I was just prescribed 30 mg of Vyvanse for binge eating disorder, hoping this will work. I haven't taken it yet, as my pharmacy needs a day to fill the script since they were out of it... but was just wondering if anyone had any advice, comments, experiences, etc.
Thanks
Has anyone used Vyvanse for Binge Eating Disorder?
Question posted by daniche on 10 March 2015
Last updated on 12 May 2018
55 Answers Page 3
I am at 2 months and 2 weeks. I started at 414lbs on Aug 9th. I am 6'6".I started on 30mg and it immediately took away my stress binging. I use fitness pal app and log meals. The first month I was eating between 1000 and 1500 calories a day. Not enough but I sustained that for 30 days. My doctor had threatened high blood pressure medication during the Aug 9th appointment as my BP was 159 over 90 on that day. 30 days later I had lost 36 pounds and my blood pressure was at 136 over 89. I have eleven ed my calories to 2000 a day at his advice and today I am down to 361lbs. I feel great, the only side effects other than occasional dry mouth was that i took a bandaid off quickly yesterday and my skin turned bright red and stayed that way. Also it tore off a small patch of skin the six of a tic tac. I read later that was a side effect, loosing or hypersensitivity of the skin .
I was re-prescribed today at 50mg as the previous dosage has been wearing off around . I'll report back as to how that works. I am worried about gaining weight back after I end the medication, so I am taking this respite from desire for food as a chance to build other good habits such as logging my food. My fitness pal really helps you keep a handle on carb/fat/protein ratios as well as calories. Also, I got a dog so I am taking him on walks every day. Good luck everyone and if you are thinking about trying this medication I would encourage you. ☺
I was diagnosed with BED several years ago by my Psych and I have been asking for Vyvanse for the last six months! He keeps telling me it is only for ADHD which he does not think I have. Can anyone tell me if it has been approved for BED in Ireland? I cannot find this information anywhere and since introducing Lexapro to my cocktail of Cymbalta, Lamictal, Valdoxen and stilnocte my binge eating is gone out of control!
Thank you
I also take Lamictal for Bipolar Disorder and have for many years,. It was when I began taking ABILIFY that binge eating at night became an issue. Vyvanse twice a day works for the most part, although I struggle right before bed to not just raid the pantry for ANYTHING salty. I have tried adjusting the time of day that I take the medication; 10am and 4pm seems good ... BUT I have yet to see any weight loss. I do sometimes forget to take the Vyvanse, even with a reminder alarm on my phone ... That's how I know the Vyvanse works ... I binge like crazy when I don't have the second dosage. It has only been 4 weeks of dual dosing so I am optimistic about the outcome.
I am Irish too, living in the USA. I believe it is also approved in Europe for Binge Eating Disorder too, but can't be sure ... I will try to find out from an industry contact though and if I am successful in doing so, can post an answer.
Hi Loopy!
Until yesterday, I also thought Vyvanse was approved only for ADHD. My psychiatrist prescribed it to me along with some marketing material from Shire (the company which produces the drug). The material talked about BED. Upon further research, I found out that Vyvanse was approved in January for BED. You should be able to find a lot of information on Shire's site, which you can then present to your doctor.
Best of luck!
Please look up Shire Pharmaceuticals, which just paid a $56.5 million dollar fine over Vyvanse, which was promoted for everything from ADHD to conduct disorder. I once suffered from BED, and it is not a "disorder," it is a sin. I know what it is like to be in bondage to this sin, but Jesus offers to free you. Jesus said, "Truly, truly, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. SO IF THE SON SETS YOU FREE, YOU WILL BE FREE INDEED" (John 8:34-36). But you will need to be willing to forsake this sin. After binging and starving for years, I finally confessed my sin to the Lord and humbly asked Him to free me--AND HE DID!!! God bless you.
I started taking Vyvanse 30mg about 5 months ago for BED my physician told me that my benifit would be twofold as she believed I had ADD induced anxiety. Almost immediately I felt the effects of it, I was completely disinterested in food. As I worked with my physician she suggested I eat breakfast then take my pill, because of my work day I had to take advantage of having time to eat even though I wasn't hungry I ate. I couldn't take more than about 7 to 10 bites, so I ate the majority of proteins that were in my meal. I experienced dry mouth, PVCs, and insomnia. As I acclimated to my dose these side effects got weaker. I took 30mg for one month, 50mg for the past three months and just started my 60mg. I have been steady with a 35lb loss. It's certainly helped with my anxiety, and I don't constantly think about food. I was approved via the pharmaceutical company to receive this med for 12 months for free. I'm grateful that this med is taking care of both my medical issues.
I stumbled upon this forum because I was actually having concerns about my Vyvanse medication. Has anyone experienced a TOTAL loss of appetite? like a complete lack to eat or drink anything? like i want to have food, and in normal amounts too, but i cannot get myself to eat anything.
i'm not sure if it's the vyvanse or another medicine that i'm on. so i was wondering if anyone else has had this complete switch in their appetites? i've struggled w/BED for a few years now, hence why i am perscribed the vyvanse, and it was working VERY WELL for a couple weeks, but now i have no appetite whatsoever and have to force myself to eat. but I am worried if I stop it, that I will go back to bingeing and I can't have that. Any advice? Thanks
You need to see your doctor about timing of the medication and dosage. You need to eat to sustain.
I started on Vyvanse today and I have 0 appetite. I'm worried about this. I am a prediabetic and I don't want my sugar to drop too low.
Hi all - I'm a 39 year old female who has struggled with B.E.D. since I was 19. I did over eaters anonymous for a few years and lost some weight but the binge "switch" has never been turned off... until now. I started on July 9th, 2015 on 30 mg vyvanse, it was wearing off by 2pm (I was taking it at 7:30am) but at the same time I would get really bad anxiety for about 2 hours each day around noon. The doctor had upped the dose to 40mg but in two 20mg pills. One taken in the morning and the other at 1pm. Though this worked better, my insurance would not cover two doses and there was no way I could afford $100 a month vs. the $15 for one pill daily so I started taking the two doses closer together and finally I am now on one daily dose of 40mg taken at 10:30am. The binge "switch" is off almost all the time now but it is still turning on sometimes at dinner time which is always my hardest time.
I've noticed that if I eat really high protein at breakfast and lunch, there is a much less likely chance of a binge at night so I try to do that daily. I have lost 13 pounds in just over 60 days. This is a healthy and slow loss which pleases me. I still have 2 hours of high anxiety every day which I try to breathe through and self talk but it does leave me very tired at the end of the day. When I get home at night, I have no energy left. I clench my jaw as well. One good side effect is that I crave water like no other! I drink at least 100oz a day. I have lowered my caffeine intake from coffee drastically as well which has helped with headaches that I get from time to time. This medication is really helping me, the only thing I wish was better was the anxiety. It has gotten better though, so I'm hoping that continues. Thanks for your posts, they have been very helpful.
I posted on July 25 about how I had just started taking 40mg of Vyvanse but it started wearing off around 3PM (I would take it at 7:30-8 AM) and giving me really bad anxiety and still have the urge to binge in the evening. I stopped taking it until I saw my doctor a week and a half ago and he increased the dose to 60mg which really seems to help, although it's only been 4 days because I couldn't afford it until last Friday. I still get a bit anxious late afternoon/early evening though. Usually no problems with sleep unless I'm particularly stressed out. I was hoping to take it short term, like around 6 months in hopes that in that time I would be able to "break the habit" of binging and thinking about food 24/7. But I'm starting to get worried that when I quit taking it I will gain a lot of weight back or gain even weight than where I started.
I'm not trying to use it as a weight loss tool but I have a LOT of weight to lose (over 100 pounds) and I must admit I'm desperate to try anything because no matter how hard I've tried I just can't seem to stop binging.
Please look up Shire pharmaceuticals, which funds the Binge Eating Disorder Association. Shire was previously ordered by the Justice Dept. to pay $56.5 million over Vyvanse, which was promoted for everything from ADHD to divorce to conduct disorders. They found a new set of victims in binge eaters. I was once a binge eater too, because of my shattered emotions following a traumatic childhood. I even smoked cigarettes at one point to keep from eating! In other words, instead of repenting of my sin with food, I replaced it with another sin! But Jesus Christ offers us freedom from the sins we're in bondage to. However you must acknowledge that binge eating is a sin, and confess it to Him and repent of it. He KNOWS you don't have the strength to overcome this, and He's right there to give you the strength and free you. Jesus said "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:34-36). And Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for My yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Mt. 11:28-29). God bless all of you.
I've been taking it for 5 months. I took 30 mg for a week and it was way too powerful for me - I didn't sleep at all. The doc took me down to 10 mg for a month, then I went to 20 mg the next month and then 30 and that gradual increase was good. It works great for me. I forgot to take it twice in the past few weeks and both times I did mild binging... and then remembered that I forgot my pill. I'm hoping I can stay at this level for a while. I don't notice that it wears off at night like some have mentioned. I take it at 9:30 or 10 am each day. I do worry about taking a stronger dose. My only side effect, other than the first week, has been jaw clenching but that has gotten better over time. I've lost 17 lbs since I started taking Vyvanse.
Hi, I am starting medication tomorrow. My binge eating usually begins in the afternoon until the evening... and most nights... the dosage states to take in the morning, but if I do, I think it won't last as long as I require. If I take it too late, I might not sleep... any experiences with time frames?
I just started it around the same time as you. I noticed that if I haven't eaten a healthy balanced diet or adequate food I get extremely hungry but if I have eaten healthy throughout the day and not skipped meals then I usually do not have binge urges around the same time of day. Do you feel the same way?
I have been taking 20 mg for about 3 months now. It worked immediately for me. I also wanted it to work. Now I struggle and binge when it wears off by the evening, from time to time, after almost 3 months of no binges. Dr wants me to take more but I am nervous about increasing the dose.
If your doctor recommends increasing it, I would try. I was apprehensive too because I was afraid of building a tolerance and, of course, there are many crazy things you can read on the internet. You could always have a small increase and if you're experiencing side effects, I'm sure your doctor would lower it again.
Hi,
Just wanted to see how you have been doing on Vyvanse after a year of use? Is it still working for you? I am just looking into this drug and the reviews have all been very positive but just wondering a year later if you still agree with what you said.
Thanks!
I took my first dose today. I've cycled between BID and bulimia since age 10 and am now 42. For those that have seen improvement, about how long before noticing a change? Thanks in advance!
I saw improvement my first day... I'm wrapping up day two (or trying to). I'm looking forward to taking it tomorrow because of how good I've felt!
I have now been on 50 mg twice a day for about two months. I have lost about 10 pounds which is all I really needed to lose. I have struggled with binge eating for as long as I can remember. It helps me not think about food as much as I used to. However I noticed that the longer I am on it the less effective it is especially the second dose. When it wears off in the evening I am super hungry and feel the urge to binge. Has anyone else experienced this?
Yes, I am experiencing the same "wearing off" and overeat or all out binge. I found in the beginning, it was easier to work with the medication than it is now.
I agree. I feel like the same thing is happening to me. I began on 40 mg and wasn't completely sure it was working. My doctor upped it to 50 mg and I definitely felt a difference. (She also upped my Wellbutrin, which may have something to do with it too.) Now, I'm feeling the binge urges becoming more intense. I'm trying to tell myself that the Vyvanse isn't a magic pill. It's a tool to help me on my journey.
What time do you take your second dose? Can you take it so that it is wearing off at bed time? I find if I take my second dose later it helps. I go to bed and even if I'm not tired I watch TV til I fall asleep. I do this bc I won't eat in bed. If I'm up and in my kitchen I will binge.
I take the second one around 1-2pm and I'm good to go to bed around ten no problem. I just found out I'm pregnant and I'm super worried about the extra weight I will gain since I won't be taking the Vyvanse during pregnancy. I've been off for about a week and a half and have gained 4lbs.
That's really tough. I feel your pain. I do find that if I limit, and I mean really limit my intake of ALL carbohydrates then I'm able to keep my binges to a minimum. Any form of carbohydrates that increase my blood sugar levels esp. Wheat and gluten absolutely send me on a non stop binge. If I eat very low carb I have less of a tendency. They almost disappear. You can Def do that while pregnant but u need to increase ur fat intake if your putting ur body in ketosis. Your body needs more fat to burn instead of the carbs. The first week is rough you may experience headaches but my gf just did it during her pregnancy and actually was able to handle it and lost 5lbs from start weight after having the baby. The key is meats, veggies, fats.
Yes I'm on 30 milligrams and it is definitely not helping in the evenings anymore
I was just prescribed this yesterday and took my first pill this morning! I've struggled with binging my whole life especially after bullying in elementary school over my weight. Then I struggled with anorexia for about 2 years before returning to binging. After recovering from anorexia I started eating crazily! I've gained 50lbs since then and 10 of that has been in about the last two months. My psychiatrist noticed my weight gain and knew I had binging problems so he prescribed it immediately yesterday when I went to see him about my OCD medication.
I can say I already feel VERY hopeful about this medicine because I feel so alert right now. I don't have any desire for junk food right now and I packed a healthy small portioned lunch for work today. I feel very energetic as well which I think is part of how it helps.
It's giving me time to think about things before I do or say them! Which is another issue I have due to OCD. I feel a little hyperactive so I'm glad I took it first thing this morning and not at night! I already have insomnia so hopefully it doesn't make it worse! But I'm thinking I may b able to finally lose the weight on this because the only reason I weigh so much is from binging! I'm feeling like it can conquer it all.
Do you feel like your binging and OCD might be related? The reason I ask is because for at least the last 10-12 years I have hidden my binge eating from everyone, but my issues with BED started around the same time I realized I had problems with OCD. I'm sure my mom realized that there was massive quantities of food missing from the cabinets but she rarely said anything to me. It's only in the 6-8 months that I've started bringing this up with my therapist (who I've been seeing for 2.5 years so you can tell I definitely avoided it.) I've always had problems with my weight and in the last year alone I've gained almost 50 pounds. I've done some research and it appears there could be a link between OCD and binge eating disorder. Interesting.
One week in and doing really well. I take with protein at the same time every morning. No binging and I started my period today so that's huge for me. I've stayed really focused and started working out again huge bonus. Dry mouth is real keep it close by for sure. I'm starting to feel in control for the first time in years. Good luck!
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am just blown away that a drug could help,with BED. I am on day 4. I did not binge today but still eat large portions. I think about food a lot and hope to be free of overeating and obsessive food thoughts. It is good to read you say " I'm starting to feel in control for the first time in years" Good for you!!!
I am bipolar and have ADHD. I developed a side effect from antipsychotics, so I was put on a more sedative antipsychotic and another med. If you believe what's all over the internet, These meds slow down metabolism, drive hunger and cravings, can aggravate binge eating disorder, which leads to weight gain, metabolic syndrome and diabetes type 2. I really don't want to go down that road. I took Vyvanse, and it's sister drug, Adderall (Vyvanse Metabolizes as Adderall, I heard) for three years. I broke my foot. I stopped my regular exercise routine. My constant hunger came back and it angered me. I was taken off of it and had a six week depression, which is also reported all over the internet. So if I go back on it, the dose for me will be lower, at my request. Listen, those three years were the sweetest reprieve from my binge eating disorder ever. If I was given the opportunity, I'd do it all over again.
I fit in clothes, I wasn't ashamed of my body, my family accepted me (they are overly weight conscious) I liked my body. And I'm 54. I think you have to be really careful if you are bipolar. I was at the highest dose. A lot of people found me hypomanic. I also have ADHD and I learned how to do things that I was told I'd never learn how to do: make jewelry at an advanced level, learn pilates, write coherent mental health articles for a bipolar foundation, cook and clean better and my self care... i.e. brushing teeth and taking care of self, well it went through the roof. I enjoyed working out at the gym and did weight lifting (gentle, on machines) which I had always found tedious before. I think that this is a good drug in the right direction, ESPECIALLY for people who are on medications that slow down their metabolism like the one I'm on. I hope my doctor puts me back on Vyvanse. We took a break.
Thank you for posting this question. I am new to taking Vyvanse for BInge eating disorder and when I googled them together your question came up. Reading all the posts from your question is so encouraging to me. I am 53 and have struggled with BED for 20'years. I am starting on 20mg dose eventually taking it up to 40mg. I would love to hear from anyone's positive experience by taking Vyvanse to treat this monster.
I just started taking this medication yesterday for BED. I'm 25 and I've struggled with this for 15 years. Although I personally don't think I have ADHD, my psychiatrist does. I've taken Concerta, Ritalin, and Adderall in the past. I didn't like them because I also have anxiety and they made my heart race and I would feel so panicked when they started to wear off. When my psych suggested Vyvanse, I was pretty skeptical because I knew it was a stimulant and I haven't reacted well to those but from what I've been reading it seems to have more gentle side effects. I also take Lamictal and Fetzima for mood swings and OCD type behaviors (I think the OCD is what causes the binge eating.) My psychiatrist has always been great about not over medicating me and not having me on more than 2-3 meds at a time. I'm also prescribed Klonopin but I only take it when I have panic attacks or feel extremely anxious, so maybe about twice a week.
Anway, I took it yesterday at 7:30 AM and about 3:30 PM I started to feel really sick, like I couldn't think straight and my heart was going to beat out of my chest. I work in mental health (ironic!) and I had a crisis client who I saw at 12 and didn't get through with until 3. I didn't have a chance to eat lunch so those could be factors too. Dealing with the crisis, being out in the heat (it was 98 degrees fahrenheit) and not having lunch. I ended up having to take Klonopin to calm me down.
Sorry this is getting so long but I was really hopeful that this medication would help with my binging but if is going to increase my anxiety I just can't take it especially since I already have a high stress job. I was adamant with my psychiatrist that I didn't want something that would just decrease my appetite, but rather a medication that would help me not think about food basically 24/7. If it was the medication making me feel anxious, do those side effects wear off? I started on 40MG and I was under the impression that was the lowest dose because my doctor told me if it was too much I could open the capsule and pour some of it out.
BTW, luckily I had no problems with my insurance. I have BCBS and I picked up my medications (Lamictal, Fetzima, and Klonopin) and they were $16. My doctor give me samples of the Fetzima because it's too expensive otherwise!
I know this is late but did you end up staying on it? I had the same reaction for about a week and then it went away on its own.
Yep, I'm still taking it. My doctor actually increased the dose to 60 mg the next time I saw him - he said that increasing the dose would prevent it from wearing off so early in the day. It was so much better after that. I stopped taking all of my medications shortly after I posted (I do that sometimes for no good reason) but I started it back up in September and it has worked well for me.
Related topics
vyvanse, binge eating disorder, prescription, disorder
Further information
- Vyvanse uses and safety info
- Vyvanse prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Vyvanse (detailed)
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