Hi, I’m newly diagnosed with ADHD at 35 and have been prescribed Vyvanse at 30mg. So after the first two days being uncomfortable after taking (spaced out, zombie like, crash 3/4 hours later), I altered my diet (no caffeine now and no sugar where I can help it). Since then it’s been pretty smooth, as I’ve heard it should be. Though I still notice the a little dip in feeling down after 3/4 hours.
I read that you shouldn’t expect a surge in energy, and if you do, it comes off - that’s fine as that is not the intention and if it was my initial zombie spaced out feeling still I’d be over medicated. I read if you however tune in to look at focus, concentration and impulse control the drug is still very active, but as a ‘feeling’ you are near your normal self and not heightened as if you were in a drug as contradictory as it sounds.
Im in full lockdown and no work so I’m trying to gauge the effectiveness of the increase in focus. So I’m trying pick peoples brains and listen to others opinions whether I’m on the right track!
Any help or advise to let me know that would be great!!
I was recently diagnosed as well and prescribed Vyvanse (30 mg). The first few days I experienced almost a euphoric feeling but that dissipated and my body adjusted. The medication is very subtle and in my opinion very effective controlling my issues (racing thoughts, easily distracted, impulse control, moody and social anxiety ). I have had a successful professional career thus far and have been known as highly creative but mercurial. My fear is the Vyvanse is going to squelch the creative side of me. With that said I’d rather have a better family life and relationships with others, which I am since beginning Vyvanse.
Ok good to know. So your saying now when you take it you don’t get any sort of recognisable ‘up’ or boosted feeling, you just know it’s working and being effective still by the way your able to concentrate while working?
I am an organic Chemist for 42 years and I have accurate information. Amphetamine is what they call a racemic compound. it has a chiral center at the second carbon, which produces a 50:50 mixture of -levo and -dextro isomers when made. The -levo isomer is is identical but like your hands, they are not superimposable. -levo amphetamine is the left-handed isomer, -dextro amphetamine is the right-handed isomer. Your receptors in your brain are also chiral, meaning that dextro isomer only fits in dextro receptos, levo isomer only fits in -levo receptors., sort of a lock and key situation. the dextro isomer affects only the Central Nervous System, the-levo isomer affects only the Peripheral nervous system, which affects adrenaline, gives an energetic boost, and makes you feel more active. It is a falsehood that only the dextroamphetamine isomer is active and causes the energy feeling. It is not, or almost not. It is the -levo isomer that causes the excess energy. The -levo is legal, the dextro is Schedule II, federally regulated. Most doctors I've found think the dextro is the energy-causing one because that's how it was always thought to be the case.TRUTH: Just taking -levo amphetamine will just make you feel energetic but in an uncomfortable way, like taking too much ephedrine. It is actually only when the two are combined that you get that stronger Adderall effect. Pure dextroamphetamine does not produce a speedy effect, but works only on your mind, which is what ADHD requires.
Amphetamine got the reputation for giving you a wonderful euphoric feeling, but if you think about it, most if not all of the illicit amphetamine produced for addicts over the years was racemic, a 50:50 blend of -levo and -dextro, hence the "speed" effect. pure dexedrine, like what Vyvanse yields has no -levo component, hence little stimulating effect. This is what you want for ADHD. Illicit manufacturers never have the technology to separate the two because they are effectively the same compound, just the atoms pointing in opposite directions. Melting point is the same, boiling point is the same, etc.
Therefore, pure dextroamphetamine itself is not a very good street drug, it produces very little physical energy, but likewise it provides only the mental energy. which is not noticeable if you are expecting something else. Back in the 70's they produced a medication called Benzedrine, which was a 50:50 mixture of each isomer, but it was taken off the market because it was too addictive, more so than Adderall, which contains 25% -levo-isomer. The -levo isomer helps with dieting and fatigue, the -dextro isomer only works on the frontal cortex of the brain, where the issue called ADHD is located.
Dextroamphetamine alone is what helps ADHD, Adderall or especially Benzedrine with half of each isomer, helps ADHD and helps you run to work at 4:00 AM. The mixture is ~ 10X more addictive. So if you are truly only interested in helping your ADHD and not the energy, then not feeling anything on Vyvanse is exactly what you want and need. If for some unknown reason you want the speedy feeling, you need a combination of both isomers. ..........one caution, it is typically the -levo isomer that produces heart attacks, strokes, micro-strokes and eventually the chance of brain damage.. That's why it's more Adderall boosts energy better because it contains 25% -levo isomer with 75% dextro isomer, that's why some people like Adderall better because they are also looking for something to keep them alert for all-nighters or parties, etc.
Believe it or not, I TAKE 70 mg OF VYVANSE AT NIGHT, AND IT HELPS ME SLEEP LIKE A BABY, BECAUSE IT RELAXES THE OTHERWISE MANIC MONKEY IN MY HEAD FROM WORRYING OR THINKING ABOUT 5 THINGS AT ONCE AND KEEPING ME AWAKE. SERIOUSLY !!! Hope this clears some of the questions up. And don't be surprised if your Dr. disagrees, they most do because that's what they were taught. Some are curious enough to listen and research this themselves.....and they will find that what I said is true and has been researched quite a lot since ADHD became mainstream. Used to be called "Minimal Brain Damage", Parents didn't want to think of their kids as brain damaged, so then, it was changed to MINIMAL BRAIN DYSFUNCTION", which still sounded bad so they created the disorder called ADHD, which didn't traumatize the kids so much.
I’m not on the same medication as you but I was just diagnosed 2 months ago at forty and total get what you’re saying. The dr wants to know how things are going and it’s so hard to answer. Things are different! But are they better?? Depends what area I talk about. I think the whole thing just takes time to adjust. At these ages, we’ve become who we are because of our undiagnosed adhd. What are we without our coping mechanisms? I’ve always had a racing brain. Often to a negative fault but I realize since the medication, I also used it ALL THE TIME to keep myself on track. Without my inner monologue constantly sorting out how I should be doing things and playing out scenarios, it’s actually been a little difficult sometimes. However, I know how quickly that mind I rely on can turn on me and bring me down. Before medication, my whole life I’ve only ever had 2 modes of being. Hyperfocus or completely off. The biggest thing the medication has done is put me somewhere in the middle of those two states. Which is great!!
But I will also say, my medication journey hasn’t always been successful. I started with a generic Adderall and had such a hard time figuring out if it was working the way it should. I didn’t know how it should feel. But the next month when I got my prescription refilled they had a different generic company. Supposed to be the same drug, just different company. Well..... COMPLETELY DIFFERENT!!! This is what wasn’t adding up for me. Something with the previous medication was off for me. This one feels right. I mention this because technically, I’m still taking the exact same drug! That’s how differently and finite the balance seems to be for adhd medication. Give your meds a shot, maybe the dose needs to go up, but if you’re still questioning whether it’s giving you the effect it should, I would say to switch. Then at least you have a comparison as well. I’m a stay at home mom so I don’t go to work. Honestly, that probably would have easier for me! Ha! But I’m home. And since my son was born, well, there’s a reason I got diagnosed. Here’s a small list of things I noticed the medication does for me since increasing and trying to figure it out.
Cravings, I don’t crave all junk food now. I used to be unable to decide what to eat to the point I would be starving and then didn’t have energy to decide or prepare food so I just wanted ice cream and toast with peanut butter or whatever. I also had an addiction to eating out. Those are all gone. Instead now I grab for a piece of fruit which is MUCH more how I used to eat when I was “high functioning”.
I don’t need my phone as much.
I don’t need the tv as much.
My hyperfocusing went down. When I was on a lower dose my hyperfocus actually increased. But not in the right areas. It wasn’t good.
I can decide what to make for dinner and follow through. Before I would open all the cupboards with foods, over and over for hours never making a decision and then begrudgingly choose something and be too overwhelmed to cook it in peace. I was constantly irritated, angry and frustrated.
I can eat and drink now when I think of it. Sounds weird but what this actually is, is that I now have the ability to STOP something I was doing, grab some water, then restart the thing I was doing. I’m gaining the ability to change tasks instead of continuing with what I’m doing at the expense of my personal health.
I can talk to my husband sometimes now without wanting to strangle him. That’s a win.
Engaging with my son takes WAY less effort. I used to engage with him on “autopilot” while my mind was trying to zone out. Now, I’m “present” with him.
I’m not “stewing” on things. Before, I would get upset about something an hour or so after waking up and it would ruin my whole day. Now when something happens, I can move on. There are some stressful things happening in my family right now. Now, I can give it some thought and attention, but then move on, instead of letting it eat my brain, ruin my sleep, create panic and tears etc.
I’ve noticed I seem to be getting a little bit of a morning and evening routine for myself. My son has a routine that I stick to but I’ve actually never had a routine outside of work days. So for the 2 years since my son has been born, I’ve never been able to learn, create or have the energy to get a routine for myself. Which resulted in me wearing pjs every single day and hardly ever brushing my hair or teeth. I know. Sounds bad right! It wasn’t always like this. I did 40 years pretty well! But a colic baby till 12 months old, no family to help, 2 postpartum surgeries and the baby not sleeping through the night till 23 months old.... my adhd couldn’t handle it. Not to mention I breastfed for 2 years! Until I started medication for adhd. So I was in a state of “menopause” which is usually an extremely difficult time for women with adhd. Soooooo true!!!
Anyway, I hope this helps!
I highly recommend a daily journal to write your dose, how you slept and what you notice. It really helps figure out if some things are dose related or sleep and stress related. Also, if you’re a women, TRACK YOUR CYCLE! You’ll likely start to see a trend in your adhd symptoms and your cycle. You may also notice that on certain cycle days, you medication may feel completely usless.
Once you stopped breastfeeding, how long until you started stimulants? I’m 4 weeks post weaning and my meds don’t work at all anymore. Could it still be hormones?
I was breastfeeding when I first “tried” the Adderall. I didn’t want to quit breastfeeding to take the medication unless it was going to be a medication that worked. It did so I started weaning the next day and it took 1.5 weeks. I was on 10 mg Adderall instant releases during that time. I would take it when I knew I didn’t have too feed the baby for a long period. Then I started the XR.
I started my period, started my medication and stopped breastfeeding all around the same time so I’m not sure which factors were played the biggest role. We also had to titrate the medication during all this. Things didn’t settle for me until I hit my optimal dose which is now 15mg IR 3x a day. I feel like I needed a surprisingly high dose to control all the hormones, changes and symptoms. Last month, out of nowhere my debilitating exhaustion just ended! My meds felt even more effective and things seemed on track. Then one day I was suddenly struck with debilitating fatigue again and my meds didn’t feel as effective. Then I started my period a few days later. So if I had to guess, it took my hormones 3-4 months to balance after I stopped breastfeeding and I will still experience certain set backs during the month. However, I breastfed for 2 years! I read that when you have such a “mature” supply your body doesn’t turn it off as quickly.
If you feel like your meds aren’t working, you’re likely right. Between the hormones and the exhaustion of children, you likely need a higher dose.
Once you’ve taken it for about a week it will level out. Excuse my analogy but the cracked out feeling will go away and you may feel a little lazy when it kicks in for the first 20-30 min.
I take mine at 5am and have a slow morning until about 6:30am. By 7am I’m out the door and on my way to work. Listening to some constant beat music or study music will help me get into a work mode and get focused but I am always aware of everything going on. If most of your time when on the Vyvanse is either foggy or you are 90% hyper focused on one subject at a time or task you’re over medicated.
But realize that adhd will always have those hyper focused moments when your brain clicks with something and you really latch onto it. I get that way and end up wanting to be a perfectionist with photoshop and editing at work but set timers to snap out of it.
Drink lots of water and take about 2-3 minutes to do a mindful check in often. I like to stop, ask myself how am I feeling, how can I improve or what have I done a good job at so far in the day.
Also remember that the meds are what will help you develop tools that will be key in the act of checking yourself, developing healthy habits, and becoming more productive in life!
Thanks that’s useful to know. Do you experience a slight dip in feelings around 4 hours after taking? I believe this is the crash. However I understand Vyvanse should STILL be effective despite that and it’s not a sign to take more or an increase in dosage? What are the signs that you do actually need more?
That’s the half life of the meds. you should try to drink a cup of coffee, sugary soda or a snack with higher sugar & carb contest in it about 1/2hr before that time. (Refueling the body constantly) 3-4 small snacks a day is a perfect goal. The meds will make you oblivious to low blood sugar, dehydration and many other things unfortunately. I do get cranky around 10am if I don’t have a snack and at 4:40pm which is when my meds are completely done if I’m not off work and out the door I get pretty irritable and cranky because I need the drive home to relax and unwind.
I have been on Vyvanse 30 mg for years. I am a creative, and a life coach, a mover and all sorts of things. This med changed my life. It took a while to stop being addicted to the chaos I created from the situations my ADHD would bring into my life. I now know I have to have community, and purpose, and rest, and proper time with my animals and friends. I have all of these things because my mind is not creating a wall of words anymore.
That is my experience. We are all different. I wish you all the best on your journey.
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