Hi,
I'm 26 and I was just diagnoised recently. Well, a few days ago I started taking Focalin XR 10 mg in the morning and then again the afternoon. I notice after about 5 hours, I just kinda crash. Like, I get very jittery, nervous, anxious, and I can't think at all.
So, first of all, has this happened to anyone else?
Because of this, my doc switched me to Vyvanse which I started today and so far so good, but I only took it about 2 hours ago.
Secondly, the Focalin does seem to help until that 5 hour mark, so do you think I should go back and give it another chance?
thanks
Jenn

my doc switched me to Vyvanse which I started today and so far so good, but I only took it about 2 hours ago.
Secondly, the Focalin does seem to help until that 5 hour mark, so do you think I should go back and give it another chance?
thanks
JennHi Jenn, and welcome to the forums.

Did your Dr only prescribe you a few days supply of Focalin?

As far as your question about whether or not you should go back and give Focalin another chance or not, I would have to say that is something that is best for your Dr to answer.

That being said, I am kind of surprised your Dr was willing to switch your medication so soon. I do not think there is anything that is unhealthy about switching meds around, however I know from my own experience that sometimes it took me awhile to really get familiar with a new drug.

For example, everytime I would try out a new prescription stimulant (with the exception of Adderall) I would often experience a "honeymoon effect" so to speak where the effects of the drug seemed perfect in every way, and without any negative side effects. However, after being on prescription stimulants since 1992, I have come to realize that more often than not the "honeymoon effect" is just something that I have to go through before I can really know how a given medication will work for me long term.

I hope the Vyvanse works out for you, and I hope you keep us posted on how everything develops.

hi Lars,

thank you. My doc gave me a prescription for Focalin and Vyvanse on the same day. A 15 - 30 day supply of both depending on if I took 1 or 2 a day. He told me that I should try the Focalin first and if that didn't work then to try the Vyvanse. So, I called yesterday and he said just to fill the script for the Vyvanse since he gave me a card for 30 free capsules and try that.

Its interesting what you said about the honeymoon period. My understanding was that you would see right away whether a certain med would work or not. My doc explained it as these meds working instantly whereas something like an anti-depressant takes weeks.

Anyway, The focalin did seem to help but then it seemed like it just stopped. Almost exactly 5 hours later. I thought about staying on it for a longer period of time, but like I said above I assumed that the immediate effects were what I would expect long term.

Anyway, I'm not sure what to do. I see my doc again in a little over a week but until then, I'm trying to figure out the best way to handle this. The Vyvanse seems really good, but I am a little more anxious on it then the Focalin. I think it all boils down to me hoping for that instant "miracle cure" because it took me so long to get diagnoised in the first place which I realize is totally unrealistic.

thank you again
Jenn

Its interesting what you said about the honeymoon period. My understanding was that you would see right away whether a certain med would work or not. My doc explained it as these meds working instantly whereas something like an anti-depressant takes weeks.I think you might of misunderstood what I was saying. I'm sure it's me not being clear about what I was trying to say.

Your Dr is correct, these meds do work immediately, however just like any other psychoactive drug, the initial response with a drug is not the same response a person typically gets after being on the drug for some time.

Here's an example of what I am referring to concerning the "honeymoon effect" that I did not describe very well. When I was 18 I smoked my first cigarette. Initially the effects of cigarettes were so over powering that I was not safe to drive while under the influence of tobacco. However, after smoking cigarettes for some time my experience with tobacco changed dramatically. Sure, it was still psychoactive in me, but it was nothing like it was when I first started. I'm basically refering to tolerance.

I was not trying to say that you were experiencing a "honeymoon effect," but what I was trying to say was that it has been my experience that I really do not know how much I will benefit from a given drug until I have developed a certain amount of tolerance to it. I hope this helps you better understand what I was getting at.

hi Lars,
that actually makes a lot of sense. I reaize now I probably should have given it a few more days at least because it does seem to be a very good medication.
thanks,
Jenn

Maybe you need a longer acting med?

IF you want to avoid the crash try taking a dose an hour before the last pills effect wears off.

But as lars said talking to your doctor about this would probably be the best thing.