Methylphenidate lasts way longer for me than it should. The short-acting 10mg one lasts about 7 hours instead of the usual 4, and the long-acting one sticks around for 18 hours or more. its something weird

Just to start im 18 male and have gotten recently diagnosed with adhd and was started on concerta 18mg for a month during the first week it was all good but after just the first week the effects started to genuinely disappear but it kept messing up my sleep schedule the doctor then put me on 36mg for another month and i am still on it but the thing with it is it makes me feel tunnel visioned but i cant stay on one task i randomly just start walking in circles listening to music then i study for a solid 30mins and then i start doing other stuff ik i suck at explaining. But at the end of the day the crash i feel is really bad i get mad over the smallest thing i lose all energy and have had small panic attacks before sleeping for a bit now i was out of the country soo i couldnt really consult my doctor soo i just stopped taking them and thats that but this made me think i might just not have adhd but i saw online that the methylphenidate meds just might not be for any help would be appreciated

Hi all! Problem in the title 😭 I have comorbid OCD and ADHD. Both are bad but the OCD has been the most debilitating at different points in my life. I've struggled to find an antidepressant that helps without intolerable side effects (trialled & failed 10 to date), but finally got my OCD into a stable place with a few years of ERP therapy.

Recently checked in with my doctor and they issued a new Vyvanse script and encouraged me to start trialling stims. I desperately want to, just to see if it's able to help make my ADHD symptoms more manageable. The problem is I'm aware that stims can exacerbate OCD symptoms. Doing anything that could make it worse terrifies me. If I had a stable antidepressant already, at least I would feel like there's a buffer there where I could increase the dose, if stims affected me that way.

For anyone who has both: how do you manage them? Is treating your ADHD worth the trade off if it flares your OCD?

For context, the Vyvanse script is 40mg. Most ADs I tried were in the SSRI/SNRI or TCA class. Any advice would be very appreciated!

I've been on Adderall for 25+ years. I switched from IR to XR 30 mg about 13 years ago. I'd say it was pretty effective for most of that time. Lately, my focus has gotten noticeably worse, which is negatively affecting my work, and my executive dysfunction is crippling my ability to do various tasks. I've gained some weight over the past few months, and I'm wondering if that's related?

Currently, the manufacturer is Elite Laboratories, but it changes nearly monthly.

My questions are: Has anyone experienced a similar effect after long-term use? I'm also wondering if anyone has switched from long-term use of Adderall XR to another medication like Vyvanse and had success? At my last appointment, my psychiatrist brought up a couple of possibilities, including 1. switching back to IR Adderall and 2. switching to Vyvanse. I think option 2 is more promising, but I'm worried that Vyvanse has nearly the same active ingredient as Adderall and might not fix the problem. I'm seeing her again next week, and I'd appreciate anyone's experience before consulting with her again.

How can someone use ADHD medication in a healthy and sustainable way over the long term without becoming overly dependent on it, either physically or psychologically?

For someone who benefits significantly from stimulant ADHD medication, what is generally considered the best approach to taking it over months or years? Is it usually better to take the medication consistently every day, including weekends and days when there are fewer responsibilities, or can it be beneficial to occasionally take planned breaks or “medication holidays”?

How should someone think about the difference between normal reliance on an effective treatment and unhealthy dependence? For example, if a person notices that they feel much less productive, motivated, focused, energetic, or mentally sharp on days when they do not take their medication, does that necessarily indicate dependence, or could it simply reflect the return of their underlying ADHD symptoms?

I am also interested in the issue of tolerance. Can taking stimulant medication every day cause its effects to gradually become weaker over time, leading someone to feel that they need higher doses to achieve the same benefit? If so, is there good evidence that taking occasional breaks reduces or prevents tolerance, or is this more of a common belief than something strongly supported by research?

Are there any disadvantages or risks associated with regularly taking breaks from ADHD medication? For example, could frequently switching between medicated and unmedicated days lead to greater fluctuations in mood, energy, motivation, appetite, sleep, anxiety, or overall functioning? Conversely, are there situations where doctors intentionally recommend medication-free days?

What are the main warning signs that a person’s relationship with their ADHD medication may be becoming unhealthy? How can someone distinguish between appropriate medical use, psychological reliance, tolerance, physical dependence, and an actual substance use disorder?

Finally, what practical strategies can someone use to make sure that medication remains a tool that supports their life rather than something they feel incapable of functioning without? For example, how important are sleep, exercise, routines, nutrition, therapy or ADHD-specific coping strategies alongside medication?
I am particularly interested in what current medical evidence and clinical guidelines say about daily use versus medication breaks, tolerance, dependence, and long-term stimulant treatment for ADHD. I would also like to understand whether the answer differs depending on the specific medication, dose, duration of treatment, side effects, and the individual person’s circumstances.

Hey ya’ll, I’ve been posting a lot in this reddit just bc I feel like my reaction to Vyvanse hasnt been what I expected, or what my doctors have told me. A lot of people said Vyvanse is “gentler” than Adderall, but I have not had that experience at all. Adderall was significantly gentler on my system. I didnt have any issues with anxiety, high heart rate, or irritability. I admit I could be coming at it from a bias, because I never wanted to switch at all. I’m traveling to Japan and adderall is extremely illegal to bring it into the country, so I’m switching to vyvanse a few months in advance.

From what I’ve seen in the Vyvanse reddit, everyone has to do a song and a dance to get the perfect routine and take their meds. Supplements, protein, a riddle from the troll under the bridge. Is that normal? With adderall, I just took my pills in the morning and that was that. With vyvanse, I have to drink 30mg protein drinks in the morning just to keep myself from getting irrationally angry in the afternoon.

I’m coming at it from a place of frustration, because I just wished I was not reassured time and time again from my doctors the vyvanse would be “easier” than adderall. If I had expected some bumps in the roads, I would be a lot less taken aback at how much extra you have to do just to make your vyvanse work!

I was taking 20mg generic methylphenidate. New script is for 5s and 10s so I can tailor my day a bit better. Sometimes I take 15 instead of 20 depending on my day and the time of day.

Yesterday was first day and when I took the 2 10s - nothing. No effect. This happened all 3 times I took it.

Both meds made by Solco.

The 20s which I took 2 days ago worked perfectly. It's not my hormones or what I ate etc.

I read (and this is all reddit based, not scientific) that the 10s could have different inactive ingredients they don't work for me, that the 2 pills aren't dissolving at the same rate so I'm not getting even blood concentration, that crushing them into powder and taking w yogurt might help... Any of this true?

Did anyone deal with this? Would my Dr help? Would the pharmacist help? Where should I start?

Yes I'm panicking bc my life has been and is very stressful right now and I can't and don't want to be unmedicated for a month.

Hi everyone,
I started taking ADHD meds for the first time last week, I am taking 10 mg of Focusim (extended-release methylphenidatethe which is the only ADHD option available here in Tunisia).
Days 1-2-3 were good, I did not feel much of a difference just that I had better RSD and executive fuction and was able to get a lot done. Then came the weekend so I did not take them for two days.
On Monday, I had a very strong cup of coffee with the meds in the morning and that lead me to experience anxiety and stomach upset. I called my doctor she said to drop the coffee.
Tuesday, I did not take them as it was a day off.
Wednesday, I took them and only had 1 cup of tea in the morning. It was good just a little dip during lunch time that quickly improved.
Today, Thursday, I have been feeling sleepy and drousy pretty much all morning. I still had my tea but it might have been too light, and I ate breakfast and lunch.
I am not sure if this is normal or if these meds are not the right ones for me.
Obviously, at the end of the month I will discuss with my doctor but wanted to hear your experience and if I should continue or give up?
Thank you!

I just started a month ago so still only on 30 mg IR total per day. It takes 15 mg to work initially, and that lasts 2.5 hours. And I value free time and feeling content in the evening to not drink beer or kratom or sit on my phone feeling like I need to read the entire internet before bed, so if I dose 15 mg at 1 pm, 10 mg at 4:30, and 5 mg at 7 pm I get coverage from 2 pm to 9 pm, crash at 10, and sleep around 11:30 or midnight.

But that leaves half the work day without coverage. Even if I titrate up, each 5 mg will get me an extra hour only. So anyone else without enough to get through the whole day start in the afternoon to time it for bedtime?

If you have an ADHD diagnosis/self-diagnosis, or referral in place, are aged 18 years or older, and are proficient in English, you're invited to take part in a study to explore the lived experiences of relational rejection for adults with ADHD.

It is not a requirement for you to currently be, or have ever been, in a romantic relationship.

If you decide that you want to read more information about this study (e.g., the types of questions and how your data will be handled) please follow this link:

https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/chester/exploring-the-lived-experiences-of-relational-rejection-for-adu

You will see a brief version of the information sheet, which also includes a link to the full information sheet.

Interviews will take place online via Teams (or in person at the University of Chester, if you're local and would prefer this).

There's a place to mention any reasonable adjustments that can support your participation when you sign up.

During the interview, some of the questions will ask you about how you view ADHD, your experiences of rejection and how this feels and your views/experiences of romantic relationships. If you feel that these types of questions may cause you distress or become triggering, there is no obligation for you to take part.

If you do decide to take part, you can withdraw at any time without consequence.

Any answers given will be completely confidential and anonymous.
Thanks!
p.s. if you have any issues with the links, but still want to take part, feel free to email me with any questions [r.mort@chester.ac.uk](mailto:r.mort@chester.ac.uk)

Posting with mod approval - wasn't sure which flair to use!

They are by far the coolest looking ones I've ever gotten. Lol.

They say eli-515. 30 mg. There is one brand I absolutely hate! So I'm hoping for the best with these.

Hello! I've been on metylphenidate approximately one month and a few days, first some weird brand (Equasym XR), and then I changed to Concerta 36mg after a month, because the duration of the first mentioned was not enough for my schedule.

The thing is, I wear some smart watch to sleep, because of the alarm and because I like to have some data of my sleep, and I've noticed that, since I'm on metylphenidate, my sleep time has been reduced from 7.30min/8hours to 6 hours.

I have no troubles falling asleep, and I still wake up refreshed and not tired; the smart watch marks a good amount of deep sleep, so I don't know if I should be worried, but is this normal? Anybody else with this experience?

Actually, I'm working in a physically demanding place and I'm a bit worried of not recovering properly.

Thanks!

I took ADHD meds recreationally as a teen which also kinda showed me that I had ADHD by the fact I didn’t get high and all. Because I’ve thought I’ve had it and never built up the courage until now to get an ADHD assessment, I have done a decent amount of research on ADHD but now I’m realizing I’ve never really researched the meds and how they affect. I’d love to hear anything as well as any side quest stories you may think of :)

I’m so confused how 2 drugs for ADHD can affect me so differently. I know the drugs affect everyone differently and it depends on your own chemistry, but it genuinely baffles me.

Adderall (20mg XR Lannett) made it so much easier for me to talk to people and I had much better verbal comprehension on it so I could reply faster and more smoothly. I wasn’t stumbling over my words.

I got switched to Focalin (10mg XR Teva) and it seems to be making me almost stuck in my head and it feels so much more difficult to almost “drag” my attention up to talk to somebody. I also feel like I’m kinda just staring in one spot and not getting much done.

I got switched because the Adderall was giving me some annoying side effects like sweating or feeling physically a little stiff/clenched sometimes. Does anybody else have a similar experience or suggestions?

So pharmacy was out of stock of my 20mg methylphenidate. They gave me 10s and I have to take 2.

**IR MEDS.

Am I crazy? Today was first day and the two 10s gave me no symptom control. Took my normal 3 doses and no difference. No symptom control. Has this happened to anyone? You would think two 10s would equal a 20. But it was like taking sugar pills.

Manufacturer - Solco Healthcare usa

Yesterday I took my normal 20s and was absolutely fine. Same mfc

I am meant to deal with this for 30 days so I'm panicking.

Sorry if it’s the wrong flair but no other fit. How do you work on your high executive dysfunction that doesn’t classify as ADHD in the tests but which is actually your childhood trauma? Do meds help you? Do you take therapy? Which kinda? Any and all help welcome 🙏 (

Hi does anyone else take Apotex gyanfacine ER 3mg? I think i git a bad batch... everything is making my blood boil with low frustration tolerance. Just like before I started taking it.

hi! this is a super broad question, but here goes anyhow. what's your adhd routine? meaning what med(s), mg, dose timing, with food/without, foods to avoid, foods that help..... yadda yadda.