Vyvanse Side Effects

[drumn4state]

Hello all, I have a few questions about V side effects. Let me explain what I have done and what I plan to do and see if somebody can tell me if I am on the right track.

I began taking Vy 70 mg 6 days ago after being diagnosed with adult ADD. I know this isn't a very long time, but please hear me out because I don't know if I should continue with Vy.

My pdoc told me to dilute the contents of one capsule in a couple of ounces of water and take half of the solution on the first day, and then the other half on the next day. Then I was to begin taking the whole 70mg capsule on the third day. I thought to myself that this was a short titration period, but I am no doc so I did what I was told.

The first two days, I felt the effects and had some side effects, but I seemed to tolerate them well. On the third day I took the entire 70mg capsule and it rocked my world. I had just about every side effect listed in the pamphlets: anxiety, nervousness, jitters, headache, etc. I was extremely uncomfortable until the pill started to wear off around 7PM. I took another whole pill the next day hoping that my body would have adjusted at least some to Vy and that it wouldn't be so bad. I was wrong, each day I took the whole capsule the side effects got worse and worse. Yesterday I spent the entire day in basically a catatonic state unable to speak intelligibly and basically just fried out of my mind.

Today, I decided to go back to titration mode. I dissolved the capsule in 10 mL of water and drank down 3 mL of the solution. While there is no way to be exact, by my calculations that should equal roughly 20mg of Vy. I plan on continuing with this dose for 5 days and then upping by 2 mL every five days until I am up to where I need to be. My question is today, I took only 20 mg or so and I had crazy side effects again. Will these level out? Has anyone else out there had nasty side effects that have gone away? I know that I am sensitive to certain classes of meds, but this being the first stimulant med I have ever taken I really didn't know what to expect. My pdoc said that Vy is the "smoothest" of all the stims so if this doesn't work am I simply out of luck? If these SE's don't level out then there is no way I can continue with this med which would suck because the first two days the focus and the clairity were awesome. I got more done in those two days than I have in the past month.

I am thinking out loud here, but maybe after a few days of the lowered dosage things will even out. I hope so. I know this is a long post, but I wanted to make sure that I gave as much information as I could because I really need some help here. Thanks everyone!!!

[Scatteredbrain]

Yikes! That doesn't sound very good! The first day that I was on it, I felt as though I was on speed. My heart was pounding and I cleaned my house from top to bottom and just couldn't stop. That happened again the next day, but that "speed" feeling went away after that. I did have headaches for probably the first two weeks though. I started out on 70mgs right off the bat though.

70mgs might be right for you. What you're describing sounds like what you're taking is too much. I would call your Dr. to inform him and ask for his suggestion as well. If it's making feel that bad, wait until you've consulted your Dr. before taking it again. Good luck to you!

[kungpowking]

What did you do for the Headaches? I have tried asprin/tylenol/ibuprofen and nothing seems to work. Please someone help me...I am working 10-12hr days trying to get things done before the holidays and this is killing my productivity.

[so me]

Hey,
i cant tell you if your side effects will go away bc i havent taken Vyvanse more than once, but from what ive been reading from other members on this forum, it seems like after a week it does go away. but i too had similar reactions to Vyvanse my first day. i just got diagnosed w/ adult ADHD, and my doc scribed me 50mg of Vyvanse. I took one in the morning before going to work, everything was good until about when an hour passed. the initial kick in was nice, but after an hour, i seriously felt like i had smoked some space crack. it was a terrible experience. i got nothing done, was incapable of socializing or intellectually expressing my thoughts. my palms were sweaty all day, my heart was stuck in my throat at times, experienced a terrible headache towards the evening, my pupils were the size of golfballs, couldn't make direct eye contact wit people until later in the day when it wore off a little bit. i even had to walk out of a meeting bc i was so effin f***ed up. i was stuck in euphoria all day, and its definitely something im not digesting during workday. that was the last day i took it tho, i called my doc, and he scribed me 5mg adderall twice a day, 1 in the morning and the other after lunch. so far its been good, except i think my tolerance is building up quicker than id expected so now im taking roughly 15 mg a day. recently ive noticed that ive been forgetful of things though, which is becoming to worry me. id like to give vyvanse a 2nd chance, but i dont have the dolo for it, so well have to wait until i get insurance.

In your case, it seems 70mg is way powerful on your body. I have a very low tolerance to amphetamines, and from previous experiences, it takes awhile before your tolerance start to build up, but this cant be said about everybody. maybe your doc should have started you with the lowest dosage, perhaps the 30mg and worked your way up from there.

i hope everything is working out tho. id like to know how things progress.

[chinesebob]

your doctor should have given you the free sample and then had you go up a week a time with 30, then two of the 30, then potentially 3 of the 30. 70mg is a lot to through at someone with no experience in ADD let alone having something like this to reshape your understanding of your history.

Sorry for the bad experience. I would call your doctor right away and tell him you want to ramp up.

[newfoundclarity]

Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience. It certainly could be too high a dose to start at, particularly with no previous stimulant exposure.

When I first started Adderall I used to get a lot of physical side effects, racing heart, etc. However I found Vyvanse to be almost devoid of those effects. I do suffer from anxiety, and I had not really even started to get it under control when I was taking the Adderall. Now with the Vyvanse, if i haven't been exercising or taking positive steps, I can still get a morning panic attack, the V dose, some breakfast, COFFEE and the news.


So, I would advise you to go slow in getting accustomed to the medication, and this will also help you track your symptom control progress.


One last thing, has your doctor looked at any medication interactions?
I was taking Clonidine, .2 mg, Adderall XR 30/3/day, and risperdal. I would get terrible shaking, not just muscle tremors but almost in my veins.

I discovered, (no evidentiary links here but not hard to find) that not only can risperdal and blood pressure medication interact but that Clonidine can intensify amphetamine withdrawal (period when the medication in your bloodstream is dwindling) and that amphetamine can intensify Clonidine withdrawal. As my general practitioner said when he learned of my pdoc's cocktail, "Its not very elegant medicine. Applying the gas and the brakes at the same time."

So, whatever you and your doctor find that works best for you, be well, go slow, and stay informed. Good luck.

[kungpowking]

Just as an Update my headaches have gone away. It was about the whole second week everyday when it would start wearing off I was getting painful headaches that were lasting 3 or 4 hours. Then they just went away and now the come down is so much more bearable. So far that has been just about my only negative side effect. Though after close to a month @ 30mg it it has become a much more subtle improvement and seems to be only good for half a day at work. I only take mon-fri for work.

[drumn4state]

Hey, thanks to everyone for your help. So Me, you described it well, that is exactly like what I was experiencing. I stopped taking the V as I never did get "used" to it. I went back to my pdoc a couple of months later and she put me on Concerta. I have to say I was apprehensive to try another stimulant, but I had to give it a shot. I am in school and my concentration sucks when I am reading something that doesn't interest me (for example ancient Greek history...BLAH). I would find myself reading for three pages and not knowing a single word I had read. My mind was studying something completely different. I gave it a shot and thank God it has been working for me since. I can not believe how much my quality of life has changed. It has been wonderful!!!

[coffybeans]

Wanted to share the wonderful results I've had from Vyvanse. I started taking it over a year ago... It was so new I had to wait 3 days everytime i got a refill because they didnt carry it... now they do.

I take a 70 at 7am and a 50 4pm... Yes more then the suggested regular dosage.. but it doesnt last me the full day. I havent had any side effects except dry mouth... I have to drink water through out the day.. not a bad thing, just my mouth gets very dry.

My adult daughters take Vyvanse as well... No problems other then dry mouth,,, One thing they do complain of they can't eat as much at buffets.. LOL.. They take their Vyvanse AFTER breakfast or they have complained of upset stomach. I havent had that side effect. But they say taking it after breakfast works fine.

[mcl0701]

I also take Vyvanse twice daily. (One 70mg twice a day... One pill was wearing off to early.) Anyway I just wanted to tell you that when I get dry mouth It's usually because I am dehydrated. I think Vyvanse dehydrates me faster than without it. I usually drink 12 8oz glasses of water a day. Hope this helps!!

[mcl0701]

Does anyone have problems with poor circulation while on Vyvanse?? My hands/feet go numb ALL the time!!

[ohloverx]

Originally Posted by mcl0701

Does anyone have problems with poor circulation while on Vyvanse?? My hands/feet go numb ALL the time!!

I have noticed that since starting Vyvanse that my feet go numb much quicker than they used to. I always sit like a pretzel, so I'm used to the tingly feeling, but now within a few minutes of being seated my feet go cold and then go to sleep. My fingers are also like ice. I usually have cold fingers and toes at the end of the day before bed, but now it is constant. And I have sweaty hands, which I never had before. I've heard that amphetamine tends to mess with circulation to the fingers and toes. So, no, you aren't alone.

[Mrs.B.]

Has anyone experienced any problems with hair thinning/loss?? I have been on Vyvanse for a year or so--I was on Adderall for about 5 prior to switching. I began noticing my hair thinning not long after switching, but I originally attributed it to having a baby (a few months before going to Vyvanse). She is 20 months now, and my hair is getting thinner! Much thinner! I have had bood work done and everything checked out OK. MY doc. doesn't seem to think it could be the Vyvanse, but I am not so sure...I am only 26!

[Cyanyide]

Originally Posted by mcl0701

Does anyone have problems with poor circulation while on Vyvanse?? My hands/feet go numb ALL the time!!

Originally Posted by ohloverx

I have noticed that since starting Vyvanse that my feet go numb much quicker than they used to. I always sit like a pretzel, so I'm used to the tingly feeling, but now within a few minutes of being seated my feet go cold and then go to sleep. My fingers are also like ice. I usually have cold fingers and toes at the end of the day before bed, but now it is constant. And I have sweaty hands, which I never had before. I've heard that amphetamine tends to mess with circulation to the fingers and toes. So, no, you aren't alone.

I sit the same way o.O and I have the same problems, my feet go to sleep after just a few minutes and my fingers are always much colder than normal. I've been wearing gloves in between classes when I'm walking outside... people look at me like I'm crazy because it's usually in the high 40's or 50's (degrees Fahrenheit).

[Flash32]

Originally Posted by ohloverx

I have noticed that since starting Vyvanse that my feet go numb much quicker than they used to. I always sit like a pretzel, so I'm used to the tingly feeling, but now within a few minutes of being seated my feet go cold and then go to sleep. My fingers are also like ice. I usually have cold fingers and toes at the end of the day before bed, but now it is constant. And I have sweaty hands, which I never had before. I've heard that amphetamine tends to mess with circulation to the fingers and toes. So, no, you aren't alone.

I'm glad i am not the only one that this happens to. Does the sweating/ numbness go away eventually or is this something you just have to live with?