Vyvanse update | ADHD Information

So as I posted last week, things went REALLY well with Vyvanse when we
took about half the powder out of 20 mg pill. Yesterday was firsta day back
to school and teachers did notice he was more alert and talkative then on
Focalin. Today however some of the old impulsiviity returned- he ran out of
class which he hasn't done in a loooong time. I think he could use a little
more than half, and I also wonder if we could build up quickly to the 20 mg?
He was so zonked on the 20 mg that first day, that I'm afraid. Has anyone
heard of building up to the dosage that was initially too much after only a
week or so? Does anyone know of tricks to get that powder to be as exact as
possible when splitting? I'm wondering if I accidentally gave him less than
half today? Ugh. feedback appreciated :)I'm the original poster- mommabear- now under the username
mommatrying. Anyway, haven't been on in a while...thanks for all your
responses. The most recent update after over two weeks, and a
conversation with his kindergarten teacher is that things are great! We
have only been giving him half the 20 mg pill, so he's getting aprrox 10
mg once day. We have not seen any angry outbursts or any other side
effects. His appetite is better than when he was on the Focalin. The
teacher said that although he's not as super focussed as he was on the
focalin, he is still MUCH improved and he's not in a zoned out state like
he was previously. He's using more language, no impulsivity, sitting and
attending and overall doing great! We have noticed that he still has a little
hyper spring in his step, but we much prefer that to the calm but vacant
demeanor he was exhibiting on the other med. I also notice that although
he sometimes does something- or starts to do something - impulsive,
he's able to stop and correct himself , which he could rarely do before
meds. I will keep an eye on changes that involve aggression though,
because I have seen that here more than once with regard to Vyvanse,
however so far so good!

To:  OneOrTheOther
      Senior Member

 

Thanks, for the encouragement and well wishes.  Normally, my son is mild mannered and easy going with a very loving and warm spirit, and in no way, shape or form do I want that to change.  My son is now 17, graduating next year, so we are just looking for to his journey as an adult.

thanks Marykath...I will def send you you a PM!
I know this probably comes across as too casual, but splitting a 20 mg Vyvanse dose into two halves can be approximate a couple milligrams difference one way or another shouldn't make a noticeable difference....

There are so many variables  that, from day to day, affect the effect of these psychotropic meds on our  brains and bodies.... mood is one, environment another, what  you eat and when, how much exercise you get... the list goes on....  For example, if I'm in a blue mood, I could take a double dose of Vyvanse (or Adderall) without feeling much, if any, effect. 

So, if it makes you feel better, do take pains to ensure that the dose level you want is as exact as possible...but, if you're doing this because you think a couple milligrams matters a whole lot, I doubt it.  I do think it's always good to start real low and build up.  I think it is always critically important to also remember that this medicine is not a panacea and needs to be supplemented with your coaching and support and your unfailing belief in your son and his capabilities--however unorthodox he may be in the way he approaches things!

Although fairly new to this medication journey, I do agree with John. Since we started our son on the focalin two months ago, there has definitely been a great improvement in his overall behavior. But this is not to say he has a great day, every day, even taking the exact same dosage. He doesn't always listen, always sit still, etc. but then most other little boys don't either. We also have decided to skip the meds on weekends because we find when his senses aren't challenged like they are in school, he has more of a tendency to "zone out" a little on the meds. I think I have just learned not to sweat the small stuff, and to have realistic expectations. I'm glad the Vyvanse seems to be working, mommabear, just don't get too discouraged if one day seems better than the next. Like John said, alot of factors enter into this.

Hmmm...where to start?

To begin with, our daughter is 5 and this was the first med we tried. She has lots of issues - adopted from foster care at age 2, past secual and physical abuse and neglect, lots of anxiety, sensory integration disorder, possible visual processing disorder (although they say it is too early to tell). So, don't let her response to Vyvanse scare you...there are a lot of things that play into us finding the right med for her.

On Vyvanse, focus and concentration were amazing. She was quite clam. But she got to be obsessive. For example, she was learning to tie her shoes...one day she tried to tie them for 58 minutes straight. She tends to obsess and latch onto things anyway, but we felt the Vyvanse made this trait worse.

Vyvanse aggrivated her sensory issues and anxiety issues, too. Lots of skin picking, until her fingers bled. At preschool, she wouldn't play on the playground, just walked around it in a circle. Usually she plays at least a bit, and had been getting so she was more social, so we didn't want to jeprodize that.

Again, don't let our daughter's resonse scare you. From reading the boards, the right dose of Vyvanse works for many people. Good luck, and feel free to PM me.

We are not doing Vyvanse anymore, but when we did we split the dose. We used a medicine dropper - is that the right word? - to get it as accurate as we could. Measure the water with the dropper, break the pill, stir the powder into the water, then use the dropper (ours came from a Children's Tylenol box) to get the exact amount. Then squirt it into his mouth.

Our doc is really conservative, so I think we spent one week on 10 mg. then one week on 15, etc. Our max was 20 and it took a while to work up to.

Good luck! This was by far the best med we have tried for focus. I wouldn't go up too fast, though. One time we went back on the dose of 20 after being off for a while. We started back at 20 and she had severe shortness of breath - we nearly went to the ER.

Thanks Mary Kath! We started at the 20 mg...I wish we'd built up to it like
you did, but our doc didn't advise that. e was, sad,withdrawn, and falling
asleep on the 20 mg that first day. I was really nervous. We have been
approximating half, but I'm going to try your way with the dropper- great
idea!- and also gradually increase each week like you did. That seems ike a
good plan. Curious, why did you stop the Vyvanse? Did you find it was only
good for focus and not hyperness or impulsivity? This is a little of my
concern, although I have to say if he's slightly hyper etc I don't mind
because it's so who he is, as long as it doesn't get in the way of learning in
school, you know? Did you find something better? Did something go wrong
with the Vyvanse for your child? Thanks again!mommabear40233.5192592593Wow, I'm so sorry Ms. Gina. We haven't tried vyvanse, but I know my son had hostility on metadate. I hope going back to the adderall works out for your son. I don't know how I'd feel if I were in your shoes, but I always appreciate every bit of knowledge I gain here on this board.

Hello,

I am reporting our experience with our son taking the medication vyvanse. He initially told us that it made him feel hot inside, and that he had no appetite.  He has been taking this medication since December, 09.  As of yesterday, we have taken him off the medication, because over the last 3 months he has become hositile, violent, and short-tempered just to name a few adjectives.  When we went to fill the 3rd script, the insurance company that we have, questioned the use of this med, and stated to the doctor that it is the last RESORT for them.  He started out taking a 30 mg pill, then I began dividing the capsule in half, neither helped, so enough is enough, my son is off this med.  In the past he had taken adderall from the age of 12 up to age 15, and he did pretty well with it; so that is what we are going back to, unless our long time specialist/nuerologist suggest otherwise!