Vyvanse side effects/anyone had issues?

[ChristinaR1967]

Please help. I'm a basket case right now. My son just turned 14 last week, diagnosed with inattention type ADHD a year ago. I was homeschooling him at the time, we didn't start meds. He returned to traditional school, we started Ritalin, it was a fail. It made him nervous and jittery. Failing school, worst grades ever. Missing assignments, unorganized, careless mistakes, unfinished assignments classic ADD. Well he started Vyvanse last week, took it two days, said he worked harder. Refused to take it Friday. Took it today. I pick him up from school he is sick! Headaches, stomach pain, said his heart was racing all day! This terrifies me--Im not giving it to him again. I've always been leery and fearful of these meds. He's failing school. I'm going to go back to homeschool I think. This is all so scary and upsetting. Please help!

[NiksK]

My son's first medication made him emotional and didn't help at all. He had his same behavior with all new issues added. We tried a second and it seemed to work and then they raised the dosage a little more and now he is able to manage a lot better. It can take a few different meds to find the right one. My son is now on Adderall. Is he seeing a therapist? Also is he on the 504 program at school? Our son is and it has helped a lot.

[Payton2009 in reply to NiksK]

He is not in therapy

[Payton2009 in reply to NiksK]

What type of accommodations does your son get with 504?

[NiksK in reply to Payton2009]

My son is younger. He is 9 but the 504 plan will continue with him all through high school. It gives him special accommodations. He gets to sit in an area where if he needs to get up or fidgets he won't be a distraction to others and won't get in trouble. He gets extra time to complete tests and if needs to he can go to the office to a quiet room to complete it. He also gets more time to turn in homework and projects. When he is given longer assignments they also have to write more detailed instructions for him. There are other accommodations that he gets. I think it goes by state and school district. Our schools have a 504 coordinator and they meet with me once a year with his principal and teacher to go over our 504 contract. The contract lays out exactly what accommodations we agree he will need. My older son is 17 and he has friends in high school that have ADD and they receive extra help and time. Ask his school's office they will know right away if they have it. Hope this helps. Also you may want to have him see a therapist to help him. It has helped my son's friend. Good Luck!