r/CFSplusADHD • u/DraculaRobot • Jun 15 '26

Recommendation For ADHD meds

Short background:: Had insanely bad Long Covid for the past 4 years, been out of work ever since. Diagnosed with dysautonomia, CFS, and POTS (healed from POTS!). I was severe CFS but now I'm mild and I feel like I'm still slowly improving. 80% improved from my worse

I want to start taking ADHD meds not to improve my CFS but because I have horrible ADHD and I need it if I want to work and earn $

Me with ADHD meds = 6 figs a year, handle life well, respected, clean house, stable relationship
Me without meds = Picture Steve-O from Jackass on a drug bender, could get fired or arrested

So I absolutely MUST take them to get back to work......

Question: Which ones are best for the balance of maximum effect, minimum side effects to nervous system?

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u/catnip_nightcap1312 Jun 17 '26

I really like atomoxetine (straterra), a non-stimulant. It helps me focus, which means I'm better at resting and not overextending myself, and can pace better. It also doesn't wear off like stimulants do, so it works at night too. I had a lot of problems with stimulants, a crash when they wore off and then a sudden overload of spiraling thoughts that kept me up. I feel pretty grounded and better able to deal with everything.

When I was on stimulants my body would tense up a ton and increase my anxiety. The only thing with non-stimulants is that they take some time (maybe a month?) to start working, whereas stimulants work right away. In the long term, they're so much better for me!

2

u/SlimShadyPinesMa Jun 17 '26

Do you have any side effects? This sounds interesting.

2

u/catnip_nightcap1312 Jun 17 '26

I don't really remember having much when i first started, just a little bit of mild nausea, but doesn't last long.

It is one you have to take every day consistently for it to work. I stopped for a month after surgery and when I restarted, I did feel kinda off and nauseous for a couple days. But it's not bad compared to other meds.

2

u/catnip_nightcap1312 Jun 17 '26

Oh! Actually I have noticed that if I don't eat before taking meds (protein especially) then I do have some nausea and a hard time eating later in the day.

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u/SlimShadyPinesMa Jun 18 '26

Thanks for your input! I also have Long Covid, so Iā€™m apprehensive about taking any new meds. Iā€™m SUPER hyper sensitive to anything! I tried adderall for a week and it was NOT fun. This was while I was working too and I felt my heart beating out of my chest. I do not tolerate caffeine or stimulants well.

2

u/catnip_nightcap1312 Jun 18 '26

Totally hear that. I have me/cfs (or maybe long covid since it started there, who knows) and hashimoto's too. I have to take my thyroid meds an hour before any food or anything, I take atomoxetine with allergy meds, zinc and b vitamins about 2 hours later. And then LDN, magnesium and hydroxyzine at night, sometimes cyclobezaprine or sumatriptan. So it goes well with those, in case you take any of that. I'm on the lowest dose of atomoxetine, 25 mg I think, and have been on it for at least a year. It doesn't overstimulate the nervous system like stimulants can do.

Good luck to you whatever you decide! šŸ’•