Do you take your ADHD medication everyday? Medication in luteal phase?

[ADHDNewbee]

Hello fellow ADHD-ers,

I was recently diagnosed with ADHD and started on Elvanse.

The medication is very helpful. However, I find on the days I skip it, I feel rubbish - agitated and very tired.

Do you take medication every single day? I feel I would very much benefit from doing so, but am concerned about building up tolerance.

I also have PMDD so struggle with my emotions and fatigue in the luteal phase.

For those who experience worsening of symptoms in your luteal phase, how do you manage this please? It was recommended I take a higher dose of Elvanse during the luteal phase but this is not working, as my menstrual cycle is unpredictable.

Thanks in advance for any answers or suggestions x

I take mine everyday, I’ll deal with tolerance when it comes to it-I can’t think that far ahead! I’ve only been on methylphenidate for a month but so far I’ve not found it very effective around the time of my period, or a week before. I also have PMDD, the meds maybe help a bit with the anxiety I get around that time but nothing else.

I didn't know you can build up tolerance. I have read that some people skip a weekend day. Would caffeine help on a day you skip it?

I tend to think of my luteal phase like a productive / nesting phase. My worse adhd symptoms are in the follicular phase when I'm more anxious, sociable, prone to over stimulation, over promising, so tend to increase dose then. More carb in the luteal phase.

Thanks for the reply @Xenomoth I hope you're finding the meds helpful overall.

Thank you @AbbaDabbaDooh. Perhaps "tolerance" is the wrong word to use. The psychatrist was keen to stress not to take meds everyday - maybe because it becomes less effective with time.

I spoke to the pharmacist and have found a solution for weekends. I take a low short acting dose which seems to be enough, but still allows somewhat of a break.

Re the luteal phase, I'm going to continue with my normal regime for now (elvanse weekdays, low short acting dose at weekends), as it is difficult to predict my cycle. I'll look at my lifestyle and work, reducing demands where possible.