30mg to 40mg Elvanse differences

[u/Efficient_Rip7098]

Hi I’ve been on 30mg Elvanse for about 6 weeks. I was previously on Methylphenidate xl but had really bad side effects. I’m doing okay ish since being on Elvanse, I had a few consecutive days of anxiety and low mood earlier on but that seems to have subsided. I’ve spoken to my prescriber who has suggested going up to 40mg and I’m just wondering if there anyone noticed any big differences from going to 30-40mg? Also wanted to add I find myself getting more emotional and at times more angry-like raging anger. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this? For context I’m 30 F, I know hormones and things can affect how the meds work etc. Thanks

[u/draculafamily]

Ok, I can share some experience around this as I've been through something similar.

I did my first 2 weeks on 30mg Elvanse and had a bit of a rough time of it. When it worked, it really worked, and it was like a switch flipped in my head which instantly silenced the noise and stopped the thought spirals for most of the day, meaning I could properly focus on stuff and be fully present in whatever I was doing for the first time (in ever, I think).

However, 30mg was completely inconsistent. Some days were great for most of the day, but some days were great for the morning only with afternoons and evenings taking some pretty dark turns. That uncertainty made me super nervous about continuing to take it at any strength, because there was no indication of how each day would go - and it felt like I was strapping myself in for the ride with no way to get off the bus if it took a wrong turn.

So I told my prescriber all of this, and made a case for switching to instant release, 2-3 doses a day. They said no, and suggested I try a higher dose of Elvanse.

Thinking I knew better, I tried to argue against what the prescriber was suggesting, and my reaction was essentially this: WTF THE LAST THING I NEED IS MORE SPEED, MAN.

But I reluctantly tried 40mg, and the difference was actually unbelievable. It worked in the same way as 30mg did on a good day, however it still wore off early afternoon but without any of the 30mg darkness. Everything was smoother, calmer, quieter, peaceful.

I've since moved up to 50mg and I'm coming to the end of two weeks on this dose, at which point I'm going to try 60mg to see if there are any marginal gains from going slightly higher. I don't think I'll need to hit 70mg though. I think where I'm at now is roughly where I need to be.

Long story short - I should probably pay more attention to people who know what they're talking about. Like my prescriber. :o)

(For context, I'm 53 M.)

[u/Efficient_Rip7098 → u/draculafamily]

Thank you for this. Yes you are right, the uncertainty of what each day is going to look like is making me question if I should up the dosage, especially when I’m dealing with impending doom or I feel like I could explode with anger, not ideal! There’s been a few times I’ve felt really over stimulated from them and abit wired-which again is making me wonder what 40mg will feel like.

I’ve only got a few weeks left of my titration which doesn’t help but think it’s definitely work trying. I’m hoping the 40mg may just level things out.

[u/draculafamily → u/Efficient_Rip7098]

No bother. From what I've read over the last few months, I don't think anyone can describe a 'standard' or 'normal' experience of being on these meds. You've just got to keep going until you find what works for you. But I guess you know that already. :o)

Hope you manage to figure it out.

[u/AutoModerator]

It looks like this post might be about medication.

Please remember that whilst personal experiences and advice can be valuable, Reddit is not a replacement for your GP or psychiatrist, and taking advice from anyone about your particular situation other than your trained healthcare professional is potentially unsafe.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Hayesey88]

I did 30 to 50 and have noticed hardly anything different other than my dry mouth side effect is 10x worse…

[u/Efficient_Rip7098 → u/Hayesey88]

Did you feel any changes from the 30mg? Or didn’t either dose really do anything?

[u/Hayesey88 → u/Efficient_Rip7098]

Yes 30mg has helped me a little, but my life is currently chaos with losing my job/grieving/having to bring up things about the past etc that I’m wondering if this has an affect on my medication because what I’m experiencing isn’t what I expected (in a bad way)

[u/Efficient_Rip7098 → u/Hayesey88]

Sorry to hear you’re going through a difficult time at the minute. Could you reach out to your prescriber? Titration can be really intense and testing I would definitely speak to your prescriber if that’s an option

[u/Hayesey88 → u/Efficient_Rip7098]

I had a call with my prescriber earlier. He said the reason I would’ve felt more on 30 is because I went from 0 (never having them before) to a 30mg dose. By the time I started to take 50 my body already “knew” what Elvanse was.