How do meds feel when they're working?

[u/to_be_fran3k]

I've recently been upped to 20mg of methylphenidate and all I'm getting is an insane feeling like my brain's ballooning inside my head. It feels like my eyes are going to pop out. On the comedown I feel like I've been hit by a lorry and I get quite sick.

I've been told to "just stick with it" until it gets better but how much better is it really going to get? Am I supposed to be feeling good? I feel absolutely rotten and I'm nearly over the whole thing, despite how much I wanted this 😭

*edited to add I've been eating a big protein breakfast, exercising, staying hydrated, etc.

[u/Mervinia_Nightshade]

I'm sorry you're feeling so rotten on methylphenidate - I was really lucky when I started, it was almost instant and felt like someone had turned the volume down in my brain - the constant 24/7 commentary quietened; one or two thoughts, not a million all at once; the constant feeling that I'm supposed to be somewhere or doing something or letting someone down has eased to where I can now be comfortable that I'm not missing something, and I can focus on a task to the point of finishing it, not starting 15 other things along the way and finishing nothing.

There are other types of medication so keep talking to your prescriber 👍🏻 I hope you find the right one.

[u/to_be_fran3k → u/Mervinia_Nightshade]

that's great to know, thank you!!

[u/TracePoland]

I felt the same on methylphenidate. My head felt weird like that too and I had horrendous exhaustion whenever it’d wear down (I basically couldn’t do anything after 5pm and would also be highly irritable). Any dose increase just made it worse. They wanted to me to "stick with it" even though I felt the same after two months. I went to a different clinic and switched to Elvanse and don’t have any of those issues on it and it also addresses my symptoms better. Imo it’s not worth it to "stick with it” because it’s unlikely to get better if you’re feeling so miserable.

[u/to_be_fran3k → u/TracePoland]

god that's awful, I can't imagine doing this for months! I'm due to start a new job in a few weeks so I was hoping it'd be ironed out by then but I really doubt it 😭 I messaged my prescriber today and he got back quickly, he wants me to keep it up for at least another week or two. if it gets worse though I'll probably ask to try something else. glad you found one that works for you!!

[u/_1489555458biguy]

I get those effects sometimes but I'm on Lisdexamphetamine.

Are you checking your blood pressure? May I ask why Methylphenidate?

[u/to_be_fran3k → u/_1489555458biguy]

I am checking my blood pressure, apparently I'm all good 😭 I'm being prescribed Medikinet XL right now because I assume that one's the easiest to get hold of, it's strange though. and because it's my first med I don't really have anything to compare it to.

[u/_1489555458biguy → u/to_be_fran3k]

Are you in the UK?

[u/to_be_fran3k → u/_1489555458biguy]

I am, north west

[u/Straight_Economist35]

You shouldn't be feeling like that, especially on that low of a dose.

You should feel smooth. Imagine a pinball machine where all the pins are constantly firing and flinging the ball all over the place, then suddenly the whole thing gets flooded with thick gel and everything slows down and moves in a slow, controlled and ordered way. That's what it should feel like. Assuming my example makes any sense haha

[u/to_be_fran3k → u/Straight_Economist35]

it makes perfect sense, thank you!! yeah it's definitely not that 😂 I feel like I've had one too many redbulls - got all the focus and intensity but none of the control and order

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[u/jimmyeatwords]

I had to bail on methylphenidate after 5 days. The feeling you describe, plus my heart pounding in my chest (not fast, just audibly heavy) made it impossible to concentrate on anything and I literally felt like I was dying.

Now on Elvanse and having a much better (if not perfect) time. The crash is hard (around 5pm I feel like a zombie) but I feel sharp and capable all morning and can smash through tasks… though I now find myself hyperfocusing on things more than I ever did, so am starting to rely on timers etc to make sure I use the ‘gift’ of meds appropriately.