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Post by fabbydotess on May 15, 2018 13:12:34 GMT
I’ve been offered a choice between these two meds and despite doing some reading on them both, am still not sure which to opt for. Anyone out there with experience of taking either or both? Would really appreciate some thoughts. Thanks🙂
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flibberty
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Post by flibberty on May 16, 2018 10:40:39 GMT
I was wondering the same. Funny though, I have just been having this discussion with the psych. In updated NICE they are seen as equally good options for a first go on stimulants.
I explained that I wouldn’t want to settle on a methylphenidate regime without having given lisdex a go just to see if there was any advantage. I’m having issues with concerta wearing off quickly, so we mapped out 3 methylphenidate options to try, plus a trial of elvanse to compare.
He said the main advantage of the elvanse would be longer 14 hour cover and the smoother, less up and down effect profile. That might be something to think about in deciding which to try first.
I should say that I benefit from an interested, confident GP prescriber and am seeing this psych on a private basis, which is really helping with titration. Local prescribing policies, which give consideration to cost might also influence prescribing preferences in primary care?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2018 14:21:37 GMT
Offered a choice? Concerta is like a three year old Golf GTi. If it works for you, you'll benefit from improved speed, comfort and economy. Elvanse is like a twenty year old Nissan Skyline. The comfort and economy are much worse than the Golf but it produces considerably more torque and revs higher. In a straight line, it leaves the Golf for dust. First choice: Concerta Second choice: Elvanse
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Post by boxoffrogs on May 18, 2018 14:25:48 GMT
Offered a choice? Concerta is like a three year old Golf GTi. If it works for you, you'll benefit from improved speed, comfort and economy. Elvanse is like a twenty year old Nissan Skyline.The comfort and economy are much worse than the Golf but it produces considerably more torque and revs higher. In a straight line, it leaves the Golf for dust. First choice: Concerta Second choice: Elvanse I have one of those rotting away on my front drive (an impulse buy). I've been having Concerta for 2 months now which sadly hasn't helped motivate me into kick starting things getting it back on the road. Perhaps I should switch to the Elvanse?!?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2018 1:12:14 GMT
I found this vid on YouTube about 10 years ago. Every few years it pops back into memory for some reason
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curlylucy
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Post by curlylucy on May 22, 2018 8:55:32 GMT
Offered a choice? Concerta is like a three year old Golf GTi. If it works for you, you'll benefit from improved speed, comfort and economy. Elvanse is like a twenty year old Nissan Skyline. The comfort and economy are much worse than the Golf but it produces considerably more torque and revs higher. In a straight line, it leaves the Golf for dust. First choice: Concerta Second choice: Elvanse Ha, I love the car analogy, but not having driven either or taken Concerta, could you explain a bit further? Specifically what you mean by comfort and economy in relation to a person? I was diagnosed about 2 years ago and put straight on to Elvanse. My psychiatrist said that as I already suffer from anxiety (taking sertraline for that), that Concerta has been know to cause or increase anxiety so I was better off on Elvanse. I have no major issues with Elvanse and it has definitely helped, but not in the way I had hoped. It has been really great for my mood and impatience/irritation, but not so good for increased focus/motivation. I keep reading things that make it sound like Concerta is more effective in that area and I mentioned trying it to the psych but he advised against it in case I lose the benefits that I've gained from the Elvanse. I haven't pushed it as I don't have enough info, but I'm interested to hear first hand accounts. Thanks
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2018 17:56:42 GMT
Sorry, Lucy, I think sometimes my posts sound far more authoritative than they should! In reality, I often haven't got a clue how I arrived at whatever conclusion I'm preaching... I just tend to remember the conclusion
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Post by jp on May 30, 2018 14:51:53 GMT
I've done both - hard to say which I prefer. I'm on Concerta but also tried Elvanse.
I totally agree with boost's metaphors.
Ideally I'd like to have both available - I think we should be able to adjust our meds on a day to day basis. Anything less is rather too blunt a tool to have the kind of nuanced response that the human mind-brain thing requires. Or at least my one...
That's my main complaint about Concerta - its meds in a solid lump that is all or nothing and designed to try to counter some of the abuse concerns?
Other complaint is that its kinda relentless.
I'd prefer my Methylphenidate from Equasym or Medikinet so that I can take half or quarter doses as I need. And spread them out in different ways.
I'd also like to have the option of slow- or quick release. Big difference between a Sunday pottering in the garden. And a sixteen hour day on a film set.
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Post by jp on May 30, 2018 14:59:31 GMT
Its really hard trying to figure out which is right or best. I'm still going private and cant afford the approx £1000 to titrate each new kind of meds. But I'd love to try others - including Strattera, Bupropion, Guanfacine etc How can we know there's not a better one if we haven't tried them all?
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Post by jp on May 31, 2018 13:13:54 GMT
So I met with my psychiatrist yesterday. His argument was "If it works why change it? Get on with all the other stuff you need to do to fix yoursel - the meds are only a very small part of the process." But don't quote me! We are all metabolically unique though. Important to remember that in discussions about meds.
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