My son is almost 8 he has adhd and has been on vyvanse for almost 2 yrs..but now I'm seeing a lot more anger issues in him..Now he is kicking people at school picking fights on the bus and mouthing off to us at home..when we tell him no he finds things to tear up..Does vyvanse cause anger issues?
My son has taken Vyvanse for 2 years, can it cause anger issues?
Question posted by txcyndi38 on 29 Oct 2012
Last updated on 27 February 2018
10 Answers
Danielle9087
27 Feb 2018
Hi I read your post, my son was the same and vyvanse didn't work at all UNTIL the doctor added Tenex to his dose he takes vyvanse together with tenex, and it's a miracle pill. Vyvanse alone made him worse and didn't work I was hopeless and tried tons on adhd meds out there and when they added tenex. It's a blood pressure pill I don't know why but it worked so good. He's a call good little boy again like I remember him. Try asking your doctor to add Tenex. I'm telling you. My son was so horrible. And this worked good luck
Grandma1_2018
31 Jan 2018
My son is 11 and I adopted him through Foster Care. I have had him full time since he was 4. I had had him off and on since he was born though. We have gone through Concerta. At the end of the school year, we switched him to Vyvanse. I do not give it to him during school holidays or weekends. The medicine is only for him to be able to get through the school day. Since he has been on Vyvanse, he is so moody. Plus he has become terribly belligerent, and very manipulative. I do not know how much of this is Vyvanse related or partly pre-teen attitude. He has always been the sweetest little boy but I am thinking that Vyvanse may not the best fit for him. Any suggestions are certainly appreciated.
Sweetz4life28
14 Dec 2015
I know what everyone is going through cause some of this im going through now and more and sometimes i feel like im alone in this ... one this she dose alot is lie to us over little things im just ughhhh
MommiCakes
21 Feb 2015
Hi,
I would review the dye content in his food. Whenever my son (or kids I teach) show any of those actions, it is almost always right after they have eaten or drank something with dye, especially RED DYE. The chemicals don't react well with the neuro or sensory transmitters so the person becomes very very agitated... like a possession or something. Sometimes they don't even remember acting as extreme as they did. My son says when he accidentally consumes the dye, he feels like its an outer body experience and he is trapped and can't get out to stop doing the bad stuff he is doing. I have even given him benedryl to counter the effects. The schools are heavy into giving skittles, jollyranchers, juices and such that are heavy in Red dye #4,#40, etc. And don't exclude the sugar... school chocolate milk has 21 gramsnd some kids drink 2-3 and then try to return to class and sit still and focus... I don't think so!! So mom send me yr email and I will share more. Pray this helps and Don't give up trying new things... God bless!
Aconway7
14 Nov 2016
I have an autistic son who is 17 and also shows signs of ADHD. He is currently on generic form of intuniv (3 mg) and vyvanse (50 mg). He is 5 feet 6 inches and weighs approximately 120 lbs. His dosage for both was just raised about a month ago because he became very aggressive, physical with me and at school. Put a hole in my wall, etc. I need some help. Any suggestions would be great.
andi555
30 April 2014
Yes it can aftr prolongd use.
smileyhappy
30 Oct 2012
Hi Cindy,
My son is Adhd as well. The pediatrician started him on Strattera. That was so bad for him. He told me he felt he wanted to punch someone in the head, like a teacher. He was only on it for 2 weeks then we switched to Vyvanse. That really worked but he had no appetite even though the doctor put him also on Ciproheptadine ( appetite pill) low dose. He was so little in Junior High. So we changed to Concerta with the appetite pill and that worked for him. He finally ate which made him grow and no side effects. He is doing better in High School now because he can concentrate while in school and feels himself after school when it goes slowly out of the system. We can take him off for the summer and start again in the school year. We also did that with Vyvanse too. Just make sure your pediatrician agrees for your child.
You are not alone in this, there is alot of parents here that have and are going through it too. I am here for you, I understand you.
Take care,
Smileyhappy :)
txcyndi38
30 Oct 2012
Yea my son is small for his age he bounces between 48 to 50lbs he has no appetite but when he comes off of vyvanse omg he wants to eat everything..even when he is on his medicine he still wants to bounce around and can't sit still..now with the issue with him getting angery now..I know he does need counseling on dealing with this..and he is my last child and he is the youngest of the grandkids on both size of the family..Sometimes I just don't understand why he does some of the things he does and says..I'm hoping to get him straighten out on his medicine and get him some counseling..Thanks for the support
smileyhappy
31 Oct 2012
I will friend you if you want to friend me back. Then we can talk privately. I know how it is when you need to talk from day to day to someone when something happens.
Take care, it will get better you will see! You might have to try something else. Don't wait too long ok.
Inactive
29 Oct 2012
Hello and welcome to the site. I see many have said a change in meds might be in order, or a dose change. I also see he sees a psychiatrist, which is great, but you and he might also benefit from some help from the schools guidance counselor or a therapist. My own personal therapist, who I found at a clinic, actually socialized in kids with ADD and ADHD, because she had it. She held a doctorate in psychology, but truly had developed some working strategies for kids and the parents, that helped tremendously. She also treated people for personality issues that affected their intra personal relationships in adulthood. I am Not sure if you have insurance or can use the school guidance counselor but this is another resource to help get you both through this difficult time of adjustment. Some of the larger churches in our area offer counseling and you can ask for someone who specializes in kids with ADD, or ADHD.
This same counselor I used for something else, I was trying to get out of an abusive relationship, and was scared and being stalked. She normally treated specific things, but worked at the clinic, my daughter wanted a "girl dr," and we got Dr Rose. She had my daughter draw a picture of her family. Dr Rose looked at it and decided my daughter was actually trying to say mommy needs some help. She worked with me on a safe exit plan, that worked and told me later, she had never tried to help someone out of this type of thing, but that same applied logic and had me come in a couple of times per week, to see how much I was prepping and we got it done. I saw these patients of hers during that time, they seemed to be helped by her, the parents looked less stressed and so did the kids. Many of the psychiatrists don't really get a good enough picture of what is going on if they only see the patient one hour or 45 minute time slot per month, but a counselor can help the rest of the time. This dr worked at an EAP clinic, the type of clinic for low income and also workplaces (employer assistance program) would offer 2 or 3 free visits to workers. Ask your HR or your husbands HR dept if they have an EAP program, this will pay for between 1 and 3 visits with a therapist, and you can ask for someone who specializes in kids when you get the name of the EAP provider. The medicine alone usually can't make the kids behave all the time, it is a tool to help, but talk therapy for both of you, can help til the medicine adjustment is made and your son has improved while on it. Patti
DzooBaby
30 Oct 2012
Counseling does help. The kids who "outgrow" ADHD dont really out grow it, they just learn better coping skills as they get older. A counselor can help a child to devlop those coping skills. I hate to say it, but I wouldnt expect too much from the school couselors. We were supposidly in a really good district and I havent found the schools much of a help for anything. You would be better of getting one on your own through either your insurance or perhaps EAP through work is a good idea. They can get you started and at least refer you to someone.
Leslielb
13 July 2015
I would have to agree (with my own experiences) no to a school counsoler -depending on school, some don't have any type of degree in this field, just their to talk to kids if needed. I worked at a school where instead of seeing students on her rounds she was visiting with other teachers or eating in the lounge. They also don't keep confidentiality.
Leslielb
13 July 2015
I've actually had the school counsoler at my sons school tell me children usually out grow it. Haha!! Then could she please tell me why I still have it!!! LOL!
DzooBaby
29 Oct 2012
Oh, I remember those days!!! I agree that he may need a med change. If he was losing focus, they upped the dose and the anger issues started, then he is not tolerating this drug at this dose. My son took concerta and we were pretty lucky that he did fairly consistently well with it. There was a period of time that we tried a few other things but those didnt work so we went back to good ole concerta! My son is almost 18 now and he doesnt take anything anymore. I do remember those days back in grade school when we used to get the dreaded notes and phone calls!! My sons grade school really treated my son unfairly when he got into the older grades. It was like they had a preconceived attitude about him and he always seemed to get nailed to the wall for every little infraction even when other kids would be involved in the same thing and it was just normal "boy" stuff-not fighting or anything serious. They always got easier punishments than my son did.
It was like they had to make an example of my son but all those teachers worked together for years and they all knew each other. I know they would sit in the teachers lounge and say "Oh you got that Nathan kid this year? He is trouble walking, devil incarnate (or whatever they chose to call him)!" So they all already had an attitude against him from day 1. I was sooooo glad when he went to high school with a new set of teachers that didnt know him from his "difficult" years. He hasnt been in near the trouble since he started high school.
Lisa01
29 Oct 2012
You have no idea how familiar that story sounds. And to add to his problems, he averaged a good 4" taller than the other boys (he's 6'4" now)! This was in grade school and it was a horrible time for us all. Fortunately middle school somewhat better and high school best of all in a completely different county. Isn't it terrible how some kids get stigmatized and aren't allowed to change that perception?
Lisa
txcyndi38
29 Oct 2012
Thanks for understanding I don't feel like I'm alone now I will keep everyone posted after the appt..wish me luck
Thanks again
Cindy
DzooBaby
30 Oct 2012
No Cindy, you are not alone. I felt the same way about my son-he was very misunderstood. These kids are very intelligent kids and they KNOW that they are being treated differently or unfairly. I know my son got to where when something happened at school and they would ask him to explain what happened, he would clam up and wouldnt say anything-not one word. He knew he was going to be damned no matter what he said so he just wouldnt say anything. I used to get upset with him because he wouldnt say anything to his own defense. He would tell me that the teachers didnt care about the truth anyway so it didnt matter what, or if, he said anything. Once you find the right medication at the right dose, it gets easier. My son was very very small for his age too so that was a problem too. He ended up needing growth hormones and he is really tall now.
This will pass Cindy, he willl get better as he gets older. It is so much stress though. I miss a lot about my kids being children (they are 21 and 17 now) but I dont miss this part. My older son (who was ADD but didnt have the hyperactive component) always managed to charm his way out of trouble but Nathan never seemed to learn that charm. If he was as charming as his brother he have the world at his feet because he is extremely good looking. I used to get told all the time, everywhere we went, that my kids should be models or in show biz because they both have that "look" and their own sense of style but I think that comes from being ADD/ADHD. They are very much "out of the box" thinkers. They arrive at a conclusion much differently than other kids, you know what I mean? We had a great psychiatrist. I even paid $100 dollars a visit to keep her when she was no longer contracted with our insurance. Find yourself a good psychiatrist that you feel comfortable with that shows true interest in your child and find the right medications. For my son it was Concerta in the AM and clonidine at night to help him sleep. You should know right away when you hit on the right meds. Peace will reign at your house! lol Feel free to PM if you ever need to talk to one who has been there where you are. Lisa and I both understand what you are going through. It just makes your heart bleed when your children are not happy. Sometimes I think it is worse for we, the mamas, than it is for the kids!!
txcyndi38
30 Oct 2012
I want to thank you so much..I have sat here many days by myself and cried not knowing how to deal with this..And a lot of people don't understand what we deal with kids that have ADD/ADHD most people look at it has give them a pill and it fixes them well it don't..then when you have to tell the teachers about them have ADD/ADHD they look at you like omg I have one of those kids..then it seems like he gets to trouble for every little thing..And Cody did what your son did in school when he gets in trouble he would either not talk when asked why he did it or he would say I don't know..I know he does need counseling to learn how to deal with this and I'm gonna get him the help he needs..He has a doctors appt Thursday and I'm gonna discuss this with the doctor..and far as size wise Cody is small too..he bounces between 48 to 50lbs has not gone over that..I will keep you updated..And I do appreciate the advice I am on Facebook please feel free to look me up and add me Cindy Williams Nicholson
txcyndi38
5 Nov 2012
Okay we went to the doctor Thursday he did change his medicine and also suggested that he talk to a counselor to learn how to deal with this..right now he is so out of control I'm about to have a nervous breakdown he has no self control specially in public..the doctor says he needs to learn self control he told Cody that this is not a miracle pill that he has to help too..so today I'm calling the counselor that the doctor recommended..Yesterday was a very bad day he was so out of control I almost lost it in the grocery store..so maybe the medicine change and getting him some help will help him and myself..If you have never had a child with ADD/ADHD please don't comment negative comments we don't need it..I have had people sending me negative messages saying that's the easy way out by putting them on drugs SO NOT TRUE..this is a support group we don't need your negative comments Thank you..for the rest who have commented and have been supported I thank you so much
Lisa01
5 Nov 2012
Dear Cindy,
I'm so glad to hear the Dr changed the medication. Lets hope this is the right one. Just ignore the negative comments. Some people just can't help being ignorant. They don't understand that people with ADD/ADHD simply have brains that don't work the same way that theirs do. So in their ignorance they come across in sounding cruel and unfeeling. Believe me, those of us in your shoes understand exactly where you are. Before my son started on the medicine there were times when I literally had to lay down on top of him and hold him down when he got angry so he wouldn't hurt himself or anyone else. Do people think that he really liked feeling that way? In all actuality, he is one of the sweetest, most loving people I've ever known. He's 6'4", almost 300 lbs and as gentle as a teddy bear.
All the little ones on both sides of the family just love to follow him around and crawl all over Uncle Mikey because he's so good and gentle with them. So there is all kinds of hope for your son. Counseling may help him learn how to redirect his anger and control his impulses. Or you may find the medicine reduces the anger and poor impulse control enough that it's simply not that big an issue anymore. Using both the medicine and counselling together as tools for him may be just the ticket he needs.
I know exactly where you're standing and exactly how you feel. But you're not alone, you didn't cause this and you're not a bad mom. Ignore the ignorant, they can't seem to help themselves. Just come talk to us, we understand. Please feel free to private question me if ever you need to talk, ask questions or just vent some. I'm here for you.
Lisa
Lisa01
29 Oct 2012
Periodically the dose of this medication will need to be adjusted as your son grows. You need to consult his Dr.
Lisa
txcyndi38
29 Oct 2012
he goes back Thursday because his behavior is out of control..I'm gonna talk to him about other medicine
Lisa01
29 Oct 2012
A change in medication may be what he needs. Children react differently to different medications. My son had taken metadate for about 8 years and he's done very well on it. I hope you find something that works for your son.
Lisa
txcyndi38
29 Oct 2012
I hope so too..I have been stressing on this issue way to long making my blood pressure go up..I have read many articles on kids using vyvanse and have said the same issue about getting angry and irritated easily..thanks for the support will post after the doctor appt..
Cindy
Lisa01
29 Oct 2012
Bless your heart, I do know exactly how you feel. It does and will get better. Hang in there and do let us know how it goes at his appt.
Lisa
txcyndi38
29 Oct 2012
Thank y'all for all the support I sometimes feel alone in this situation..He really isn't a bad kid just misunderstood..I'm thinking the same way too about the dosages cause it really got bad after the bump up..but the lower dose wasn't enough I will post after the appt..I'm hoping something will change
Thanks again
Cindy
kaismama
29 Oct 2012
The vyvanse can be behind these issues. Does he see a psychiatrist to order the vyvanse? I would take him to his doc and have it evaluated.
txcyndi38
29 Oct 2012
Yes he does..They upped his medicine to 40mg and it seems like it don't work for him anymore..When he first was taking it..it worked great the last 6 months it seems like it don't do anything for him not paying attention in class kicking people at school..talking back to us at home..it's like he gets irritated easily fit throwing tearing stuff up..since they upped his medicine
kaismama
29 Oct 2012
It sounds like this reaction is dose related, if he was ok until his dose was increased.
txcyndi38
29 Oct 2012
well they up the dose cause he was losing focus in school..and he got to where he couldn't stay seated and focus on his work..
kaismama
29 Oct 2012
I understand, but if it causes more problems, maybe its not the med for him.
Danielle9087
27 Feb 2018
My son did the same it worked at first and then it was like he wasn't taking anything. But the only thing I seen my old son back. His sweet , calm personality was the Dr added Tenex. I don't know why. It's a blood pressure pill but when he takes them together. He's same old little boy. He's 9 now he will be 9 in March and I don't know what I'd of done without Tenex taken it with Vyvanse good luck
Related topics
vyvanse, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd), anger
Further information
- Vyvanse uses and safety info
- Vyvanse prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Vyvanse (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
