Daytrana and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Oak...
• September 8, 2015

For ADHD "I'm actually an adult on the patch. I am 28, female. I've been trying to find the right stimulant with bearable side effects since I was in high school. Please excuse the lengthy review, I just know the search can be tough and long. I have depression, ADD, GA & SA, and OCD skin (cuticle) picking tendencies. It's been very hard finding a stimulant that didn't worsen my anxiety-related symptoms. I could tolerate 5mg Adderall XR, but my body burned through both the XR and IR in about 3 hours. Then I would crash for the rest of the day (depressed, irritable, anxious). Vyvanse gave me zero motivation and made me calm but in a weird way. For example, I didn't care or worry about anything... I didn't even want to talk to people. I would just want to sit there alone and stare at a wall or something. It was nice to be that relaxed but too weird. But the real problem was the crash! It was the most extreme of all the stimulants I've tried by far! I took it only twice and threw it out. I almost didn't try Daytrana patch because Ritalin was actually the first stimulant I tried, which was over 10 years ago, and I remember similar symptoms to that I had on Adderall. I ended up giving it a try with the logic that it might be smoother since it was for children, and I was also desperate since I'm working and studying for the GRE. I'm so happy I gave Daytrana a shot!! I'm telling you if you suffer from anxiety, can't tolerate the crashes, and metabolize the other stimulants too fast, you have got to try this one!! I've only been on it for a week, but I can't believe it! I leave it in for the whole 9 hours, and I never crash. In comparison to Adderall, it is still the best stimulant for getting you motivated. I have to motivate myself a little, but unlike Adderall, I can stay focused ALL day with Daytrana. I'm also less likely to do something 'stimulanty' like start reorganizing my closet for no reason, but I do get the necessary cleaning, errands, bills, etc., done effortlessly. And the best part is that it doubles as an antidepressant since, what I assume is the increased dopamine, stays in my system pretty much all day and night. The 'happiness' doesn't feel like a high, it feels more like an absence of depression. I don't have any more of the repetitive negative thoughts. The constant emotions of hopelessness, guilt, embarrassment, you name it, just aren't there anymore. There is still a mild degree of sadness I carry with me, but I have major depression so I feel like it's only normal and I can handle that! As far as the negative side effects: Like all the stimulants I've been on, I still have insomnia, loss of appetite, and increased urge to pick at my cuticles at night when it's wearing off. But there is not a 'crash,' no evenings being completely drained of energy, fits of irritation, major anxiety, or depression. Also, the patch is applied to your hip and I'm experiencing some muscle tension in my legs, which I think might be slowly subsiding. I'm drinking a lot of water and taking vitamins in precaution of cramps. Advice on taking the patch off: It's easier for me to take it off when it's wet. I do it in the shower/bath or rub it off with a warm washcloth. Good luck!"

• sar...
• July 2, 2011

For ADHD "I am 13 years old and was diagnosed when I was in kindergarten. I started taking medicine when I was in 1st grade. I started to use Daytrana when I was in 4th grade. Only my close friends and family knew I had ADHD. I was so embarrassed and was made fun of all the time. I was on 15 mg, but for the past couple of months, I switched to 10 mg. It works great, and I recommend it to others. The patch you just stick on your hip and take off after 9 hours. Sometimes I forget to take it off and can't sleep at all, and if I don't take it, I will bounce off the walls, and I will eat so much that I either throw up or am very sick. When I do take it, I feel like a normal person. It is hard to get the backing off sometimes, but if you are careful, it comes off."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 12, 2017

For ADHD "My son, who is 12, was diagnosed when he was in 2nd grade. We tried everything before medication. When we tried meds, the first one made him lose weight, fast. The second gave him a nasty tic that thankfully went away as soon as he stopped the med. The third worked for a couple of years, and around January of last year, we started to have problems, so his doctor recommended Daytrana. It has been wonderful for my son! Easy to use, he handles this for himself each day and takes it off when he gets home from school. The patch effects last long enough for him to do his homework. He does have issues with weight gain and sleep, but he uses melatonin before bed if he feels like he will not be able to shut down. The shortage is killing us!"

• Eri...
• February 10, 2010

For ADHD "I am a 22-year-old female. Hated the significant side effects of Vyvanse 60 mg. Hated Intuniv. Love the patch. Allows me to control the medication. I usually take it off about 7 hours after putting it on. This allows me to sleep at night. I can focus at work very well and no significant drop. I realized I cannot blow dry my hair or go tanning with it on or I would get a big burst of medication! Sometimes have a hard time sleeping if I don't take it off early!"

• Anonymous
• December 3, 2009

For ADHD "My teenage daughter was recently diagnosed with ADHD, to no surprise to anyone. She managed well until high school and was then put on Daytrana. She has experienced no side effects except a decrease in appetite, and if she keeps the patch on too long, she might have difficulty falling asleep. Her focus has improved substantially, and she is able to do her schoolwork. However, as everyone knows, this medication only solves one piece of the puzzle. Overall, she does not seem to have the rebound issues that people have with the medications taken by mouth."

• Sou...
• June 22, 2016

For ADHD "Daytrana made me manic, paranoid, and eventually psychotic. I had no difficulty stopping using it-no cravings. After I was off it, I had withdrawal symptoms the likes of which I cannot describe; simply sheer misery and dread, almost total insomnia. It lasted 1.5 years."