My experience taking methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine for ADHD

Topics mentioned: ADHD, medications, methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine

About: Hassnat talks about his experience taking different medications to manage his ADHD symptoms and how he was affected by each one.

After I was diagnosed with ADHD, I wanted to understand what my options were for managing my symptoms, including medication. I knew I couldn't do this on my own, so I reached out to my GP about getting support. After going through this journey, I wanted to share my experience of trying different ADHD medications, in case it helps anyone else who’s considering this step.

I started by doing a three-week trial of methylphenidate, taking 30mg, 40mg, then 50mg (one week each) to see whether it would help with focus and restlessness. The positives were noticeable: improved concentration, less fidgeting, and an easier time starting and completing tasks for a few hours each day.

However, the side effects ultimately outweighed these benefits. The main issue was intense anxiety, which was worst at 30mg and 40mg, and only slightly reduced at 50mg. This made day-to-day life difficult. I also experienced occasional mild hallucinations (mainly at 30 - 40mg), along with reduced appetite and some weight loss.

While the cognitive benefits were real, the intense anxiety and mild hallucinations meant methylphenidate wasn't right for me.

I returned to my GP to explore other options. To help me explain the patterns I was seeing, I brought along a diary I had been keeping of my doses and side effects. My doctor was supportive and agreed the side effects were too overwhelming. They suggested trying lisdexamfetamine instead to see if it would be a better fit.

While changing medication felt slightly daunting after my first experience, I felt optimistic about finding something that worked more effectively for me.

I tried lisdexamfetamine for two weeks: 40mg for the first week, then 50mg. I felt clear positive effects at 40mg, the same as I had done with methylphenidate, including better concentration and reduced restlessness and impulsivity. This eased the everyday stresses of ADHD. And this time, I didn’t experience anxiety.

As I moved up to 50mg, those benefits became even more effective. Side effects were minimal: I only noticed a reduced appetite, which didn’t really affect my eating. I decided to stay on 50mg, and I’ve now been on this dose for around four years, during which it has continued to work wonders for me.

Everyone’s medication journey is different – this is just my experience. And it may be that medication just isn’t right for you. But I would suggest, that if your first attempt doesn’t feel right, don’t lose hope. Finding the right balance takes time and patience, but I found the result is worth the wait.