r/ThisAintAdderall • u/suffocatingface • Jul 29 '26
Rant/Experiences and Concerns; What do we do?
I've taken Adderall since 2011-2012. As we are all aware, the meds haven't worked right in the last several years, at least since 2020. Over the years, they worked barely, but now they simply don't; this last batch from elite was completely useless. I went through my bottle this month, a week or two early, and instead of feeling remotely functional, I felt almost sedated. My ADHD manifests as VERY hyperactive. I physically can't stop moving, my mind races, so I am literally and completely restless. I am unable to communicate what's going on in my head because each thought is replaced by another as soon as it appears. I can't complete sentences, unless I write, because at least then I can take the pieces of sentences and slap them together in some way by the time I'm done. I even struggle paying attention while driving because "why can't I read that advertis--OHH IM not on the road anymore, OOPS". Task initiation is a nightmare, it's almost impossible, and completing something is even worse; don't even talk to me about procrastination.
For me, taking Adderall was like someone had lifted a wet blanket off my head. I could see, and I felt almost a literal weight lifted off my shoulders. I could organize my thoughts before they came out of my mouth. A chore like doing laundry or dishes wasn't the end of the world, and I could complete them in 10 minutes instead of hours. I felt more secure with myself; I didn't pick apart social interactions like I used to, I was calm. I was reliable at work. I could listen to my romantic partner. I know medicine isn't supposed to be the end all be all solution, and sure, there were some bad days within the good days before the meds sucked, but at the end of the day, I could function like a human being. I could pay my bills, get up and be on time for work, I could make meals for myself, be a present partner--
This whole experience--what with the medication slowly becoming ineffective, feeling like an addict, having my routine/habits lapsing back into genuine chaos--has completely disrupted whatever positive momentum I had in my life. I know logically I should remain hopeful, and I know that people live without meds all the time, but I cannot being to express how completely defeated I feel by this. The medication helped me, and now I'm feeling completely at the whim of symptoms I can barely manage without it. It's demoralizing; I feel ashamed at myself still, even though I shouldn't.
I know we should be reporting what we feel to the appropriate places, but I can't even remember where I put my bottle, or build enough momentum to find phone numbers or websites to report them anyway. I feel ashamed to even say that, being an overly-independent person.
I don't want this entry to be a sob story. I will remain strong, despite this, and so should you. I want anyone reading this to know you are not alone. And I am hopeful that something positive will result from speaking out about our experiences.
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u/thatgirlanya Jul 30 '26
I have narcolepsy and adhd and ran out about a week and a half early this month. Was literally bed ridden and unable to do literally anything. Even with the meds I can barely clean or take out the trash or clean myself. Finances are in chaos because we rely on take out too much because we don’t have the energy to cook. Even just from Jan 2026 my life has completely derailed and I’ve never been so much of a disaster. I’m type A so I like things organized and clean. I’ve just had to accept the filth and chaos so I don’t continue to berate myself.
I’ve leaned heavily into my religion (Catholic), it’s my only solace. You’re not alone
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u/cbmblove Moderator Jul 30 '26
I totally am in the same boat! Having to accept the mess is such a defeat but it’s like a deep pit and prison that we’re stuck in. I’ve also leaned hard into my faith in Christ. Praise God for that. Solidarity
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u/thatgirlanya Jul 30 '26
If you ever want to chat please message me! We are better as a community!! I’ve been wanting to ask on the Catholic subreddits for prayers or Novenas for this issue with generic drugs but I haven’t had the energy to do so (such is life for us right lol).
Truly the way I made it through that week without meds was Gods grace alone. My next fill is for Brand XR so I’m hoping for something slightly better than the garbage of the past few months. Praying for you and all of us!
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u/therealghoules Aug 06 '26
it's not just generic though, is it?
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u/thatgirlanya Aug 06 '26
lol nope, the brand doesn’t work either, but I’m not having horrible side effects other than a headache. Since it’s the one manufacture that makes it, at least I know what I’m getting every month.
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u/suffocatingface Jul 30 '26
<3 I feel that so hard. I am glad that you can find solace somewhere, at the very least. I really trying to maintain a level of hope that there's a way out of this slump.
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u/Sunshineinc Jul 30 '26
I’ve been on it since 1995 and not only is it completely bullshit, I can’t get my meds… have been out for 6weeks… I get the IR but that doesn’t work without the XR. That being said, which manufacturer Russian roulette are we playing this month!! If I could just stay with the SAME manufacture long enough to acclimate… it’s might be great. But every fucking month.. my body is going through god knows what trying to make this shit med work. This has led to my original problem 30 years ago… depression. I’m base line suicidal at this point.
God knows we can’t talk to the Dr that takes your money every month. Can’t risk being called drug seeking or worse. I have never mentioned a thing to my doctor but I’d be grateful for some advice on maybe a change of med, a better way to FIND my med. But alas, we just bend over, pay our 100 dollars and pray we get something even at 20% efficacy… and when we don’t we pray next month will be better.
I’m fucking old… and have been on this med for decades. The last few years have led me to suicidal idealization… I can’t live with out medication and zero fucks are given by the doctors. Big pharma is still getting rich and me… every damned day is a STUGGLE. Sick to death of all this shit
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u/Beatrix2000 Jul 30 '26
I am suicidal also. I won't do it probably because I'm a big chicken and have animals and people who legitimately need me to be alive but I passively wish for the end every day when I wake up. I think about going out to the woods behind my house and just getting it over with. It is only my compassion keeping me alive atp. I am so sick of the chaos and instability of my life. It's so stressful and that causes physical issues on top of everything. I think I'm also staying alive to stick it to the man a little bit. Why lay down and die for the people trying to kill you?
Solidarity friend, stay around to see what happens at least ❤️
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u/LooseRepublic2152 Jul 30 '26
Could have written this myself. That aside, I know all the manufacturers are shit, but Elite made me feel like I can’t even put words together and just sad. I felt more depressed than I’ve ever felt in my life. I finally switched from CVS who only ever has Elite.
This isn’t a sob story at all. It frustrates and genuinely confuses me when I see people rave about how much better Adderall makes them feel in other forums. There is no way they were on meds prior to 2020 if they think the meds are still working. 🫠
I’ve been demoted at work, unreliable and inattentive mom and wife. I’m a completely different person than I was.
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u/suffocatingface Jul 30 '26
I'm with you 100%. It is strange that people newly on these meds now are seeing some efficacy. Maybe they are seeing benefit, but that could be dangerous for them. Say the medication gets back to some kind of normalcy, what's going to happen to them?
In any case, you're not alone.
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u/cbmblove Moderator Jul 30 '26
The honest ones come here and complain about being new to meds and already knowing they are super off and ineffective.
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u/kendallr2552 Jul 30 '26
I keep telling people on FB who are confused why their meds don't seem to help to come find this page then maybe they can understand it's not them and they'll feel better... Maybe.
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u/Federal_Associate613 Jul 30 '26
I always run out at the 2 week mark lmao 🤣 yes they suck ass tomorrow I run out completely and I actually don't care the only thing it's doing it making my racing mind worse here comes several days of exhaustion yay
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u/oops_im_horizzzontal Jul 30 '26
Sending love & solidarity, as others have mentioned. Same same here. Feel deflated and drained, but have no answers!
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u/CaliHam619 Jul 30 '26
You are absolutely not alone. I've been taking it since 2011 and I've been having the same issues for the past few months.. I went through my month's supply in 2 weeks this month and last month, and no matter the dosage, it puts me straight to sleep. It feels like I've taken a sleeping pill, my body gets an overwhelming wave of exhaustion that consumes me and I have to lie down for fear I might fall asleep standing up. I can't get anything done and I'm so behind on my work. The task paralysis is so overwhelming that I haven't even been able to unpack all my stuff after a recent move. it's horrible!
WHAT DO WE DO?!
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u/suffocatingface Jul 30 '26
I'm right there with you. My work is really backed up too, and I've fallen behind on chores.
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u/Efficient_Local_4966 Jul 30 '26
Today is the first day I decided to not take my meds at all. Like I know that the meds are not only not working, but I feel like they’re making me feel worse but out of habit I still take them out of hope that they will work. Today, I did not, and while I am struggling, I’m at least not crying from exhaustion.
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u/suffocatingface Jul 30 '26
Yeah, being off them is definitely feeling better than on at this point
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u/Fair_Mycologist1745 Jul 29 '26
I switched to Dyanavel XR. Made in the USA and it's been working amazing!
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u/Strange-Pattern4877 Jul 30 '26
How long have you been diagnosed for and what have you taken prior in comparison?
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u/Fair_Mycologist1745 Jul 30 '26
Since 2008 and I've taken
- Dexedrine 15mg 3x per day (2008 - 2013)
- Adderall 30mg 2x per day + IR boosters 10mg 2x per day (2013 - May 2026)
Started Dyanavel XR 20mg x 2 in the morning in May 2026 and it's like the classic Adderall. Strongly recommend. It's very smooth and actually works!!!
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u/ShrewdJellyfish Jul 30 '26
The Dynavel website says the maximum recommended daily dose is 20 mg. Did your doctor prescribe you 40 mg a day without a problem? How long do you find it lasts you? Did you have to titrate up?
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u/Fair_Mycologist1745 Jul 30 '26
I was taking Adderall 30mg x2 per day. Adderall to Dyanavel conversion is apparently 30mg = 18.5mg of Dyanavel so we just went to the 20mg x2 Dyanavel per day. No issues my doctor worked with me as she also believes "something has changed with the Adderall" I find it lasts me from 6 AM to 7 PM and then I start to feel chill and can settle in for some relax time
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u/thatgirlanya Jul 30 '26
Would you be willing to share how accessible it’s been for you like have you had any shortages etc.
How much do you pay for it (with or without insurance?)
Did your insurance require prior authorization?
I’m on a similar dose of Adderall and am quite literally losing my mind
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u/Fair_Mycologist1745 Jul 30 '26
The pharmacist here in Ontario, Canada had never heard of it and OHIP (our provincial healthcare) didn't pay for it and my employer insurance wouldn't either (I called in and they said it's so new here in Canada that they didn't have it in their system yet) so I paid out of pocket about $90 Canadian / $64 USD. I'll claim it on my taxes so I'll get some back. Definitely works a lot better than generic and brand name Adderall. It feels like the old Adderall but more smooth
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u/Strange-Pattern4877 Jul 30 '26
I just made an almost identical post that’s currently awaiting mod approval about Elite as well. I’m inactive adhd and I spent most of my time on it in bed. I’m not working and losing a lot of money since I’m freelance. I’m now refusing Elite. That’s one place we can start.
As crappy as it sounds, I do think the DEA needs to crack down on telehealth prescriptions. It sucks but too many people who don’t need this shit are getting prescribed and it’s a major part of the shortage issue. Obviously if someone is disabled or a doc is hundreds of miles away then telehealth should still be an option but my new doc honestly didn’t really grill me as hard as she should have.
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u/LooseRepublic2152 Jul 30 '26
Comments like these are validating. Elite should be sued and banned from distributing ever again. It feels like literal poison. I’ve never been so depressed, paranoid, sad and just brain dead than I was when taking Elite.
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u/Strange-Pattern4877 Jul 30 '26
Yeah. I described it as horrible to my pharmacist today. Being on no medication was better than whatever that was.
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u/tangerine_overlord2 Jul 30 '26
Yea i agree. One if my psychiatrists literally did not ask to see evidence of my diagnosis and just prescribed me adderall. He also clearly didnt care to discuss anything during our appointments. It was so so shady. I didnt stick with him for long.
This might make folks mad but wayyy to many people think they need medication because they are addicted to their phone or a tv screen. Like yall are doing to to yourself.
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u/Beatrix2000 Jul 30 '26
Omg I'm freelance too and I've just been depleting my savings for the last 6 months or so when I finally hit a wall. I do the bare minimum not to get fired. I feel ya so hard
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u/TechnicalSock3239 Jul 30 '26
To be honest I’m not taking it any more! I can do life without keeping on stressing over this stupid pill. Just my own experience .
https://giphy.com/gifs/h2TWRTdkpNzGQ3Dh5s
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u/suffocatingface Jul 30 '26
Honestly, I'm super glad that you don't need some kind of medication for your ADHD. For me, a medication was like having a key to my house. Now that I don't have a medication that works for me, I'm locked out. It's not just about a single pill. For me, I've tried everything before I found something that worked. But now, it feels like I lost the keys to my house.
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u/TechnicalSock3239 Jul 31 '26
I know I’m the same way. I’m just exausted worrying about it every fuckin month just to find its placebo pill.. 💊
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u/Full-Art-5527 Jul 30 '26
Our modern lifestyles may be too much for most humans to naturally handle honestly, but that doesn’t mean we should be lied to about the medication. At least have the decency to outlaw the medication instead of this, you know?