med breaks | ADHD Information

I did it with my son. It's a great idea ( unless the child is a danger to himself or makes you have suicidal thoughts) I did this with my son until we found the med to help him have an appetite...the main things I noticed when he was off was that he was a bit more "touchy" and he ate...

For some kids though, it may not work..if they are very hyper, or extremely out of sorts unmedicated, I would say that the good side does not outweigh the down side...

It would definately be an individual decision.

My son is on Daytrana 10 mg on school days. His pediatrician suggests staying off the med on weekends/holidays, which I have been doing during the current break. I find this helps him catch up on eating due to his poor appetite on the med.

There's been some interesting discussion on the forum, however, questioning the benefit of taking breaks because the child may get comfortable with their feeling/behavior on the med, then be out of sorts with what they sense when off the med.

I think this is a definite topic to explore further and I plan to ask the doc what she thinks of this approach next time I see her.

Does anyone give their child a break from their meds? Like on weekends or school holidays? I do this with my son. His doctor and I decided to do this. I'm just wondering if anyone else does.I think as long as you and he are able to handle it, it is OK.  I am considering it again for my son...but only to save money...if we have to pay full price for the meds, I will only give them on school days.  He is livable and not unhappy not on the stimulant, he basically only needs it for school.

Sad that I will have to make the decision just to conserve pills, but that is what it may come down to, and if he was unhappy, or uncontrollable off meds, I would medicate.

My son takes 20mg of Ritalin on school days. I have always only given his meds on school days.  I think it's a good idea for him  to have a break from his ritalin. He seems happy when he doesn't take it. He is more hyper.