Treating ADHD with Elvanse: One Week Review

It’s been one week today since I started taking Elvanse. Elvanse, or Vyvanse in the states, is the brand name of Lisdexamfetamine - a drug commonly used to treat ADHD. 

I started on a dose of 30mg, and moved up to 50mg from today. I don’t say this lightly, but so far, the effects have been nothing short of life-changing. 

Immediately before starting the treatment, I had two main concerns:

1. What if it wasn’t ADHD? What if I had just manipulated myself and everyone around me into thinking I met the criteria for ADHD, but it was actually something else? Given that Elvanse is an amfetamine based stimulant, I was worried that if the medication was incorrectly prescribed, I would suffer with bad side-effects.

   
   

2. How will treating my ADHD affect my (undiagnosed) autism? Whilst I firmly met the diagnostic requirements for ADHD, my assessor noted that I am also very clearly autistic and she felt it was actually the autistic traits that I was struggling with more. I was warned that treating the ADHD could make my autistic traits much more prominent. 

One week in, I can confidently say that it was the right decision! I had heard miraculous case-studies from others who had started medication to treat their ADHD, so I had high-hopes, but the meds have surpassed any benefits I could have hoped for! 

I went into the treatment fairly sceptical, and intentionally keeping my expectations low so as to not be disappointed. However, for the first time in my life, it feels like I’m equipped with the right tools to navigate life in a world that wasn’t made for people like me. 

Before my assessment, I had to name three goals that I was hoping for with a diagnosis. I said:

1. Keep my brain quiet - not having competing thoughts that drown each other out, and being able to focus on one task at a time. 

2. Be better able to follow a conversation.

3. Be better able to appropriately behave in social situations, with less impulsivity. 

Whilst I feel the medication has had a huge impact on these areas, I’ve also found it’s helped with many areas I didn’t realise I found quite so challenging. I knew I was struggling, that’s why I finally decided to seek a diagnosis in the first place, however I didn’t realise how significantly I was struggling until starting treatment. 

So, what has it actually helped with? 

Top Six Expected Benefits:

1. My brain is quiet, and I have a level of mental clarity I have never previously experienced

   
   

   I don’t know how best to describe this, but my god is it peaceful! Not having a million competing thoughts screaming so loudly that I can’t hear myself think is something I could have only dreamed of. Now, this is my brain. 

   
   

2. The little things now seem small

   
   

   I’ve always been sensitive, regularly over-reacting to minor things. I was previously diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, also known as Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder. Officially emotionally unstable. Great. 

   
   

   On these meds, the little things actually seem little. I feel much better equipped to handle every-day stress. 

3. I’m able to do what needs to be done, and it’s easier to keep on top of things

   
   

   ADHD paralysis is no joke. Having a million thoughts running through your head of all of the things you need to do, but then not being able to bring yourself to do a single one is a struggle that’s hard to describe. It’s not that I didn’t want to do the things I knew I needed to. I physically couldn’t, but for absolutely no valid reason. 

   
   

   On the meds, I am able to just do stuff. If I see something that needs to be done, I can just do it. My house has never been so clean, but it feels effortless. I was able to put away laundry that still had Christmas jumpers in from 6 weeks ago! My autistic side craves clean and tidy, but my ADHD side is pure chaos. Having a quiet mind helps me to keep a clean home, and a clean home helps me to keep a quiet mind. 

4. I’m able to process information

   
   

   I’ve been really struggling lately with processing information, particularly speech. This has been most evident with my French lessons, however I’ve also been struggling with English too. Previously, I was able to take in maybe 25% of a conversation, being too in-my-head, too focused on making sure I was listening to actually listen. 

   
   

   My autistic brain is very intelligent, but my ADHD side makes me feel like an idiot. On the meds, I feel like I can actually use my brain. I can better hold a conversation, and I can process information much quicker than I have been able to in recent years. Game changer! 

5. I can remember things, and follow through on actions

   
   

   Since my teen years, I’ve struggled with remembering tasks. At school, I would forget to bring in my planner, pens, uniform. I used to change my phone wallpaper to things I needed to remember, and still often forgot. I would need constant reminders and chasing to remember to do something. 

   
   

   On the meds, it is so much easier. It’s not been perfect this week, but I’ve been significantly less scatty-brained than I’ve ever been. It’s nice to not let people down by forgetting things. I’ve not had to make several trips out just to remember to do one thing. I finally feel like a semi-functional human, which is great! 

6. I’m able to focus on one task

   
   

   I can listen to people talk, focusing on what they’re saying. I can get lost in writing, enjoying the task without being distracted by every small movement or noise. I’m finding joy in things again, able to dedicate time to things as they need. Whilst I can still be distracted, it now feels like much more of a choice. I can break away from my phone when there’s something I need to do, even if I’m not all that enthused about doing it. Once I start on a task, my autistic hyperfocus is able to out-compete the ADHD. I feel like I can finally use my brain to its potential! 

Whilst these are generally things I was hoping for with treatment, I have been more surprised by the things I didn’t expect! 

Top Six Unexpected Benefits:

1. I no longer feel like I’m in a rush for everything

   
   

   I didn’t realise how much stress my body was under before, and how everything felt like a race, until it suddenly didn’t anymore. I feel much more mindful, and like I’ve been overcome with a true sense of peace. I’m not rushing everywhere, feeling like I’m constantly behind. I’m not carrying lots of tension in my body. I feel an indescribable sense of peace.

2. I’m able to listen to my body’s cues

   
   

   I can now listen to what my body actually needs, as opposed to what it wants. It’s easier to identify when I’m truly hungry, or tired, or what emotions I’m feeling. Everything has always been to excess - too much food, alcohol, sleep, whatever. Now, it’s much easier to take what I need and nothing more. 

3. Driving is so much easier

   
   

   I think this goes back to point 1, but driving is so much easier! I’ve always enjoyed driving, and have often said I’m a very competent, safe driver, just fast. It’s now not only easier to stick to the speed limit, but I’m having to make a conscious effort to actually hit the speed limit! Every red light used to feel like a personal attack, like it was sent just to slow me down. Now, driving is much more enjoyable. My road-rage has dramatically reduced, and I’m now able to just enjoy the journey. My fuel consumption has increased significantly too, which I’m certainly going to take as a positive! 

4. Clothes aren’t so challenging anymore

   
   

   I’ve always had issues with clothes, wearing as little as possible in the house. Clothes feel far too restrictive, and the sensation on my skin often feels unbearable. I always assumed this was much more my autism than ADHD, but now I’m not so sure. This week, I’ve been able to wear clothes! And not just pj’s, but actual out-side clothes in the house! I’m typing this at 11:30pm, and I’m still wearing a bra! That is unheard of for me!!

5. Self-care is not only easier, but enjoyable

   
   

   I didn’t realise how much I was struggling with basic self-care. I’d always try to make sure to brush my teeth at least once a day, but it felt like such a chore. I struggled to wash my hair more than once a week. I’d put off shaving for as long as I could, often joking I could probably plait my leg hair by the time I’d get round to it. I couldn’t tell you the last time I had a skin care routine. I’ve perfected my make-up routine to a solid 7 minutes, just for the days I absolutely had to. 

   
   

   Now, not only do these things seem easier, but I’m actually enjoying them. 

6. I’m enjoying other people

   I’ve always struggled with friendships - both making and maintaining. On the meds, it feels much easier to keep up with people. I can reply to messages, and I can take an interest in other people much easier than I have been able to previously, especially in recent years. I want to be there for the people I care about, and it suddenly feels a lot easier. 

   
   

   I haven’t been a very pleasant person to be around much over the last year or so, but it finally feels like I can repair some of the bridges I’ve burnt and like I’m getting back to my normal, happy, albeit quirky little self. 

   
   

   I think I’ll always struggle with people. That’s just the nature of AuDHD, I think. However, it feels much easier to want to do better, and like I now have the tools to be able to be a nice person again. Like I’m able to behave in the way I want to, in a way that meets the standards I want to hold myself accountable to. 

   
   

   The last couple of years have felt like my life around me was burning. Any attempts to fight-fire resulted in my setting alight anyone nearby. If you got too close, you were coming down with me. It finally feels like the flames are under control, and I now just need to mind the embers. 

   
   

   It’s amazing how far a little effort goes. By being more stable, I’ve been more able to put the effort into connecting with others. By connecting more with others, they’ve returned the energy. So much so, that I was almost overwhelmed later in the week with how many conversations I had on the go! 

Side Effects

The level of peace my brain is now experiencing is beyond anything I could have imagined. That said, I have experienced some side-effects. Despite them being minor, it would be prudent to not mention them. 

1. My blood pressure has increased

   
   

   I’ve always had a textbook 120/80 blood pressure. It’s now slightly raised, sitting at around 135/90. That said, I haven’t felt any ill-effects of it being higher. 

2. Sleep has been effected

   
   

   I’m not counting this as a negative at all, however I understand it may be less-than-ideal for some people. 

   
   

   I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome when I was around 16. As long as I can remember, I’ve needed an ungodly amount of sleep to be able to function. I could sleep for 12 hours at night, and still need a 2+ hour afternoon nap. I’ve never been able to wake from sleep feeling well rested, and have always needed multiple alarms to wake me (often sleeping through many of them!). 

   
   

   On this medication, I need around 6-7 hours of sleep on a night and wake up feeling well rested. Earlier in the week, I did find it harder to get to sleep, but it’s also been a lot easier to wake up! Later in the week, I came on my period and could hear my body telling me I needed to rest. It was easier to listen to my body’s cues, and I was able to nap when needed, however I woke up after 40 minutes, long before my alarm, and felt like I’d been asleep for hours!

3. Less food-noise and less hunger

   Again, I’m not listing this as a negative, however I appreciate it may be for some people. I’ve battled with various disordered eating patterns for as long as I recall. I was around 6 when I first started purging, after I realised eating ice cream made it easier to make myself sick (thanks, dairy intolerance!).

   
   

   The main issue I’ve struggled with is Binge Eating Disorder, although I have also experienced various periods of restricted eating and starvation too. My BED reached its peak when, at 22, I was over 24 stone (around 340lbs). I managed to get down to just over 15 stone (213lbs) through increased exercise and intermittent fasting, however stopped losing in August 2023 following the start of my divorce. With the stress of life, and various unhealthy coping-habits, I gained a little bit back but maintained at around 17 stone (240lbs). 

   
   

   My weight, and food-noise, is something I’ve always struggled with. I’m a big emotional eater, and enjoy food, so being able to get through the day without feeling like a hobbit is something I’m thoroughly enjoying. It doesn’t feel like a chore anymore, and I am finally able to listen to my body’s hunger cues. It’s easier to use food as fuel for my body, I don’t feel the need to binge, and I’m not constantly thinking about what I can eat. 

   
   

   I’ve lost 7lbs in my first week on the meds, without feeling like I’ve restricted myself at all and intentionally eating every day.  

4. Dry mouth, Headache, Nausea

   
   

   I’ve lumped these together as they are all common side effects, but not ones I’ve really noticed all that much. 

   
   

   For the first day of starting the medication, I did have a very mild intermittent headache, but it wasn’t bad at all. Similarly, I was slightly nauseous on the first day, especially after eating, however it wasn’t overpowering. I haven’t experienced either of these since the first day. It may have been the meds, or it may be due to getting a very poor sleep the night before! 

   
   

   Similarly, I experienced very mild dry-mouth on day one when I first started taking the medication, and day eight when I first upped the dose, however I also didn’t drink as much water on these days as I normally do so I suppose that’s to be expected. I do generally drink a lot of water and stay well-hydrated, so I assume that’s why I haven’t had too much of a problem with dry-mouth. 

Overall, I have been blown away by the positive effects of Elvanse. The level of peace that comes with not constantly fighting my own brain, not having too many thoughts going round my mind, is unparalleled. 

For anyone who is struggling as much as I was before starting treatment and is questioning their own ADHD traits, I would encourage you to seek your own diagnosis. For my fellow women who feel like they’re the problem, who feel like they’re constantly fighting fires, who can’t understand why basic tasks are unsurmountable to you when they seem so easy for everyone else - you are not the problem, and there is support available. 

My biggest takeaway is that life doesn’t have to be as hard as my brain has tricked me into believing it is. Having the right diagnosis and treatment is a complete game-changer, and I hope others can get the help they need and find what works for them. 

I’m one week in, and for once I am excited about what the future holds. A future where I can work with my brain instead of against it, where I have the tools to succeed. A future of peace.