Vyvanse and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 3)

• HMH...
• October 30, 2018

For ADHD "Began 20 mg on Wed. 10/24 at 9 a.m. First day fine - didn't feel as anxious as I have been on Ritalin 10 mg 2x/day. My doctor said it maybe would work because it's slow-releasing compared to Ritalin's immediate release. Thurs. awoke with a headache. Took another 20 mg Vyvanse at 9 a.m. Headache disappeared and focus was good through my 10 a.m. class, but by 1 p.m. felt very anxious. Went home at 5 p.m. Felt so emotional, kept crying. Kept thinking about everything that has happened in my life. Trouble falling asleep. Took doses Fri., Sat., & Sun. at 9 a.m., but by Sun. my emotions were so unbearable I went off Vyvanse on Mon. 10/29. Had wheezing/breathing trouble and brain zaps. Took Ritalin instead because of all these. Wish Vyvanse was a miracle drug for me, but it's not. Tried many different drugs. I'm overwhelmed but went back to my doctor, who prescribed Zoloft for the anxiety. Began 10 mg today. Doctor said to stick through the next 2 weeks and call him if I feel suicidal. Just sensitive to meds. Be very careful."

• ADD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 8, 2019

For ADHD "Vyvanse is more effective, longer lasting, and has fewer side effects than taking Adderall IR several times a day. Feels very smooth and doesn't have much of a comedown. Anxiety is supposedly a side effect, but it actually seems to reduce my anxiety. In my experience: Vyvanse is the best, then Adderall and lastly Ritalin."

• Mel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 17, 2023

For ADHD "Don't be like me and think you could defeat mental afflictions on your own, like depression. ADHD is a terrible monster for those who suffer from it. It not only limits you (almost like a disability) but really ruins your social life and any life you have. I tried alternative methods and took supplements, vitamins, and a ton of diet/exercise regimens, and it helped maybe 25%. I would say give it the lowest possible dosage a try and go from there. I did 60 mg at first, and it was too much, my side effects were anxiety and sweatiness. I decided to half it to just 30 mg a day, and that was much better. It doesn't make a world of difference because you have to try and figure out how to be more productive with ADHD meds. But I would say I got my life back after a week of trial and error. The first day, even, I didn't think it would work. I have enough mental stamina and energy to beat the day. I am no longer behind on work, I cook all my meals, and I can function again."

• lor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 2, 2015

For Binge Eating Disorder "I've been taking the medicine for about a month. My first day, I felt like I was high all day at work. This was the only time I felt like that, though. I am amazed at how I no longer want to snack all the time. I can now walk by the snack table at work and not pick at it. It is great to not constantly be thinking about food. But for about a week now, I am feeling very anxious all the time but hoping it is temporary."

• mil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2015

For ADHD "Worked great the first couple of days - concentrated, laser focus, and able to work hard. A few days in, I felt like I was on speed - couldn't concentrate, thoughts racing, difficulty completing tasks. I couldn't stay on it, I was so anxious."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2015

For ADHD "There are many positives such as motivation and a brief period of content, but there are also many negatives: rapid heartbeat, chest pains, weight loss, dizziness, dry mouth. When the medicine kicks in, I feel this amazing sense of being content, no matter what I'm doing at the time, I just feel happy, but soon feel an extreme sadness and despair when it wears off because I wonder why I can't be happy anymore. I also become extremely irritable, anxious, and restless. I continue to take this medication because it helps me get things done and focus, but the negative impact is extremely hard on me and affects my mental and physical health greatly. Most common side effects for me are chest pains, sadness, rapid mood change, headache, and loss."

• kin...
• May 4, 2017

For ADHD "I have been taking ADHD medications for about 10 years, and Vyvanse is by far my favorite. I take 50 mg of Vyvanse as needed. I always feel very productive when taking it, and it really helps me focus and get things done without the procrastination. Although it does what it is supposed to do, I do have a few side effects that prevent me from taking it every day. I have a history with anxiety/depression, and this medicine brings back some of those symptoms. Also, I tend to be a perfectionist when I take the medicine. I catch myself taking longer to take exams and redoing my makeup or hair or brushing my teeth more than once simply because I feel like it isn't just right. Also, I am more isolated and less social when I take the pill."

• Dma...
• January 8, 2017

For ADHD "Vyvanse has been a fantastic medication. It is far better than other medications that I have tried. It lasts all day, and when you take the right dose, you don't notice it kicking in, and you don't notice it when it wears out. I take it first thing in the morning at 5-6. I was taking 20 mg, and that seemed to work well. I am currently on a two-week trial with 30 mg to see if this works better. This is a medication where it works best when you find the sweet spot. Just because you don't notice an initial buzz does not mean it does not work. The other very important factor is caffeine. This should be kept to a minimum, as the combination will light you up. If you feel anxiety, don't have any coffee, you will see a real change. (:"

• phi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2019

For ADHD "I tried Ritalin, it was horrible. I suffered ups and downs in mood, impulsiveness, and severe anxiety, to which I was hospitalized. Dr. switched me to Vyvanse, and anxiety went away immediately. No crashes in mood, and I feel sharp and no longer lose anything. Also, I feel I now have a larger emotional range and more empathy for others than with horrid Ritalin. Vyvanse is the future new drug, which should be tried as a first option in the UK rather than the old 1950s med, Ritalin."

• Jen...
• March 20, 2010

For ADHD "I am a 39-year-old woman, diagnosed with ADHD, inattentive type, this past summer, about three days after my son was diagnosed with ADHD. After a consultation with a psychopharmacologist, I started taking Vyvanse about three months ago. I also take 100 mg of Neurontin 3 times daily, which keeps any anxiety issues I may have (an issue that can be magnified by the Vyvanse) at bay. I couldn't be happier with the Vyvanse-started at 30 mg and am now at 50. Realizing that I had ADD changed my life-suddenly, my difficulties all made sense! The pill isn't magic-but taking it daily has given me the ability to use the tools I knew I should use and couldn't before (things like a calendar, or my checkbook register, or a budget, or a watch...)."

• Rhe...
• July 1, 2008

For ADHD "Vyvanse is probably one of the more successful attempts by pharmaceutical companies to create a medication for ADD/ADHD that doesn't carry the negative repercussions other, older medications have, i.e., anxiety, anorexia, insomnia, etc. It's amazing."

• Sen...
• July 26, 2015

For ADHD "5th month on Vyvanse 30 mg, which is on the lower dose end. This med has an awful crash. I exercise 4-6 times a week. I eat very healthy. I stay busy. I read so many reviews about the same issue. I did reading about the 'minimal' crash felt on this med, and it is so scary how pharmaceutical companies try to set the med apart. For me, it lasts 6 hours, and irritability increases. I think it's in part tolerance. Mid-afternoon, I get severely irritable, anxious, moody, sleepy, and agitated. It is so uncomfortable, I'm supposed to 'up' my dose now...to see it last longer, and my 'crash' will start later?"

• Man...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 1, 2018

For ADHD "After months of going back and forth between Adderall XR 30 mg (x2/day) and Vyvanse 70 mg (once daily), I realized that Vyvanse works the best for me. It keeps me at the perfect, consistent level all day. I'm focused, complete multiple tasks at a time, without my anxiety going through the roof."

• ste...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 6, 2017

For ADHD "I've been on Vyvanse for a year. I take 50 mg now and I wouldn't say it's a miracle drug, but over the past year I have attended more classes and gotten more consistent grades in university. I definitely have to put in the effort to experience the benefits; it's not motivation/focus-in-a-pill for me! The side effects I've experienced are increased anxiety, dry mouth, increased perfectionism, irritability, and some insomnia. Its impact on my mood varies. At first, my appetite decreased and I had terrible afternoon crashes, but they have leveled out over time. Overall, the pros outweigh the cons for me. I haven't tried anything except for Wellbutrin, which I still take. Not sure how they interact."

• bec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2016

For ADHD "I'm diagnosed with bipolar disorder, depression, and ADHD. Vyvanse 20 mg - Started: Started three days ago - Purpose: to aid in energy and focus to help me break through crippling apathy - Impact: So far, Vyvanse has been very effective at helping me return to more normal functioning. Its impact on my mood has been mixed, although I can now do things, which is nice, underneath there is still a layer of boredom. - Side Effects: Mild and fleeting anxiety about three hours after taking and again as it wears off in the evening - Future: Very effective, I hope to increase my dose to 30 mg and stay there. I think that would be the ideal dose for aiding me in breaking through my boredom."

• Sia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 31, 2017

For ADHD "I just recently started on Vyvanse, and it works very well! So I'm 21, and in the past, I've been on Adderall, Ritalin, and Strattera. But none work as good as Vyvanse. Adderall worked but left me feeling jittery, and Ritalin, when it wore off, I became angry. And Strattera, that's a whole 'nother story! But the main thing I like about Vyvanse is I still am me. I don't feel jittery or like a robot. I'm me, just with everything at a more calm, controlled manner. The only downfalls are that it takes 2 hours to start working and only lasts 6-7 hours when I was told it would be 14 hours. But other than that, it gets 2 thumbs up and 5 gold stars!"

• Anonymous
• December 19, 2015

For ADHD "Just upped the dose to 50 mg, this medicine works well as far as getting things done and having energy. The first time I took it, I was really concerned about my schoolwork, and it helps me stay on task. The only bad thing about it is that for a few minutes at different times of the day, this medicine makes me feel like it's wearing off, and I feel down or kind of worried, then it goes away. So my 'happy' feeling goes up and down throughout the day."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2018

For ADHD "Focus was good, but felt like a zombie or spaced out. I started binge eating like crazy! Gained 12 lbs in 2 weeks!! Severe anxiety and panic attacks. Horrible chest pain, wheezing, and coughing. Sweating, hot, skin felt like it was crawling, cold chills, and severe depression!"

• Anonymous
• August 9, 2016

For ADHD "I have always had a problem with focus and attention, and recently was told I have ADHD. I am currently on Vyvanse, and when I started it, I found the first few days to be great. I almost felt superhuman because I was able to start and finish things in one go and felt more active. I have had to have my dosage increased, and I feel that as I take this medication, the effectiveness of it is dissipating and being replaced with a feeling of being 'frantic' and slightly anxious, as well as it is affecting my mood and causing me to feel agitated. I will be asking my doctor about trying something else, as I feel that just increasing the dosage again would cause the feelings I am getting to become worse."

• Col...
• March 19, 2014

For ADHD "I have always done well in school, but my time management, organizational skills, motivation, and overall thought/idea clarity have lacked. I went back to college at 29 to finish a 2-year degree and decided to finish a 4-year while I am at it. I was diagnosed with ADHD this past fall and put on Adderall IR, then XR, then back to IR because it just didn't work that well, and, quite frankly, it made me too anxious at times. The doctor at school just put me on 30 mg of Vyvanse as an alternative to Adderall, and it works very well. I worry about drug interactions, but it works great and I'm incredibly focused on my everyday tasks with this medication."

• shm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2012

For ADHD "Then put me on 20 mg, and now I am on 40 mg. Throughout this whole trial, I have noticed a huge difference. I do have less appetite, like everyone else does. But that doesn't bother me. I am overweight already. I also concentrate way better. I am much happier during the day, and my patience has increased. He did put me on Lexapro for my anxiety, and that is all going good as well."

• Roo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2013

For ADHD "When it comes to stimulants, Vyvanse was the greatest one I've ever taken. I could do tasks and talk to people, I even started jogging every day. It wore off nicely, so I wouldn't get anxiety. After upping my dose to 40 mg, I started overthinking everything and eventually had full-blown anxiety attacks at work (embarrassing). I was bummed about that because I really liked them. Great for those who want a stimulant that gradually wears off."

• Roo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2013

For ADHD "When it comes to stimulants, Vyvanse was the greatest one I've ever taken. I could do tasks and talk to people, I even started jogging every day. It wore off nicely, so I wouldn't get anxiety. After upping my dose to 40 mg, I started overthinking everything and eventually had full-blown anxiety attacks at work (embarrassing). I was bummed about that because I really liked them. Great for those who want a stimulant that gradually wears off."

• Rac...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 21, 2018

For ADHD "FACTS ABOUT ME/ MY VYVANSE HISTORY: *22 years old *Female *ADD and Dyslexic *Started on Vyvanse in the 4th grade LONG TERM EFFECTS: *Scalp picking (my head is covered with scabs, I pick them) *Severe anxiety *No self-esteem (I hate myself) *I feel angry and aggressive most of the day *I'm always worried about something (never relaxed...ever) I SEEM FINE, but I'm dying on the inside: Graduating from State University with a degree in MATH Current GPA: 3.75 I have a job lined up after college in Risk Management I WOULD GIVE UP EVERYTHING I HAVE NOW IF IT MEANT THAT I DID NOT EVER HAVE TO TAKE VYVANSE!"

• Xyz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2016

For ADHD "Vyvanse is a highly effective stimulant class medication for ADHD and ADD. I have ADD, diagnosed at 18, and have since been on Dexamphetamine 20 mg per day. Recently, I was interested in trialing extended-release medication, and Vyvanse was the answer to my call! Initially, Vyvanse was a little bumpy; some side effects like anxiety persisted for the first few days on the medication. It was complex to find the right dosage, so my psychiatrist and I settled on 70 mg per day. Vyvanse is an amazing and considerably more effective medication than regular Dexamphetamine; the pharmacological properties of Vyvanse are AMAZING. Vyvanse is the future of treatment for ADHD and ADD."