Update: If you take ADHD medication…

[Deleted]

If you take ADHD medication, which one? Do you like it? How did you pick?

I’m ready to start medication. I’ve tried a bunch of non-medical interventions since my diagnosis about 3 years ago, and it’s time to try medication.

Did you have any side effects? Any trouble with shortages or supply issues?

Update: We went with Adderall to start out, 5mg twice a day. Today is day 1! I’ll report back.

[W.T.Faulkner]

I am on 20 mg of Adderall. I take 2 doses of 10mg, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

I was originally prescribed 10 mg daily, and did that for years, but bumped up to 15 and then to 20mg over time (with breaks from medication altogether during both pregnancies). I've been at 20mg for about two years now. I've been lucky to have no side effects.

My small mom-and-pop pharmacy doesn't seem to be aware of any national shortage, lol. They have never failed to fill a prescription on time for me.

[mala]

I take the generic straterra, which was supposed to be refilled today but I still haven't gotten a text that it's ready when it usually takes an hour, so now I'm wondering if the pharmacy is out. I don't think there's a shortage so who knows. Straterra is a non-stimulant and I do really well on it. It was the first thing I tried so I don't have anything to compare it to. I've had minor side effects, mostly dry mouth which leads to drinking more water, but then craving salt. So I've had to find a balance there. Some minor constipation issues that is easy fixed with just more fiber. It does elevate my blood pressure a bit so I have to keep a close eye on it. I find that it improved my sleep issues, however if I take it too late in the morning it prevents me from sleeping. I have until about 730 before it starts negatively affecting my sleep (go to bed between 9:30-11).

EDIT: Good lord, I can tell I haven't taken my meds today. The best way I can describe being on Straterra is that it gives me more spoons. I don't have to hype myself up to do the dishes or laundry for example.

[loira]

I'm on 10mg of Vyvanse, no side effects, no issues with supply although I'm not in the US so maybe that's why. I'd say the biggest advantage for me is it makes me feel a bit more zen and I'm therefore a better parent. It also curbs my desire to guzzle wine at the end of the day. I wouldn't say it's a magic pill for motivation - if I'm already unmotivated it doesn't magically make me WANT to do the thing. But it does reduce the barrier to doing a lot of things.

[rubytue]

I was just prescribed straterra a week ago. My doctor wanted to try it first, and said she really likes it for adult adhd. Neither of us wanted to go to stimulants before trying some of the non stimulates. At one point, a telecom prescribed Wellbutrin and said it was good off label for adhd. But for reasons, I never started it.

It was picked up a couple hours before I realized I had Covid, so I haven’t started it yet. I would have needed to hold it for paxlovid anyway. So I’ll start it next week I guess? Not helpful for you.

[jane6672]

Stratterra was my first try, it did terrible things to my heart rate, so no dice.

Adderall Rx I tried 10 mg initially, moved up to 15 mg and am happy there. I take it as-needed, so meaning most work days but I do not on the weekends (not currently taking it as I’m pregnant).

It turns off hard mode for things like, starting boring tasks. It also regulates time, so time doesn’t fly by when I’m focused on something or draaaag when I’m doing something boring.
If I haven’t taken it in a while, then it does tend to suppress my appetite, but that evens out after a couple of days.

[hazelden]

I'm on 10 mg of Adderall XR in the morning, and then have a Rx for 10 mg of instant release Dexedrine that I can take in the afternoons.

I started ADHD meds in May and it was so surprising to me how quickly they turned down the constant chatter in my brain. My Dr. asked what meds I was interested in, and I said Vyvance due to the binge eating relief component. But Vyvance is expensive, and he said it can be more challenging to find in stock, so I landed on Adderall. Adderall has a side effect of helping me forget about food anyway, along with dry mouth. I ran into availability issues for my last refill, so I had to wait like 4 days, which wasn't a big deal. I figure it's a little more in demand right now with school about to start back up.

I don't take the pills every day, so I had a bit extra, and I've started taking 20 mg of Adderall in the mornings. The 20 mg feels like a good place for me, so I'm hoping to switch dosing at my next appointment. I don't take the instant release med for the afternoons very often at all, maybe just a few times per week. I don't have any trouble sleeping that I've noticed.

[litskispeciality]

I'm on 5 mg of the cheap brand Adderal quick release (?). I just started in late May after my last physical (thank you GBCN for the confidence to bring up potential ADHD!)

No choice in med as the NP (who I love) wanted to try one thing while I await testing, see if it works. I believe they'll continue to prescribe pending I get a diagnosis (awaiting testing results eval apt next month). I don't take the pills every day. I take them M - F, unless I have a day off of work, or sometimes I forget. Good things so far:

1. I drink a lot less coffee, like most days half a cup (although I've always been caffeine sensitive)
2. I think I am more focused, however I'm desperate for ADHD coaching as time management is still a huge struggle even if I can focus
3. I (typically) have more energy after work so I can actually put away laundry, clean the bathroom etc.
One thing I'm finding though is a good nights sleep is still super important. I think I'm too reliant on the meds will just wake me up the next day, and they only work so well if
you're overtired.
4. I agree with others that my mind is MUCH calmer. I still find myself playing music, a podcast or relaxing focus music depending on my mood, but I don't have a lot of the overthinking and worry that I do when I don't have the meds in my system.

I like it so far. I didn't realize that a lot of my super, always overtiredness may be from ADHD as my thyroid numbers are really low with good medication management. I was taking it right when I got up, but found I was tried before my work day finished, so I moved it an hour later and so far so good. The NP has said she can prescribe more pills for an afternoon dose, but I want to stick with one pill as long as I can as I still have sleep issues, although they're getting better with the meds (most days). I also need to get better about exercise and actual sleep routine like going to bed around the same time etc.

No pill shortage (thank goodness) for me, however I have to request refills through the doc chart portal every month. I've been trying to stretch them out as the script lasts a little longer without weekend doses. I debate however adding a pill on the day I visit my dad as I get sooooo overtired by the weekend that it's almost unsafe to drive, but I can't always skip visits to stay home and sleep.

[litskispeciality]

My NP told me to be very careful with caffeine when I start(ed) the stimulant to see how my body reacted. She recommended lots of water, which I found helpful at first as I was very hot. Appetite seems to be evening out a little, however I find two beneifts:

1. I tend to be more conscious of eating much earlier in the day when I'm on meds (I'll go all day without eating and then way overdue during a super late dinner)
2. I eat less when I'm on the meds. It's like my brain can actually understand I'm (somewhat) full, and even show me portion size like "you don't need that much food". Not sure if it's in any way related, but believe me my waistline thanks you!

[Saudade]

I got diagnosed in my early 30s. Didn't start meds for a couple of years

First I tried Concerta. I got horrible headaches as it was wearing off. I tried adding a noon/midday booster to help but it didn't do much for the headaches.

I went off for a couple of years because it was just too much to navigate and I was able to compensate enough.

I restarted meds this last January. I did Vyvanse and it was amazing. It worked so well and I had no headaches. But my insurance changed and it was going to be $250/month for the medication. I switched to dexedrine and it's working just as well as the Vyvanse. It's a lot cheaper but I still pay $57/month for it.

The best part for me is it cuts down on my irritability that comes from over stimulation. I mask pretty well at work during the day but it almost feels like it compounds and I get home at night just ready to explode. It's helped a lot with that.

It also helps me be able to sit and focus on my desk work when I need to do that. I have always struggled with that aspect of work, it's too easy to get distracted and not finish. It helps me sit and complete one at a time and then move on.

I've definitely cut back on my caffeine intake. I drink 50mg a day with no desire for anymore.

I have very little side effects from the dexedrine.

[raleighnc]

I take generic concerta, which has been hit or miss for shortages. I have to get it from CVS instead of my regular grocery store pharmacy because of stock issues. My daughters are on another methylphenidate and have done great, so my PCP decided to try methylphenidate first. It does make me more alert, but I keep having to fiddle with the dose because sometimes it makes me feel like my heart is pounding (even though my pulse and BP are normal).

Our pedi said that about 80% of people do fine on either methylphenidate or mixed amphetamines (the two big stimulant classes) and about 10% do better on one or the other. There are of course people who don't respond well to any stimulant and need a non-stimulant. But stimulants are usually the first-line options.

My girls are on Jornay, which I would love to try because it lasts a long time, has a really smooth release curve, and starts before they wake up in the morning, but I haven't had the energy to pursue the step therapy yet.

Good luck!

[twilightmv]

I’m on 15mg of adderall XR. I had issues getting it beginning in April 2022, so I switched to vyvanse. Vyvanse was ok, but over time I started to feel anxious on it and not very focused. I was able to switch back to adderall 2 months ago.

I am a fan of adderall. It makes my brain feel very quiet, in a good way. It cuts through the noise which allows me to focus, prioritize, and do tasks I would otherwise avoid. If I take it too late, or if I miss a few days and start back up, I do find it hard to sleep and might take melatonin. This side effect faded quickly for me though.

[AdaraMarie]

I take 10mg generic adderal xr. I have been on it since around the 1st of the year and haven'thad any supply issues at this point. I don't really think it does a lot for me but I have a lot going on with other mental health stuff so it's hard to say. My sister thinks she can see a difference in my talking speed and frantic energy but I'm not sure.
I know it is not totally nuetral because I have to take it every day. If I miss a couple days, then I can't sleep the first night after I start taking it again. It seems illogical that it would work that way because it should be out of my system every night or whatever, but that is how it is working out.

[jlt19]

I’ve been on 20mg of the generic Adderall XR for many years. Probably more than 5, less than 10?

I definitely lost weight in the beginning and kept it off, though I am starting to put it on again. Guessing that’s an age thing.

I also had issues staying asleep but not falling asleep, so I’ve been on Restoril for that for years too.

Last summer I switched from Zoloft for anxiety to Effexor for more of an anxiety/depression mixture. I can tell something could be modified because I’m more anxious and have less motivation to do things than I used to. But I’m not sure what part is needing a higher dosage, having a more demanding job, being a single mom, and/or no longer being depressed.

But I’ll probably just stay doing what I’m doing because of that whole lack of motivation thing.

ETA: no shortage issues I’ve experienced