Stimulants Ritalin - How can I make it work again?

[Barbrady1]

After long-term issues with brain fog, depression and anxiety, I finally felt I had found the answer to my problems in Ritalin.

Following my ADHD diagnosis in 2017, I was prescribed 5mg of a methylphenidate brand called Tranquilyn. The next three months were nothing short of incredible. For the first time in my life my mind was clear, I could stay engaged in trivial conversation, my reading comprehension drastically improved and I no longer had working memory problems.

However, no drugs for ADHD have worked since. I’ve been on Strattera, Dexedrine, Vyvanse, Concerta and higher doses of Tranquilyn yet none of these gave me any symptom control.

Whilst I accept that some of Tranquilyn’s initial effects were part of the honeymoon phase, it’s disheartening that all of the benefits completely vanished.

Despite taking extended medication breaks, Memantine, magnesium and uridine, the very same drug that gave me so much optimism for my future no longer works at all.
Is there anything else I can do? Thanks.

 

[JoEhJoEh]

After long-term issues with brain fog, depression and anxiety, I finally felt I had found the answer to my problems in Ritalin.

Following my ADHD diagnosis in 2017, I was prescribed 5mg of a methylphenidate brand called Tranquilyn. The next three months were nothing short of incredible. For the first time in my life my mind was clear, I could stay engaged in trivial conversation, my reading comprehension drastically improved and I no longer had working memory problems.

However, no drugs for ADHD have worked since. I’ve been on Strattera, Dexedrine, Vyvanse, Concerta and higher doses of Tranquilyn yet none of these gave me any symptom control.

Whilst I accept that some of Tranquilyn’s initial effects were part of the honeymoon phase, it’s disheartening that all of the benefits completely vanished.

Despite taking extended medication breaks, Memantine, magnesium and uridine, the very same drug that gave me so much optimism for my future no longer works at all.
Is there anything else I can do? Thanks.

Hi there,

I'm also diagnosed with ADHD since 2012 and i tried EVERY medication thats on the market:

Ritalin (Methylpenidat)
Concerta
Strattera
Elvanse

I had really bad side effects from everyone of these meds so I got back to my doctor and told him i rather live without medication and my ADHD than taking such bullshit - but there ist something left: Amphetamines. Talk to your doctor about it. Since I have the right dosage I'm really happy about the fact my life is much easier since then.

JJ

 

[Barbrady1]

Hi there,

I'm also diagnosed with ADHD since 2012 and i tried EVERY medication thats on the market:

Ritalin (Methylpenidat)
Concerta
Strattera
Elvanse

I had really bad side effects from everyone of these meds so I got back to my doctor and told him i rather live without medication and my ADHD than taking such bullshit - but there ist something left: Amphetamines. Talk to your doctor about it. Since I have the right dosage I'm really happy about the fact my life is much easier since then.

JJ

Thanks for your response.

I had absolutely no response to Dexedrine and unfortunately adderall is seldom prescribed here in the UK. I’ll be looking at £400-£500 for a 28 day private prescription.

 

[JoEhJoEh]

NO, try to get pure amphetaminsulfate. They do it in the pharmacy for you because every capsule has to be filled with an exact amoint of amphetaminsulfate and (for me) mannitol. Sometimes they use Lactose or every other filling stuff ,and you have to wait sometimes 1 to 2 days until they have done that because it lasts very long. Then you can go again there and get it.

Ask your doctor if there ist noother possibility

 

[sekio]

If he's not responding to dexamphetamine I don't see why racemic amphetamine would be any better.

 

[JoEhJoEh]

I think it's worth a try.

 

[Barbrady1]

NO, try to get pure amphetaminsulfate. They do it in the pharmacy for you because every capsule has to be filled with an exact amoint of amphetaminsulfate and (for me) mannitol. Sometimes they use Lactose or every other filling stuff ,and you have to wait sometimes 1 to 2 days until they have done that because it lasts very long. Then you can go again there and get it.

Ask your doctor if there ist noother possibility

My doctor won’t/can’t prescribe me medications for ADHD.

My trials on Elvanse, ritalin and Concerta were through an NHS clinic (I had to wait over a year to be screened) and I eventually sought private treatment for Strattera, Intuniv and dexamphetamine, all of which cost a fair amount of money.

 

[JoEhJoEh]

My doctor won’t/can’t prescribe me medications for ADHD.

My trials on Elvanse, ritalin and Concerta were through an NHS clinic (I had to wait over a year to be screened) and I eventually sought private treatment for Strattera, Intuniv and dexamphetamine, all of which cost a fair amount of money.

You have to pay the meds by yourself???

 

[Barbrady1]

You have to pay the meds by yourself???

To begin with, no. It was funded by the NHS and I’d only have to pay an £8.80 charge for a month’s script. But I was discharged after a year or so, which led to me paying £250 for a consultation with a private ADHD specialist and a further £275 for a Dexamphetamine prescription. Strattera cost about £125 and Intuniv was a bit cheaper at around £80.

There’s a vast room for improvement for the services available in the UK for ADHD,

 

[d1nach]

I think we cant talk about prices but this seems like more of a healthcare failure. I think generic mixed amphetamine salts should be extremely cheap. Especially compared to newer meds like strattera and intuniv . Is your doctor charging you for a prescription or something sketchy ? Is it because its brand name or d amph not dl amph?

 

[Sexzd]

Forst of all all your problems come for seeking remedy in the dope, ritalin wont help you, if you want to make it work again change your settings, city country. You are not listening to the right people or take the roght drugs if you want to be a happy junky you must stop da dope game and wait few months wothout drugs to feel good without brainfog hey you migh aswell fuck some bitches in the meantime aka the boring time you fuck bitches but you dont take drugs thank me later

 

[Jabberwocky]

Tyrosine.

After long-term issues with brain fog, depression and anxiety, I finally felt I had found the answer to my problems in Ritalin.

Following my ADHD diagnosis in 2017, I was prescribed 5mg of a methylphenidate brand called Tranquilyn. The next three months were nothing short of incredible. For the first time in my life my mind was clear, I could stay engaged in trivial conversation, my reading comprehension drastically improved and I no longer had working memory problems.

However, no drugs for ADHD have worked since. I’ve been on Strattera, Dexedrine, Vyvanse, Concerta and higher doses of Tranquilyn yet none of these gave me any symptom control.

Whilst I accept that some of Tranquilyn’s initial effects were part of the honeymoon phase, it’s disheartening that all of the benefits completely vanished.

Despite taking extended medication breaks, Memantine, magnesium and uridine, the very same drug that gave me so much optimism for my future no longer works at all.
Is there anything else I can do? Thanks.

 

[CFC]

To begin with, no. It was funded by the NHS and I’d only have to pay an £8.80 charge for a month’s script. But I was discharged after a year or so

Hey mate, can you explain what you mean here a bit more? While it's fairly standard to be discharged from NHS ADHD specialist services after a year, it's also standard practice for your own GP to continue prescribing you with ADHD meds. Did they decide you didn't actually have ADHD?

 

[Barbrady1]

Hey mate, can you explain what you mean here a bit more? While it's fairly standard to be discharged from NHS ADHD specialist services after a year, it's also standard practice for your own GP to continue prescribing you with ADHD meds. Did they decide you didn't actually have ADHD?

Sorry, I wasn’t terribly clear.

Once my prescriber and I agreed on a suitable drug and dose (3x5mg of Tranquilyn), my GP assumed responsibility of subsequent prescriptions. However, he couldn’t make any adjustments without conferring with the ADHD clinic first.

After mounting frustrations with my treatment, eventually I had a meeting with the same lady who confirmed my diagnosis of ADHD-combined type. She said I should take a break from stimulants as I needed to get my anxiety under control. Subsequently, I was discharged and no longer received prescriptions from my GP.

Unfortunately, I made the grave error of ‘chasing the dragon’ as I had moments of euphoria and extreme clarity when I first started Methlyphenidate. If I had been more responsible by keeping my dose low + taking medication breaks every now and then, I imagine I wouldn’t find myself in this position now.

 

[CFC]

Sorry, I wasn’t terribly clear.

Once my prescriber and I agreed on a suitable drug and dose (3x5mg of Tranquilyn), my GP assumed responsibility of subsequent prescriptions. However, he couldn’t make any adjustments without conferring with the ADHD clinic first.

After mounting frustrations with my treatment, eventually I had a meeting with the same lady who confirmed my diagnosis of ADHD-combined type. She said I should take a break from stimulants as I needed to get my anxiety under control. Subsequently, I was discharged and no longer received prescriptions from my GP.

Unfortunately, I made the grave error of ‘chasing the dragon’ as I had moments of euphoria and extreme clarity when I first started Methlyphenidate. If I had been more responsible by keeping my dose low + taking medication breaks every now and then, I imagine I wouldn’t find myself in this position now.

Ok thanks for explaining that mate. Could you not ask your GP to refer you back to ADHD services to discuss a new treatment plan, assuming your anxiety is now under control?

Regarding getting high - yeah unfortunately that happens to a huge number of people prescribed these drugs. Their effectiveness for ADHD also generally wears off in time, no matter what you do. Ultimately, I don't think they truly help many people long-term and sadly aren't a "sustainable" solution to the difficulties of ADHD for most, though clearly some do seem to benefit for many years

 

[Barbrady1]

Ok thanks for explaining that mate. Could you not ask your GP to refer you back to ADHD services to discuss a new treatment plan, assuming your anxiety is now under control?

Regarding getting high - yeah unfortunately that happens to a huge number of people prescribed these drugs. Their effectiveness for ADHD also generally wears off in time, no matter what you do. Ultimately, I don't think they truly help many people long-term and sadly aren't a "sustainable" solution to the difficulties of ADHD for most, though clearly some do seem to benefit for many years

I was supposed to be re-referred about a year ago but there were lots of complications and the clinic (the Maudsley in London) is now closing down. Even though I’m frustrated that my ADHD is again left untreated, I should mention that goat’s kefir, an elimination diet and exercise have all helped to relieve my brain fog a bit.

I find it somewhat baffling that many individuals with ADHD can seemingly benefit from stimulants for a prolonged period of time.

Thanks for your comments.

 

[CFC]

Glad you've found a way to lift some of the brain fog mate. Exercise and eating well has always been my go-to to overcome the worst of the symptoms, at least to some extent.

the clinic (the Maudsley in London) is now closing down

Who told you this? I can't find any info about that. I find it hard to believe they'd shut down the UK's premier Adult ADHD service - are you sure it's not just temporarily so they can build the new centre they're planning there?

 

[Barbrady1]

Who told you this? I can't find any info about that. I find it hard to believe they'd shut down the UK's premier Adult ADHD service - are you sure it's not just temporarily so they can build the new centre they're planning there?

My memory sucks but I do recall being told by a member of their administration team that they’d be shutting down in April/May of this year. I’m pretty sure it was re-iterated in a letter, too.

 

[CFC]

Ah right, you sure that's not just for the pandemic? All my hospital appointments have been shunted to late summer as they've closed down services while this is still going on.

 

[Barbrady1]

No, I was told a few months ago as they were questioning the point of my re-referral - even though it should have been submitted in March of last year.

But you’re right, there doesn’t appear to be anything online about a closure. Hopefully I’m mistaken