Quote:
Originally Posted by litha11
Hello everyone. I was on stimulants for about 3 solid years in total because I started having ADHD symptoms. A few months ago I went cold turkey off of vyvanse because I started having a racing heart and minor palpitations even at the starter dose. Without ADHD medication I do not feel like myself anymore. I know this is most likely because I went off cold turkey but I fear for my health if I continue to take stimulants.
Without my stimulant medication I feel like I am in a fog. I think so much that I am unable to sit and focus on anything. My memory also is very bad and I feel unable to experience pleasure. The stimulants had also lifted my symptoms almost completely, making me happy and stablizing my mood. On top of helping me focus which I am seemingly unable to do without them.
I feel unable to control anything in my life without my ADHD meds. I feel like if this state of mind does not correct itself I will never be ok again. Sorry if this is dramatic.
My questions would be: Does anyone have experience with getting off ADHD meds? Is your experience similar? And how can I cope with stimulant withdrawal?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by litha11
Hello everyone. I was on stimulants for about 3 solid years in total because I started having ADHD symptoms. A few months ago I went cold turkey off of vyvanse because I started having a racing heart and minor palpitations even at the starter dose. Without ADHD medication I do not feel like myself anymore. I know this is most likely because I went off cold turkey but I fear for my health if I continue to take stimulants.
Without my stimulant medication I feel like I am in a fog. I think so much that I am unable to sit and focus on anything. My memory also is very bad and I feel unable to experience pleasure. The stimulants had also lifted my symptoms almost completely, making me happy and stablizing my mood. On top of helping me focus which I am seemingly unable to do without them.
I feel unable to control anything in my life without my ADHD meds. I feel like if this state of mind does not correct itself I will never be ok again. Sorry if this is dramatic.
My questions would be: Does anyone have experience with getting off ADHD meds? Is your experience similar? And how can I cope with stimulant withdrawal?
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“ADHD medication for a patient is equivalent to someone who is nearly blind putting on glasses with 20/20 vision.” - my ADHD Coach and Specialist
Yes absolutely. I feel that miserable fog sometimes waking up in the AM waiting for the drug to kick in.
I took a job across the country and was unable to get into see a doctor and get my meds for over a month. It was a nightmare. On top of the job, and moving I ended out getting into a car accident and totaling my car. Wasn’t my fault, but if id had my meds my I could have swerved faster. That month of not having meds created a snowball that just grew and grew. By the time I got back on it was too late and I knew it. So I made a deal with the owners and quietly left.
I know that I don’t think clearly without medication. I am impulsive, hypersensitive, obnoxious, easily distracted, disorganized, prone to extreme spending and kind of a jerk. For these reasons, it’s not an option to not have the medication.
So a couple things,
1. You are not being dramatic at all. Very few truly understand how ADHD works, and how having medication v. not, can mean the difference between a happy successful life and living in your parents basement.
2. Did you go to the doctor about your palpitations and racing heart? A quick ekg can tell if you had any cardiac episodes.
3. Is there chance you had a panic attack, rather than a reaction to the med? There is a fair amount of literature and patient review linking Vyvanse with anxiety/mood changes. A start dose of Vyvanse is 20-30mg which is about 10-12 mg Adderall; depending on metabolism and bioavailability due to Vyvanse being a prodrug.
4. Are you prone to anxiety or panic? It is common for those with ADHD to replace hyperactivity with panic/anxiety as they get older. Ie. You know you have to sit still and be organized, but it stresses you out.
5. Is your doctor willing to make adjustments to various medications and doses? ADHD behaves differently almost every day. On top of that, depending on your diet and stomach acidity, the medication is going to be between 50-90% effective.
6. Are you charting your medication daily? This tracks all the symptoms and side effects of medications and adhd; which helps you understand what is causing the issue.
As far as long health risks, that is 100% your call. Definitely talk to you doctor about it. Everything above is just anecdotes and questions. Ultimate you want training MD or Psych to consult with.
Whatever you decide good luck.