Science basis for ADHD medication breaks

[Anonymous]

My kid doesn’t take them on weekends. She won’t take them in the summer either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Opposite to PP, my kid does not feel bad on them, but feels lost when not on them. Not taking his med makes him feel drunk. Under no circumstances should he drive unmedicated. His doctor strongly suggested he not skip on weekends.

Which is to say: this is a highly individual question that you need to discuss with your child's doctor.

For people who shouldn't be driving unmedicated, how do they handle night time driving? This is something I've always wondered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Opposite to PP, my kid does not feel bad on them, but feels lost when not on them. Not taking his med makes him feel drunk. Under no circumstances should he drive unmedicated. His doctor strongly suggested he not skip on weekends.

Which is to say: this is a highly individual question that you need to discuss with your child's doctor.

This. My kid has been on them for 8y and doesn't like how he feels when he hasn't taken the meds. He says when he takes them, things come into focus - like when he puts on his glasses. He is 19y and meds are the only way he is successful in college (which requires him to work/do school work on weekends.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Opposite to PP, my kid does not feel bad on them, but feels lost when not on them. Not taking his med makes him feel drunk. Under no circumstances should he drive unmedicated. His doctor strongly suggested he not skip on weekends.

Which is to say: this is a highly individual question that you need to discuss with your child's doctor.

For people who shouldn't be driving unmedicated, how do they handle night time driving? This is something I've always wondered.

Maybe they don't? Or maybe they take a non stimulant that provides more 24/7 coverage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Opposite to PP, my kid does not feel bad on them, but feels lost when not on them. Not taking his med makes him feel drunk. Under no circumstances should he drive unmedicated. His doctor strongly suggested he not skip on weekends.

Which is to say: this is a highly individual question that you need to discuss with your child's doctor.

For people who shouldn't be driving unmedicated, how do they handle night time driving? This is something I've always wondered.

Maybe they don't? Or maybe they take a non stimulant that provides more 24/7 coverage.

I am the PP with the 19y DS. He takes a booster around 4-6p (depending on what time he took his AM dose and what his plans are for the evening.) He goes to bed 11p-early AM hours and generally it has worn off my then or he takes a melatonin and goes to sleep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you been on ADHD drugs? Well, I can tell you, they make you feel like you are on drugs. Would you like feeling like that all of the time for weeks on end?

If you feel like this, you either probably don’t need drugs or on the wrong medication or wrong dosage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Habituation. Some people will, over time, require an ever-increasing dosage for effectiveness. Not everyone, but some. A med break reduces this.

You can also switch the medication after 5-7 to avoid this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you been on ADHD drugs? Well, I can tell you, they make you feel like you are on drugs. Would you like feeling like that all of the time for weeks on end?

If you feel like this, you either probably don’t need drugs or on the wrong medication or wrong dosage.

+1. This doesn’t seem like a normal response. It sounds like you are taking too high of a dose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Opposite to PP, my kid does not feel bad on them, but feels lost when not on them. Not taking his med makes him feel drunk. Under no circumstances should he drive unmedicated. His doctor strongly suggested he not skip on weekends.

Which is to say: this is a highly individual question that you need to discuss with your child's doctor.

For people who shouldn't be driving unmedicated, how do they handle night time driving? This is something I've always wondered.

Dp. I have two family members like this. One chooses to live only in areas with good public transpo. The other avoids driving at night as much as possible and Ubers as needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you been on ADHD drugs? Well, I can tell you, they make you feel like you are on drugs. Would you like feeling like that all of the time for weeks on end?

NP. I am on ADHD drugs. They don’t make me feel like I am “on drugs”. I feel like me but more clear headed. They help me notice things, restrain myself in social interactions. I have better friendships and conversations because I am on medication. So, yes, I like feeling like this all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you been on ADHD drugs? Well, I can tell you, they make you feel like you are on drugs. Would you like feeling like that all of the time for weeks on end?

Hmm. For me, Adderall gives me a mild and very short-lived high feeling that goes away. Ritalin makes me feel nothing at all. I don't have that clear-headed instead of foggy feeling that some describe. I am still spacy and prone to digress and my executive functions are a constant challenge. But when I look back at my day, my efficiency is 2 or 3 times greater than it is not on medication. I get things done. I do stick to tasks without having realized it.

[Anonymous]

Most people just don’t want their kids on meth 24/7 so they take breaks.

[Anonymous]

To catch up on weight and height.

[Anonymous]

I'm more worried about the long term effects, what does it do to your brain and body?