As my Adderall (20mg XR) & Focalin (5mg IR) scripts wane and I near my first month on vyvanse, I'm beginning to worry.

Background: the adderall has helped me considerably, but it wears off early in the afternoon. moreover, my supplemental dose of focalin does not help me whatsoever. After talking to my doc about this, he suggested that I try vyvanse once a day and ditch the supplemental dose, and I'm comfortable with this idea.

Worries: I understand that Focalin is dexmethylphenidate (d-isomer of methylphenidate, i think), and also that vyvanse is, essentially, dextroamphetamine (d-isomer of amphetamine, after being metabolized of course). My concern is that because the d-isomer/focalin didn't work, then the d-isomer/vyvanse won't work.

Am I being irrational? Can anyone describe their experiences with these medications?

Yes they are both comprised of the d-isomer but Focalin is methylphenidate and Vyvanse is amphetamine. You are switching type of stimulants and will likely have a completely different experience unrelated to the d-isomer. Focalin is one of the only meds I haven't tried so I can't give you any insight on how it is different from Vyvanse. Good Luck.

Vyvanse may or may not help as much as Adderall. That said, Adderall is 3/4 d-amphetamine (in various salt forms) and 1/4 l-amphetamine (which gives more phsyical stimulation, kick-in-the-butt effect).

I've been on Vyvanse since September 07 and like it so far. 1 dose lasts longer than 2 doses of Adderall XR for me.

J

Vyvanse may or may not help as much as Adderall. That said, Adderall is 3/4 d-amphetamine (in various salt forms) and 1/4 l-amphetamine (which gives more phsyical stimulation, kick-in-the-butt effect).

I've been on Vyvanse since September 07 and like it so far. 1 dose lasts longer than 2 doses of Adderall XR for me.

J

It's encouraging to hear that a single dose of vyvanse lasts so much longer for you. Hopefully that'll be the case for me too, as that's the main reason for my switching. I'm still not completely able to distinguish the kick-in-the-butt effect from the kick-in-the-head effect (if you will) that my adderall causes, but I'm hoping that my newfound motivation and ability to curb my impulsive behavior isn't completely due to the levoamphetamine - I doubt it is, though.

Thanks for the input 2scattered and JR1973. I'm still open to comments/suggestions if you two or anyone else wants to say something.

Hi, not sure if you've tried the Vyvanse yet or not, but after being on adderall for about 2 years and trying Vyvanse, it was a great difference, but not much of a difference at all....if that makes sense.

My adderall wore off quite quickly as well. I would take it around 10 am and by 1 or 2pm, I was finding myself to become quite irratable at work - so much to the point that my boss would say "time to take your second dose, Lindsay!" Anyway, the vyvanse is like a smooth ride throughout the WHOLE day. We all love the UP'S we get from the adderall; granted the vyvanse doesn't give you such a "euphoric" feeling, you stay at a NICE constant level throughout the whole day - which I love. But beware, once it does start wearing off at night, make sure you're in for the night and done with your day - the "crash" seems to be alot more intense than the adderall. I'm always having to rush to the bathroom between 9-10 to do my "bed rituals" because I know by 11, I will barely be able to move.

All in all, I do really love the Vyvanse better. I just wish my insurance would cover it seeing that I'm 21, and my insurance will only cover it if youre between the ages of 6-12. I really think they should start prescribing to adults and get it passed for that. Best ADD med. I've ever taken!

This is day 2 on vyvanse (30mg) and, contrary to my worries, I am really quite satisfied with the results. All of the reports I had read in these forums led me to expect a "more smooth" -- no levoamphetamine -- adderall experience, and I guess that's the best description I can provide at this point. I have no experience with other dextroamphetamine meds, so, unfortunately, I can't make any insightful comparisons. I feel none of adderall's "kick-in-the-pants" effect, nor any of the other mild physical side effects like increased heart rate or (more rarely) muscle agitation. Additionally, vyvanse has yet to have any effect on my appetite, which I have happily welcomed back into my life. Vyvanse's onset is noticeably later than adderalls; although, it did (much to my surprise) seem to be effective for about 10 hours -- ~4 hours longer than adderall xr 20mg lasted me. I think that I may need to raise my dose to 50mg (my doc likes to start me at the lowest dose), but other than that I have no qualms. All in all, I think that Vyvanse will work out much better (for me, at least) than adderall had.

Vyvanese is not good for me.I'm 35 yr female married with child & run a bus.I have ADD with mild depression. Vyvanese has increased my depression & made me more emotional. Iv'e been taking 70mg for 4 weeks but the bad side effects started after 3 days and are getting worse.take it at 7:30am & it wears off around 2:00 with a crash & burn out. My day is pretty much shot while it's wearing off.Also, a huge problem for me is while it's wearing off I'm extremeley irratable,unable to focus,& more depressed,sometimes I cry,which didn't happen to me before.I have lost my composure & notice my communication isn't as good as before. DILATED PUPILS happen during the wearing off period & are extremley noticeable to everyone around me. looks like I'm high as a kite!! I'm not on anything else except a .50mgxanax at night to sleep along with .50trazadone.I don't really drink but if I do Vyvanese doesn't agree with alcohol for me. My Dr. has switched me to Adderall XR. I'll let you know.Anyone else have these side effects? If so have you tried Adderall XR & how is it?<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

I am currently taking the Vyvanese 50 once daily. As far as I can tell it is wearing off around 2:00 p.m. I get up at five am every day and I work full time. I was able to get a lot accomplished this morning but now I am just spent as far as thought process is going.

I took Vyvanse for about a month in February. It was alright - to me it just seemed like Adderall without the physical stimulant (i.e. my mind was stimulated, but my body wasn't). This was good and bad - good because I didn't get the physical effects as bad (i.e. no cottonmouth, no muscle twitch, no excessive sweating) and it lasted longer - but bad because it doesn't have the same 'euphoria' I get with Adderall; Adderall (in addition to making me focused) also makes me more euphoric and social...Vyvanse just made me more focused.

I switched back to Adderall because the Vyvanse was lasting too long for me (I don't need a whole day's worth of stimulant...Adderall is just enough to get my through work/school).

I have the same problem with it wearing off too soon, and despite Shire's claims and what many other users report, I CRASH HARD when it does. I've tried skipping weekends so I'll have an extra dose available during the week, but when I do that I'm practically comatose the whole weekend.

Em