I am on Adderall, so not the same thing, but it was immediate. The constant noise in my head stopped for the first time in my life. I wasn’t overwhelmed or overstimulated by my environment. I could hear the person I was talking to and my brain was able to filter out the rest of the world around me. I was able to sit and do a task I wasn’t fully motivated to do. I was able to wait my turn in a conversation.

As time went on I had to adjust my doses and switched to time release, but I certainly know when I don’t take them. Things evened out so it isn’t quite as stark as that first year, but the difference is night and day. You still have to be aware of your behaviors and find mechanisms (behavior modification) to get past some of the other bits, but even just knowing what behaviors are due to ADHD help. Medication only gets you most of the way there.

One important thing to do is write down who the hell manufactured your medication each month. It matters. They are not all “the same”. The efficacy and side effects can be completely different even though it is supposedly the same drug. Advocate for yourself and I am thankful my pharmacy works with me on getting the right meds and knows I am not crazy when I say it is different. Due to the shortage I am not able to get generic in the brands that don’t mess me up, but I have found that the supply of name brand Adderall is stable right now and the time release curve is very smooth. I am lucky that I have the means and decent enough insurance to afford it.

To me though, it sounds like you may want to try a different medication. I know it is super stressful and seems like a big mountain to climb, but quality of life is important. You are important. Be vocal to your doctor and don’t let them dictate what you do or do not feel.