Hello, I'm a male, 36yrs old.  Started this med three days ago for Adhd.  Also on Zoloft 100mg for depression/anxiety. 

Regarding my vyvanse experience: Took 30mg first day at 9AM and I really felt it in the morning - could get my work done.  However, it seemed to have worn off by 2PM already (at least, the motivation and focus that I was needing).  Taking 100mg zoloft, so I'm not sure if that helped keep depr down, but the next day was definitely different.

Second day, I took a 50.  Didn't notice any improvement like one would expect.  I was hyperfocused, but it seemed to only be on negative things (not good)!  Couldn't get started on my work - wasn't motivated.  Did more research on Vyvanse/Adderall, than anything.  By 1 or 2 I was noticing "ups and downs".  I would get excited about starting something, but by the time I would start it, I suddenly had no interest at all.

By 3, I was started to doubt this med as I couldn't get anything done and found myself locked up in my office, staring at either my PC or out the window.  By 4, I was feeling the familiar depression symptoms.  By 5, I had to leave the office bc I was almost about to cry-- for no reason.  Had a bad breakdown on the way home, was extremely ANGRY, irritated and not feeling well.  Started to get a slight headache.  Got home, felt like a zombie, didn't feel well at all, haven't eaten much all day, headache was worse.  Called the dr to see if perhaps 70 would be ok. He said yes.  (Perhaps it was wearing off too soon??)

3rd day I took 70mg at 8:45AM and it made a big difference.  Worked solid at my desk for a few hours, feeling good and motivated.  At 11:35AM (almost 3 hours later) I felt like I was feeling the "peak" of the medicine (seemed too soon).  Started to notice slight "up/downs" once again, but not that many and not that bad.  It's 12:30PM and I can still feel it. 

So I'm not sure if 70mg is the right dose for me.  I'll find out when it wears off tonight and will post what happens!

Btw, side effects for me: sweaty palms, no appetite, no sex drive - feel "dead" down there, which I DO NOT LIKE AT ALL.  As long as I do not have the depr and anger feelings later on around 5, I'll be happy with 70mg.

I have my doubts.  This medicine may last longer in your body than AdderallXR, however, I feel that the strenght definitely diminishes throughout the day... perhaps more rapidly than I care for. 

I am 30 yrs old and just started dealing with my ADD issues since I am starting school in Jan. My DR insisted on putting me on Straterra for my first medication, which I had a unbelievable bad reaction to. So he started me on Vyvance. The first day was great, getting things done and alert and functioning... from that point it went downhill.

I started over focusing on my computer, almost to an obsessive stand point. Couldn't leave it alone. Then I noticed these overwhelming insecurities start to develop. I couldn't talk to people without feeling like an idiot. I just wasn't able to have a normal social conversation without wondering if I had something wrong with me or they were thinking I was crazy!

I also noticed a sort of tunnel vision feel about the medication. I felt as though I was in a trance. Was unable to drive properly or do anything that required me to be alert.

After a few weeks I really noticed a strong depression wave, the doubts I was having with myself and the frustrations caused me to want to hide under a rock. I was confused most of the time or in such a panic state it just wasn't worth it anymore. I have recently switched over to Adderall, I have yet noticed any side effects, but then again I haven't noticed it helping my ADD either! Maybe I need it to be a higher dose?

Macadamianut21, what dosage are you taking - the first 30mg? 

((Macadamianut21))  How were taking 30 mg. when the capasule comes in 30 mg for beginning dosage.   I don't think you are taking enough of this medicine for an adult.

I stated earlier in the thread that my daughter was having some problems with this medicine.  We talked to her doctor and he feels the medicine was wearing off after 8 hours and she was rebounding.  So on the days she is in school and has homework and dance class, he told me to give her half a tablet (2.5 mg) of dextroamphetamine which is the main ingredient that is in Vyvanse.  This dosage is supposed only last for 4 hours.    I have to say, it worked very well.  She stopped rebounding and was her calm self.  

She has been on the Vyvanse now for 6 weeks at 30 mg.  She is 39 pounds and is 6 years old.  This medicine is working very well for her.  Her grades have improved from C's to A's and all her behavioral issues are gone.

Also some of the sleep issues we experienced earlier have gone away. 

[QUOTE=macadamianut21]Your right.. It was 30 mg... don't know where I got 20 from.. hahaha! [/QUOTE]

I was wondering if you were reducing the medicine.  I know of two people who do this for their child.  They disolve the medicine in 2 ozs. of water and then they only drink 1 oz.  I really thought that was what you were getting at. 

Is your doctor going to try to increase the dosage of the Adderall for you?  We tried Ritalin (made dd hallucinate) and Adderall (made dd mean and nasty) before he tried this on her.  I've heard it can take quite a few to find the right med.  I have heard that Concerta is good for adults.  I know of one friend who is 40 who takes it and says it works well on her.  Good luck on this difficult journey (((macadamianut21)))

Hello Everyone! I am new to this site, but have been reading the posts for a few months. 

My stepson (age 10) who lives with my DH and I started Vyvanse 50mg in Nov. 2007. He has done wonderful on it since he started as far as focusing in school. His grades and testing have come up tremendously. We had some of the side effects at home as far as the "over focusing". If he was focusing on doing something, coloring, watching T.V., etc., and we would have to leave he would throw a fit. He wasn't like that at school though.

It seems though lately, he has become argumentative, interruptive, raises his voice, seems to be ignoring what he is told to do, tantrums-BAD- like I have never seen him do.  This behavior is not like him. It almost seems like it is intensifying any negative emotions he may have. At night, I mean like after 8:00 pm, he seems better.  The pediatrician did give us a partial prescription for 70 mg and we have filled it, just not tried them b/c not sure if that is the right thing to do, he somewhat left it up to us if we wanted to try it or not. 

My SS has been on Adderall, Concerta, Straterra, and so far this has worked the best except for these new developments. My SS also does see a counselor and she thinks some of this could be from the forth coming "pre-adolescents".

ANY IDEAS???? WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!

((OB))

My daughter was sounding similiar to your son when the medicine was wearing off.  It didn't happen all the time, but sometimes.  What her doctor did was add a small amount of the active ingredient in the Vyvance which is dextromphetamine.  On days when she has dance after school we give her half a pill of this when she comes home from school.  The pills are 5mg and we give her 1/2.  She is 38 pounds and 6 years old.  This worked beauitfully.  It lets her down easier.   Now that she has been on this for almost 6 months, it has evened her out and she very rarely goes into that mode anymore.  Ask your doctor about that instead of upping the dosage.   My dd also had some problems with overfocusing, but now that has also decreased.    Someone else told me they give their son peanut butter when he comes home because he won't take another pill and that mother swears the peanut butter helps him.  My dd won't eat peanut butter but the 1/2 pill does the trick. I also liked that it was the same medicine and not another one.  I felt more comfortable doing that instead of upping the dosage.  Her Vyvance starts  to wear off after 8 hours.  

Good luck and keep me posted on how you make out.

AMom2Two

 Thank You So Much for the information.  My SS's pediatrician is on vacation (isn't that always the luck!) so we have to wait to talk with him when he comes back.  Thank Goodness he has been mellow for about the last week.  Did you have the "roller coasters", he was wonderful for months, then a completely different child-started about once a week for two weeks being argumentative, then progressed to 2 weeks with MAJOR attitude daily and then back to normal again for the most part (other than the having an answer for everything!) ?  I am glad DH and I didn't give him the higher dose, we weren't comfortable with it, especially when he is still doing well in school.  He is 10 years old but only weighs 56 lbs.  I agree with you about not mixing the meds. The overfocusing did decrease with him also. Thanks You Again for your help. BTW, I agree with your daughter about peanut butter...... I don't like the texture.

im 15 and in highschool taking vyvance right now. I highly recommend that YOU DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have had no sleep, sadness, depression, my attention is WORSE, suicidal thoughts, paranoia, what else what else hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm  oh yeah and loss of self control

This medicaiton is terrible for me, it creates the problems it is supposed to be fixing.

im 15 and in highschool taking vyvance right now. I highly recommend that YOU DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have had no sleep, sadness, depression, my attention is WORSE, suicidal thoughts, paranoia, what else what else hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm oh yeah and loss of self control

This medicaiton is terrible for me, it creates the problems it is supposed to be fixing.

im 15 and in highschool taking vyvance right now. I highly recommend that YOU DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have had no sleep, sadness, depression, my attention is WORSE, suicidal thoughts, paranoia, what else what else hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm oh yeah and loss of self control

This medicaiton is terrible for me, it creates the problems it is supposed to be fixing. [/QUOTE]

I went through the same problems with the medication. It made me feel very self aware. I became paranoid and found it hard to have a normal conversation for fear of sounding foolish. Sadly, I was unaware of how strong the effects were having on me until I discontinued use. Not all, but several had complained of this very issue. I would suggest talking to parents as well as DR. there are other meds out there that will not have the adverse reactions. Good luck, you'll find what works!

Happy to hear that some of the initial side effects go away.  My son, first night after first dosage in the morning, had insomnia, which he never had w/o med (Vyvanse 30).  First day on it seemed incredible improvement in focus/attention and his behavior (which wasn't the problem) is more cooperative and helpful.

Saw the comment on energy drinks - and that info helps - because my son loves them and apparently will love them too much while on this med.  Will eliminate that immdiately since that may be keeping him (and me) up to 2am on schoolnights/worknights.

Anyone tried non-RX sleep aids (like Melatonin) to counter the insomnia with these meds?

wow.... Our Dr. just gave my son (13 yr old) Vyvanse to start when school ends for summer break in 3 wks.  he has been taking Metadate CD 60mg but he is maxxed out and it is wearing off around 130pm - 2pm he starts getting fidgety, off task, etc. according to his teachers who have been emailing me.  he also eats lunch around 1130-12 and he is starving.  We will start out with the 30mg although i have heard that this med works on your metabolism instead of weight or age.... we go bvack to Dr. after 2 wks of starting Vyvanse. 

He currently takes Melantonin for sleep.. we have used that for a long time and it works

Thanks for the post.  Melatonin has worked since that first night.  Won't know for sure of academic improvement until teachers start reporting to me (which can be like pulling teeth at his school).  May not know for sure since school is almost over for the year.

No other side effects so far - no tics, OCD or atypical behavior...he's 12 and starting to act like a teen...which is expected, I guess.  I know I have been more tolerant of him since diagnosis too.

My boy has attention/focus type, rather than behavior issues, but has been extra cooperative on Vyvance.

Sincerely wish you the best of luck with it.  Let us know when the good news comes in.  Everyone loves the success stories!  Stay strong, yours is coming. 

Thanks

yes.... 12 yr old - 13 yr olds.... hormonal Hell... and with the ADHD its not any fun!  Your son must be at the same school as my son, trying to get the teachers to give me feedback is like pulling teeth BUT let him do something and they are On the Phone or sending me emails like crazy!  my son's is attention/focus but he can be up moving around and the class clown at times too.  I am excited about starting the vyvanse i am just praying it works. 

[QUOTE=AMom2Two]

[/QUOTE]

my son experienced side effect galore the first 2 weeks but his pdoc begged me to keep him on 1 month. it has been worth it. most of the really bad ones like anger and mood issues are gone. the sleep issue , i use Melatonin with him as well so we have no sleep issues. food another thing. my boy needs to eat more. they say that will pick up in time?good luck

My daughter was diagnosed two years ago with ADD and some other underlying problems such as conduct disorder.  This was after I brought her to the doctors to have her tested as I felt strongly from her behaviour she had this. For years in school I was being called in to the office and was pacted as the teachers did not know what to do about her conduct in class. She was not able to pay attention fully, interfeared with the learning of other students, and also did not listen to the teacher this was in kindergarten.  She was not classified as having major ADD and was still considered mild next to others whome were off the charts. I took it upon myself to seek help primarly for her school work. She also did not put things away at home, and took little care of her pocessions which was causing anxiety in the house. 

 The  neurologist started her with foxalin which was not doing enough to get her through the day particularly at school . She was then put onto 10 of vyvance, which also didn't do much and was not helping. We upped it to 20 which was a dosage prepaired and not in form available. It was working but the doctor thought we should increase it to get a better result. When I did she became very violent, and uncontrolable. It turned her into a horror. In school it was apparently making her pay attention better and her grades went up but when she got home she did not listen, she hit, yelled and destroyed her toys and room. I took her off now until I have her re examined by another doctor. When I called Vyvance directly they listsened to me but had nothing much to say and sent me a report through the mail. She lost  15 pds from being under weight to start with. I had to put her on a appetite enhancer as she had no interest in eating. Off her meds she has her appetite back and she is now her normal nice but confused self. She is again having trouble in school. I am now having her seen by another doctor to advise on medications that might be better suited.