[LittleMiss2015]

So I was recently diagnosed with adult ADD, though I have had it since I was a child, it was never treated. I was prescribed 40mg of vyvanse for a week, then 50mg and told that I would have likely have to experiment with doses to find the perfect fit. I have been on these for over a month and I have tried everything from going down to 20 & 30mg (awful), to dividing my dose into 2, tried 30mg then 20 a few hours later. Tried eating, not eating...protein shakes etc.

No matter what I do, I can only get it to last 4 hours...and hours 5 & 6 are complete hell. I am SO tired and cranky. I have 2 small kids, ages 8&12 and my days are from 6am to 10pm. I can't take the pill in the morning because I would be useless by 10-11am. So I wait and take it about 10:30 so I can at least clean my house while the kids are at school. Problem is, I pick the kids up at 3...and by then I am incredibly cranky and tired which sucks. I have tried taking my full dose twice a day at 10:30 and then 2:30. Some days it works great and I get 4 good hours or productivity, and some days it is bad 45 minutes after I swallow the pill I know it is not going to be a "good day" because I am immediately tired and want to go to bed. I can do the EXACT same things....same amount of sleep, same foods, drinks..everything, but get TOTALLY different results

I make sure I get at least 8 hours of sleep, I don't drink ANY acid...vitamin c or citric acid. I do not drink coffee....only mint tea and water and I eat protein about 30 minutes before my pill (Chicken breast, cucumbers & hummus).

Does ANYONE have ANY tips, tricks, ideas on how to get vyvanse to A.) Last longer, and B.) At least work the same way every time I take it?

I can't take extended release meds because of a health issue, and I am in Canada so we don't have Adderal IR here. I like Vyvanse....when it works...but when it doesn't I hate it I just want to get as much info so I can get an idea of what my needs are when I see my dr next. It is a long way between appointments with him so I want to be as ready as possible. Thanks

[sideblinded]

Hi LittleMiss2015

I understand your problems as I was diagnosed with ADHD a year ago and I am an older adult and I have experimented with 2 different stimulants. I have tried Adderall and Ritalin so far. I am currently on Ritalin. Vyvance is a once a day med and I have read that some people experience a short duration of this med. Since you do not have Adderall IR in your area, would your doctor consider putting you on Ritalin IR in the early am (should last about 3 or 4 hours). This should give you a kick start as it works very quickly. Then you could take the Vyvance when the Ritalin IR wears off. This might help. Vyvance gets into one's system very slowly but if you have a very fast metabolism it may poop out after 4 or so hours. I know most docs are not very educated about stimulants. I had to search far and wide for one who has some knowledge. I don't think mixing two types of stimulants is good but with your limited choices, this might be an improvement. Hope this helps and let us know how your appt goes.

btw...Welcome to PC. I hope that you find this place a great avenue of support. Let a community liaison or moderator know if you have any questions about how to navigate this site. Best wishes on your new journey here.

It seems like when the doctor started my son on Vyvanse he talked about some people needing a supplemental ADHD med later in the day (I think) like concerta. Talk to your doctor about the problem you are experiencing. He might be able to do something like that so you have enough med to help you through the day.

[Ruftin]

Hello and welcome to Psych Central LittleMiss!!! It's nice to meet you. You have joined a community of warm and caring members who will want to offer you support and advice. Yours is welcome as well.

Please feel free to contact any community liaison or moderator by left clicking on their name in blue to the left of their post if you need help navigating the forums. It will take some time for your first five posts to appear as they are being evaluated and then you will be able to join chats.

So sorry for your struggles. I have no experience with the meds you're currently taking but I see you've already been given some good suggestions to bring up to the doctor. I just wanted to stop by and welcome you!!! You'll find we have a safe and supportive community. I'm glad you've joined us.

I look forward to seeing you around!!!

[CANDC]

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[elevatedsoul]

i dunno much about stimulants but why dont your just try adderall if the vyvanse isnt working?

[LittleMiss2015]

Originally Posted by elevatedsoul

i dunno much about stimulants but why dont your just try adderall if the vyvanse isnt working?

I had gastric bypass 2 years ago so I have a shorter intestine than normal people. This means I can't take extended release meds because there is not enough intestine to absorb all of the medicine (It doesn't get to stay in there long enough). When it comes to narcotics, alcohol, and many other medicines...I absorb them, but they are out of my system twice as fast. I can't take Nsaids because of a high risk of ulcers...but if I had to take a percocet for pain, that is supposed to last 4-6 hours...it lasts me 2 . This poses all kinds of issues with all kinds of things. Vyvanse was supposed to be immune to this condition because of how it is released. We don't have IR Adderall in Canada...so my options are pretty limited

[sunrise]

I would recommend getting a really good psychiatric provider to ask these questions of. If your current one doesn't know how to help you, could you ask for a referral to a psychiatric provider who is experienced in treating ADHD in adults? Actually, you didn't even mention you were seeing a psychiatric provider. Who is your prescriber for Vyvanse? If it is your family doctor, definitely seek psychiatric help, as you have specialized issues (gastric bypass + need for psych medication), which is beyond the expertise of most PCPs.

Have you considered trying Daytrana, the patch that delivers stimulant medication through the skin? If you can't take Adderall IR due to being in Canada, how about the IR version of methylphenidate?

Maybe you have to take doses through the day? My little one gets a dose in the morning and then one in the afternoon. He takes adderoll 30 mg XR in the morning then adderoll 10 mg in the afternoon.

I'm sure other combos can be worked out.

You need to talk to your doctor.

[emptyspace]

Originally Posted by AlwaysChanging2

Maybe you have to take doses through the day? My little one gets a dose in the morning and then one in the afternoon. He takes adderoll 30 mg XR in the morning then adderoll 10 mg in the afternoon.

I'm sure other combos can be worked out.

You need to talk to your doctor.

Agree. My pdoc told me some people metabolize vyvanse quicker and need a second dose about 4 hours after the first.