Does Vyvanse Work?
ByVyvanse is the newest medicine for ADD and ADHD. It uses an innovative approach so that it is an ADHD ADD medication that cannot be abused.
As a Canadian doctor, I am not able to prescribe Vyvanse, because it is not yet available outside of the US.
So, my biggest question is: Does Vyvanse work?
I have read the research, I have heard the presentations, but I don’t have real life experience with this medicine.
This is where you can help me out.
I want to hear from anyone who has tried Vyvanse, or even considered trying Vyvanse.
Just go ahead and enter a comment below.
Please realize that when you click submit, it will take a little bit of time until your comment reaches my blog. That is because every comment is moderated (i.e. I want to make sure that there are no spam comments, and nothing hateful, racist, etc.).
I found this video – where someone shares his or her experience with Vyvanse – and you can watch it here:
Now, it’s your turn. Please type in any of your own personal experiences with Vyvanse so that the readers of this blog can benefit from your knowledge and experience. I know that the readers of this blog span the whole globe – so if you have experience with Vyvanse, all of the readers of this blog (American, Canadian and International) will appreciate your contribution very much!
Thank you for your help,
Dr. Kenny
Technorati Tags: Vyvanse, ADD, ADHD, Medication for ADHD, Adult ADHD, Adult ADD, ADHD Video, Vyvanse Video
I started in college at UVA back last fall. I did alright first semester, with like a 2.8 gpa, got prescribed on vyvanse in the beginning of this semester in January. It helped me focus extremely well, ended the semester with a 3.5 gpa making the deans list for the semester. I saw side effects at first with the trouble sleeping and lack of appetite, but after a couple weeks of getting used to the medication that all supsided. I never was prescribed on any other medicine for ADHD, but I know vyvanse works very well for me. I have noticed becoming less social though, preferring to be on my own, but that helps me focus on my studies as well I guess. Any knowledge on what would help me get back to my social life with keeping the positive affects of vyvanse on my education??
I started on 30mg of Vyvanse about 8 months ago. I immediately noticed a difference in my daily activities, I was able to follow through with daily activities, have clear thoughts and stay calm when there was a lot going on around me. After about 3wks. on 30mg. I had lost all interest in eating, had terrible dry mouth and found the meds. would ware off around 6hrs later which would cause me to have terrible headaches, fatigue and a hard time thinking clearly. It was awful!
My doctor increased my dose to 40mg of Vyvanse which I have been on for almost 7mo. and it has been wonderful. I thought the increase in dosage would make the decrease in appetite even worse but it did not, infact I would say I have a normal appetite. (I am very active so it is important for me to get good nutrition) Now I don’t even notice when the drug is waring off. Vyvanse has helped me become a better mother, wife, friend and worker. I have been able to learn a lot about my behavior since being on the med. and there are days when I don’t take it and seem to do just okay. I think it is important for people to learn as much as they can about ADD and try many treatments and not just rely on drugs. Drugs are helpful but I don’t plan on taking this everyday for the rest of my life. I hope what I share is helpful. I just want everyone to know that Vyvanse works differently for everyone so getting the right dosage may have some trial and error and while I know that is frustrating it may very well be worth it.
I am a 34 yr old make who has been taking 70 mg Vyvanse for over a year. This medication has been a life saver and given me a new outlook on life. I had trouble with eating at first; I was taking the pill first thing in the morning and wouldn’t get hungry until 5:00-6:00 p.m. I am a little better now but have lost some weight. Only other gripe is that it gives me constipation but that seems to be common with any stimulant I take.
Dr. Handelman,
I have been on Vyvanse for 1 year now, I currently take 60mg.
My husband lost his job 9 months ago, and of course the health insurance went with that as well.
Because of the economy, and my husband being in sales (degree in Sales as well) finding a job that even meets our basic needs has been next to impossible. I am a SAHM of 5 small kids, & have helped in every way possible to contribute to the income in our home. But with that many small kids, that small amount that I can contribute working a graveyard shift does not help much. So here is my concern..
Because of very low income over the last 9 months, we qualified for a Health Insurance called PCN, it’s a medicaid insurance. And there is only about 3 Dr’s to pick from (which is better then none, I’m not trying to complain) but they are all family Dr’s and have very little knowledge about Vyvanse. When I talk to them about symptoms I am having with the medication,(or what I have thought to believe is the medication) such as very bad joint pain, mood swings, panic attacks, depression ect… They are clueless.
They did different kinds of testing on me, and believe at this point I have Bipolar Disorder. I am SO confused, I don’t know if this could be right or not? The job loss, and starting the Vyvanse both happened right around the same time. I do feel like something is not right with me, (was told I had ADD 14 years ago) and I have always struggled with depression. But my mood, and feeling like I am a completely diffrent person, really changed, when I started the Vyvanse, and the job loss. Like I said, I started the Vyvanse right around the same time my husband lost his job. So I am having a hard time, wondering what has caused me to change so much? I don’t trust the Dr I am seeing, considering he is clueless about Vyvanse, but I know something is not right with me, I am not myself at all anymore.
I understand you can’t tell me what is wrong with me, but maybe you could tell me if think I should consider and try treatment for Bipolar Disorder? Does Vyvanse cause someone to have these kind of symptoms (Panic attacks, Depression, anger, ect..) Also what about the Joint Pain? Everyday my hands and feet hurt SO much. Is this normal?
Please, if there is anyway you can help, or give me direction I would sure appreciate it. I just want to be myself again, and be the best mom to my children. I just want to do the right thing.
I was diagnosed with ADHD about 6 years ago, though looking back I know I have been that way my whole life. I work at a desk job so it is really hard to pay attention and keep on task. I am also bipolar, hypothryoid, have a sleep disorder and have asthma issues. I started on vyvanse exactly a month ago. I have been on wellbutrin, ritalin, concerta and lastly adderal. The reason I was switched to vyvanse is because the two doctors in the practice decided it is the best drug because it is not abusable (which I find funny as someone who wants a high WILL find a way to get it regardless..they said the same about concerta and I have seen it abused.) I have no desire to abuse the drug, I take enough drugs already. I was taking 30 mg of adderal 2x a day. It was ok..just seemed to work ok, not great, kept me kind of controlled, but definitely not 100% on task. I had asked about having the adderall upped a bit as I have been on this same dose for over a year and a half. I had no reactions from adderal at all. Instead he wanted me to try vyvanse. I switched to 30 mg vyvanse and the first day was great as far as staying on task. But in the last month I have noticed that even though I take the medication at 7am I am still not able to fall asleep till well after midnight (even taking sleep medications), I feel like I am in a fog most of the time, I don’t follow conversations very well, my stomach hurts most of the time,(along with diahhrea and cramping). I have had some vision problems (like if I focus on something the item will seperate and I will see two images-kind of like you do to see the 3d images in a picture), and I definitely do not stay on task well. I have to mentally bring myself around to the task at hand over and over again. I have to make lists or I will forget the most basic tasks at my job that I have done for over 3 years. I have had a few episodes of the muscle twitching, the extreme headache and the feeling faint. The one upside is that I am overweight and it definitely is an appetite suppressant. When I called for a refill I told them about all the side effects I was having and how I felt on them and asked about being put back on adderal as that didn’t have the side effects and I could sleep when I was on it. Instead I got a refill for vyvanse for 20 mg. I will give it a shot for a week or so, but I do NOT like myself on this drug. I have irritated my boyfriend more often in the last month than I ever have (he is also adhd), but still on adderall, because I don’t answer him when he talks to me, but it is like I don’t realize he is even talking to me and that I need to reply until he has gotten irritated. I feel kind of like I am in a glass case or something muffling all the things in my world from me. I just am not so sure of this drug. I would love to have a glowing report, but not possible. So I understand the lowering the dose so the effects aren’t as bad, but with the 30 I couldn’t stay on task or pay attention, so how is 20 suppossed to make it better? I feel as if I forgot about 100 things I wanted to say, but this will have to do.
I wanted to add that my handwriting which is already deplorable has definitely gotten worse, wobbly, reminds me of my grandmas handwriting, also I have noticed when I am writing a sentence I realize when re-reading that I leave whole words out of the sentences. Also I zone out alot more-someone will be speaking to me and I see their mouths moving but don’t hear what they say. Also, I am body sore all the time. Which may be in part with the sleep problems. I just feel like someone beat me up when I get up in the morning. Everything aches. But I just wanted to add these worries to the post I just sent a few minutes ago. Thank you.
so im 28 and i have been taking this med. 60mg a day… started on 30mg. works great for me. wife said it has made a big difference on my moods and attentiveness. the dr i went to actually talked to me about whats going on in my life and what i was about before she diagnosed me. i see a problem with regular physicians, Not mental health drs., diagnosing kids with add or adhd and easily prescribing meds for them. its messing them up. parents need to get at least 2 drs opinions on any diagnosis. just my 2cents. i do that with my 3 kids and my wife. its just sad that some kids and adults suffer from depression, bipolar disorder, mood disorders, etc and drs are pawning it off as ADD or ADHD. get a few opinions and then decide where to go from there.
I’m 52 years old and have had ADD for a long time, since I was a child. I was a C student all my life but got in law school with an extremely high LSAT score. But I never could listen to lectures or follow a prescribed course of study or read without my mind wandering very quickly. But I gained a lot of knowledge by reading 3 to 6 or 8 page articles in any form of reading that I could get hold of. People that know me generally consider me smart but I was always tagged as “lazy” But I started thinking about college and remember that I tried some diet pills for studying that some students had back in the 70s. I couldn’t get them very often during my college career -only about six or eight times. But every time I took them for studying, the course book literally “came alive” and I made the highest grade in the class or close to it. I especially remember one course in which I procrastinated my studying and needed to cram and was able to get one of the diet pills and I made the highest grade in the class on that test. On the next test in the class a month or so later, I couldn’t get one of the pills and made a 40 even though I tried to study. I just couldn’t “see” what the book was saying and couldn’t keep my mind from wandering. With that medication, I could just look at the table of contents and understand how the book was organized and what the course was about almost instantly. So thinking about those experiences so long ago got me to thinking when I started recently reading about adult ADD and how it’s now beginning to be recognized as a problem that many adults have. I signed up to teach the LSAT for Kaplan a little over a year ago since I scored well in excess of the minimum 90th percentile Kaplan requires its teachers to score on that test but I had to quit when I realized I couldn’t study the material to learn how they wanted the course taught. I just had my own methods of doing these tests and Kaplan had theirs and I couldn’t learn it without help.
So after some time, I asked my psychiatrist if he would try ADD medicine to see if it would help me. I had been diagnosed with anxiety disorder years ago which I now think is the H of ADD which I turned inward as I’m not hyperactive or violent and am very calm and stable according to other people. But inside I’ve been a wreck due to the anxiety and have been on Xanax for many years.
My doctor started me Ritalin and it was helpful, especially in eliminating procrastination and helping me with task performance. But I got no intellectual benefit from it. So he tried me on Adderal which I couldn’t take because it made me nervous and gave me headaches. One the several amphetamines in it must have not agreed with me.
So I read more online and found out about Vyvanse and saw that it’s only one of the amphetamines and it has done wonders for my intellectual ability, although I’m currently on 50 mg and weigh 240 lbs and it doesn’t seem like a high enough dose. But it’s so much better than the other medicines I’ve tried in regards to intellectual ability and the ability to focus. And I’m not anxious when I take it in the morning , but when it wears off my anxiety comes back. But it hasn’t helped me with task performance like Ritalin did, primarily because I become so interested in a topic that I focus on it exclusively and learn all I can about it. Learning won’t be a problem with this med -it’s the only one that’s helped me with intellect and since I moved to another state, I need to take the bar exam again after over 25 years and have to brush up on the law with a prescribed course but I’m afraid I won’t be able to follow it. I wasn’t able to follow the bar exam course when I took the bar exam 27 years ago, even though I spent several thousand dollars for a Bar review course when I was 25 and when I took it for the first time. I passed it with no problem most likely because I had immersed myself in the law and also worked at a law firm part time while in school. But I won’t let myself take it and take the chance of failing it without doing the studying as the law is not static but dynamic and much has changed in 27 years, a lot of which I haven’t kept up with and I need to update my knowledge.
But I’m wondering if a combination of Ritalin and Vyvanse might work in tandem to give me both benefits – the intellectual benefit that I get from Vyvanse and the task performance I get from Ritalin. Is anyone out there, adult or child taking Vyvanse with another ADD medicine and if so, how does the combination work for you? I can’t seem to find any information about taking two kinds of ADD medicine with Ritalin as one, but it seems like this might work to alleviate everything (although I’m getting into a coaching to help me deal with a lifetime of bad habits developed from having ADD all these years). Now that I’ve experienced what the medicine can do, I realize I do have a pretty severe case of ADD. I’ve not worked in 4 years because I’m afraid of messing up something at my employment. It’s a paralyzing fear.
Although I did successfully practice law for quite some time and never had a complaint lodged against me with the bar, although I had some problems with some law firms I worked at. When I practiced on my own I got excellent secretaries who knew how to organize and they handled that part of my practice which did serve me extremely well in handling my case load. But at law firms I wasn’t high enough on the totem pole to have a support staff.
I know the Vyvanse dose isn’t high enough because it doesn’t last all day and I can take a nap by early afternoon but I’m still wondering whether it’s safe to take Vyvanse with another ADD med. Can anyone help?
I wrote on June 13th about being lowered on vyvanse dose, well today I just had it, even with it lowered I couldn’t take the person I was anymore. I quit taking it and called the doctor and I am being put back on adderal (though why he is only putting me on 20 mg twice a day when I was on 30 twice a day 6 weeks ago). The doctor said he wants to switch his clinic to all vyvanse for adhd which makes no sense as it doesn’t work for everyone across the board, unless of course my mind goes to..what is he getting paid to subscribe that much? What kind of kickback. I just hope anyone who doesn’t feel right, doesn’t feel like themselves that they do SOMETHING and go back and say..hey this isn’t working..YOU are the one who knows your own body and mind, not the doctor, no matter HOW good of a doctor they are. I gave it a try and I do know a few others that it worked great for..so always be willing to hear new ideas.
Hi my son is 9 years old and he is currently taking vyvanse 20 mg, he was on Strattera 40mg with no satisfactory results on April he started Vyvanse 20 mg,he improved in school but a little, his problem is focusing attention spam, he has no behavioral problems and he is not hyper, but I am wondering if his dosage needs to be increase but I am afraid to asked the doctor I am wondering maybe he was miss diagnosed and he may not have ADD.
Karhina,
Hello. I wanted you to know that I have the same problem as your son. I believe that you can have ADD without the hyperactivity. However, you should check with your doctor. I was diagnosed with ADD at the age of 28 after years of struggling in school. I was the type of student who was not a behavior problem (for the most part) and was not hyper in the classroom setting. I was the student who couldn’t focus long enough to understand a few sentences in a text book. I had to read and re-read to “get it”. I heard everything to the point that I couldn’t focus. I heard the birds outside, paper crumpling, pencils moving, people walking in the hall, etc. Maybe a dosage increase is needed for your son or perhaps he needs to try another type of stimulant medication. Hand in there!
Amy
I just wanted to comment to Karhina. I also had a son that was just ADD not hyperactive and it does seem harder to get them on the right meds because you can’t necessarily SEE a result with medication. With hyperactivity they slow down so you know whether it is working or not. The only way I could really tell that meds were working is that he COULD sit and complete his homework rather than get “lost in his own head”. But the biggest thing is DO NOT ever be afraid to talk to your doctor about it being something else…allergies, another mental condition or a myriad of other things, (did/does he have a reason for counseling, sometimes that does a world of good.). Remember YOU have to be your own advocate for health care (or your child’s) because no one else knows them like you do. Do NOT just take the doctors word for it. If you feel things aren’t working or are wrong talk to doctor or get a second opinion. If you are not comfortable talking with this doctor then he isn’t a doctor for you, you NEED to have open communication between yourselves. I have always found my doctors via friends or other doctors..by asking I need someone who will tell me WHY i am to do something, not just do it. I want to be a partner in the process..not just a robot doing as they say. I just like to remember what my dad always said the difference between God and doctors is that God doesn’t think he is a doctor. I hope my opinions help you in some way. Good luck..9 year old boys are a handful, but they are definitely worth it
I have been taking Vyvanse for almost 5 months now. I am 26 yrs old and a recovering drug addict as well (heroin). My doctor said that he sees alot of ppl who get off opiates end up having ADHD the whole time. Well, I was skeptical at first, but I cant tell you enough how much it has helped and changed my life. I was not able to focus, get the most simple task completed, i would fidget alot, and had no energy what so ever really, but was restless. Vyvanse has certainly helped so much cause now I am able to finish things, focus more, not fidget, etc. But, on the other hand, since taking Vyvanse I have had some health issues come up (GI problems, constipation/blockage, low potassium levels in blood, frequent urinating, stomache pain, and dental problems). I would like to say the benifits out weight the risks, but I am not sure yet. I do not know if vyvanse is the cause of all this yet, but when I find out I will let you know. I am also awaiting biopsy results for cervical cancer as well, so maybe it is just tied in with that. If vyvanse is not the cause of all these health concerns then I would like to continue taking it and would recomend it to anyone with ADHD. But also remember, it is kind of a drug, so screen new patients well!!! A lot of people fake ADHD just to get adderol and vyvanse and stuff like that. I have seen it many times in rehabs, NA, and around my doc’s office. SO lots of luck to you and if you have any questions, feel free to ask!! -Jess
I have been taking Vyvanse for quite some time. I can tell you all positive things:
*Vyvanse has a smooth start and smooth decline. There’s no crash like Adderall in the mid-afternoon.
*Helps curve appetite.
*Motivates and focuses.
*Lasts around 10-12 hours, comes down smoothly (around dinner time, and you’re ready to eat!)
*Non-addictive
*Unlike Adderall, you can skip a day and not feel tired and groggy because it’s still coming out of your system.
I saw that a reader asked about taking Wellbutrin and Vyvanse. I have been talking WB for over a year. I am on the generic Budepropion 300 mg/daily. WB was making me irritable as hell. I will say that I believe the Vyvanse made the irritability worse since I was so focused. My doctor just put me on Celexa to hopefully curve the irritability. Some people have said the Celexa made them gain weight. Well, with taking the Vyvanse, it curves your appetite, so I am hoping it will all work out for the best! If anyone is experiencing the same 3 medications and would like to keep in touch with me to discuss progress, feel free to email me at macmcdougal@gmail.com
I AM 26 YEARS OLD AND MY SON IS 6 YEARS OLD AND WE HAVE ADHD. HE STARTED TAKING VYVANSE 20 MG HIS SIDE EFFECTS WERE DRY MOUTH , HEADACHE , UPSET STOMACH , LOSS OF APPETITE , DIFFICULTY SLEEPING , THEN HE MOVED TO THE 30 MG . WHEN HE STARTED TAKING THE 30 MG HE HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS BUT NEW ONES CAME ALSO . HIS MOOD CHANGED , HE WAS AGITATED ALL THE TIME ,IRITABLE, DEPRESED, I HATED SEEING HIM LIKE THAT SO I TOLD HIS DOCTOR AND ACCORDING TO HER IT WAS ONE MORE SIDE EFFECT THAT WAS NOT GOOD. SHE SAID THAT WHEN THEY GET TO THAT POINT THE MEDICATION NEEDED TO BE LOWERED. SO HE WENT BACK TO 20 MG, AND HE GOT BETTER HE PASSED FIRST GRADE . NOW HE HAS COMPLAINS OF CHEST PAIN SO WE STOPPED HIS MEDICATION , WE HAVE TAKEN HIM TO HAVE AN E.K.G AND X-RAYS AND NOW HE IS WAITING TO SEE A CARDIOLOGIST TO CHECK HIM. IF EVERYTHING COMES BACK NORMAL , TO BE HONEST IM SCARED TO CONTINUE THE MEDICATION. I WANT TO HELP HIM BUT I DONT KNOW IF THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE NOT TO BE ABLE TO CONCENTRATE IN SCHOOL AND GET BAD GRADES TO THE POINT OF NOT GRADUATING . IM ALSO TAKING VYVANSE I FIRST STARTED WITH 20 MG AND DIDNT SEE MUCH IMPROVEMENT THE SIDE EFFECTS WERE UPSET STOMACH , DRY MOUTH , RAPID HEARTBEAT, LOSS OF APPETITE WERE I HAVE LOST 18 POUNDS, HEADACHE ,
NOW IVE BEEN TAKING 40 MG IT HAS HELP ME CONCENTRATE BETTER BUT IT ALSO MAKES ME FEEL DEPRESED . I DO LIKE HOW VYVANSE WORKS FOR ME , .
My son will be 10 in 2 weeks.. I had always noticed he was more hyper than other kids and my brother was ADHD so I was very aware that was more than likely the issue. But I waited it out and finally had to take him to the dr last November. So he was 9 years old. Put him on concerta I think it was and that didn’t last long. It was awful! Took him back immediately and they started him on vyvanse 30mg. That was dramatic results right away! Love the med! Gave to him every morning before school. Never really noticed it wear off. I did kinda notice the robot affect and some days he doesn’t act as happy as he could but it def helped him as far as his school work and focus. About 2 months ago i noticed it not helping as much so they increased it to 40mg. He has had a few problems for about 2 weeks of just breaking out with welts all over his body. But it was only for about 2 weeks and so i never was completely sure what caused that. I can’t say that it was vyvanse because he has been on it so long. He has had a dramatic change in his weight. I mean he looks anorexic almost. It is kinda nasty but I make him eat. He hardly ever has a want to eat. But he weighs about 63 pounds and is 10 years old and tall.. That bothers me some but I am still monitoring him… I can def tell a difference on the days that i have forgotten to give it to him. So i know this medicine has helped him a great deal!
oh yeh when he first started taking the med he did say he had a weird feeling in his belly.. not necessarily a stomach ache just a wierd feeling.. But he never complained with that after a few days passed. He is still somewhat a worryier.. not as bad as he used to be.. Much calmer . He can actually sit for hours and work on things now where as before He couldn’t hardly sit down to watch tv. He would just be room to room.. talk all the time.. He’s never been a mean kid so I have never had to deal with that part of the ADHD.. he forgets things a lot still.. I guess some of the things are just part of it. I like reading everyones comments on here! If anyone has any questions feel free to ask..
Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences. It’s such a hard decsion to put your child on any type of medication. Vyvanse has been suggested by my pediatrician. So this blog has given me alot of different views about the medication. My 11 year old is (& probably has been for quite a few years now) suffering from ADD. There is no hyperness or behavioral issues – just a MAJOR focusing issue. We had hoped that he would grow out of it or mature, but it’s only getting worse. Going into the middle school this coming Sept is going to prove to be a challenge to say the least as he stuggeled to get thru elementary school. The appetite & sleeping issues have me very worried as he is a skinny kid to begin with and he is somewhat of a nite owl. We’ve tried diet, therapy, tutoring and nothing seems to help. His teachers keep telling us that he is a very bright child but can’t get started or once he finally does can’t stay “on task”. I’m picking up the scrip tomorrow for 30mgs. I was told that that was the lowest dose – yet i’m reading of a dose @ 20mg. Is there such a dose?
Cindi-I was originally put on 30 mg and then i had so many side effects they put me down to 20 mg..so yes there definitely is 20 mg..but i have to say it was more expensive to buy the 20mg than it was to buy the 30mg…just thought I would let you know.
My son is 8 and I am starting him on Vyvanse. I am wondering how this will work. He has never been on medication so we will see.
Hi!
I just started my 11yr old daughter on Vynase yesterday. She says she is not hungry. Will this side effect go away? She is really calm, which of course I am not used to
, and she says she feels ok…she is just no hungry. Any help would be great!
I’m a 56 yr old male. Never taken any med for ADHD before. Just used coping mechanisms all my life. Thought I’d give some medication a try since some of my coping mechanisms aren’t working as well anymore…and hey, what the heck, “better living through chemistry” as they say. So, just started with 30 mg of Vyvanse today. Felt pretty good for the first few hours or so, about 2 to 3 hours in I felt enegized and almost euphoric. But after three or four hours, began to feel….irritable, anxious, nervous/worried, had a bit of a headache, and just feeling a bit….strange. I was kind of having to concentrate on ‘maintaining’. Is this normal for the first day or so? Kind of the body getting use to this new stimulant? Has anyone else experienced this, but then had things settle down after a few days? I don’t know if I should stop taking the medication or keep with it.
Rick,
I have been on Vyvanse for a little over a year, and have experienced almost the exact same symptoms as you.
For me, as of today, the symptoms have improved with time, but are still there. 4-5 hours after taking the medication I still feel (what I would describe) as the medication wearing off. I feel almost sick, with a headache, and being very tired, I know if I usually eat something or rest (depending on the day) I will feel better within an hour or so, once I felt (it feeling like) the medication kicking back in. The headaches have never went away, but being irritable, and angry has improved SO much. I don’t hardly ever feel that way anymore, thank goodness!
The changes and improvements I have seen in myself while being on the medication, still to this day makes the side effects worth it. I can’t believe the change I have seen within myself, and the things I have learned I can really do and acclompish.
Good luck to you, I hope it works!
I still have to reminde my son to eat through the day. He has been taking vyvance for about 5 months. He sleeps much better than he did when he first started taking it. He is 12 years old and this med has changed his life and not his personality. I love it! He failed Science this year because he started the med so late in the year. He got straight F’s and when he started taking vyvance his grade came up to a C and he took Summer school to make it up and he recieved an A! The calm wears off as they take it more but the focus is still there. We uped the dose thinking it was no longer working we were wrong, We have learned to deal with his fast outgoing personality.
I am 26 years old and was recently prescribed 30mg to be taken once daily. I have been taking it for about 10 days now and I have to say, I’ve noticed a HUGE difference. My roommate and boss have as well. They say I’m more focused, I get more done, and I stay on task. It definitely makes me focus and ‘takes the edge off’ as far as irritability and anger for me (which is strange because those two are listed as a possible side effect). I do notice I am constipated during the week (I don’t take it on the weekends) and that has been the only annoyance I can report on. Other than that, I’m very happy with it.
I never thought I would consider medication to help with my attention, irritability, etc but I’m definitely glad I did. I’m happy with the dosage and it’s been pretty consistant since I started taking it. I take it in the mornings at 7:30am and it definitely lasts a good 12 hours.
I am 19 years old and have been taking Vyvanse on and off for a year. I started with the low dose of 30, I believe and now am taking the middle dose of 45 mg. When I take vyvanse I feel very alert and like I need to get something done. If I take it when I don’t have school then I start a random project just to do something productive. I don’t take vyvanse every day. I usually take it 3-4 times a week. I do have side effects: I get very irritable and can’t tolerate people, I usually don’t eat anything until the medicine wears off since it suppresses my appetite A LOT, and I get very cold feet and feel tingling from my toes half way up my calf. If I take the medicine late the tingling feeling in my feet keep me up for hours. However, it works so well that I am willing to overlook these and only use the medicine when I really need to. I tried Concerta and didn’t feel anything. Vyvanse is amazing. If I take it after 11 I usually can’t fall asleep until 2-3 in the morning.
I am 35 yrs old and have been taking Vyvanse for the past month. I feel like a normal person on this medicine, and can function everyday without any highs and lows. I do better at my job, with my child, and with everything in general. I have more patience and can focus on the task at hand without having to stop and think about what I am doing. I have recently went back to college and I am so gratefull my Doctor has prescribed this medicine for me.
My son is a 9 year old that has been taking Vyvanse for about 7 months now. He pays attention in school and sports and is understanding his schoolwork. He did start off on 20 mg’s and we increased it to 30 mg’s about 3 months after his initial dose. The pediatrician did say that as he matures, the dose will need to be increased. We have had trouble with sleeping lately, but melatonine (sp?) has really helped. It is an all natural vitamin in your drug store that helps develop a natural sleep patern. Other than that, no other side effects and we have staight a’s now!
I was also going to mention that my son is only ADD withouth the hyperactivity. His appetite did decrease but I have noticed a huge difference in his ability to pay attention and absorb what is being taught or said to him. He actually comprehends his studies now.
My son was 13 when he was put on Vyvanse (30mg). His doctor suggested that he take it because he wasn’t “focusing” on his homework, he was making some poor decisions about situations that would happen in class (8th grade) and would be forgetful about some things and not others. To me, the behavior was typical of an adolescent teen boy who’s interests were elsewhere and not on school, but his dad insisted we “do” something. Anyway, this was the doctor’s answer. After taking his first pill, he became super awake and stayed up most of the night. He experienced the tingling and irritability. Those symptoms eventually subsided, but he lost his usually big appetite and I practically had to make him eat. As for his “behavior” as school, he did seem to be a bit more focused on his required tasks without help but he became unengaging in conversation and interaction. We took him off of it just this summer and his appetite came back, his personality started to come back, etc. I personally don’t know if the medication helped him or if he just started to mature and deal with the hormones etc. that hit all teens as his age. As you can probably tell, I’m not an advocate of “medicating” kids so they will do what you want them to do. I’ve always felt that often this is just a way for parents to abdicate their responsibility in raising their kids and teaching them. But, if doing all the right things fail, then this drug, if truly needed, probably has the fewest problems of all the others.
Hi there readers/viewers. I have mild ADD. I am a deaf single mom of a 2 1/2 yr old active boy. Before i was pregnant with my child I had been taking adderall xr 20 mg on a daily basis for about a year. There has been no problems, however, when I became pregnant i stopped using adderall xr 20 mg until shortly after my son’s birth in 2006, I started taking them again. Then after several visits to see my psych doc i told him i was getting fed up with the crash effect the adderall would have, and i didn’t really want to pop adderall 2x a day at all. I had done it before but i just didn’t want to become dependent on the adderalls. He finally decided to prescribe me with vyvanse 60 mg. The first 2 days on it, it felt really different. I have an annoying mom (aren’t all moms annoying?) haha.. and when she was talking to me i wasn’t even agitated with her. usually i get irritated cuz she follows me around and just keeps talking and talking non-stop. It takes her about an hour to get out the door for work because she’s just constantly talking about something. THAT irritates me easily. On vyvanse, i just strangely absorbed everything that she was saying and just letting her criticism slide off my shoulder..i felt happy and content, when i should have been annoyed and somewhat angry. I was able to interact with my son, I was pretty active, and I’m not quite a fan of physical activities…I did have some trouble eating, my mouth was pretty dry and food that i popped in my mouth had no taste. Even flavored drinks tasted like water. It was a strange experience. Then, the next day came along, I started to feel really agitated, angry and just helpless. I did not like that feeling. I don’t know if mood swings are because of taking vyvanse, I would have to find out more about that with my psych doc. Right now I’m on vyvanse and I dont feel angry or agitated or any of those negative feelings. I was told not to take them because my mom reported her concerns about my anger outbursts to my psych doc, but i’m going to see him tomorrow and discuss more about the medication and what the downsides are when taking it. He just prescribed me the meds he didn’t really fill in any details or anything..so see what happens and i’ll update some info later.
I recently started Vyvanse for ADD. I am a 42 year old adult and was not diagnosed until late 30′s with ADD. I wish I had found this drug earlier. It really does seem to help not only with my focus but seems to help with my energy levels as well. I tried straterra and concerta and they did not help at all. I recently tried provigil (was given samples), which I liked a lot, but then my insurance would not cover it as it is only FDA approved for sleep narcolepsy. The only problem that I am having with the Vyvanse that it does seem to wear off in the afternoon…does anyone else have that problem? Thanks!
okay, so im a teen and ive been taking vyvanse for about a year, it works pretty well: ive been getting homework in on time, its been easier to remember to check that i finished my homework, ive been more motivated to stay on task, and i dont have random moments were i blurt things i later regret.
but there is a downside: im thirsty non stop from about 30 minutes after i take it untill around 8pm, but after about a week of consistantly using it, the thirst isnt as bad. also i feel unusually calm like im trapped in my body. but only for around an hour a day. also i rarely am hungry enough to eat, so when i was just starting vyvanse at like 8 when it wore off i would be STARVING. so i found it a good idea to eat a good breakfast, and some small meals every once in a while, after all its important to eat.
basically: like any medication for anything, vyvanse has its downsides, but the positive and good things make it worth it!
i hope this helps if your looking at this for your teen
My son has been on Vyvanse for almost 2 years, he started while in Kindergarten. We have seen a major change! What I want to share is please watch the vitiamin C….You would be surprised the foods that have this in it…according to the fact sheet that comes with the meds. this will affect the time release. He has very little side effects and has done very well in school. We still have moments but we are learning!
I’ve been taking Vyvanse for about two months now, and I have to say that I couldn’t be happier with it. In the past I’ve taken both short acting Adderall and Adderall XR, as well as short acting Dexedrine, and the difference between these medications and Vyvanse is night and day. First of all, there’s no worrying about when your medication is going to “wear off”. This makes it much less invasive to your daily routine. It also eliminates the ups and downs throughout your day. It doesn’t make me neurotic like other medications did, and so far I haven’t felt the need to take a “drug holiday” of any sort, which imo is an absolute necessity with other amphetamine medications. In conclusion, I would highly recommend that anyone considering Vyvanse should at least give it the 30-day free trial period.
P.S. I’m not a drug rep, just a very satisfied customer.
**Cindi**
We share the same story and I am taking my 11 boy into the Dr. day after tomorrow for the Vyvanse. Your son has been on it now a month. What can you tell me about his experiences so far? How is his first year at middle school? This is my son’s first year at middle school too and he has already been scheduled twice for detention because of not doing his work. He is SO smart and even in some AP classes and his grades generally will reflect either a 100% score, should it get turned in, or a 0% because he has not done it or has done multiple times and just forgotten to turn it in, etc. so he ultimately ends up with a failing grade for the class. While I have suspected ADD from his past school experience, I have never wanted him even checked for it, because of the horror stories with side effects. Now, in exasparation, I even contacted his youth pastor for direction, and learned the Lord surely works in mysterious ways. First off, our youth pastor unbeknownst to me, is also a Vyvance distributor, who cannot rave about it more highly, and secondly, he had just visited with my child’s Dr. the SAME DAY I called him about my son!!! I am very encouraged and hopeful and just curious what enlightenment you may be able be able to share.
ive been taking vyvanse for my adhd/add for a few days now. Honestly its not working one bit. when you take aderall or focalin or something like that you can feel it when it works. vyvanse you cant feel a thing you feel no different all it does is make you not sleep and not eat. if im not eating like this then i want something that will work like aderall or focalin. the vyvanse simply just isnt working at all we have upped and downed the doses several times now, and still nothing. and its to hard to get prescribed nything that can be abused. so if u get vyvanse ur out of luck.
I am 38 and have been on Vyvanse 30 mg/day for about 6 months. It definitely helps and I haven’t had any negative side effects. My 7 year old son has been on Vyvanse 10 mg x 2/day and he has reacted wonderfully! We tried everything, Adderall, Ritalin and Concerta and this is BY FAR the best. He has had very little decrease in appetite (no lost weight. The only problem with my son is that he has trouble falling asleep. This is definitely worth it. My son was diagnosed ADHD and ODD.
Hello. i am Ryan.
i am 16 and have ADD. i was diagnosed last Febuary and i have an IQ 140. Both of my siblings, 18 and 13, are also ADD, and taking vyvanse.ive been on vyvanse for almost 8 months now and i am pleased with the results. i am currently on 60 mg/day and it has an interesting impact. I take it around 5:45-6:00 in the morning and i know that it has come into effect because i have a “high” or an hour or so of extreme elation. however, two or so hours in, i crash and experience a drop in mood. I am able to avert this by thinking positively and such. IT REMOVES MY APPETITE entirely. One curiosity is that at random points in the day, my heart beats much faster and i am only slightly short of breath. But otherwise; i can concentrate, i learn, i read, i can memorize faster, and it has made this difference for me in school.
Hey everyone!
This whole thread is great to read. I am 20 y/o male and currently in college working part time, school full time, and playing volleyball for my school. I got the medication on 9/25/09 (2nd Day) and was kind of pumped to get it and I took it at 2 pm. Not very smart.
Anyways before I got the medication I haven’t been able to sit still and study. I would rather clean my room or run errands around town thinking I am being productive but really not concentrating what really counts which is my education. I woke up late today around 11:00 am and I took the Vyvanse 30mg right when I woke up. I felt like I was crashing around 6:00 pm. I don’t know if I actually was or if it was mental.
But during the day I went to the library and studied for Biology for 3 hrs straight, which I have never done before. I was stoked.
Since I am an athlete I have practice during the week at 6 am and then have school on Mondays and Wednesdays till noon which is fine. But on Tuesdays and Thursdays my classes are spread out and I get out of class at 6:30 pm. I am worried I am going to crash and not have the focus to study at night when that is really the only time I can study. What should I do? Ask to increase my dose? Will it last that long?
If anyone knows I well check back on this site periodically.
Overall I give vyvanse 2 thumbs up!
Thanks,
Dan
My 6 year old, diagnosed with ADHD a couple of weeks ago, started the Vyvanse yesterday. I was very hesitant to put him on any meds, but I can not believe the difference this made on one day. His teacher called me at work yesterday, which is not unusual because he’s always causing problems. What was unusual was her calling to tell me how GREAT my child was yesterday. When she described his behavior, I had to ask if she was sure she called the right person. Who knew it would have such immediate effect. He did have a decreased appetite during the day, but at dinner time he was his usual hungry self. He only slept about 3 hours last night and he kept asking for food, since he was up. He usually sleeps more than 10 hours. Hopefully, he will be abel to sleep again soon. I really hope this behavior continues.
Hi everyone. I’m a 21 year old male, 5’7″, 128 lbs. Due to concentration problems and depression, I had been on Adderall very briefly about 6 years ago. The positive effects were great, but the crash was too much to deal with.
I did ok during college, but this last semester has been very challenging. I am forgetting my assignments, turning in poor quality work because I can’t concentrate on it, and finding it difficult to complete even the most basic readings. I decided to consult my physician, who prescribed a once a day 20 mg dose of Vyvanse. This was my FIRST DAY; take that into account when you read what I am writing, because initial reactions to medications rarely represent the long-term effects.
I loved it. As a few other contributors have mentioned, I did not feel like I was on a drug (I’m sure the very low dosage played a role in that). Before the pill, I have a tendency to be dissatisfied with whatever I am doing, whenever I am doing it. I always want to go on to the next errand, I always want to cut conversations short, I’m always ready to do something else. As a result, I get little quality work done.
Today, I went out to do some errands with my dad. I noticed that I felt extremely calm. I had no desire to be “somewhere else”, I addressed people with confidence, and I welcomed long conversations. I was friendly, but not euphoric. Just more in the moment.
I went for a two mile run, expecting the drug to cause problems mixed with exercise, but nope, no issues.
However, there was one side effect. If you are taking this for the first time, I would strongly encourage you to do so on a day when you DO NOT have to drive. I was in the car with my dad all day and didn’t need to drive anywhere, but I did feel a slightly “buzzed” sensation, as if I’d had a couple of drinks. I would not have been comfortable driving.
Other than that, I was very pleased with this. I hope the positive effects continue, and that the “buzzed” feeling goes away. I’ll have to stop taking it if it doesn’t. Next semester will involve daily driving for me, and I feel slightly unsafe operating machinery on this one.
You people are submitting questions to a person who may or may not have the credentials he claims, who admits he has never prescribed Vyvanse, and who obviously has no experience with it, and his standard answers to your questions are responses like, “I cannot suggest treatment in a blog!” or “Talk to your doctor.”
If you want to know other peoples experience with Vyvanse, fine. But lose “Dr Kenny.” He’s useless.
My 11 yr. old son has been on Vyvance for 30 days, it seems like is working, but he is no doing homework, he is very irritable in the mornings and at night, more so than before we change meds. I am not sure if this is the right med for him, I know some meds work depending on your chemistry, I for example am on Ritalin LA and feel great, I have been on it for 60 days now, before I took Daytrana patch and it wasn’t doing anything for me, so I switched back to Ritalin, I think I am going to try focalin again for my son or ritalin LA, If anyone there is having issues with sleep, I recomend melatonin n chewable form, I give one to my son every night and it works great, I also give him 1000 mg of omega 3 at night to help him relax. For appetite I give him an adult multivitamin every morning before school, and he seems to be eating good. Hope this helps.
Hi ST,
You are correct – I haven’t prescribed Vyvanse – as I work as a doctor in Canada. It is supposed to be coming in early 2010, so then I will have experience with it.
It is specifically because I have a medical license that I am cautious about giving medical advice on a blog.
I agree though – the power here is in the community discussion – i.e. people sharing their experiences.
Dr. Kenny
p.s. as you can see – comments are not deleted if they insult me! (they are deleted if they are hateful, racists, etc.)
I have read through this forum and noticed that no one got sleepy on this drug. My Dr. started me on Vyvanse 20 mg. and told me to take up to 60mg if I didn’t think it was working. I started with the 20mg, and was so sleepy, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I took another one and was a little less sleepy, but still couldn’t focus on my studying. I took 60mg the next day and no sleepiness, and the focus was there. My question is. Is this a lot for someone to start out with and is the sleepiness a very strange reaction?
I was diagnosed just 2 wks ago, and originally started out with adderall 5mg. That too made me sleepy. The following day, I took 10mg and I wasn’t sleepy but I hated the hard crash from it, plus it seemed to only last for about 3 hrs. I know each person’s reaction to meds varies but I feel like my body is very tolerant to amphetamines. Is this normal for someone who hasn’t been on ADHD medications before? I don’t smoke, drink, or take drugs except 10mg Ambien for sleep. My doctor said she had never heard of amphetamines putting people to sleep before.
Vyvanse has changed my outlook on life… I am a 23 year old senior in College. I should have graduated college in 2008. I have struggled with ADD all my life, but I was always scared to go to the doctor and be put on medication. I have been taking Vyvanse for 6 months now!!! I love to go to class & study now
Every test that I have taken since being on Vyvanse I have not made below a “B” which is great for college!
I also have Mitral Valve Prolapse and my doctor informed me that Vyvanse is safe those who have this issue.
Vyvanse has given me a whole new outlook on life and I have finally been able to put my dreams and goals into perspective.
If you have any question about yourself or your child taking this medication it is defiantly worth it! If you have insurance it is a reasonable price as well!!!
To all the Canadians I wish you well and hope that soon Vyvanse will be available to you!
I am not prescribed to vyvanse, but I ended up taking a 72 mg pill. I am 155 pounds. I want to warn those of what this is may be doing to your childrens brain. If they are acting differently or feeling differently on this drug then it is changing their brain chemistry. If they continue to take it daily then it will imbalance their brain chemistry and could essentially have unexpected effects on their mental capabilities or personality range. I warn you, and just becuase your child is getting better grades and focusing like a darn zombie does not mean that they are ok in their head or their personailty is how it normally is. I have done my fair share of illegal uppers and downers and prescription pills also, and I believe this pill had more effects on my mental then some illegal drugs that are considered the most dangerous to the brain, or prescription pills like oxy contin. This definetly screwed me in the head more. If I could compare it to anything it would be extacy. I AM NOT TRYING TO INFORM ABOUT MY DRUG HISTORY, I AM TELLING YOU PARENTS that this drug is very powerful and can effect your childs personality in very serious ways, just as smoking marajuana every day can or taking any other drug. When I was on it, the only thing I kept asking myself was, “I cant believe they prescribe this to children, they are poisoning their brains and leaving them incapable of thinking for themselves or expressing thereselves.” I know my dose was the highest you can take and I know im not prescribed, but I do have adhd but refuse to take anything for it. I felt like a zombie and extremely zoned in and unaware. It was harder for me to feel creative or and just made it easier to do anything that I was instructed to do. I WILL NEVER LET MY KIDS TAKE THIS NO MATTER WHAT IS SAID BY ANYBODY. This can and will change who your child is. Just as doing any other drug will. I felt very speedy on it and extremely ‘high’. Take this word with a grain of salt as you would any other bodys that you read on the internet, but if your child is on this pill I sincerley am sorry for their delicate brains that are being flooded with drugs. At a young age from 8-17 when a brain is growing and learning, this is probably the worse thing to add into the equation. PLEASE DONT LET YOU KID TAKE THIS PILL. I am in university and all the kids that I run into that have been taking it their whole life, (adderall now vyvanse) their proccesses of thinking are different and everyone notices it. Its as if they are slow speed addicts. They also act differtley when they forget to take it because their brain chemistry is struggeling with its imbalance. Its sad. Everyone notices it and not just me. By the way im very healthy and successful without this stuff and I have had adhd my whole life. 3.5 student and a college ball player. I dont care if your kid is cutting cats heads off and putting them in microwaves. It is more dangerous to give your child this drug and aid him irresponsibly in becoming a brain dead emotionless zombie!
Your comments were informative but I have a few questions. (By the way, I don’t take VyVanse but considering it).
1. You took a single dose of VyVanse 72 mg.
2. You were not prescribed this drug.
3. You were not diagnosed by any licensed professional that this drug would be of any benefit to you.
4. You are making your compelling conclusion on a single dose of non-prescribed drug for everyone.
With all due respect, if one were to take one dose of ANY prescribed medication that was NOT prescribed for that person, how much validity would you give to his/her conclusion? No one can disagree that this is a powerful drug and should not be taken lightly (especially in children) but this is where the parent should take responsibility and make certain that their child is need of any medication or is it that their child is just being a child – and not suffering from this AD “disorder”……. (why they call being “bored” as a child as being a disorder is another question for another time….).
That’s my 2 Cents for the day.
Dr. Kenny and others,
I’ve been taking Vyvanse 70mg for about a month now — and it’s been a miracle-worker. I’ve never been more focused. I’ve never slept better. I haven’t FELT better in years.
I really hope the medicine is soon available in Canada. The government is doing a great disservice to the Canadian people with ADD/ADHD by not making it available.
One side note — about a week ago, I forgot to take my dose. There were no adverse reactions, at all. I simply took my next dose the next day, and I was good to go.
Best of luck as Vyvanse becomes available in the True North.
– Kevin C.
Middlesex County, New Jersey