ADHD connections: ADHD coach in training!

  I started taking my new ADHD medication yesterday morning.  I was prescribed Elvanse and have started on 20mg for a week, and I will then increase my dose by 10mg each week until I get to 50mg.  The plan is to get the most benefit from the medication while keeping any side effects to a minimum or at least a tolerable level.  I guess different people have different levels of tolerance. I had a great day yesterday.  I felt calm all day, very settled.  I was productive and got quite a few outstanding tasks done.  I didn't think about food constantly, which can be an issue for me.  While I woke up a few times in the night, I managed to get back to sleep quickly each time.  I only became aware recently that being off my previous ADHD medication impacted my sleep because my mind would be so busy at 3 or 4am, I couldn't get back to sleep.  So, I am very relieved to be medicated again after a couple of days without medication. So far, the only...

It occurred to me during a class about ADHD medication that my medication may not be as beneficial as it could be.  I have been on Methylphenidate for over a year and a half.  The main difference I noticed is that my brain is a little quieter.  I am still restless, fidgety, impulsive, and struggle with focus and concentration.  Which is basically almost everything I struggled with at the start of my journey!   I will be honest-I rushed through titration-I was assessed privately, and it was expensive to pay privately for ADHD medication, so I was reluctant to extend the process any further than I needed to.  I was happy that my brain was quieter and settled for that.   I've been exploring natural ways to increase dopamine levels, one of the neurotransmitters that impact ADHD: sleep, exercise, a healthy diet (with enough protein), and meditation. I'm doing all of these, apart from sleep, as I'm really struggling to sleep well. I can't even reme...