My daughter was put on vyvance and she had crying spells for a week that lasted for 2 hours plus. She then started talking about cutting her leg off! She then took a pencil to her leg scratching herself. We immediatly stopped the meds and it took a few days for her to return to herself.Her Doctor says that she has not seen this type of reaction before.Anyone else?

My six-year-old son had a horrible reaction to Adderal and Dexedrine.  He was highly sensitive from the moment it took effect, gradually worsening as it wore off.  He didn't want to play.  He just sat around looking sad and constantly thought we were laughing at him or picking on him.  He would cry for no reason.  Ritalin, which I was opposed to at first, is the only thing that worked.  I think the  stigma that surrounds Ritalin came from a time when doctors started kids out at high doses which made them comatose.  He is on 30mg XR and doing great.  Unfortunately, this is not fun at all.  Then again, neither was leaving places in tears with my son, feeling like a horrible parent because he was so out of control. 

This is an experience in monthly doctor visits until the medication is regulated, then come the psychologist visits unless you are lucky enough to have two in one.   We have to travel three hours to see the closest child psychatrist.  It takes a while sometimes to get it right.  In fact, I have yet to hear of anyone fortunate enough to get the right meds and the right dose the first time. 

But, there is light at the end of the tunnel.  Once we got it right, my son's quality of life greatly improved.  He can pay attention and follow directions.  He has made a couple of friends instead of scaring all of them off.  He no longer tells me he feels stupid and everyone hates him.  He gets S's in conduct instead of N's and most of all, his self-confidence is building where there once was none.  I sincerely hope your son's physician is cooperative and listens to your concerns, and that you and your son find what works best.   

SherrieB, I too have ADHD, and I wish I had a quarter for every time my physician and psychologist have told me they have never heard of "this or that" reaction before, almost as though they are fishing for some other reason you all of a sudden did something completely out of character.  Another scary thing is that my physician who also has ADD, told me when I was first diagnosed, that she did not understand the difference between ADHD medications. 

Each medication affects each person differently.  When I first started taking Dexedrine, I became very paranoid, checking windows and doors, feeling like something was crawling all over me.  It was crazy.  I am glad you stopped the medication and your daughter returned to normal.  I hope you find the right medication for your daughter.  Good luck! 

[QUOTE=Renee224]This is what my son becomes when his adderall wears off  and I cant take it !!!! I have a call into the doctor but, he has only been on this med for a week and when it wears off he changes into a very hyper boy and moody oh and very sensitive ! Crying at the drop of a hat is not like my football playing tough guy.  I am hoping to change the meds I didnt give it to him yesterday or today I cant stand to see him like that when he tells me he doesnt know why he is crying. THIS IS NOT FUN!!!!! anyone got any advice for going through the medication trials we are very newly diagnosed and I didnt realise how difficult this would be !  [/QUOTE]

My dd has been on Concerta 18mg for almost a year.  We just ramped her to 27mg a day.  The first day was a horrible night!!  She cried over little issues at least 3 times at 45 minutes a time. I don't think she knew why.  I did comfort her and got her to calm down at one interval but then something else upset her, like me channel surfing or something like that.  Is this normal?  But I do relate very well to the med's wearing off and the moodiness kicking in.  But it was only that first day of the increase of the med's.  She did real good over the weekend.

My daughter was put on vyvance and she had crying spells for a week that lasted for 2 hours plus. She then started talking about cutting her leg off! She then took a pencil to her leg scratching herself. We immediatly stopped the meds and it took a few days for her to return to herself.Her Doctor says that she has not seen this type of reaction before.Anyone else?

Sherrie B-  My son, too, is on Vyvanse and had itching spells.  Per the doctor's advice, he now takes the chewable non-drowsy children's Claritin and is improved 100% with the itching.  He IS, however, showing some tics which involves picking his lip.  We've had great results other than that, however now we're seeing him metabolize the medication faster and it only lasts 4 hours instead of the 8-10 hrs. we had hoped for.