HI all,
Per my post https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/805436 12 months ago, a few people asked how it was all going - happy to give an update on this.
I've changed psychs for a range of reasons, mostly due to the previous psych's inability to do electronic scripts and having to pick them up from a different location, plus his obsession with my blood pressure, whilst my GP has no issue with my blood pressure at all. In fact I've been able to drop my blood pressure through a change in diet and daily doses of krill and fish oil.
New psych has suggested I test out the other medications so he's put me on Ritalin (2 to 3 times a day depending on needs for that day). Vyvanse bumped to 40mg.
Ritalin seems to have similar effects but gives more flexibility due to its shorter release. I've noticed a slightly different level of alertness, different impact on energy levels and slightly different impact on appetite. Not necessarily better or worse. The almost immediate hit of Ritalin is noticeable compared to the more gradual hit with Vyvanse. On Ritalin, I'm usually dropping motivation and energy by about 11.15AM (I usually start work at 7AM and take my meds at that time). I will then have a second dose around 11.30 to midday to power me through until around 3-ish. Sometimes I can push through and not need the third dose, depending on how much high-concentration/strategic work I have to do that afternoon or evening. Whereas Vyvanse is a more gradual increase in concentration/dopamine hit followed by a very gradual reduction in the afternoon.
I've been provided with scripts for both, so I can change between them from day to day until I can clearly articulate which one I believe is better. It's really hard to determine if one is better than the other.
I know people who have had bad reactions to Vyvanse who were then put onto Ritalin. Not the case in my situation. Overall, they both appear to be working although it's easy to take it for granted when you get "used" to them. I suspect my initial positive reaction to Ritalin was because its a different type of drug compared to Vyvanse, so initially it "feels" different but the brain settles into it. Vyvanse is a lisdexamfetamine whilst Ritalin is a methylphenidate. My psych stated that everyone is different and some respond better to one than the other.
Very hard to articulate the differences, but they both work. I'm spending more time seeing tasks through to completion in work scenarios and I am having more success in mapping/planning out projects into tasks so overall it's been positive. I'm generally sleeping better on Ritalin because I can control the dose more effectively, but Vyvanse is less hassle because it's one tablet a day. I still don't take the meds on weekends to give my brain a break, although there's been the odd weekend where I've taken Ritalin to help with certain high concentration tasks.
Anyway, just a quick update for those who were interested. If you suffer from the attention deficit part of ADHD like I do, it's worth spending the money to get diagnosed if you think it's been an issue for you. For me, it's been a positive change since diagnosis because I can concentrate better and accomplish tasks more effectively. None of these meds are miracles and they require you to implement your own mental changes to change your way of thinking, but I see them as tools to help me along life's way.
I think that psychological changes are important once the meds have been implemented, to change life-long habits and established ways of thinking - but one step at a time!
Manic wall of text from someone on stims, love to see it. (profanity) yeah.