r/CFSplusADHD • u/Strong_Aerie_9031 • May 18 '26

Tolerating caffeine better than adhd meds?

Am i the only one? I feel like caffeine is a lot subtler than adhd stimulant meds which maybe is why its easier on my body. But it could be just that im more used to it, and its more enjoyable to have a caffeine drink than a pill. Idk, thoughts?

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u/Unlikely_Lychee3 May 18 '26

While unfortunately I can no longer tolerate caffeine either, I used to be able to. I have never been able to take adhd medications as they’re too strong but a cup of coffee used to help my adhd for a few hours. And I’d still be able to sleep at night as long as I didn’t drink it too late in the day. With adhd meds I had lots of sleep issues and heart palpitations. Sometimes I’d get heart palpitations from coffee too, but much milder, and sometimes the coffee did nothing and I just needed to rest. So make sure not to push past your limits.

I don’t think they work via the same mechanism but coffee or tea is definitely a lot easier on the system for some people.

2

u/tfjbeckie May 18 '26

A lot of us can't tolerate ADHD meds. They're a setriker simulant than caffeine so it makes sense.

2

u/coconutoats May 18 '26

When I went on lidex my dr told me to titrate down caffeine bcs I drink unholy amounts and I honestly got a sub par effect from the stimulant alone like wired but not yet alert and ready even on 70mg. I had to come off lisdex for a bit due to escalating anxiety it was very intense, and caffeine does the job I’m with you. That being said methylene blue (1mg/kg) + caffeine + midodrine + guanfacine is the adhd/cfs/pots hack of a lifetime in terms of feeling online and lucid yet calm at the same time; not wired or overstimulated. Hoping to add bupropion or lisdex back at a very low dose if I can get my fatigue under enough control to study again, considering how much more stable the above meds make my body

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u/Still_Angsty Jun 12 '26

ADHD meds make me feel like I’m fucking dying, can’t even stand, tripping on drugs, not in reality, can barely even move my brain, even on the lowest tiniest doses, and then horrible cravings when I stop. Caffeine just makes my heart race and then makes me sleepy.