So you or your kids have got a diagnosis and you’re taking the brave step to try medication. There are so many different ways to support people with ADHD and there are a few different medications - I’ve done another video about what they are - click on the pop-out banner if you want to check that one out - but for now I’m going to let you in on what it’s like to take Elvanse as part of my treatment regime.
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Key Takeaways
- Introduction to Elvanse:
- Elvanse (lis-dexamphetamine) is a stimulant medication used to treat ADHD by increasing dopamine levels in the brain, helping reduce the need for external stimuli.
- It metabolises in the liver, reducing abuse potential, and the adult version is mostly for insurance purposes.
- Physical Effects:
- Takes 1-2 hours to take effect.
- Possible side effects include an elevated heart rate, clammy hands and feet, increased body temperature, and reduced appetite. These effects are typically subtle but can cause anxiety if not managed properly.
- Emotional Benefits:
- Elvanse can dramatically improve focus, productivity, and emotional well-being. Users often report increased confidence, reduced feelings of being overwhelmed, and an enhanced ability to enjoy everyday tasks.
- Many people see improvements in self-esteem and motivation, leading to positive changes in mental health and quality of life.
- Considerations for Children:
- Elvanse is commonly prescribed to children with ADHD. Parents should be mindful of their children’s physical and emotional experiences, ensuring open communication and seeking medical advice if necessary.
- Medication helps manage symptoms but is not a cure for ADHD, and ongoing monitoring is crucial.
- Controversies and Myths:
- Elvanse is not the same as amphetamine or the street drug “speed.” It is a rigorously tested and regulated medication.
- While there is a potential for addiction with any stimulant, taking the medication as prescribed reduces this risk. The drug’s metabolism in the liver further limits abuse potential.
- Users can develop a tolerance to Elvanse, but any changes in dosage should be done under medical supervision to avoid harm or addiction.
- Zombification Myth:
- Elvanse should not cause a “zombie-like” effect. If it does, the dosage may need adjusting or the medication might not be suitable. It’s crucial to talk to a doctor if this occurs.
- General Advice:
- If you’re new to Elvanse or ADHD medication, share your experience with others as it could be valuable to the neurodivergent community.
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Quick Fire Facts:
Here are some quick fire facts on what Elvanse actually is and then I’ll talk about how it feels:
- Elvanse and Elvanse Adult are the brand names for a drug called lis-dexamphetamine
- Dexamphetamine belongs to the group of drugs called “stimulants”
- This drug works by stimulating your brain to increase the release of dopamine
- This increases your “tonic dopamine level” and
- Helps reduce the need for ADHDers to seek external stimuli
- The “Lis” prefix to dexamphetamine means that Elvanse metabolises in your liver and not your stomachsome text
- This reduces abuse potential
- Elvanse and Elvanse Adult are the same drug - the “adult” version is to satisfy medical insurance companies’ criteria for claims.
Elvanse and Your Body
First of all let’s look at what it feels like from a physical point of view - how does your body feel?
- Takes between an hour and 2 hours to come on
- You will feel a physical effect if your dose is high enough
- Elevates your heart rate
- Hands and feet can go clammy and cold
- Simultaneously - your body temperature may increase
- Appetite is lowered - but if you can eat if you try
- Elvanse is quite gentle with these effects - they should be subtle
- If you feel that it is too strong - your dose is too high
These physical effects can make you feel anxious if you’re not used to using these types of drugs. It’s important to say that this anxiety is often your emotional reaction to physical changes in your body.
It is rarely Elvanse inducing your anxiety, but it can happen. If you feel worried about anything at all with your medication, speak to your doctor as soon as you can about your options - it’s usually a case of lowering or splitting your dose.
It’s not all bad though guys - there is an incredible emotional benefit to using Elvanse and a lot of us seem worried about potentially pedalling drug abuse, and bangin’ on about the good stuff…but we take it for the good stuff - why would anyone take stuff on a regular basis that makes them feel worse?!
Elvanse and Emotions
- Focus is improved like crazy
- It was shocking to me how much more productive I could be when I first started using Elvanse. Shocking.
- Having a to do list that actually got crossed off in full was a major emotional boost for me
- It increased my confidence about having a lot of work on
- It decreased my feelings of being overwhelmed
- It calmed the chaos
- Self-esteem
- Massive improvements because of motivation and productivity - suddenly I saw myself catching up to the rest of the world
- I had control over my eating and my weight - which isn’t an issue for everyone but it was for me. Losing weight was a big turning point for my mental health and happiness
- Enjoying the little things
- Come to think of it - enjoying anything
- For ADHDers, “joy” is elusive
- To be able to enjoy little things like putting a wash on or the flavour of a banana - dude! Shit.
On the whole though my Elvanse experience is split into immediate physical sensations on one side and sustainable emotional improvements on the other.
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What about kids?
Elvanse is routinely prescribed for children with ADHD and if you are making the decision to put your kid on medication I would just encourage you to be mindful of their experience.
This isn’t a magic eraser, they will still have ADHD and they will still display traits and symptoms. The key difference is that they may not have the language to describe how they are feeling when using the medication.
Because your heart rate does increase and because there are physical sensations they might feel anxious about this.
Talk to them, help them understand what’s happening and keep an eye on their experience - if they really feel awful then talk to your doctor as soon as you possibly can.
Now, I can already tell - you’re a great parent, you’re here educating yourself for the good of your children and your household, I commend you.
Bottom line - from the many many studies that have been carried out - Elvanse is shown to help many millions of people who suffer from ADHD.
No drug is “safe”, but under correct supervision from clinicians and great parents like you, Elvanse can provide some helpful support to your kids who, quite frankly, are struggling more than anyone else will ever know - even if they don’t seem to be.
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Controversy and Myths:
- Elvanse is not quite “amphetamine"
- The Dexamphetamine or (dextroamphetmine in the US) molecule is a mirror image of amphetamine - hand example -
- My left hand is dexamphetamine and my right hand is amphetamine - they can both perform similar functions, in slightly different ways. This is the relationship between dexamphetamine and amphetamine
- Amphetamine is not speedsome text
- The street drug “speed” is part of the amphetamine group, but when you take Elvanse you are NOT taking speed!
- Speed can be a combination of all sorts of nasty gubbins thrown together by very clever, but unlicensed, unregulated home chemists.
- Elvanse is a medicine that has been through rigorous testing and clinical trials. It is created by licensed and regulated pharmacologists.
- Is Elvanse addictive?some text
- Any amphetamine or derivative has abuse potential and can be addictive
- Taking your meds exactly as prescribed massively reduces the risk of addiction
- Elvanse’s structure reduces the potential for abuse by being metabolised in the liver - it’s very clever and I’ll link below to some explanations of why this is.
- Addiction is dangerous but can happen to anyone with anything
- Try not to judge yourself and seek help
- Recovery is absolutely possible
- Can you develop a tolerance to it?some text
- Yes.
- You absolutely can develop a tolerance to it. I have developed one recently and I’m going to speak to my doctor about it and see what my options are. If you feel the same is happening to you - talk to your doctor.
- It’s so important that you stick to your prescription, even if you feel you’re becoming tolerant to it. There may be something else going on and straying from your dose could cause harm and addiction.
- It’s so simple man, talk to your doctor. And I totally get it, tolerance is a horrible feeling when you’ve found such great support from your dose, but it’s just not worth the risk to dick around with your dosage unsupervised.
- I’ll do a video on tolerance and the nuances of it AND what my experience is once I’ve spoken to my doctor. I’ll put it in the pop up banner above.
- You or your kids will turn into a zombie.some text
- Look, no drug is safe - but that goes for the likes of Elvanse as much as it does for paracetamol.
- If you are feeling like a zombie or you notice your kids looking a bit zombified then you need to talk to your doctor as soon as you can.
- The effects of Elvanse should be quite subtle and if they’re not - it’s likely the dose is wrong or the drug is not working for you or your kids properly.
If you’re trying Elvanse for the first time I’d love to hear about your experience and you might be sharing something helpful to your neurodivergent tribe too. Just drop a comment below.
Thanks for reading this article if you haven’t got your ADHD Life Hacks Guide yet - sign up below and go from surviving to thriving!
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Conclusion
Elvanse can be a powerful tool in managing ADHD, offering benefits like improved focus, productivity, and emotional stability. However, like any medication, it’s important to approach it with awareness and caution. The physical effects can be subtle but may trigger anxiety if you’re not familiar with them, and it’s essential to communicate openly with your doctor about any concerns, from side effects to developing tolerance.
For parents, keeping an eye on your child’s experience with Elvanse is crucial. Remember, this medication is there to help them manage symptoms, not erase their ADHD. Monitoring, support, and open dialogue can ensure that the treatment is effective without overwhelming them.
Above all, be patient with the process. Medication is one part of a broader ADHD management strategy, and it takes time to find the right balance. By working closely with your healthcare provider, sticking to prescribed doses, and paying attention to how you or your child respond, you can harness the benefits of Elvanse while minimizing potential risks.
Remember, ADHD is a lifelong journey, and medication like Elvanse is just one of the many ways to help navigate it. Stay informed, stay connected, and continue exploring what works best for you or your loved ones.
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{{element_hairline}}
Quick Fire Facts:
Here are some quick fire facts on what Elvanse actually is and then I’ll talk about how it feels:
- Elvanse and Elvanse Adult are the brand names for a drug called lis-dexamphetamine
- Dexamphetamine belongs to the group of drugs called “stimulants”
- This drug works by stimulating your brain to increase the release of dopamine
- This increases your “tonic dopamine level” and
- Helps reduce the need for ADHDers to seek external stimuli
- The “Lis” prefix to dexamphetamine means that Elvanse metabolises in your liver and not your stomachsome text
- This reduces abuse potential
- Elvanse and Elvanse Adult are the same drug - the “adult” version is to satisfy medical insurance companies’ criteria for claims.
Elvanse and Your Body
First of all let’s look at what it feels like from a physical point of view - how does your body feel?
- Takes between an hour and 2 hours to come on
- You will feel a physical effect if your dose is high enough
- Elevates your heart rate
- Hands and feet can go clammy and cold
- Simultaneously - your body temperature may increase
- Appetite is lowered - but if you can eat if you try
- Elvanse is quite gentle with these effects - they should be subtle
- If you feel that it is too strong - your dose is too high
These physical effects can make you feel anxious if you’re not used to using these types of drugs. It’s important to say that this anxiety is often your emotional reaction to physical changes in your body.
It is rarely Elvanse inducing your anxiety, but it can happen. If you feel worried about anything at all with your medication, speak to your doctor as soon as you can about your options - it’s usually a case of lowering or splitting your dose.
It’s not all bad though guys - there is an incredible emotional benefit to using Elvanse and a lot of us seem worried about potentially pedalling drug abuse, and bangin’ on about the good stuff…but we take it for the good stuff - why would anyone take stuff on a regular basis that makes them feel worse?!
Elvanse and Emotions
- Focus is improved like crazy
- It was shocking to me how much more productive I could be when I first started using Elvanse. Shocking.
- Having a to do list that actually got crossed off in full was a major emotional boost for me
- It increased my confidence about having a lot of work on
- It decreased my feelings of being overwhelmed
- It calmed the chaos
- Self-esteem
- Massive improvements because of motivation and productivity - suddenly I saw myself catching up to the rest of the world
- I had control over my eating and my weight - which isn’t an issue for everyone but it was for me. Losing weight was a big turning point for my mental health and happiness
- Enjoying the little things
- Come to think of it - enjoying anything
- For ADHDers, “joy” is elusive
- To be able to enjoy little things like putting a wash on or the flavour of a banana - dude! Shit.
On the whole though my Elvanse experience is split into immediate physical sensations on one side and sustainable emotional improvements on the other.
{{cta}}
{{element_hairline}}
What about kids?
Elvanse is routinely prescribed for children with ADHD and if you are making the decision to put your kid on medication I would just encourage you to be mindful of their experience.
This isn’t a magic eraser, they will still have ADHD and they will still display traits and symptoms. The key difference is that they may not have the language to describe how they are feeling when using the medication.
Because your heart rate does increase and because there are physical sensations they might feel anxious about this.
Talk to them, help them understand what’s happening and keep an eye on their experience - if they really feel awful then talk to your doctor as soon as you possibly can.
Now, I can already tell - you’re a great parent, you’re here educating yourself for the good of your children and your household, I commend you.
Bottom line - from the many many studies that have been carried out - Elvanse is shown to help many millions of people who suffer from ADHD.
No drug is “safe”, but under correct supervision from clinicians and great parents like you, Elvanse can provide some helpful support to your kids who, quite frankly, are struggling more than anyone else will ever know - even if they don’t seem to be.
{{btn}}
{{element_hairline}}
Controversy and Myths:
- Elvanse is not quite “amphetamine"
- The Dexamphetamine or (dextroamphetmine in the US) molecule is a mirror image of amphetamine - hand example -
- My left hand is dexamphetamine and my right hand is amphetamine - they can both perform similar functions, in slightly different ways. This is the relationship between dexamphetamine and amphetamine
- Amphetamine is not speedsome text
- The street drug “speed” is part of the amphetamine group, but when you take Elvanse you are NOT taking speed!
- Speed can be a combination of all sorts of nasty gubbins thrown together by very clever, but unlicensed, unregulated home chemists.
- Elvanse is a medicine that has been through rigorous testing and clinical trials. It is created by licensed and regulated pharmacologists.
- Is Elvanse addictive?some text
- Any amphetamine or derivative has abuse potential and can be addictive
- Taking your meds exactly as prescribed massively reduces the risk of addiction
- Elvanse’s structure reduces the potential for abuse by being metabolised in the liver - it’s very clever and I’ll link below to some explanations of why this is.
- Addiction is dangerous but can happen to anyone with anything
- Try not to judge yourself and seek help
- Recovery is absolutely possible
- Can you develop a tolerance to it?some text
- Yes.
- You absolutely can develop a tolerance to it. I have developed one recently and I’m going to speak to my doctor about it and see what my options are. If you feel the same is happening to you - talk to your doctor.
- It’s so important that you stick to your prescription, even if you feel you’re becoming tolerant to it. There may be something else going on and straying from your dose could cause harm and addiction.
- It’s so simple man, talk to your doctor. And I totally get it, tolerance is a horrible feeling when you’ve found such great support from your dose, but it’s just not worth the risk to dick around with your dosage unsupervised.
- I’ll do a video on tolerance and the nuances of it AND what my experience is once I’ve spoken to my doctor. I’ll put it in the pop up banner above.
- You or your kids will turn into a zombie.some text
- Look, no drug is safe - but that goes for the likes of Elvanse as much as it does for paracetamol.
- If you are feeling like a zombie or you notice your kids looking a bit zombified then you need to talk to your doctor as soon as you can.
- The effects of Elvanse should be quite subtle and if they’re not - it’s likely the dose is wrong or the drug is not working for you or your kids properly.
If you’re trying Elvanse for the first time I’d love to hear about your experience and you might be sharing something helpful to your neurodivergent tribe too. Just drop a comment below.
Thanks for reading this article if you haven’t got your ADHD Life Hacks Guide yet - sign up below and go from surviving to thriving!
{{cta}}
{{element_hairline}}
Conclusion
Elvanse can be a powerful tool in managing ADHD, offering benefits like improved focus, productivity, and emotional stability. However, like any medication, it’s important to approach it with awareness and caution. The physical effects can be subtle but may trigger anxiety if you’re not familiar with them, and it’s essential to communicate openly with your doctor about any concerns, from side effects to developing tolerance.
For parents, keeping an eye on your child’s experience with Elvanse is crucial. Remember, this medication is there to help them manage symptoms, not erase their ADHD. Monitoring, support, and open dialogue can ensure that the treatment is effective without overwhelming them.
Above all, be patient with the process. Medication is one part of a broader ADHD management strategy, and it takes time to find the right balance. By working closely with your healthcare provider, sticking to prescribed doses, and paying attention to how you or your child respond, you can harness the benefits of Elvanse while minimizing potential risks.
Remember, ADHD is a lifelong journey, and medication like Elvanse is just one of the many ways to help navigate it. Stay informed, stay connected, and continue exploring what works best for you or your loved ones.
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