So, I had my monthly appointment with my psychiatrist today. Explained to him the troubles I have with my medicine, as far as when I need to study. The 70mg of Vyvanse works great for daily tasks, work, normal things, but when I actually have to put some mental thought into book study I'm kinda screwed.

I told him about how the past 2 weekends I took it upon myself to crack open one of my 50mg pills(from an old script), pour half in water and drink it, on top of my 70mg. He didn't seem to care, but the issue is when I do that I end up being awake for an extended amount of time. IE Last weekend I was awake from Saturday at 2pm until early early Monday morning @ like 3am...slept 6 hours and got up for work. This weekend I happened to do it Sunday...woke up around 1:30pm and I'm still awake(it's Monday at 11:13pm). Again working on 36 hours of being awake.

He gave me 2 suggestions. I can either take 1/30mg pill twice a day or he can give me an extra script for 30mg pills to take when needed. That doesn't solve the problem though...the problem is it's keeping me awake and I need something that'll work with what I'm taking, BUT not keep me up for 36 hours(when I need that extra coverage). Something that will last the 2-3 hours I need to study...it wouldn't even be an everyday thing.

I thought about it for a whole 5 minutes and replied with well, your going to see me again next month right? "of course he is" I said I would think about it, but since I'm not going to be studying during that time frame, making the decision right now seems a little hasty.

So..back to my main focus...Any suggestions for what I'm looking for? or Would it be beneficial for me to try a new medication all together? I need ideas, because I certainly don't have any at this point.

Your doctor sounds like most psychiatrists, unhelpful. You could try an instant release Dexedrine pill (Vyvanse is a pre-cursor of Dexedrine before it's digested) since these are only active for a short period of time.

However, you may also want to try and get your doctor to cycle through the various types of stimulants with you to find what works best. Note that he'll probably want to play it safe (to safegaurd his own professional status) and only let you try something different each month. If this happens, then your stuck in the same position I am.

Your doctor sounds like most psychiatrists, unhelpful. I disagree. Sure, there are some unhelpful psychs out there, but I don't think that most are that way at all.



Note that he'll probably want to play it safe (to safegaurd his own professional status) and only let you try something different each month.
Yeah, it's a bummer that a Dr has to look out for themself after spending 4 years in college, 4 years in medical school, and 2-7 years in residency. I started taking prescription stimulants for this condition in Feb of 1992, and being limited to just only one a month is the only way I have ever been allowed to do it. Sure, it has not been the easiest thing in the world to be patient concerning these things, but the truth is I have since come to see how fortunate I was/am to be able to at least try something new.

Some people in the world have few options when it comes to obtaining these meds, and some have no options when it comes to obtaining these meds. I feel that when a doctor ask their patient try out one of these drugs for a month that their really not asking too much, especially when I consider how varied a persons response to a given drug can actually be after a month of daily use.

This is your first med, right? I'd say you might wanna try some others to see if there's one that's a better fit for you.
If you really wanna stay with Vyvanse, I agree with the suggestion of a dex IR booster as needed.

After my first day on Vyvanse...I am very reluctant to switch medications a lot simply because it took me such a long time to get over the side effects...and they're finally gone. I don't irritable (as much) anymore...I'm eating again...no headaches...no stomach upset...no dizzy faintiness... I like it...it's just cutting it on some days...mainly those that require studying.

I won't see him again until Jan 10th, and I have a feeling he's going to want to change the medication with the things I have to tell him.This is your first med, right? I'd say you might wanna try some others to see if there's one that's a better fit for you.
If you really wanna stay with Vyvanse, I agree with the suggestion of a dex IR booster as needed.

I occasionally take a 10mg IR Dexedrine in the late afternoons to boost my Vyvanse dose. It would be cheaper than filling 2 scripts of Vyvanse and it only lasts a few hours so you might not have trouble sleeping. IMO, for studying purposes, IR Adderall might be better. It would be nice if he gave you the flexibility and freedom to take IR med's on the days you wake up later or switch back and forth between Adderall and Vyvanse depending on the level of cognitive functioning you need.