Question About ADD and Medicine?
Question by Rjdrums26: Question about ADD and medicine?
Alright, I take vyvance 60mg and unlike other people I have never had any side effects to it. But that’s not really what this is about. I’m almost out with this prescription and I was thinking about just laying off it at least until college starts up. The reason it has taken me so long to want to go off it is because of how I act when I go off it for day or two. Basically when I’m off of it, I don’t have much energy. I feel like a slug and just don’t have motivation to do any work. I just want to sit on the couch and play video games or get on the computer. But when I am on it, I will do any yard work i need to or anything. SO… if I am off it for a while and let it get out of my system, will I go back to acting normal and have my regular energy back? I’m guessing the only way to know for sure is to just quit taking it and see?
Best answer:
Answer by Jared
You will have the energy and motivation you had before you started taking it. If you haven’t been taking it too long it won’t take long for this to come back. Don’t expect to be just like you ‘were’ in a few days.. but a month or so should be about the longest you need to be close to your old self.
Essentially you are taking a derivative of an amphetamine, which releases excess dopamine in your brain and is why boring tasks don’t seem so boring anymore, and you can do yard work, “or anything on it”. All amphetamines have this effect,.. it is *not* a natural energy or natural response to boring activities.
I’m not discouraging you from taking it , because if you need it to focus academically then so be it.. but just realize how it works and why these things are possible.
Many people think the way they are on the medications are the way everyone else is and is the way they ‘should’ be normally. When in fact it is not. “Normal” people don’t want to do the boring tasks either.. normal people have to force their own concentration in academics, especially uninteresting subjects. The difference is, in some people with ADD/ADHD they cannot , no matter how hard they try, sustain focus mentally to accomplish these goals — when other people are able to. Though it isn’t Pleasurable” 🙂
Though that is the crux of medication “drugs” — they are a help but they don’t perfectly correct the situation.
Sort of like opiate/narcotic pain medications.. they help pain, but they often also cause a euphoria that is an unintended effect of the medicine.
Which is why both ADD and Pain medicines (among other types) are demonized by the media, pharmacists, doctors, and the general public. Because, god forbid! someone gets some pleasurable effect from a medication that is needed to alleviate a problem of theirs. 🙂
You’ll be fine, and I think it is an excellent and responsible action you are considering.
I would recommend you taper down off your medicine now, if possible. If you are able to break your medication (if it isn’t in capsules) then do so.. over 1-2 weeks.. IE: 60mg to 40mg for a few days, to 20mg a few days,.. and so on till none. This is just an easier way to let your body down.
Though if it is a 60mg capsule there isn’t much you can do aside from taking it every other day for a week or two,.. which wouldn’t be nearly as effective.
The ‘withdrawal’ from amphetamines is generally only excess lack of motivation and energy (physical and mental) for a period of days to weeks. Lower than your ‘old self’ — this WILL pass.. so don’t let it discourage you or cause you to jump back on after a few days. During this time try to eat properly and exercise a bit.. even though you won’t feel like it — it will help.
Take care,