I have a question for people that have been on stimulants long term after developing hppd

[unkysippinred]

Well for the first time in my life I experienced actual happiness for a couple months because I finally got adderall for my adhd. That ended when I realized that it was making my mild hppd about 5 times worse and bringing back my mild dpdr worse then I ever had it (still mild tho). Most ppl don't really know what adhd causes but it makes every single second of my life a living hell. I am not a person without adderall. I can't even get out of bed because my adhd is so severe. There are no words to describe how much this disorder makes me suffer and id rather be dead then continue to live with it. I've tried other adhd meds but they don't work. My only chance at happiness is taking my adderall every single day for the rest of my life

My question for people that have been on stimulants for a long time, is did it eventually stop making your hppd worse? I'm okay with it if it makes the visuals and dpdr worse up to certain point and stays at that level but I'm worried it will get continously worse even after I've been on it for years. I've seen a couple ppl that have been on it for years say that it makes worse but idk if it continues to make it worse and worse even after you been on it for years. Please lmk if anyone knows

[cosmiccharlie]

I have been on Vyvanse for going on three years.  In the beginning I think it did affect my HPPD symptoms but eventually things settled down.  My symptoms are probably above my previous baseline before I started the med but the relief of ADHD symptoms is worth it for me.  Most things don't keep getting worse and worse for no reason even though our mind can create fear about that.  If you think it's worth it try it out for a while, keep a diary and record the level of your symptoms everyday and see if there is a trend.  

[Spartan]

Hello 

Very sorry to hear about your adhd it sounds horrific. 

I'm a long time sufferer of hppd.. 

These are my thaughts though may not be factual. 

Definately for me stimulants exacerbate hppd symptoms..

though over time there is a possibility a person might acclimatise to it or build up a tolerance i.e. increase your threshold over time. So may go back to a base line or some  level of what it was intially. 

These are my initial thoughts..

Hope it is helpful. 

Edited November 14, 2024 by Spartan

[unkysippinred]

14 hours ago, cosmiccharlie said:

I have been on Vyvanse for going on three years.  In the beginning I think it did affect my HPPD symptoms but eventually things settled down.  My symptoms are probably above my previous baseline before I started the med but the relief of ADHD symptoms is worth it for me.  Most things don't keep getting worse and worse for no reason even though our mind can create fear about that.  If you think it's worth it try it out for a while, keep a diary and record the level of your symptoms everyday and see if there is a trend.  

I appreciate you taking the time to reply so much. it's so hard to find people with hppd that have been on adhd meds long term. I got a couple questions if you don't mind 

1. What dose of vyvanse are you on? I was thinking about trying it to. I just assumed it would have the same effect on hppd as adderall since it's prodrug and I'm probably going to need a very high dose like I did with the adderall 

2. How long did it continously increase symptoms for before eventually going down a little bit? 

3. Do you take it everyday?

[unkysippinred]

I appreciate you taking the time to reply so much. it's so hard to find people with hppd that have been on adhd meds long term. I got a couple questions if you don't mind 

1. What dose of vyvanse are you on? I was thinking about trying it to. I just assumed it would have the same effect on hppd as adderall since it's prodrug and I'm probably going to need a very high dose like I did with the adderall 

2. How long did it continously increase symptoms for before eventually going down a little bit? 

3. Do you take it everyday?

[cosmiccharlie]

1. I am currently on 40mg of Vyvanse 

2. I honestly do not know.

3. Yes, I take it everyday.  

Remember, we are all different, my response to this med may be different from yours.  Make sure you're transparent with your doctor.  I do highly recommend keeping a simple med diary about your symptoms if you do decide to go ahead with it.  

[unkysippinred]

Alr I'll definitely track em each day. Preciate the advice