A lot of good has come to my life since I have started taking Vyvanse.
I can tell the difference between not taking it in quite a dramatic way.

I have the inattentive ADHD. My problem generally is that I'm generally docile. Before medication I used to spend a lot of my energy pumping myself up and driving myself.
With the meds, I don't need to do that anymore. I really like that. The problem now is slightly different. When I start to feel the medication taking affect I feel motivated about what I'm doing.

But the other side of it is that I mentally and creatively come alive almost to the point of distraction. Many ideas course through my head and so many fun and interesting side projects come to mind at work that I really struggle to focus on the things I need to do. Maybe it sounds funny, but it's a real problem.

Like I said, I've generally struggled with the other side of it. I have to make such a conscious effort not to get distracted otherwise one or other juicy side interest or project has me quickly off my task.

I feel like I'm living the symptoms of a hyper-active under vyvanse. Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

I feel like I hyperfocus very very easily. I am so quick to hyperfocus into some narrow obscure and unimportant aspect of whatever it is that I'm doing (that is if I haven't hyperfocussed on something that's unrelated with work all togethor).

I was thinking about the same thing while I was at work today...
it happens for me occasionally, but only when I have a lot of projects going on at the same time.

My thing is once it wears off...I've completely forgotten all those great ideas, unless I write them down...which I never do; and I actually have the H factor...*shrugs* I'm not sure what it is, but it is becoming a small issue while I'm at work, so I'm going to talk to the doctor....next month.

Have been on vyvance for 5 days now. I have noticed that I am also extremely distracted. It is almost worse than with out any medication. I hear everything!!!. Earlier today, a girl chewing gum drove me bonkers. I was even able to determine was someone was writing by the sound of the pencil on the desk. I am even distracted by the blue lines on this page.

Actually after I initially wrote my comments, I have a different take on the distraction as I'm beginning to understand the effect that Vyvanse has on me.

For me, I think I'm beginning to realize that Vyvanse allows my life to be exciting. Since while having ADD everything was boring and I used to have to push myself through tasks. Now, even the most ordinary tasks are very interesting.

See, before Vyvanse, my internal message to myself was, if you find something exciting (it's so rare) that it's ok to be distracted (just so you can capture the joy). But with Vyvanse, every day is quite joyful and I'm having tons of amazing realizations and life is a bowl of chocolates. I have these amazing ideas. But I'm still living by my old mental script that says: enjoy the rare joys whenever they come because most of your life is misreable and boring.
And that's why I'm distracted because I feel like I have to jump on every creative and joyful moment...and...under Vyvanse, there's a lot of those.

It is so good to finally hear somebody say something good about Vyvanse, starting it tomorrow morning, the last person to post said it helped him.

I have been on Vyvanse for about a month, and it has worked very well. I am attentive, my moods are stable and I am sleeping well for the first time in quite a while. Prior to Vyvanse, I tried Adderall, Concerta and Focalin. My only concern is that it seems to be effecting my blood pressure quite a bit. Before trying stimulants, I never thought that medication could make such a difference.

I've been taking Vyvanse for around five months now, 90mg a day. I know exactly what you mean about being set to a task and then getting a great idea and wanting to that, though you still want to finish what you were doing so you end up losing efficiency, or some variant on that pattern.

What I've started doing to control those great ideas is I carry one of the tiny pocket-size marble composition books in my back left pocket all the time, and when I get a great idea, or remember something I meant to do or should do, I just write it down and then when I finish what I'm doing I can flip through the book and see what I wanna do next. Say I'm reading for a class or doing something I'm involved in, and I remember that I meant to change my sheets, I just write it down so I don't worry about forgetting it, and I can go back to the task at hand.

I've never taken Vyvanse but frequently experienced feelings of intense interest and creativity, often to the point of counter-productive distraction, for months after starting Focalin. Over time I realized that these "creative" idea storms were probably not worth recording or acting on, and that my attention was better spent on the present task. Paying attention to breathing and practicing "mindfulness" is a method I use to counter-balance excessive interest in "what ifs" Focalin produces.

I do exactly the same thing Heretic. It's been great!

I have a slim and thin notebook that fits in my wallet. And I found a mini-pen that I can tuck in it too. My wallet goes everywhere.

If I have longer messages or thoughts, I send a voice mail to myself through my cellphone. That has worked fantastically!

I've been taking Vyvanse for around five months now, 90mg a day. I know exactly what you mean about being set to a task and then getting a great idea and wanting to that, though you still want to finish what you were doing so you end up losing efficiency, or some variant on that pattern.

What I've started doing to control those great ideas is I carry one of the tiny pocket-size marble composition books in my back left pocket all the time, and when I get a great idea, or remember something I meant to do or should do, I just write it down and then when I finish what I'm doing I can flip through the book and see what I wanna do next. Say I'm reading for a class or doing something I'm involved in, and I remember that I meant to change my sheets, I just write it down so I don't worry about forgetting it, and I can go back to the task at hand.

I have the inattentive ADHD. My problem generally is that I'm generally docile. Before medication I used to spend a lot of my energy pumping myself up and driving myself. With the meds, I don't need to do that anymore. I really like that. The problem now is slightly different. When I start to feel the medication taking affect I feel motivated about what I'm doing.

But the other side of it is that I mentally and creatively come alive almost to the point of distraction. Many ideas course through my head and so many fun and interesting side projects come to mind at work that I really struggle to focus on the things I need to do.I can totally relate to this.

I've only been on Vyvanse (my 1st ADHD med) about a month. I definitely have this same issue. I had it before too (with many racing, interesting thoughts and ideas). But it does tend to seem a little worse during the initial peak of the drug (say from 1.5 to about 3.5 hours after I take it).

I do exactly the same thing Heretic. It's been great!
I have a slim and thin notebook that fits in my wallet. And I found a mini-pen that I can tuck in it too. My wallet goes everywhere.
If I have longer messages or thoughts, I send a voice mail to myself through my cellphone. That has worked fantastically!

I've been doing the same thing. Also, you can try keeping a stack of 3x5 index cards in your back pocket. The advantage to this is you can then put any cards into your inbox, or other filing system, when you get home, office, etc. Some of you may be familiar with this from "Getting Things Done" (good explanation and additional links here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Getting_Things_Done). If you're looking to try a new time management system, you might want to check out Getting Things Done. from wikipedia: GTD rests on the principle that a person needs to move tasks out of the mind by recording them somewhere. That way, the mind is freed from the job of remembering everything that needs to be done, and can concentrate on actually performing those tasks. I think it might be a good fit for us ADHD types. Plus there is practically a cult that has developed around this on the web, so there is tons of information, tips, tricks on it. I've been using it for a while, both pre and post medication and have found it to be quite good.

But, I have found that I don't really like spending the time to stop and write something down. Plus many of the ideas will come when I am driving, or otherwise occupied, where writing is not safe or possible.

For me the current solution is recording a voice message to myself (as mentioned this can be done using a voicemail). I have a Treo and a small application that allows me to record a voice message which is then automatically sent to me as an email.

Also there is a free service called Jott (www.jott.com (http://www.jott.com)) that does this, plus much more. I can give more details on how I use this if others are interested. Don't want to make this a ridiculously long post :D. It is about 1.5 hours after taking my Vyvanse so this is all seeming SO INTERESTING to me right now :D.

I love the idea of the pocket notebook... That would be perfect for me to do, especially at work. I typically come out with these ideas, some of which may be good, and of those I do remember I try to go over the following day to see if they were a good idea, or just created during the "higher" phase after taking vyvanse. I am definately going to do this. Can't wait to go to my dr again though, I am concerned that the meds are wearing off too soon and I spend my evenings once again with the inability to relax, stop thinking and clear my mind! AHHHHHHHH lol :)

Yeah I can totally relate to pursuing ideas on medication to the point of distraction while on vyvanse.

But for me there is an important difference between it and the distraction created by unmedicated ADHD. When not on vyvanse, my ideas are much like a day long "brain storming" session. I get tons of ideas, great ones and dumb ones, and file them away in my brain or on a peice of paper/note book that I keep in my pocket, something I've been doing since I was young. Infact some people think I'm a little "out there" with all the little scraps of paper I have laying around of ideas and "to-do" lists that I've forgotten.

On medication is quite different. I still have the "brain storming" or something causes me to remember something I've written down before...and I pursue that idea. And I'll continue to follow that idea until completion or I find that it's actually a bad/dumb idea. Most the time I'm so into it that if I find that it's not a great idea I'll more than likely find a way to fix it to make it a great idea.

It's taken alot of my time away from me following these ideas but I'm not in the least bit upset since I feel in the long run its enriching my life. Leonardo DaVinci, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla...were all the same way. They had a TON of ideas, some good and some bad, but they pursued them all. And the lessons they learned from all of their good and bad ideas all contributed to their GREAT ideas. So yeah you spend alot of time going on tangents, I could have gotten done with my classes in under a month had I just focused 100% on my classes. But when you do that you deny yourself of the "good" stuff ADHD has to offer. This is how I like to think of it, ADHD has taken a toll on my education by compromising my attention. Start using it to your advantage.

"If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle."

Sun Tzu said that, not me. I think it pretty much applies to our case.

BTW, as far as keeping notes. I've found that Moleskine notebooks work best. They also make you look smart and sophisticated like Frasier.
http://www.moleskine.com/index_eng.php

BTW, as far as keeping notes. I've found that Moleskine notebooks work best. They also make you look smart and sophisticated like Frasier.
http://www.moleskine.com/index_eng.php

I really like these notebooks also. There's a bit of a hype around them, but they are very nice.

Yeh ...I feel the same way on vyvanse ...i feel happy , but at the same time now , I actually listen , I do things to the fullest and correctly . In in general its helped me cope and help me achieve alot of things that i wouldnt have achieved probably with aderall or off and type of meds . I love vyvanse.



Hope I could help a little!

I am definitely feeling this as well. I now have the drive to get out of bed and I actually look forward to going to work also. However, I do seem quite distracted and am still having a hard time getting started on things too. I also am still not staying at work very long either (am self-employed), which is something I was hoping would go away. I am thankful though that I am not anxious really anymore. I don't have million different forms of negative self-talk going on in my mind that were destroying me. That is positive at least. Not sure if this is the right medication for me or not yet, as it is only been about a week. We'll see. It just really does nothing for my focus, that is really something I was hoping for.

I am definitely feeling this as well. I now have the drive to get out of bed and I actually look forward to going to work also. However, I do seem quite distracted and am still having a hard time getting started on things too. I also am still not staying at work very long either (am self-employed), which is something I was hoping would go away. I am thankful though that I am not anxious really anymore. I don't have million different forms of negative self-talk going on in my mind that were destroying me. That is positive at least. Not sure if this is the right medication for me or not yet, as it is only been about a week. We'll see. It just really does nothing for my focus, that is really something I was hoping for.

Are you receiving these anti-anxiety and less negative thoughts effects just from Vyvanse or are you taking something else also?

I am taking other meds, Cymbalta, Neurontin, etc. However they never helped with this at all. Only since starting treatment for the ADD have I had any real relief from this. Focalin stopped the anxiety for a couple of days, then amplified it tenfold. Vyvanse seems to be eradicating the anxiety almost completely.

Well, I am going through the same thing, however I am naturally High per but my first problem was that I use to sleep to much, does not matter how HIGH PER I would be, I could just lay down in bed and sleep. I had so much trouble waking up in the morning, I was high per talking and things like that, but physically no, well ADDERALL XR 20MG WOWO when I got i felt it the first day, letter it was increased to 30 MG but umm I start to feel more calm however still the same so I ask my Dr for Vyvanse, since i read about it, and (I am a Psychobiology Student) and I said well the combination is better, (Also is perfect to lose weight) i am not obesse but u want to keep my line, lol.
The point is i have the same thing i have a part of the day where i feel full of Ideas dreams, and things i wan to acomplish, but letter starts to wear off, and also in the morning it does not kick in as the Adderall well the Generic one.

For now I am trying something myself, I had some Adderalls left Generic of 30 MG so I split it on 4 making it 7.5 mg which I take in the morning as soon as i open my eyes, it helps to get up, and letter about 2 hours I take my Vyvanse. 70mg i don't I told my Dr today, but the did not say anything and I forgot to ask either for dexedrine amphetamine prescription the lowest dose so i can take in the morning or adderall so, any if anyone can tell me if the have try this too, or I don't please someone help me out.

I am taking other meds, Cymbalta, Neurontin, etc. However they never helped with this at all. Only since starting treatment for the ADD have I had any real relief from this. Focalin stopped the anxiety for a couple of days, then amplified it tenfold. Vyvanse seems to be eradicating the anxiety almost completely.

Interesting. Glad to hear it is helping :D. Hope it continues. I don't want to take this thread too far off topic . . . but the reason I asked about the anxiety was because I have been experiencing large positive effects with depression since starting Vyvanse. I don't have any anxiety, but have been struggling with depression / dysthymia for quite a number of years. For the past 5 or 6 years I have been treated with various anti-depressants with very limited results. Since starting Vyvanse (my first ADHD med), my depression has lifted significantly. I would say it's worked orders of magnitude better than any anti-depressant. This was an effect that I was not expecting (but am very happy about). So, now I (and the doctors) have to figure out if depression is really comorbid or actually a result of the ADHD.

Like I said, sorry to take the thread in a slightly different direction, but wanted to respond to "The D".

I'm glad you did respond. Thanks. The Vyvanse has been wearing off for me around 2 or 3PM. I talked with my Pdoc today and he changed my prescription to Adderal XR twice daily. He thought it was unusual that it wore off that quickly but that this would be a good alternative to try. I asked for a Dexedrine IR kicker for the afternoons and he said he would rather I try this first. If this doesn't work he thought maybe going to Dexedrine altogether might be the way to go. All I know is that I hope this Adderal still stops the anxiety, because living with that has been hell! We'll see. All I know is that around 2PM I crawl back into my little shell of wanting to hide from everything again and that sucks.

I have found that eating a high protein meal at mid day extends the effects of the meds...

and i dont feel as grumpy later in the day...

just my .02

I have found that eating a high protein meal at mid day extends the effects of the meds...

and i dont feel as grumpy later in the day...

just my .02

I agree with that.

I'm actually eating a lot more protein meals. Plus I end up having a protein shake or protein bar as snacks between meals.

Does anyone know if this works for other ADHD meds, or is it particular to Vyvanse?

One other trick I've found is in the afternoon when I feel it wearing off, I will have a drink with caffeine. This seems to make it last a bit longer. I can't drink caffeine during the rest of the day (except first thing in the morning) because the effect with the Vyvanse tends to get me a bit jittery and I can tell my pulse is a bit higher. The whole thing with monitoring my caffeine intake is a new thing for me. I used to drink tons of coffee and could drink coffee no problem up until the early evening.

I'm glad you did respond. Thanks. The Vyvanse has been wearing off for me around 2 or 3PM. I talked with my Pdoc today and he changed my prescription to Adderal XR twice daily. He thought it was unusual that it wore off that quickly but that this would be a good alternative to try. I asked for a Dexedrine IR kicker for the afternoons and he said he would rather I try this first. If this doesn't work he thought maybe going to Dexedrine altogether might be the way to go. All I know is that I hope this Adderal still stops the anxiety, because living with that has been hell! We'll see. All I know is that around 2PM I crawl back into my little shell of wanting to hide from everything again and that sucks.

Good luck. I hope it does the trick. I would suck to head back to that place.

yeah but caffene consumption with vyvanse you do really need to be careful more than about the amount in a bottle of coke or pepsi and you WILL be climbing the walls...

I NEVER had any trouble with caffene before taking vyvanse, I could have a double espresso and go to sleep but not now... I get wired if I slip up and have a refill of coke at lunch.

yeah but caffene consumption with vyvanse you do really need to be careful more than about the amount in a bottle of coke or pepsi and you WILL be climbing the walls...

I NEVER had any trouble with caffene before taking vyvanse, I could have a double espresso and go to sleep but not now... I get wired if I slip up and have a refill of coke at lunch.

Very, very true. You have to be careful with the caffeine. I only drink caffeine in the afternoon when I feel the Vyvanse wearing off (usually green tea now even though I've always been a coffee guy). About a week ago, I had something going on in the morning so I knew I wouldn't be able to take the Vyvanse until late morning. So I figured sure I could have that 2nd cup of coffee in the morning. BAD IDEA. I felt like crap all day and my resting pulse was around 95.

Since then, I've actually cut my morning coffee down to be half decaf / half caf and I find that I end up feeling better.

I was the same as you, I loved having that double espresso after a nice dinner out. And I would have no problem falling asleep. I could never quite understand those people who would tell me they can't have coffee anytime after lunch or they can't sleep. Until now that is . . .

I'm glad you did respond. Thanks. The Vyvanse has been wearing off for me around 2 or 3PM. I talked with my Pdoc today and he changed my prescription to Adderal XR twice daily. He thought it was unusual that it wore off that quickly but that this would be a good alternative to try. I asked for a Dexedrine IR kicker for the afternoons and he said he would rather I try this first. If this doesn't work he thought maybe going to Dexedrine altogether might be the way to go. All I know is that I hope this Adderal still stops the anxiety, because living with that has been hell! We'll see. All I know is that around 2PM I crawl back into my little shell of wanting to hide from everything again and that sucks.

If the Adderall has worsening effect on your anxiety you might ask your pdoc to prescribe an SSRI to take along with the Dex or Adderall. There are many to choose from.

I've been taking AD's for about 6 years. I've tried most of the popular ones. The only ones that I've found effective, in treating my anxiety, are Celexa and Zoloft. I'm currently taking 100mg of Zoloft daily along with Vyvanse.

Burman, I do take Cymbalta and have tried many others as well. The only thing that seems to work for the anxiety is the Vyvanse. My Pdoc said the Adderall IR is virtually the same chemical and that he expects it will still help with the anxiety. So we'll see.