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> Contrary to what is often repeated online, it’s best to take the medication continuously rather than skipping days. I don't like being on stimulants though.

> Contrary to what is often repeated online, it’s best to take the medication continuously rather than skipping days. I don't like being on stimulants though. When I'm on stimulants I can't just let my thoughts wander and do whatever feels right at the moment, and I really like that part. If I don't have work to do I greatly prefer not being on them. The only time I feel the need to abuse them is when I am over burdened with work and I feel I need the extra focus to complete tasks. At those times I try to do the opposite, quit taking the medicine and calm down and tell people that I don't have time to do the tasks now.

PragmaticPulp 6y ago
As always, the only real answer is to consult with your doctor. Taking breaks from medication isn't a terrible idea, especially if you hate it. The real problem is the people who associate taking the pill with getting work done, to the point that they forget how to accomplish anything without first reaching for the medication. The key is to break that connection before it becomes a craving for medication. > I don't like being on stimulants though. It's very possible that you're on too high of a dose, or that you'd do better on an alternative medication. There are at least 4 different classes of ADHD medication, 2 of which aren't traditional stimulants. Guanfacine is remarkably effective, for example, but it's nowhere near as popular because it's much less enjoyable than stimulants during the ramp-up phase. > The only time I feel the need to abuse them Yikes. If you ever find yourself feeling the "need to abuse" a medication, I strongly recommend you keep an eye on those tendencies. That's the kind of warning sign than can spiral into addiction if you ever find yourself burdened by some unfortunate life circumstances (the trigger).
- username90 6y ago
  > Yikes. If you ever find yourself feeling the "need to abuse" a medication, I strongly recommend you keep an eye on those tendencies. I don't abuse them though. Its just a thought in my head that pops up that I quickly dismiss. > The real problem is the people who associate taking the pill with getting work done, to the point that they forget how to accomplish anything without first reaching for the medication. Well, I couldn't accomplish anything before taking the pill. I didn't forget, I just couldn't get anything done ever. I learn stuff ridiculously fast though so I had no problems passing exams, but anything which required effort and focus like doing homework was never possible. Basically I was the best in class at exams and the worst in class at homework, to the point it prevented me from graduating. And as we know a job is more like doing homework than exam, so I never could do the things needed at a job.
- treeman79 6y ago
  started Guanfacine Recently. Helps focus. Zero boost to energy. It’s kind of like when it’s really late at night and your mind quiets and you get into the zone for a couple hours.
  - rubicon33 6y ago
    How does it pair with coffee / caffeine?
    - treeman79 6y ago
      Caffeine keeps trigging small strokes for me. So, not well. Factor 5 leiden, so different then most people.
      - rubicon33 6y ago
        Woh... Sorry to hear that. How does a small stroke manifest?
        treeman79 6y ago
        Entire Right side goes numb, weak and icy cold. Lose the ability to write by hand. Vision goes double. Thinking becomes very difficult. Lose balance, Various levels of confusion. A bad One made me mostly forget my kids for a couple of months. It’s kind of between a TIA and a full stroke. I used to Get TIAs a lot, but ignored them as they lasted under 30 seconds. Now they are much worse. Blood thinner mostly Prevent. Side effects can be brutal though. I seem to have permanently lost ability to write by hand. Thankfully typing is mostly intact. Anything that acts as Vascular constrictors is seriously off limits for me.
        rubicon33 6y ago
        I'm really sorry to hear that you deal with that. A reminder for the rest of us to remember how lucky we are.
- pseudalopex 6y ago
  Guanfacine isn't as popular because stimulants work better for most people.[1] [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5532417/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5532417/

PragmaticPulp 6y ago

As always, the only real answer is to consult with your doctor. Taking breaks from medication isn't a terrible idea, especially if you hate it. The real problem is the people who associate taking the pill with getting work done, to the point that they forget how to accomplish anything without first reaching for the medication. The key is to break that connection before it becomes a craving for medication. > I don't like being on stimulants though. It's very possible that you're on too high of a dose, or that you'd do better on an alternative medication. There are at least 4 different classes of ADHD medication, 2 of which aren't traditional stimulants. Guanfacine is remarkably effective, for example, but it's nowhere near as popular because it's much less enjoyable than stimulants during the ramp-up phase. > The only time I feel the need to abuse them Yikes. If you ever find yourself feeling the "need to abuse" a medication, I strongly recommend you keep an eye on those tendencies. That's the kind of warning sign than can spiral into addiction if you ever find yourself burdened by some unfortunate life circumstances (the trigger).

username90 6y ago
> Yikes. If you ever find yourself feeling the "need to abuse" a medication, I strongly recommend you keep an eye on those tendencies. I don't abuse them though. Its just a thought in my head that pops up that I quickly dismiss. > The real problem is the people who associate taking the pill with getting work done, to the point that they forget how to accomplish anything without first reaching for the medication. Well, I couldn't accomplish anything before taking the pill. I didn't forget, I just couldn't get anything done ever. I learn stuff ridiculously fast though so I had no problems passing exams, but anything which required effort and focus like doing homework was never possible. Basically I was the best in class at exams and the worst in class at homework, to the point it prevented me from graduating. And as we know a job is more like doing homework than exam, so I never could do the things needed at a job.
treeman79 6y ago
started Guanfacine Recently. Helps focus. Zero boost to energy. It’s kind of like when it’s really late at night and your mind quiets and you get into the zone for a couple hours.
- rubicon33 6y ago
  How does it pair with coffee / caffeine?
  - treeman79 6y ago
    Caffeine keeps trigging small strokes for me. So, not well. Factor 5 leiden, so different then most people.
    - rubicon33 6y ago
      Woh... Sorry to hear that. How does a small stroke manifest?
      - treeman79 6y ago
        Entire Right side goes numb, weak and icy cold. Lose the ability to write by hand. Vision goes double. Thinking becomes very difficult. Lose balance, Various levels of confusion. A bad One made me mostly forget my kids for a couple of months. It’s kind of between a TIA and a full stroke. I used to Get TIAs a lot, but ignored them as they lasted under 30 seconds. Now they are much worse. Blood thinner mostly Prevent. Side effects can be brutal though. I seem to have permanently lost ability to write by hand. Thankfully typing is mostly intact. Anything that acts as Vascular constrictors is seriously off limits for me.
        rubicon33 6y ago
        I'm really sorry to hear that you deal with that. A reminder for the rest of us to remember how lucky we are.
pseudalopex 6y ago
Guanfacine isn't as popular because stimulants work better for most people.[1] [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5532417/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5532417/