The Initial Post-Diagnosis Years pt. 4

The Side Effects Roll In

As the weeks went by, I started noticing side effects.

• Migraines – If I didn’t drink enough water or eat enough protein before taking my meds, I’d get a splitting headache.
• Sleep Issues – Even if I took the stimulant at 6 AM, I still wouldn’t be able to fall asleep until 3 AM.

Then, the aggression kicked in.

One evening, I felt an unbreakable, angry drive to finish something. I was irritated by everything that tried to pull my focus. It didn’t feel like me at all.

I finally understood what my son had described the night he broke down.

Needless to say, I switched to an amphetamine-based stimulant. And just like that, the aggression faded.

With my doctor’s guidance, I experimented with several amphetamines to optimize my sleep schedule and minimize side effects. Things improved, but migraines were still an issue—especially if I wasn’t careful about hydration and diet.

I started taking meds only on the days I really needed them, which helped. Things were finally settling in.

But little did I know—everything was about to change again.

• What’s the most frustrating ADHD medication side effect you’ve dealt with? Did you find a way to manage it?
• How do you balance the benefits of ADHD medication with the potential downsides?
• Do you manage your ADHD without medication? What methods and/or supplements work well for you?