Hi, hello
I noticed that on some days my ADHD meds have almost no effect on me, especially after taking a break (one of my psychiatrists suggested that I take breaks from the meds from time to time, usually 2-3 day long).
Has anyone else had similar experiences? I'm on 20mg continuous release methylphenidate, I take it in the morning, after breakfast — normally I start to feel it "kick in" after an hour or so, but on the days when it doesn't seem to work, I feel nothing.
I'm starting to get paranoid and think that some of the pills are placebo, idk anymore.
i started out on 3 ritalins (10mg) a day, went up to 4, and kept forgetting to take them
went onto the slow release ones, but was only prescribed 20mg a day
after a while it felt like i was going backwards again. diet changes, ritalin (at first) among other things would be a night and day difference, but would then plateau out. just over 2 years ago, i was definitely going backwards and had almost zero choices left
then i realised that i had just enough ritalins to get me through to the next prescription with 2 a day. that made an amazing difference
my gp gave me one prescription at 2 per day, but to continue with this dosage i had to go back to the psychiatrist and i ended up on something like 3-4 20mg slow release plus 4 standard 10mg a day
a few weeks later, he changed me over to dexamphetamine. 8 tablets of 5mg in the mornings and 5 more at lunch. for me, it is much more gentle the ritalin. the ritalin at that dose would have my heart racing, and feeling seedy, but the dexamphetamine is much, much better. with the ritalin, i feel i could feel them kick in and then also feel the drop off big time. the dexamphetime is almost not noticeable when it kicks in or wears out. if i forget to take them a few hours after they were due, i start yawning and feeling very tired, so i know when they are working but it isn't like a big change all at once like ritalin (the larger doses) used to be like
without this, i doubt i would still be here. you can obviously gain a tolerance, which might slow down your benefits, but it seems like your situation is similar to mine, and for the last 20 months (december 2023) i have been living. previously i was just existing. still do not like people, still have no social skills, but i am much more content, and my moods are going back to how they were 20+ years ago, where i was constantly worn out, but was called smiley, instead of (ironic) chuckles and giggles
for the first time in my life, i think i want to live which to put it mildly is a little scary, but better overall
