I take Adderall 20 mg twice per day. I think I have developed a tolerance and my pdoc was reluctant to raise my dosage and suggested I take a "drug holiday" from Adderall. He didn't say how long to stay off of it.

Well, I took his advice and this "holiday" is terrible so far! I'm on day four of the holiday and all I want to do is sleep and eat. I don't think I'm depressed, but I feel very "blah" and unmotivated. Lethargic.

Can anyone relate to this experience or describe their drug holidays from their ADHD med? I'm going to stick it out until next month, but this stinks. I'm disabled so I'm not working ... so there isn't an issue there. I don't feel like a call to my pdoc is warranted. But this certainly doesn't feel like a vacation lol

I'm on the thin side - almost underweight BMI-wise and have bipolar 1. I'm guessing he doesn't want to raise my dosage due to potential weight loss or mania.

Will a drug holiday reduce my tolerance? Is feeling lousy like this normal?

[MobiusPsyche]

A drug holiday should theoretically reduce your tolerance, yes. Although everyone's experience is different. Good luck!

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Thank you for your reply! xo

[MobiusPsyche]

How is it going? Are things getting any better for you?

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There is research that shows magnesium helps with "resetting" your tolerance.

Here's the official study on nih.gov:
The effects of magnesium physiological supplementation on hyperactivity in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Positive ... - PubMed - NCBI

It might be worth looking at magnesium. Plus, it's supposed to help with ADHD symptoms in general, as sometimes an insufficient amount of magnesium can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.

Hope you find that helpful

Thanks for the link, bluebicycle!

Hi Mobius, I am doing better, thanks for asking. I'm not as lethargic as I was a few days ago. I've been sleeping and eating a lot (for me), I'm just going with it. I figure my body needs it. Unfortunately, I'm not nearly as focused or productive when I'm on my Adderall, but I suppose that is to be expected.

Thanks for the support. xo

[MobiusPsyche]

It will be very bad at first and then it should get somewhat better. I'll never be as productive as when I'm on the medication, but I can still be functional if that makes any sense.

I don't take my medication (I'm on modafinil) every day. I only take it when I have a lot of meetings at work or if I have to drive to our off-campus site an hour away. That helps me not develop tolerance to it but I understand not everyone has the luxury of a job that's as understanding as mine is.

Glad to hear that you're doing a little better!

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Thanks! I'm still on my drug holiday. That is a good idea to not take it every day. I will ask my pdoc about that.

[shinkansen]

I take the Concerta, a slow release methylphenidate for my ADHD. When I have a drugs holiday, get the same problems as you: sleepiness and appetite.

Next time you want a break, consider halving the dose for a week. Then a drugs holiday after that. I've reduced the dose, and this a more comfortable approach to managing withdrawal symptoms.

Shinkansen: Thank you! That is a great idea. I will try that next time.

Still on my drug holiday but plan to start retaking my meds later this week, I think.

I feel depressed so I am not sure if I should wait until the depression goes away or start taking them again as I had scheduled. My pdoc didn't go into any details about taking a drug holiday, he left the details up to me

[avlady]

i have not been able to sleep for 2 days now. had colonoscopy and endoscopy done last week, was put under for them. i feel awful and havn't eaten much either. right now i am half asleep after trying several times to get to sleep.

[avlady]

what i was going to say is are there any meds that make a person feel good at least for some of the day? lately i cannot think mentally strait, i need something to raise my spirits. thank you

[litha11]

Sorry to hear. During my use of vyvanse (& other ADHD meds) I had never done a drug holiday because the withdrawal effects would kick in within just one day. I personally am a wary of the idea of "drug holidays". My opinion is that your body does not know the difference from withdrawals and what is considered a drug holiday. But as a result of continuous use, my tolerance is very high. To each their own I suppose. Stay safe and I hope you are able to find something that works.

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[Miswimmy1]

I only take my ADHD stimulant when I have to get school work done or I have to go in to my job. When I am off the drug, I am the opposite of lethargic. I feel very upbeat usually and hyper (but then again, I'm combined type ADHD). I can go 3-4 days before I start feeling withdrawal symptoms.

Honestly, if I am starting to feel the effects of not having a stimulant in my system, I will eat some sugary food. I'm not a huge fan of caffeine but I'm sure that it could do the trick as well. A caffeinated drink or a candy bar is not nearly the amount of stimulation as an ADHD pill but it's possible that having something like that might ease your symptoms during your medication holiday.