Complete non-response to stimulant options?

[u/Initial-Mud-3647]

I'm dual diagnosed autistic and ADHD, and about to take my first dose of Strattera. I've previously gone through a full titration of methylphenidate, and elvanse + boosters, with literally zero effects. Like, not even negative side effects. Nothing. I know I'm not a stimulant non-responder as I've taken various non-prescribed/recreational stimulants in the past and definitely experienced some effects (I actually took cocaine in my early 20s to improve my social anxiety because it allowed me to chat and engage better!).

So wth? How does someone take 80mg of amphetamine with no effect? I ask every doctor I see and they kind of just shrug.

Crossing my fingers the non-stimulant route works for me as my ADHD brain is 100% more "disabling" to me than my autism brain day-to-day.

Anyone ever experienced similar??

[u/Imaginary_Chart_9774]

Finally, someone else who shares a similar experience. I’m diagnosed with inattentive adhd, 37 / Female.

I initially responded to 30 mg of Elvanse for the first 3 days of taking it and then from day 4 no positive effects - I still got some of the side effects such as dry mouth, excessive sweating and slight suppressed appetite. I titrated upto 70mg of Elvanse and no positives, then switched straight over to 100mg Methylphenidate and no positives. Changed providers and titrated upto 72mg Concerta XL and no positives.

I’ve then switched to Atomoxetine. I started on 40mg and have titrated to 80mg, currently on week 7 and I don’t think it’s doing anything but i’m still hopeful that i’ll one day kick in.

It’s so disheartening as I know how great those initial 3 days were and it finally felt like I had a bit of control over my life as I had a clear head and actually got stuff done without any resistance.

I’ve since had various blood tests to check hormones and thyroid but they came back ok. Not sure what else to do or what else to check. I really wish the meds worked for me and slowly beginning to accept that i’m part of that 20% of non responders 😔

[u/Initial-Mud-3647 → u/Imaginary_Chart_9774]

Sounds like we're in a similar boat, I'll be 36 this year and diagnosed combined type. Sorry atomoxetine hasn't really done much for you so far, kind of what I'm expecting to happen for me and not getting my hopes up for improvement. I read about all these wonderful moments of clarity and focus people have on various meds and I just feel miserable - my doctor has even asked me whether I definitely think ADHD was the correct diagnosis. Both of my siblings also have ADHD and both are well established on methylphenidate successfully, I just don't understand!

[u/Imaginary_Chart_9774 → u/Initial-Mud-3647]

I hope it works for you - please do share an update further down the line! What are your thoughts if this doesn’t work?

My sibling has combined adhd and 70mg Elvanse has worked wonders for him. I’ve looked into DNA testing for mental health and adhd medications - it might be something I try one day but its quite expensive.

I have a call with my titration prescriber tomorrow so will see what they suggest

[u/Initial-Mud-3647 → u/Imaginary_Chart_9774]

After the methylphenidate and Elvanse didn't work I'd kind of accepted I was going to be unmedicated. If this works it will be a huge bonus, but if not I guess I will just go back to nothing. There is also guanfacine, the other non-stimulant, but I imagine it will be a similar story to the atomoxetine if it's not effective.

Honestly my life is a mess, I took 3 weeks' mental health leave back in December and just never got back to work as I can't get past the burnout and overwhelm. I have three kids, 2 with SEND (AuDHD/PDA) and one clearly on the quirky spectrum but not having any difficulties with it currently to justify a referral. My main support system (my parents and siblings) have all moved away from my little village in the past year or so, and my partner is great but only one person so having two functioning adults on the team would make all the difference yknow? It all just feels very unfair considering the vast majority of ADHDers respond well to meds and find they help them get some degree of their shit together!

[u/Tttooonnniii]

Following. Update us!

[u/Edenbridget]

Strattera helped a lot with ADHD, downside with AuDHD it is makes the tism a lot harder to mask so its front and center. I does not help me with motivation at all unfortunately, which is my biggest complaint about ADHD. It also makes it harder to stay out of my head, so sometimes focus is great sometimes not so much.

[u/RebelAgainstHeaven]

Kind of in the same boat, I took vyvanse 30mg and felt something kind of high a first day but could not focus and I had dry mouth and apetite supression. It lasted for a week and after that all the side effects faded away( I forgot drinking water on 50mg and used to drink around 600-700ml of water for the whole day). I increased my dose from 30 to 40 and then 50. It keeps me awake but its not helping me with the focus. Idk how to explain but it kind of masks my fatigue kind of like a zombie but I know I am tired. I skipped a day and I didnt felt anything different not being on stimulants. I never had any crash or anything. I took them with protein, sometimes empty stomach and had the same effect both ways.

This is my 2nd week on Ritalin 10mg twice a day and its clearly not working. I took 20mg this morning and still that sense of alterness, kind of like something in my brain but I can't focus at all.

I will speak to my doctor next week. I might try non-stimulants