this post was submitted on 03 Aug 2025
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ADHD

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Elvanse and the Question of One's Own Perception (feddit.org)
submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by caput_t@feddit.org to c/adhd@lemmy.world
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Hello everyone,

I've been taking Elvanse since June 20th, ever since I received my ADHD diagnosis of inattentive type in April 2025. I'm in my mid-40s. I started with 20mg per day, and since July 8th, my doctor has prescribed 30mg per day.

The first two days of taking Elvanse were almost like an epiphany, because I never would have believed that life could be like this. I can't remember being so balanced. Before, many things around me bothered me: loud noises, conversations, crowds of people, changes in my daily routine. In retrospect, however, I can't say whether it was perhaps just a kind of honeymoon phase.

After the first two days, I felt that the effects of Elvanse were at least less noticeable. This worsened until I was prescribed a higher dose (30 mg) at my appointment with my doctor on July 8th.

Since then, I haven't felt the same way I did after the first two doses of Elvanse.

I've noticed, however, that statements (e.g., from colleagues) that I know trigger me don't affect me as much emotionally or even create a negative focus that's very difficult to break out of.

So far, I've been taking Elvanse continuously since June 20th, but I don't really feel any effect, or I'm not really aware of it.

Before Elvanse, I was constantly tired, and by tired, I mean that I had trouble keeping my eyes open during the day. For a long time, I couldn't explain it. Neither could the doctors, until at some point, at the suggestion of a friend, I got diagnosed with ADxD. Now I explain it to myself as my coping mechanisms, which constantly drained my energy. This fatigue is far from there anymore.

My doctor has now increased my dosage to 40mg of Elvanse per day. I mean, I have my diagnosis in writing, and it was diagnosed in a proper procedure by a trained professional who also studied psychology. It involved several supervised sessions with questionnaires for me and people around me, several interviews, and an evaluation of my school reports. Nevertheless, I often wonder if I really have ADHD. If a person without ADHD took my Elvanse, they would certainly be like they were on cocaine. I, on the other hand, definitely don't notice any overwhelming fatigue anymore.

Do people with ADHD often wonder whether they have ADHD or not? Do you sometimes doubt it too?

Edit:Typos

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[–] eee@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 2 days ago (2 children)

That's what ADHD meds are supposed to do to ADHDers, they bring them closer to neurotypical levels. You're not supposed to have effects similar to cocaine.

[–] spankmonkey@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Lol, cocaine made me calm and focused. Now I take prorscribed stimulants for the same effect!

[–] eee@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 2 days ago

That's what I keep reading about undiagnosed ADHDers and cocaine ;) for me it's that coffee makes me sleepy enough so that I have to go to sleep after drinking coffee.

[–] caput_t@feddit.org 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

The cocaine thing wasn't meant literally. I was just exaggerating 😉. I just imagine that people without ADHD might act more like they have ants in their pants when taking Elvanse. But I have to admit, I do miss that feeling a little after I took Elvanse for the first time.

[–] eee@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 2 days ago

My autism striked again, lol.

[–] spankmonkey@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago (2 children)

So far, I’ve been taking Elvanse continuously since June 20th, but I don’t really feel any effect, or I’m not really aware of it.

You are handling the triggering comments, and if I'm reading it right you aren't nearly as constantly fatigued anymore. This seemed like a huge change shortly after, but now that you have adjust it doesn't seem any different because you are getting used to the reduced symptoms. An ADHD medication working just means not having all the negative side effects, it won't make you feel super awesome all the time.

[–] NobodyElse@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Not feeling super awesome all of the time is one of the reasons why I prefer lisdexamfetamine over dexamfetamine. The slower onset of the former means there is no speedy feeling first thing in the morning and my meds just become “normal pills”.

[–] caput_t@feddit.org 2 points 2 days ago

That's an interesting perspective. I hadn't thought of that, thanks.

[–] caput_t@feddit.org 2 points 2 days ago

Yes, there's probably something to that. Maybe I need more time to better assess and get to know everything. Thanks for the words, anyway.

[–] HeyJoe@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I was diagnosed with ADHD back in high school over 25 years ago. My parents didn't do much about it, so they would take the advice of school staff on what to do and try. They didn't really believe thats what I had and had me try medication once, and based on what I said it did they eventually stopped because it didn't appear to work. Over my 30s, some of my friends are on this to help them out. They have given me some because it works great at keeping you up at night and when we would go out and knew it would be a long night we would take a little. I felt incredible on it, and everything just felt clearer to me. They told me thats what its like, but I still feel like it hit me more, and I started thinking maybe I really am ADHD and just never dealt with it. I can concentrate, im more organized, im legit a better person, and want to get things done. Not being tired is also a great effect.

What scares me is the fatigue you talk about, which seems to hit me a lot over the last few years. I will be asking my primary doctor about how they feel about me trying this out because I really hate how tired I am by around 4-5pm most days. I know it can be a lot of things, but it's something to look at.

[–] caput_t@feddit.org 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I definitely didn't mean to scare you or make you feel insecure. I'm sorry about that. But for me, without medication, it was the same: I was really tired all the time and could basically fall asleep anytime and anywhere. I would even get bouts of tiredness while driving, and I would ask my wife to keep going under the pretext of needing a break. I was also a little ashamed of being constantly tired, even in the most inappropriate situations. In those moments, I was more concerned with the thought of falling asleep at the handlebars while driving and thus endangering not only myself but everyone else on the road. Of course, I don't know how severe your pressure to sleep is in your situations. For me, it was and probably still is enormous without medication.

[–] HeyJoe@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

Nah, definitely not scared. I am intrigued more than anything to get the ball rolling on myself. I have said in the past that I would talk to my doctor more about it but never had the courage to bring it up. I just don't want to feel like someone asking for drugs... besides that im in my 40s now, and I've only been to my primary twice in 5 years, and before this, the last time I saw a doctor was my pediatrician, so not much history.

I definitely feel the same with being exhausted, but only like after work. Driving has never been questionable. I also have 2 small kids, so that may not help me either, lol. I'll just have to figure it out. I know that when I tried it, it was incredible for energy, but I also wasn't sure if it was a good thing either or if I was pushing my body more than I should. I've only had it like 5 times over 4 years, so I'm definitely only once in a blue moon. I am not sure how I feel about using it daily, but I'll discuss it with my doctor next time.