Stims: Experiences when you stop?

[Blahblah]

Just an observation...I have had Ritalin (20mg extended) as part of my cocktail for maybe 9 months now. My pdoc advised me to take as needed during work week, with breaks on weekends to maintain the same efficacy. After several months, I was wondering if it was even doing anything at all...i mean, very early on, the increase in energy, or lack of appetite, high motivation went away, and I was often questioning whether it was actually doing anything anymore.

Well I was wrong! Due to a date error on my prescription, I couldn't get it filled at the pharmacy and I've been off of it for a full 7 days now, waiting for a revised RX. I've felt much more tired this week, apathetic, major brain fog, lazy, it has been extremely difficult to get out of bed. (I didn't have work this morning, and I stayed in bed until noon! When I'm usually up at 8am)!! I am eating/snacking much more this week. Do you guys think this is all do to being off Ritalin 1 week? To note: I've also increased Effexor (112-150mg)...

Edited February 9, 2018 by Blahblah

[CrazyRedhead]

22 minutes ago, Blahblah said:

 I've felt much more tired this week, apathetic, major brain fog, lazy, it has been extremely difficult to get out of bed. (I didn't have work this morning, and I stayed in bed until noon! When I'm usually up at 8am)!! I am eating/snacking much more this week. Do you guys think this is all do to being off Ritalin 1 week? 

I was on Adderall at one point, took it as part of my cocktail for more than a year.

However, I developed a tolerance to it's effects, and doc did not want to go any higher on the dose, so I tapered off it rather quickly........What you are describing here is basically how I felt right after coming off Adderall completely.

Edited February 9, 2018 by CrazyRedhead

[Blahblah]

 This is what I figured :-/ Same case here, doc wont go higher or switch me to Adderall.

How long until you became used to being off of it? Do you ever want to go back on it? I feel like it really does help me, but I also worry that it's effectiveness is time-limited without taking breaks now & then.

[CrazyRedhead]

2 hours ago, Blahblah said:

How long until you became used to being off of it? Do you ever want to go back on it? I feel like it really does help me, but I also worry that it's effectiveness is time-limited without taking breaks now & then.

If I remember correctly, it took me a few weeks to adjust to being off Adderall.

Honestly,  I wouldn't want to go back on it........Because for me, I just built tolerance very quickly to it,  and probably most docs have a limit as to how high they will go on Adderall, or any stim.

IMO,  I think taking breaks from a stimulant is a good idea, provided that your doc knows and approves.

Edited February 9, 2018 by CrazyRedhead

[DopamineSick]

That's exactly how I felt when coming off of adderall. I also had higher levels of anxiety and depression. It took me several weeks to adjust.

[Blahblah]

Yeah...it sucks because I feel like it really has helped with my focus, productivity and depression. My spouse even notices a big difference in my mood/motivation when I don't take it. I will probably just stick with it , stay on and try to take breaks as usual on weekends, or longer breaks now & then.

@DopamineSick I am also worried that if I go off of it, I will start to get more depressed. I know it's not really an "antidepressant" but in my case, I use it as an add-on to boost dopamine, etc. Will you ever go back on it, or another stimulant? Are your meds working well for you (I can't see what you are taking...)

[DopamineSick]

10 hours ago, Blahblah said:

Yeah...it sucks because I feel like it really has helped with my focus, productivity and depression. My spouse even notices a big difference in my mood/motivation when I don't take it. I will probably just stick with it , stay on and try to take breaks as usual on weekends, or longer breaks now & then.

@DopamineSick I am also worried that if I go off of it, I will start to get more depressed. I know it's not really an "antidepressant" but in my case, I use it as an add-on to boost dopamine, etc. Will you ever go back on it, or another stimulant? Are your meds working well for you (I can't see what you are taking...)

Hey Blahblah,

Adderall definitely acted like an antidepressant for me, but my tolerance eventually mitigated its effects and nobody would go above 60 mg/ day. I agree with you that it's a good "booster." In fact, the last time I wasn't depressed was when I was taking adderall (and when it was still working). I am treatment-resistant and desperate so I'm willing to try anything - anything is worth the risk when I constantly feel like dying. Therefore, I would love to try adderall again but two different doctors have already brushed me off. 

I've tried a lot of meds now and nothing has worked for me. Anxiety and depression have decimated my life. I'm currently on my third week of Tofranil/ imipramine (a tricyclic if you don't know), and am hoping that it helps. This is the first time I've tried a tricyclic, so I'm hopeful that it will work. If it doesn't work, it looks like I'll be off to ECT treatment.

If I had my wish, I'd be taking adderall right now, even though I know it will eventually become less effective with tolerance. I'm sort of living one day at a time anyways, so I wouldn't be too concerned about tolerance right now. I'm just trying to get through each day. Anything that makes me feel better is welcomed. But, like I said, I can't get anybody to prescribe it for me.

Good luck.

[browri]

I know Vyvanse has an antidepressant effect for me too because when I come off of it I'm useless, unproductive, and downright miserable for a good week or two.

[Blahblah]

@browri Does Vyvanse work consistently, even without taking breaks? Luckily, I don't feel miserable/depressed without it, but I do feel useless, lazy and tired.

[looking for answers]

it was kinda hard, i was hardcore coffee, they made me stop for stims i was on ritalin then adderall XR 40...............when i stopped coffee was a must

[browri]

5 hours ago, Blahblah said:

@browri Does Vyvanse work consistently, even without taking breaks? Luckily, I don't feel miserable/depressed without it, but I do feel useless, lazy and tired.

I haven't had any problems with effectiveness. The problem I usually had was that after being on 40mg for a while I would need to decrease to 30mg for a few weeks to unwind before going back up to 40mg. I would be too tightly wound. We've made other changes to my cocktail so this is less of an issue and I can stay at 40mg for longer stretches. I've been on this dose consistently now for several months.

[notloki]

When you run the CNS faster and more stimulated during a good part of the day there is going to be some payback for that interval of increased focus. What did you expect would happen ?