I have recently been diagnosed with ADD and this is the first medication I’m taking for it. I’m 18 and taking 20mg of Vyvanse. My psychiatrist told me to take in the mornings, only on the days I need it. She explained that Vyvanse sort of behaves like a slow release medication, unlike some forms of Adderall. She let me know that it would lessen my appetite, but it would come back once the meds wore off. She also let me know that it might keep me awake longer. She provided me with a paper or something that had more side effects too. And as always let me know to contact her immediately if I was experiencing suicidal thoughts and bad things.
So far, I love the stuff. Before this, I had gone through a really bad depression that pretty much killed my brain. I was in a constant brain fog. If I’m off my meds, I still feel like that and it’s almost been a year since I’ve been okay. Taking Vyvanse I actually feel like I’m awake. I finally feel like I used too. And I’m sooo productive! I no longer feel like a bum who will live in their mom’s basement forever!
Although, there are minor some side effects. The first two times I took it, I got no sleep for a long time. I was super happy and excitable. And when it wore off I was really sad. I learned that the mood swing I had was called a vyvanse crash, which can happen on stimulants. I have not experienced it since then, but you should be aware of that if you are giving it to a child or something. Now, I turned really talkative, when before I was silent. And I’ve noticed that I feel less nervous/anxious. I won’t say I feel confident, because it’s not like I feel grandiose or like I could do anything. But I don’t feel like I’m held back by anything. Like, now I could kill spider or say just hi to my neighbor. I still stay awake for 1-2 days straight, though I’m not missing the sleep. And I’m also a bit dehydrated, but already I do drink a lot of coffee/tea and not enough water. And I have literally no appetite, so I must force myself to eat. But I never had a big appetite in the first place, so I’ve had no change in eating habits or weight.
I’d still like to say that everyone should beware of Vyvanse and any psych meds. While it’s my heaven, it could be your hell. My mom is 54 and her general doc prescribed her 20mg. It made her extremely irritated and impatient. It made her more speedy, but made her more scattered. It was not helpful even when they played with the dose. While she doesn’t know for sure if it was her meds that caused all of that, it definitely played a part. And she was very angry when I went on it myself, she was scared for what might happen to me. So you must look up all the side effects and how the medication works. Do not assume that you know what it does, and look up how it compares to other medication as well. And if a doctor tells you there are no side effects, they are absolutely wrong. If you notice anything you don’t like, tell them immediately. And if you do not want to take it, let them know. Medication is not to be messed with, don’t forced yourself to take it. There are always other options and medications your doctor can recommend, don’t just “settle” for something unless you have no other choice.
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