[Queen of Chaos]

I have been so happy, so productive, felt so wonderfully calm and attentive, felt so content with my world on Vyvanse, which I started taking 11 days ago. I have no sensation of being jittery, I'm not hyper, I'm not having headaches, I'm eating normally -BUT- (there's always a but for me) my blood pressure is slightly elevated and my heart rate is also.

I'm not taking any other medicine except my tiny hyperthyroidism medication at night.

Does anyone know from experience if I'll be forced to give-up Vyvanse because of my slight blood pressure problems OR can I take blood pressure/heart rate medication with Vyvanse?

I see my psychiatrist next Wednesday and my endocrinologist one week after that. I do not want to have to give up the only drug that has help me since I stopped taking Adderal.

I'm so anxious about maybe having to give-up the drug that that in and of itself is probably causing some elevation of my blood pressure.

[BatsAndButterflies]

I was put on Vyvanse in December, but it's definitely made my anxiety junk much worse since it's a psychostimulant... I'm probably going to have to switch. Do you think your heart rate is related to anxiety?

[slowinmi]

Hi Queen,

I looked on several reputable sites, but there isn't any record of Vyvanse causing an increase in blood pressure. There are several other side effects, like the increased heart rate you mentioned, but nothing about blood pressure.

It could be anxiety, or your hyperthyroidism that is causing the blood pressure increase. Also, even though it's not listed as a side effect, sometimes when your heart rate increases that also causes an increase in blood pressure.

If your doctor thinks you might need medication for the blood pressure, there are several different types of blood pressure meds that I think you would be able to try. There aren't any listed side effects with other meds.

I've never been on Vyvanse, so I'm not speaking from experience, but it sounds as though it's working pretty well for you. I hope you're able to continue it safely.

Take care, slow

[Queen of Chaos]

I wanted to share a brief update (although I'm too long winded to ever be brief)!! I realized that I was somewhat fearful about Vyvanse, I've had negative experiences with every drug I've ever been given and while I wanted to bask in the happier, more productive way I felt, I was anxious.

I decided to do a little experiment figuring at the worst a little high blood pressure wouldn't kill me in a couple of weeks. I recently had stopped taking a BP drug called Benazapril and Atenolol because I could not tell a particle of difference taking them. My husband has had two open-heart surgeries and we both monitor our BP religiously. I didn't consider that I was doing anything foolish but I always find it confusing when taking multiple prescriptions trying to figure out which one is a problem.

Anyway, I told myself that for one week I would take only the Vyvanse and my hyperthyroid medication and I'd document my blood pressure and pulse carefully. Something I find intriguing has happened.

My BP is the best it has been in 3-4 years. It is almost perfect. My pulse is good about half the time but elevated the other half...which, no doubt, comes from the hyperthyroid problem. I never got anywhere close to normal BP with Benazapril and Atenolol.

I feel good. I'm not hyper, my appetite is normal, I'm also sleeping better than I've slept in years and my BP is practically normal. I feel calm, content, happy, productive and I can think, I'm paying attention, I feel connected to whatever is happening. How can you explain a stimulant drug apparently calming a body to the point where BP is almost normal?

I'm keeping detailed records about my BP/pulse. I see my psychiatrist next Wednesday, have thyroid tests the following Wednesday and see my endocrinologist the third Wednesday. I'm on a roll but I'm anxious to share what seems to be happening. I feel like a different person and truly believe if my thyroid was either totally under control with medication or maybe even removed the heart rate/pulse problems might cease - which is also my cardiologist's opinion.

See there - I said it would be brief!!

[slowinmi]

I'm so glad that you're doing so well and the Vyvanse is working well for you. Thanks for the update and good luck with the appointments. I'm sure the docs will also see how well you're doing and be happy for you when you see them.

Take care - slow