Hey, Y'all, I'm new here and I sure hope you might have some insight for me. I'm a 36yr old female student with add/adhd since childhood. I was actually diagnosed ADD/ADHD/depression/gifted/learning disabled all at the age of 9. Before starting the Vyvabse, I was previously taking Adderall, short-acting 4x a day. I didn't like the sharp highs & lows from the Adderall, or taking it 4x a day, but it did work.
Now on Vyvanse, started on 40mg, upped to 50mg last week + one short-acting Adderal(generic) in the afternoon for homework purposes. I have bad insurance (HMO) and the dr's there basically haven't helped me figure out what dosage/s I need to be at, and I'm having issues and not sure why.
I like the Vyvanse bc it doesn't have the high ups & downs as the Adderall alone regimen, BUT am really having difficulty concentrating on what I need to focus on, and my body temp seems elevated, and having racing thoughts, and feeling jittery. I could play a game or talk on the phone for hours, and able to concentrate on the game or phone call the entire time, but not make myself study when I had a test. That has never happened to me until switching to the 50mg Vyvanse. Also, I had cut down on smoking, but being on Vyvanse, have been smoking more.
The 40mg Vyvanse seemed like it was working, but just didn't take the "edge off". I don't know if I need to up the up the dosage (worried the jitters/nerves" will get worse) becuase I still can't focus in class as well as I need to. I didn't have the jitters at the on the 40mg, but it wore off too soon. Should I up it to 70mg & see if it gives me jitters & then if it does take half in water in am and half in pm? I can't take the 30 or 40mgs 2x day because my insurance won't cover it at all.
I used to have interest in cleaning the house as well as trying to study. I can't seem to get anything done at this dosage although I really am motivated to.
I am jealous of all the people who are saying they are running around cleaning everything! I am trying to get to the point where I can focus in class and be able to study when I get home from my classes.
I appreciate any help you can give me. I would call my HMO but they don't ask me questions except to find out what it is I am there for, medicine-wise. Vyvanse is not covered, and they were supposed to override it somehow, because the others didn't work, but that hasn't happened yet. I generally see a LNP who takes the scrip to the MD and gets it signed. I appreciate any insight you can give me. I've only been on the 50mg for about a week, but it's totally different than the 40mg, and I don't know what I need. I normally have high energy, don't need a ton of sleep, and have a low (97) body temp. I find that now I am more sluggish and feel warm. Also, I am now sensitive to caffeine, which I wasn't before.
Again, I appreciate any help you can provide,
BL
Sorry, I don't know what else works like Adderall.. I was on it & thought the Vyvanse was going to be better, and neither the 40mg or 50mg is. It is also NOT covered by my insurance, so I don't have the time/money to get the dosage correct... They are supposed to be similar in the chemical makeup, and both made by Shire Co., but def. don't affect me the same. I've had moodiness, poor concentration levels, etc. w/the Vyvanse. I'm making an appointment ASAP & either doing Adderal XR + short acting for evening or Concerta + short acting Adderall. That is how it affects ME, though. I found that even the generic Adderall (short-acting) works on ME better than the expensive Vyvanse. My personal body chemistry eats up meds quickly, and the 40mg Vyvanse didn't feel like it did anything for me, and had anxiety, heart-racing, NO concentration at all on the 50mg Vyvanse. In my (non-medical) opinion, I think you should stick w/what works for you. I have heard other stories from people saying the generic Adderall isn't the same as the Branded, but it works on me. In the past, I've been on the short-acting, 4x a day, and works. I just don't like the very sharp ups & downs it gives me when it kicks in & wears off, nor the 4x a day dosage. Your body chemistry & metabolic rate may not me the same as mine, though.. I've been ADD for a long time, and had reaction to Wellbutrin (also called Zyban) that sent me into panic attacks, and Dexidrine and Strattera did nothing for me as well.
If you go to Shire.com & sign up, if you are curious to try the Vyvanse, they will send you some coupons. Since it's not covered by insurance, and you're paying it out of pocket, I don't think it will help you financially. It was over $100 for any strength even at Sam's.
Sorry I can't be of more help-I usually get the generic, but I may try & get the name brand of Adderall-one more thing-I hear the XR (long-lasting version) is about to go up in price.