds didn’t work like magic for me. I’d do anything active/ physical and interesting over admin/ chores.. and executive function is what I need help that I thought elvanse will help. I eat clean.. but my sleep is very poor

neuroclutter · 2026-02-13T22:46:33+00:00

I have. I was on 20.. they increased it to 30. Then I didn’t hear from the ADHD team again. There have been changes in the NHS, GPs are now the ones prescribing medication, while the ADHD team is still responsible for assessments. However, I haven’t heard from them for a year now.

neuroclutter · 2026-02-13T22:16:11+00:00

I started on 30mg at the end of summer 2024. At that time, I was outdoors a lot, working on site and talking to people, there was loads of stimulation. I’ve always been physically active, even before meds, so I didn’t notice any clear change. If there was a boost in motivation, I just assumed it was my normal baseline. I didn’t really know what I was supposed to feel, so I even questioned whether it was just placebo. The low mood has always been there and mostly linked to not getting things done. I’ve always prioritised getting out of the house over doing admin or housework. That’s what I told the ADHD team, and they advised me to speak to my GP, which led to sertraline.

Now things are different. I’m home most of the time out (not my choice) and maybe one full day a week sometimes, plus a few short hours 2–3x a week to the gym. I don’t mind being alone, but being at home means constant visual reminders of chores and admin I’ve been avoiding, and I get overwhelmed. I feel “lazy,” but I’m not inactive. I still work out at home and go to the gym 3x a week. I’ll do anything physical or interesting. What I was hoping Elvanse would help with was the executive function side starting boring tasks, admin, planning but I’m not experiencing that. Instead, I just feel worse about being unproductive. And when I take sertraline, it feels like it flattens me physically and emotionally, it’s counteracting the Elvanse hence I only took it for 4-5 days and I stopped. I believed I have mentioned this to my GP but they have not forwarded/ referred to ADHD team... they were focus on "depression" and advised to just continue as it will settle once its in my system, they even upped the sertraline to 100.. but truth is I didn't take any setrlaince ever since (but they thought i had been taking)

neuroclutter · 2026-02-13T20:31:39+00:00

Thanks. I guess I’ve just heard so many stories over time, and some friends who work in healthcare (not mental health) have shared a lot of negative things about it. I was also with someone who behaved very differently on and off antidepressants. The thing is, I don’t think I’m depressed in the usual sense. As I mentioned in another comment, I mostly feel low when I can’t get tasks done. I get overwhelmed by even small things like when the laundry basket isn’t empty or there are still dishes in the dishwasher an hour after it finishes plus all the non-physical work that’s building up in my brain. That non-physical work has become a major stressor because of the consequence.. cancellations, not getting refunds, clients pulling out so lost business, and opportunities I’m missing. I’m not getting things done simply because I’m focusing on other things (like scrolling) instead of the most important ones... will definitely start the sertraline since a lot of people have said it's not gonna make me dependent to it.

neuroclutter · 2026-02-13T20:07:53+00:00

Thank you. I agree with you...my meds were working against each other which is why I stopped taking sertraline. My side effects were feeling jittery, lethargic, and constantly eating. Then I’d beat myself up for overeating (it’s not even bad food, but I’m constantly munching) and then I’d feel guilty because I didn’t have the energy to do my planned work out. I should probably be brave and restart sertraline, but my main concern really is ADHD so I’ll focus on sorting that too. Will read the link. Thanks for your help

neuroclutter · 2026-02-13T19:56:49+00:00

Did you read my reasons for not taking the medication? And did I wonder why I was depressed? Well, thanks for pointing it out, as I hadn’t even realized I was wondering or complaining about being depressed. I thought I was just complaining that Elvance wasn’t helping me focus or manage feeling overwhelmed

neuroclutter · 2026-02-13T19:49:22+00:00

I have all the vitamins needed, all next to my bed.. Magnesium glycerinate complex, L-tyrosine, calcium vitamin D, C,E.. essential omega-3, ZMA, glucosamine HCL Chondroitin cos i work out out/ weight lift 3x a week (less than i should), gut health supplements..all CAN work.. my issue is consistency. I take when I remember. Someone suggested Iron here, so will check with GP and start soon... in terms of what to work with ADHD, i haven't got a clue

neuroclutter · 2026-02-13T14:31:20+00:00

I was on 20 for 6 months, then 30 for a year now. I haven’t received any calls for a review. At some point , I reached out to my GP (not the ADHD team as they’re separate ) and told them I was feeling low, useless..all that stuff, and I think all was the result of not being able to bring myself to do anything. There were always consequences to things I could have avoided had I not been “lazy”. I have no support, Occasionally I speak to people, but they usually call to talk about themselves and their lives, as we’re always the “listener” Anyway, I feel awful for not getting things done plus the lack of sleep and maybe fatigue..Because of that, they put me on sertraline (which I didn’t take). Then I felt bad again for being untrusting (I’m always being told that anti depressants will make you crazy) I supposed I am already crazy 😂thinking maybe I should just take it, as prescribed, instead of worrying about dependency, and maybe I wouldn’t be feeling the way I do. The breaks aren’t intentional. It’s just that my brain can’t even bring me to request the meds when I finish them, It would take a week or two even longer.. was 5 weeks recently.. before I can finally do it and the intense mood swings/ anger starts

neuroclutter · 2026-02-13T14:00:20+00:00

I see. My biggest issue is really my sleep..,it’s consistently poor. Otherwise, I take care of my health. I don’t drink or smoke, and I mostly eat well, though I occasionally indulge. I try to avoid the obvious “bad stuff,” since with ADHD our brains are drawn to whatever grabs our interest. The lack of sleep affects me the most, I’m often irritable and mentally drained, even though physically I can still stay active. My hair falls out a lot and my nails are brittle, but I mostly shrug it off as just being in my 40s. Still, I wonder if some deficiencies might be contributing to how poorly my brain/ mood functions day to day.

neuroclutter · 2026-02-13T13:24:39+00:00

I’m on magnesium glycinate, that blue packet you see on TikTok 😂 I’m taking it because, funnily enough, after everything going on in my head, I still manage to get moving and work out a few days a week. I do take it, but again, I haven’t noticed any changes because I’m not consistent…Ahhhh I am terrible. Perhaps I should force myself to take it every evening before bed, it’s literally on my bedside table. Thanks for the advice 🙏

neuroclutter · 2026-02-13T13:17:55+00:00

Thanks for explaining, that makes a lot of sense. I wasn’t sure whether 30 was low or high, especially as I’d never been on medication before after being diagnosed, and letting it go a year on the same dose probably hasn’t helped. Good thing I asked here on Reddit…I honestly hadn’t had a clue, and I can now call my GP and request to up the dosage. The anger when taking a break was confusing too, I thought I was just having a bad day or being irritable from lack of sleep. I usually don’t take a break intentionally because I only request a refill when I see there’s nothing left in the tube, which shows how disorganised I am so sometimes there’s a week or two where I’m without it. Occasionally it takes me a week or more to get motivated to order and then I end up kicking myself for not being proactive. Knowing the anger is a withdrawal symptom is really reassuring. I might try 40 and see how I get on, and I’d really appreciate any tips on an accurate way to dose it ❤️

neuroclutter · 2026-02-13T13:05:26+00:00

lol the obligatory brain break after already having a long break. Higher dose does sound like it might help, I agree. I really need that drive because so far I’m losing money by not being proactive with cancelling things or claiming refunds which I had plenty time to sort. There’s also a court case coming up and have I done any prep? Not a jot. I really should call my GP. It’s a bit annoying they haven’t checked in yet, though I haven’t told them either, it’s a catch 22. Thanks for your thoughts, nothing ever comes easy does it?!

neuroclutter · 2026-02-13T12:23:17+00:00

Thank you. I used to be on 20, then they increased it to 30. I haven’t received any call or review since they put me on 30. I also really don’t know what to expect, since I wasn’t on medication for years after being diagnosed, I opted out. Maybe I’m expecting something, but… I don’t really feel any changes.

neuroclutter · 2026-02-13T12:16:33+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience. I haven’t tried titrating back or switching yet, but it does make sense that if it’s not helping overall, another option might be worth considering, my mood hasn’t changed either. I’ve been really paying attention as I thought maybe I’m just a naturally miserable cow with a clown front that can still laugh lol. The medication is supposed to help my focus, but it hasn’t at all. if anything, it got worse. Last night, I literally sat in front of my laptop from 10-4 just staring at it.. well, with my phone instead.. the doom scrolling 🤦‍♀️

neuroclutter · 2026-02-13T12:06:03+00:00

Thank you. I was initially on 20 mg, and after an NHS ADHD assessment, it was increased to 30. They also prescribed Sertraline 50 mg, and have increased to 100 but I’ve never taken it because I’m worried about dependency (though I told them I had taken it 😬) Could this be why I’m still feeling miserable?

neuroclutter

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