ADHD and meds.

[HellyAh]

Hi All, Like many, I've been diagnosed with ADD as an adult. It makes a lot of sense of to me, and I'm glad I finally have an explanation for a lot of my experiences.

I've recently started ADHD medication and have just increased it,

I'm just wondering what I should be expecting from the medication? So far, I've noticed 3 distinct "phases".

1. about an hour after I take the medication, begin to feel a general sense of "calm". The best way I can describe this is, I feel content. I'm not looking to move on from each task rapidly, and I'm far less distracted by outside "noise". I find my job less annoying, and people in general less annoying. I can read a book if I want to, something I haven't been able to do for years unless I become "obsessed" with the book. I don't want to say I feel euphoric, because it's more subtle than that, but I'm definitely in a better mood than "normal".

2. After about 4 hrs, the calmness and contentness wears off. My mood more or less returns to normal. However, I definitely still am able to concentrate much better than normal during this period, and make far less careless mistakes if I'm at work.

3. Six or seven hours after taking the dose, It becomes obvious the medication is "wearing off". I start to become more distracted by "noise" again. I start to have a song playing in my head on loop. I start to make careless mistakes a work, and generally feel more "scattered".

So my question really is, am I aiming for phase 1, on terms of treatment? Or is phase 2 more like the aim?

Would increasing the dose further prolong phase 1 and 2? Or just make them more pronounced? At the moment, I'm taking the dose later and later in the day, in order to have "phase 1" active during important times. My doctor has mentioned adding a short acting medication to cover me for the afternoon. Does a shorter acting med feel different?

Sorry for all the questions, but this is all very new to me.

Many thanks to all who respond.

[Bob_22]

Hi HellyAH,

Thanks for your post. I'm glad you have received some clarity lately around your diagnosis. Unfortunately we can't do medication advice on this forum and you wouldn't want to receive this information from a stranger. It is best to consult your GP or specialist about these questions you have asked (which are great questions). In the meantime, for more information I would recommend going to reputable sources such as the following two links regarding ADHD treatment and medication: 

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pharmaceutical/patients/Pages/faq-adhd-consumers.aspx 

https://adhdfoundation.org.au/adhd-medication-and-treatments 

Have a read of these. I hope this helps and keep us posted.

Bob

[HellyAh]

Thanks for the response Bob. It's unfortunate that my post has been viewed as asking for "advice" on medication. I was more asking for what other's experiences has been and what they were aiming for. But perhaps I didn't phrase that well. I've also received two emails stating I've breached the rules and can't label medications specifically. All in all, a pretty unwelcoming, unpleasant, censored introduction to Beyond Blue forums. But no matter, I'll move on. Thanks for the very generic links none the less. 

[Bob_22]

Hi HellyAh,

I'm sorry you've had an unpleasant introduction to the forums and that you received two reports (this is not ideal). I am a community member and not a moderator but coming from their perspective I imagine it is best to not name specific medication as others might mistake it for medical advice which is not the purpose of the forums. I understand though that you are not seeking or providing medical advice in your post and how you would feel frustrated. My apologies for that. 

Bob

[Kel1981]

Hey there, i to have be recently diagnosed and was placed on the short release medication which I will take up to 4 per day (5mg) to maintain a ‘perfect’. My GP believes I should try the slow realease due to the fact I do hold a high amount of anxiety throughout my days still. I would highly recommend speaking to your doctor about a slow release medication to give u more consistentancy.  Let me me know how it goes if u end up doing the slow with the short. As I mentioned could be an option me.

[Morganc]

This initial phase you're describing, where you feel a sense of calm and contentment, is likely the medication's effects kicking in. It's common for stimulant-based ADHD medications to have a calming effect, which can help reduce impulsivity, distractibility, and hyperactivity. Feeling more focused, less overwhelmed, and in a better mood during this phase are positive signs that the medication is working for you.

[Morganc]

I've heard some positive feedback about n  as a reliable nursing paper writing service. Before making a decision, it's always a good idea to read reviews, check their guarantees, and even reach out to their customer support to address any questions or concerns you might have. Remember to do your due diligence and research before using any writing service. Good luck with your nursing papers!

[buymodafinilrxs]

A lot of people who have ADHD feel calm and happy when they first start taking drugs that contain stimulants. This first part is usually when the medicine starts to work, and it's a normal reaction. Increasing the amounts of certain neurotransmitters in the brain is how these drugs work. This can help lower impulsivity, distractibility, and hyperactivity. This could make you feel more focused, less stressed, and in a better mood during this time. It is important to know that these good signs mean that the medicine is working for you. But it's also important to keep in close contact with your doctor to track how the medicine is working for you and make any changes that are needed to make sure it stays effective.