[silentwizz]

I have been taking ADHD meds for about a year now and they seems to just suck the life out of me every single day. Is it normal to have low energy when you don't take them? On the weekends when I don't need them I just feel like sleeping all day, I have no motivation to do anything, does this mean anything? Or am I just relying on the meds too much? /:

[thickntired]

Hi,

Sometimes, I feel tired on the weekends when I don't take my adderall. But IMO that makes perfect sense because the med is an upper. Maybe you are on the wrong dosage? My pdoc slowly raised my mg because you quickly build a tollerance to it or maybe you need time released XR. Some of the best things to look at are your diet, exercise, and sleep schedule to make sure that area is balanced.

Peace,

TnT

Peace,

TnT

I take Adderall too. Weekday mornings I'm a total machine, because I have a rigid schedule to keep. Weekends are different... If there is not a real plan, I tend to be real lethargic, so I try to set a time to get up and do something. Once I'm up and moving I'm much better.

I think routine is key and regular exercise helps a lot

[Maus5321]

All about the routine and schedule!

[Cocosurviving]

I would agree w/ everyone else. The key is routine, diet and exercise. Eat more veggies and fruit. Try to cut back on processed foods. Exercise can be going for a walk. I have my daughter wake up at the same time on the weekends.

Best wishes

[Maus5321]

Was it fish oil YYZADD, that you said helps a lot to?

Originally Posted by Maus5321

Was it fish oil YYZADD, that you said helps a lot to?

Omega 3 Fish oil is recommended by Dr. Hallowell (Driven books)
I take them, but I'm not sure if I notice any effect.

[Kath]

Originally Posted by Maus5321

Was it fish oil YYZADD, that you said helps a lot to?

MD's in the know say so - dha in fish oil. Make sure you have someone who know this subject. Most MDs just don't have enough info. so many meds, so many differences. so many supplements. so many dif. nutritional needs.

[Kath]

I take meds all the time, because the problem's there all the time and it is destructive. You wouldn't take diabetis or blood pressure medication just on certain days - you could end up dead if you did. Your entire body is effected, not just work. It's balance, blood pressure, heart rate, digestion. Believe me they are all affected by being with and without meds. You can see youself. You can be whole, or turn part of yourself on and off. Not very integrated. I know ADDer's, especially, turn off awareness of their bodies, because there is a higher hysical sensitivity, and they don't want to be thought of as hypochriacs. Normal people do the same - as if noticing how you feel is weak. But all of that needs to be working together.

My meds were always uppers, but they calmed me down. If it's the right stuff tha's what is supposed to happen. They even helped me sleep. If you're add, your neurochemistry isn't like other peoples' neurochemistry (would you believe - these traits whould have made a great hunter in the days of hunter/gathers). Lots of medications won't work the same on you. It's okey.

Make sure you are working with someone who knows the meds and subject. To many md's got referred a bunch of kids from schools, w/ suggestion of what to give, but no real knowledge. And their overworked, so it's hard to keep up.

[Maus5321]

Good info kath! I like the little tidbit about hunters and things like that.

Originally Posted by Kath

I take meds all the time, because the problem's there all the time and it is destructive.

I always tell people this when they talk about an ADD Med holiday or not taking them on the weekends.

"Why" would you do this? I don't ever want to go back to the ADD Fog...

[Maus5321]

Originally Posted by YYZadd

I always tell people this when they talk about an ADD Med holiday or not taking them on the weekends.

"Why" would you do this? I don't ever want to go back to the ADD Fog...

This!

Though, I have also read and heard to in some places. That doctors will actually recommend to some patients to take little vacations from there medication.

Originally Posted by Maus5321

This!

Though, I have also read and heard to in some places. That doctors will actually recommend to some patients to take little vacations from there medication.

Not me, man... I had 43 years of vacation from ADD meds and I know many things could have been better if I had known what I do now

[Maus5321]

Originally Posted by YYZadd

Not me, man... I had 43 years of vacation from ADD meds and I know many things could have been better if I had known what I do now

Totally agree I had a 28 year break haha. Long enough for me to make up for all the breaks I am not going to take

[NWgirl2013]

Has anyone here tried Only natural compounds ~ fish oil and the like? So far, my ADD huz is willing to do something natural, so he got fish oil/flax seed oil/ vitamin E oil & something else...anyway, not sure he feels any better/less scattered. It makes sense to him to "lubricate the synapses". But is it really doing what he needs?
Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by NWgirl2013

Has anyone here tried Only natural compounds ~ fish oil and the like? So far, my ADD huz is willing to do something natural, so he got fish oil/flax seed oil/ vitamin E oil & something else...anyway, not sure he feels any better/less scattered. It makes sense to him to "lubricate the synapses". But is it really doing what he needs?
Any thoughts?

Fish Oil is definitely recommended. I take it... B-12, a good diet, staying a way from processed sugars. Juice Plus is recommended by Dr. Hallowell in "Delivered from Distraction".

Does your husband fear the stimulant? I was scared at first, because of the ingredients. I always feared addiction. I take the same dose of Adderall now that I did four years ago.

I hope he continues learn about ADHD

[NWgirl2013]

"does he fear the stimulant"
LOL ~ he fears altering his naturally wonderful self! Used to brag he never so much as took an aspirin...B complex for stress was the other thing he takes.
And you mentioned this Dr Hallowell again. More reading for me ...thanks
I am moving little today so that works...

The stimulant does not take anything away from your personality, its like a pair of glasses for the brain. (this comparison is from Dr Hallowell too )

[Maus5321]

If he gives it a chance, he may become an even more naturally wonderful self, as he may have the chance to utilize his tools floating around in his brain. Since I have started taking adderall, I have noticed many benefits and I have not lost my ability to think outside the box and be unique or spontaneous .

[Maus5321]

Originally Posted by YYZadd

The stimulant does not take anything away from your personality, its like a pair of glasses for the brain. (this comparison is from Dr Hallowell too )

Everytime you post this I always think about what Dr. Hallowell says:

If you tell someone with add/adhd to focus harder, it is like telling someone who is nearsighted to squint harder

[NWgirl2013]

Okay, now I really have to read this guys' stuff! and pass it on to you know who...
Thanks guys