[Julia71993]

Hey everyone... Just joined here today. I'm just looking for some help.

Anyways, I'm 21 years old. When I was six years old I was diagnosed with ADHD (predominantly inattentive). I've been on various medications for it, for as long as I can remember. I can't remember what I was on in elementary school though, but I believe it was a stimulant. It gave me negative side affects so I was put on Strattera in Middle school. That got me tired all the time so then I was put on Concerta. That lasted my freshman year of high school to my sophomore year in college. I was taken off of that because I think it stopped working. I'm now on Vyvanse and It's been working quite well.

I was also diagnosed with anxiety when I was 9 years old. It wouldn't surprise me if it was brought on from my ADHD and/or medications. It didn't help that I felt different from my peers too. I was a sensitive child and being labeled as having a learning disability broke my self esteem very early on. Luckily, I didn't struggle with trying to make friends. As for medications, I was put on zoloft. I forget when but I remember it not working at all. Once middle school came around I started having depressive episodes. I believe it was due to the struggles of being a middle schooler mixed with my already damaged self esteem. That carried on for a while, throughout high school as well. Things started improving my junior year of high school. I started working out every day, and doing myself up a lot nicer. I think I was switched to fluoxetine around that time too but I can't remember. I've been on that ever since and it has been working quite well. In fact, for the past year I've been slowly weening myself off of it with no trouble. I even managed to break up with my boyfriend of two years without any trouble. (the relationship was unhealthy). After I graduate college (Bachelor's of Art w/ graphic design concentration), I'm hoping to lower the dose even more.

So weening myself off of fluoxetine has been successful and I'm no where near as bad as how I was in the past. I think the improvement was just me growing up. But like I said, I'm still on it and my self esteem is still pretty low..

I also fear that I'll be dependent on medication for the rest of my life. Especially my ADHD ones. Since I've been on them for so long, I have no idea what it will be like to be off of them. Whenever I've missed taking it, I'd become so tired and zombie like. I just want to know what the "unmedicated" Julia is like so badly. I've never been able to experience it. But I also fear that my brain may have been permanently affected by the medication, since I've been on them for so long.

I kind of blame myself for never making an effort to cope with my ADHD. I always figured that it was out of my control and I was simply just too lazy. It wasn't until one month ago that I've really tried pushing myself to cope. My friend/roommate who also has ADD showed me ways to cope and since then, I have rarely found myself losing my keys, phone, etc.. Practicing consciousness has been a great help. Organization and motivation are things I still I have to work on though.

Anyways, ADHD is pretty much what makes me, me and its definitely the source of all of my insecurities. I suffer from a lot of self doubt and I find myself asking for others' approvals and opinions since I have trouble trusting myself. Maybe its the fact that I've been on medication for so long that I don't think I can do things on my own. A lot of people worry about their physical appearance, or not receiving enough love and support. I can at least say that I find myself attractive and I have a lot of loving support from my friends and family. I wish that alone can fully convince me to appreciate myself but that saying "only you can make yourself happy" is very true.

My next step is to lower my dosage of Vyvanse from 50 mg to 30 mg and I'm hoping that won't be too dramatic of a difference. Being on 50 mg feels no different than 40 mg (The dosage was raised back in November) and my coping techniques have only made the positive difference.

Has anyone managed to come off ADHD meds completely after many years of use?

[KEB1990]

I got all three. I got a bad habit of not taking my meds . I mange ok with it . I've also been on meds since I was a kid. I'm not much older hen you . I'm 24 almost 25. Its a real straggle some days to just even tie my shoes but I try and get through it. I hope you have a good doc to talk with about all this. Cheers to you and hope you get better .

[floridaman38]

I had add/adhd, and I was on ritalin for the longest time and then some other meds too. When I turned 18 I moved out on my own and never took meds again. I am 38 now and still have shoulder twitches and other symptoms of hyperactivity, I ofter forget my keys or basic things. I cope with the twitching by telling my self that I did not do this to me. I was born with this condition and will control what I can. IF the conditions are causing work or personal issues then you should try talking about some meds, as far as the remembering things, I make sure I pay attention to what I am doing when I do it. Usually tell myself what I'm doing with whatever item it is. Reminding myself has helped me to forget about taking meds, BUT yes there's a BUT in here. My symptoms has dropped a lot. I mean a lot. I am 38 and they have subsided quite a bit. I hope they will subside for you too. If they don't talk about things you can do to stimulate your mind to keep busy with things you like to do and that has helped me manage my adhd. Just remember you are worth a lot more than you will ever know. Just being able to express your thoughts and allow others to listen and speak is aewsome. Thanks for sharing.Hope this helps

[Poet2015]

Yes I have come off meds after many years and Im doing fine with out them