Withdrawal From Vyvanse (Page 7)
(Newest replies first)

My son had a terrible experience on wyvance. He has phyciatic systems to include halluciations. The doctor took him off the drup cold turkey and Ihe seems to be having withdrawal systems? Is that normal?

REPLY

REPORT

2 months ago I thought I would ever be able to get off caffeine and 70mg of vyvanse. Today I am clean and don't feel too bad. Just wanted to give people some perspective as to how long it takes to feel better and how I did it. First some background, I was taking 500-700mg of caffeine and 70mg of vyvanse every single day for a year. I felt like a complete zombie and my hands would shake. For a month and I half I weaning myself off vyvanse. During the work week I would keep my dosage constant and every weekend I would drop the mg by around 10mg. So the first weekend I dropped down to 60mg and maintained that 60mg throughout the first full work week. Then the second weekend I dropped down to 50mg. 3rd weekend I dropped down to 40mg and so on. Getting off 500+ mg of caffeine during the same time sucked really bad. So I first got off caffeine before I started weaning off vyvanse. It took me 4 weeks to wean off the caffeine and then 5 weeks to taper off vyvanse. It definitely wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, I survived my long hours at work and the key to success for me was weaning myself off. I tried cold turkey 6 months and lasted 6 days and then relapsed on both drugs. Screw cold turkey, stick with weaning off. The key for me was listening to motivational speakers on my iphone and forcing myself to stay motivated. I'm taking the time to recap the last two months because I feel like i owe it to the vyvanse community considering this same forum helped me get through the roughest of times. Im not completely out of the woods yet but I think its safe to say I made it. If there is ONE thing I took away form my experience with this drug its that IT SLOWING TURNED ME INTO SOMEONE THAT IM ASHAMED TO BE. It made me anxious all the time, completely anti-social, never wanted to go out with friends. TAKE AWAY POINT; WEAN YOURSELF OFF THIS CRAP AND YOU'LL BE HAPPY WITH YOURSELF IN 2 MONTHS TIME MY FRIENDS!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Even years later, boy do I feel for you! I can't even comprehend how you were able to cope. Hope all is well now!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I was interested in the negative effects of vyvance, so I searched up this thread, and I was taken aback by everyone's negative experiences. Not that I was completely surprised, I assume any heavy drug would have many different effects. My experience over the last 4 months has been mostly positive. I think the key with this drug is to find the exact dosage that works for you - beyond the mg dosage, I've found it to be perfect if I mix the 70mg pill into water every morning. For me, taking about 50% at 8-9 am is good, and then I will drink about 30% at 11-12, and finish the last 20% before 2pm. That tends to keep me focused and clear until I go to bed around 11-12pm. I started at 50mg and I would have a slow clarifying surge of energy after I took it, then it would drop off about 6 hours later, and I would feel tired and unmotivated. Now that I carefully mete out the amount that I need through the day, it is much more helpful. I've taken days off, but I have yet to experience withdrawal from the drug. I don't doubt that I will have to face that at some point. Drugs are a powerful force that you have to use your discretion with - it's never going to be a true cure for psychological problems, but simply a powerful bandaid.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

If you are going through the withdrawls take at least 1000mgs of L-tyrosine. This will help you so much, I was in withdrawl after discontinuing this med and adderall and felt like someone opened the gates of hell and threw me in. My skin was crawling, my body ached, crushing fatigue where just trying to breathe is exhausting. Then I realized this stuff depletes your dopamine stores and when you go off of it, your brain is not making enough L-dopa because of the drugs so you either have to wait a few months for your brain to adjust again or if you need to function and work, go to college, etc. take the supplement and feel better. No one should have to suffer.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I was on adderall for 6 yrs then Vyvanse for the last 3+ yrs, I stopped taking my Vyvanse 2 months ago and while i've slowly gotten better i still feel lazy and unmotivated; when will this feeling go away?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I highly reccomend getting him of meds over time his body will not be able to function with out them , " hints the word, customer for life"... I am now 23 yrs old and was put on every adhd/ add drug out there since i was 8 yrs old please spread the word because even though i am off of it as of 4 weeks, deppression and lack of energy comes along with trying to get off of these and i mostly always resort to just getting perscribed again so that i can acomplish life... If i would have gotten off of these meds from the start i woudnt have all these negative sideeffects ( it also creates you to make compulsive decicions later down the road especially in highschool) please just approach his differences in a dif way hes going to need more one on one attention and visual fun learning techniques, but i promise you wont regret it! - Natalie

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

that's why you should probably have a little personal responsibility and actually research what drug you are putting into your body everyday

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Well, this is the 1st time in about the year I've been taking this stuff that I've gone a SECOND day (lol)
without it! Very few off days. The past 3 months I've been a complete machine, restoring a 1920's storefront back to beautiful original vintage which is about to become my business. I really don't know if I could have done this without Vyvanse. I'm 40, so I guess you could say I have a pretty clear direction of knowing what I'm doing, I suppose without this stuff I could've finished the resto in maybe 1.5 months instead, but no way it would've looked so insanely detailed and perfect! I even did the hardwood floors by myself and learned everything else through YT etc.

That said, I agree and understand all of the things mentioned here, the clumsiness, panics, etc etc.
But one thing that really stands out reading everybody's experiences here is this: WAY HIGH MEGA DOSAGE!!
I'm seeing this 2x a day stuff, 70 a day, 40 2x a day Jeezuz!!! The reason I got the 70's was because it was the most economical way to do it. I opened the capsule, chopped it up with a blade on a plate, and portioned it out for the day depending on my activity level. Usually in 4th's, so maybe 18mg a day? Sometimes in 3rd's. I found the 1/3 of a 70 was just a tad bit too much, and I'd either crash hard or it changed my personality a bit and never quite felt comfortable. 1/4 of a 70 seems to be right on the money. For all those experiencing all these nasty side effects, and say it's not working, then take MORE on top of it to abate those effects and 'normallize' again, man I can't see functioning at all on it with that much! I'd for certain be a train wreck. Less really is more with this stuff, and when I did 1/3, or sometimes more when experimenting, I found myself crashing hard later in the day. No wonder you need to take a second dose in the midday.
In my brief but intense dip into the blow days about 10 years ago, what a wretched feeling to have gone so high, only to crash so low to feel the need to get back up again. NOT fun! I remember being reminded of those awful feelings when going over 1/3.

When I'm on less, I actually find myself hitting my hard stride later in the day, and I have all the energy to continue productivity until I decide to crash, which is never a problem. I can even take cat naps during the day and spring back to life.

So anyone nixes this as the devil's tool, (and I'm not an advocate for a jacked up America) try the lower dosage, save some money and headache and find the right dose. I've never felt the need to 'increase' because it wasn't working.

As for withdrawals, YEAH this sucks haha... I'm not suicidal, depressed or violent.
But I am incredibly irritable, fatigued and I could only describe this as like the Flu. Pretty bad body aches, muscle tightness, sore all over.
Maybe I'm just in shock from all the insane work I've done to get this opening ready, maybe I really do have the Flu! LOL

I think it's helped me to develop a new lifestyle and discipline and I think even if I went off it entirely, I would still thrive from the new work ethic I've discovered within me, I hope! I just want to stop and smell the roses again....

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Why are you asking people you don't know?...Why not ask the Doctor who prescribed it? If you don't trust that person, see another Doctor

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Yes withdrawal is normal. I have been taking different medications for adhd and add since 6 years old. I take 70 mg of vyvanse a day. After two days off the medication is usually when withdrawal starts. Some things that I have found that help combat this is hydrating, food , and sleep. However withdrawal can vary drug to drug. I hope this helps.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Kristen- what withdrawal effects did u experience when going off vyvanese? so happy to hear u found the perfect medication for u and u are much healthier!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I am 37 years old and just stopped taking 20mg Vyvanse after taking it for approx 21 days.. For the past 2 days I have experienced Chills, Nausea, back and body aches, irritability, tremors, and insomnia. The Vyvanse worked great sometimes, but other times not well at all. After the insomnia catches up to you, nothing can make you focused. i just became dependant on taking that pill to function. at times life was euphoric, but most times, thungs were speedy and foggy. I am not cut out to be on meds. I am going to just accept myself as ADD and do the best I can. Meditation, diet, yoga and other forms of exercise are the true ways to helping with not only ADD, but all types of ailments.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Vyvanese is a horrible drug- the dr I was seeing put me on 170 mlgs a day- I finally figured out this drug was the reason I was agitated, depressed, angry etc ( once the affects wore off) - he never told me it was a stimulant- trust r gut- dr's are not GODS!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

You don't need this junk period. My partner has a 12 year old who is already an addict and it's sad. You shouldn't compromise your overall well-being like this because someone says you aren't "normal". All the pharmaceutical companies are doing is making money off you and your doctor gets perks for helping them. Also, if you are a college student they provide services to students with specials needs such as note takers and extra testing time in a quiet room. I have ADD too, but I'm not falling for this stuff. What I learned is that I needed self-discipline to take control of my life, not a drug to control me.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Sounds just like what my sons doctor said....Such a shame and YES sadly it does effect your mood my 6 year old acted as if he was in a depression mode! We brought cake and ice cream to his school to sing Happy Birthday and he didn't even smile, which is nowhere like him! Thanking God he is no longer on this medicine and that I didn't give up the fight! He has now been prescribed a anti-stimulant fighting the insurance now because of course they don't want to pay it!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I just have to post, because since I started and stopped taking vyvanse, my life has completely changed. I am a 23 year old female who has always been ADD - just so forgetful, scatterbrained, and a PROcrastinator. The pressures and challenges of college brought a new level to my already anxious-ridden and insecure nature. I compensated with bulimia.

I have since learned, among a myriad of other things, that it is not uncommon for adolescent/young adult females who suffer from ADD to use such extreme self-medicating behavior as a control mechanism. Luckily I survived college - when this reached its worst I was almost out - but I knew I had to put an end to the bulimia. It was difficult, and I began seeing a therapist who, upon hearing my history of challenges, diagnosed ADD. I was prescribed 50mgs Vyvanse. And I wasn't stupid, I knew about the weight loss side effects. Quite an attraction and security blanket for me at the time. With a new job starting, it seemed like exactly what I needed in order to focus and succeed worry-free. How wrong I was.

As many have written, the tolerance increased quite quickly. Work was fun and... Addictive. To the point where I felt immensely and unnaturally angsty when I had to leave for the day, normally after I'd already obsessively worked much longer than necessary. My personality was no longer simply a playful mix of passionate and lighthearted. It was explosive. Fits of crying and late nights contemplating all the failures of my life were typical. During these common late night episodes I endured panic attacks after convincing myself I was developing various types of cancer.
I was a psychotic mess, and I should not have subjected myself to this drug for so long. I tried to be "good" with each new prescription. I would only take one a day. Then it would be one and a half, then two... Then three over the course of a day. And then, several times, it became four. This is the first I've talked about this, by the way. It ashames me to think I would do this to my body and mind, but that's how powerfully I enjoyed the fleeting positive effects. However, it all ended on my most recent birthday. It was four in the morning and my heart was pounding way too hard and I couldn't stop envisioning hurting myself before dying from a heart attack. Though I had just gotten the prescription the week before and after taking a break for a couple weeks, the only thing I could do to make myself feel in the least way hopeful was open each remaining capsule to dump the contents into my wet sink. Through tears I did this pill by pill. After 7 months, I finally succumbed to the reality that wanting to be overly efficient, productive, and organized was not what was going to make me live happily, let alone live, period. The human brain is not supposed to concentrate for the frequency and duration that mine did on vyvanse, and I was determined to let it free to be itself.

After a month of nothing, My doctor prescribed strattera. This is a non-amphetamine with zero addictive potential, and was in fact originally marketed as an anti-depressant with anti-anxiety benefits. Though obviously marketed for ADD now, it certainly exhibits its formerly-advertised qualities. I've been taking this medicine for about two months now, and I am a completely new person. Most importantly, I am me, but enhanced. That is, I am finally realizing, what these sort of medications are supposed to do - they are intended to improve our lives by fully opening the doors in our minds. For me, vyvanse could not do this because the anxious and compulsive wiring of my brain proved combustible with the amphetamine. However, I can say that while on vyvanse, I learned to eat correctly again and was not afraid to do so. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Since stopping the vyvanse, this has not changed. I eat: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I eat proper portions and drink much more water than I used to. I have gained ten pounds and am happy to report it. I finally feel full and ALIVE! I am focused at work but work 8 hours and can say goodnight when it's time. I can stay on task but do not have any issues having lighthearted conversations and leaving activities be for awhile. I sleep regularly, even after a stressful or emotional day. This is the kind of lifestyle I know as normal, and it took a long journey to be so damn appreciative of what is basic.

I strongly urge anyone who is struggling with the side effects of these medications to read these forums and understand that something CAN be done and SHOULD be changed. If you must take more than is prescribed, then more than that, something is amiss and something more fitting for you exists. Remember, you should strive to keep the positive aspects of your life ALONGSIDE enhancing the ones that are bringing you down. Much love and peace to you in your journies!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 9

Everything will be fine buddy! You can get through the withdrawls! You will get back to your old self as soon as you stop! Remember to give thanks to Jesus for healing you!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have to say, I feel the same exact way about Vyvanse! I started on 20 mg of Adderrall and switched to Vyvanse, first 50 mg. Now I'm on 60 mg. I started getting anxiety (which I have never had before), and my personality seems to be changing...I'm not fun anymore, I'm getting depressed, and I am getting heart palpitations when I eat! I want to get iff it ASAP but I don't want the withdrawal symptoms, and the funny part is, my psychiatrist said I should stop taking Vyvanse tomorrow and Sunday to "see if it's actually the Vyvnase that's causing my anxiety" are you serious? Of course it is!! I hate it and I can't wait to be off this drug. It just sucks that I can't taper off gradually because I can't see the doctor until Monday :(

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

My son just turned 6 and was on Vyvance for 2 months now, it worked wonders however he started picking at his nails and his skin terribly. His doctor has now stopped his med.s until we see her Monday, watch closely for this side effect, he will pick until he bleeds :(

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I am very tempted to give an in depth story but i will deny that urge and try to keep this brief. I have experienced most of these symptoms or at least felt my potential to have them while taking vyvanse (irritation, anger, fatigue, shortness of breath, etc.). Whats important is you have to eat...no questions no arguments. Along with that you must hydrate your body. Vyvanse eliminated my hunger and i didnt even think about food. Ill put it like this vyvanse gives the body extreme amounts of energy and focus which believe it or not takes a toll on the body. Your burning all kinds of resources your body has stored up. That level of energy and focus doesnt come without cost. Food and water are a requirement for this type of med and dont forget to sleep. Basically pill or no pill if your body doesnt have the fuel its not gonna operate right and if u force it you will soon realize how much of a mistake it is to do so. Doing this eliminates my bad symptoms. But the higher the dosage=more focus=requires more food and water & foods high in protein are best. I find it best to eat small things about every 2 hours. Hope this helps someone.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I have been on Vyvanse for 4 weeks and I am now tapering off. I was going to quit cold turkey , but I wke up this mornin...

159 REPLIES

so i am a college student and my friend is prescribed 50mg vyvanse... i used to take about 1 every couple weeks to help ...

8 REPLIES

Good Morning Everyone, I have been on Vyvanse 50 mg for about 7 months. Took it everyday. My company that I work for cha...

2 REPLIES

I have been on kolonopin 1 mg daily for 14 months now I am depressed and very anxious most of the time I want to get off...

292 REPLIES

I have been on stelaine for 25 years with short breaks but I am trying to stop it and getting nasty withdrawal effects. ...

87 REPLIES

Last dose of Imipramine (25 mg) taken on Monday July 2nd 2012. Under a doctors guidance. Slow, very slow taper. Took 5 m...

23 REPLIES

I've been abusing vicodin and percocet for over 7 years. I'm fed up with it all, but terrified BEYOND TERRIFIED ...

16 REPLIES

Why do you think docs prescribe Suboxone or Methadone for opiate withdrawal, make patients stay on it until they are com...

13 REPLIES

Hey everyone, im recently cutting down from 16mg of dilaudid every 3-4 hrs to im at 4mg every 4 hrs now. Ive been on dil...

13 REPLIES

I started taking Gabapentin 300mg x 3 daily on May 13,015 for severe shingles pain in my ear, mouth and face. June 16,20...

10 REPLIES