Withdrawal From Vyvanse
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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 morning and felt like I'd been hit by a truck. It's been a few hours and I still feel like I have a mild case of the flu. Anyway, I started 4 weeks ago and the first 3 days I never felt better in my life. I 'd never been so productive, focused, and organized! By day 7 , I was back to my normal under- acheiving, scrammbled , self. Then my Dr. raised my dose from 30 mg to 50. Well this threw me into severe anxiety. I have been chewing my nails till they bleed. I can't seem to stop. I have a feeling of being completely overwhelmed, my house is trashed and it's driving me nuts, but I have no energy or drive to get up and clean it.....Can anyone else out there relate to this?

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Dont feel trapped I'm right here with you. Im 16 years old I feel like my eye are strained I'm extremel tired from time to time I can kind of do activities but when it's over I feel completely exhausted, I can barely move, I stumble when I walk, my neck hurts, my left arm hurts, my hearts speeds up rapidly, I get confused, and get very forgetful. I feel like I'm not in my own body, it's like I can operate and stuff but it's like it's not real like its real but not, I have slurred speech and shake very very bad, and If I get into a fight with my mom I think kill myself, but then I think no cause then I'll burn for the rest of my life. Just I feel like idk. It's amazing how the body works. It's like I'm high and drunk at the same time but not all together idk if that makes sence. But your not alone, reading this kind of calms me down but I still feel this way. I've been trying to get my mom to take me to the doctor, but my dad just got out of 5 bypass surgerys and she's stressed out. She won't take me and I feel like I have to go to my granny's or I'm going to die because she gets how I feel. It's hard when you have nobody to believe you.

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I know im late to this discussion but i was prescribed vyvanse about 6 months or so ago. After 4 months my dr passed away and i wasnt able to get my monthly script of vyvanse. i had to go without for over 2 weeks until i found a new dr. but the only thing i noticed was i was more sleepy the first few days and my appitite definately spiked but thats all. My biggest fear was that i wouldnt be able to perform as i always do while im medicated. im an electrician, so im always on my feet and moving around alot and i was able to get by without vyvanse for 2.5 weeks with little to no problem. i think its all in our head the we NEED this to just get up and go to work. and that we NEED this just to perform but the truth is you will do just fine. its all mental. i really hope you all the best with your suffering.

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My mother passed away four years ago around this time. I became melancholy and had trouble concentrating. I was prescribed adderall, which had great effects initially but gave me horrible head aches at the end of the day, and severe depression. In the mean time, I got involved in a physically and emotionally abusive relationship and my doctor switched me to vyvanse. Over the summer I broke up with my boyfriend, developed PTSD, and had to be hostpitalized. Now I am prescribed ativan, vyvanse, zoloft, tenex, gabapentin, and buspar. I never used to take it every day but now its hard to get out of bed without it. I get depressed about my mom's death and my exboyfriend and can't stop ruminating over things. My neck hurts, my eyes are strained and I have a pounding head ache right now. I feel like an addict...but I never even asked for it. I know I can do reasonably well on my own power but I don't have the time to sober up right now because its finals. I just feel like I became so vulnerable after my mom died...drug companies took advantage of me, my ex boyfriend victimized me,ugh I feel worse than ever. I have never posted on any kind of forum before but I just need to get all of this rant out. It sucks i feel so trapped

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Just a quick update from my post on 3/30/12. I've now been off Vyvanse for 18 days going "cold turkey" after taking 50mg per day for almost 2.5 years. I won't say it has been easy, but it definitely has been worth it. Despite being exhausted at times, I feel like I'm in complete control of myself rather than the med. My appetite has definitely increased, but haven't gained any weight like others have mentioned; however, I do work out regularly.

After the first couple days, I've really had no desire to take one of my pills. For me it's all mental and I create different games each day to motivate myself or to remind me that I don't need to take my daily pill.

I'll continue to post updates from time to time with any my major changes that come about.

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i am not sure if this is really working i have been on this for so llong 1 one was rida lin i cant spell add that caused panis and awful anxiety i didnt want to leave the houe i wsh i dont have to take anything again

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same story i better go on it one thing he lowered my med i was getting anxiety it was to high true????

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I liked your post. I'm also taking Vyvance in a similar way. When I know I've got a long or very busy day it helps a lot otherwise I don't really need it. Exercise, drinking lots of water and eating healthy also help. Thanks for yor post, it balances out the rest.

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OMG, I am going through the exact same thing... been on vyvanse for about 2.5 years and can completely relate to your story. I feel like the only reason I take the med anymore is to get rid of the daily hangover I feel when I wake up... the euphoria that went along with the first few months never came back. Even 50mg twice a day doesn't motivate me to do much work anymore. Anyway, I decided to quit cold turkey - today being day 2 with no meds, I feel like I've been kicked in the head and had to take 3 or 4 naps today. This stuff isn't a long term solution and I want my life back, drug-free if possible.

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I've read every post on this thread and wish I would've come across it sooner. I'm 28 y/o and have been on Vyvanse 50 mg for almost 2.5 years. The first several months on the drug were amazing! I felt I could get anything done at work and it even seemed to enhance my personality and make me even more outgoing than normal.

Slowly things have become worse to the point were I find myself doing just about anything to avoid "working". I work in a commission-based industry and have many clients and prospects I could call on that would result in almost immediate business. However, I'm been so unproductive and unmotivated the past several months that I've had to dip into my savings and accumulated a decent amount of credit card debt simply to pay my bills and get by. I find myself constantly saying, "Ok, don't worry, you can start being productive tomorrow." Of course I'm not and the cycle almost repeats constantly. I never was a lazy person, but now find it so difficult to accomplish minor things at work.

Like many people, I have difficulty retaining key details from stories or conversations and feel like the majority of my thoughts are primitive and simple-minded that lack any substance.

I find myself unable to sleep and regularly find myself watching tv until 4-5am when I have to be up at 6:30am. In the back of my mind, I know that I will be able to get through the next day because of the Vyvanse, but it always catches up to me at some point.

I've become more and more depressed. It's almost sad to look back at the last two years to see what I accomplished or experienced. Professionally the answer is next to nothing. Outside of time with friends on weekends (alcohol usually involved) or playing sports, I feel like I've completely wasted the last 2 years of my life. I have very little sex drive and make little or no effort to meet new people or even go on regular dates.

I'm having awful vision issues. Before I knew vision was a side effect (I found out today after 2 years - pathetic but glad I know now) I find it very hard to focus when looking at a computer screen. I can no longer where contacts and lately even wearing glasses have not helped much. I easily get eye fatigue and even pain occasionally.

I take no other medication and want to develop a plan to get back to normal and not become dependent on my Vyvanse. Like many people here, I become extremely lethargic and feel almost ill when I skip a day or run out of pills.

Beginning tomorrow, 3/31/12, I'm either going to start weaning myself of my 50mg dosage or skip a couple days and maybe take 25mg on Monday. I'm not sure what I'm going to do, but am committed to getting off Vyvanse. I will contact my doc and get his input, but would love to hear from anyone who's had success getting off Vyvanse when it's their sole medication.

To the people in the early stages on Vyvanse or who haven't experienced any side effect to date, I would just like to provide a word of caution. I thrived on Vyvanse for 4-5 months and never had any major side effects besides losing some sleep and having a smaller appetite. Heck even now, I usually have a day every once in a while where I almost feel invincible. Trust me, it DOES NOT LAST. Best of luck to everyone and for those considering whether to start, I can only say DON'T DO IT!

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Dillon, in what ways did Vyvanse make you a person you're embarrassed to be? And if it does do this, I'm most curious why you go back on it periodically.



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I am off the drug for the fifth day now.. you'll realize that vyvanse was changing your life in ways that you won't appreciate. It's a pro drug so you can't abuse it as heavily as some people do with adderall. I sleep heavy for three days whenever I come off of it, then I eat a lot, then you find a balance and you're the same person you were before you started taking the drug. This medicine changed my motivations, my social life, it basically made me a person that I am now embarrassed to be.

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This post is so irresponsible...

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Hello! Im 17 years old and have been on 50 mg vyvanse for about half a year now and I adore it! I do not take it on weekends unless I have an ACT or practice test and I am always super productive on it. Honestly, Ive never experienced the side effects that y'all have described when Im off it. I've recently stopped taking it since I am on spring break and I feel wonderful! Of course, I am super unfocused considering I am ADHD, but that is expected and who needs to be for focused on spring break? Granted, the are some days though where I feel like I'm burned out when I skip sometimes. Sometimes when I stay up way too late and then take it the next morning, I feel like crap. But I've never felt this wrecked for more than a day. I can truly say I've never experienced the dependency to vyvanse like other users. I feel like Vyvanse has turned my life around because I recently got accepted into a new highschool that is harder to get into than college. I always knew I had it in me but I just needed that e tea push to get there and my medication has show myself and many other people the drive I can have.

Consequently though, since I've been off it (about 5 days now) I feel bloated and like I've gained weight. Ive weighed myself a couple times and haven't seemed to gain more than a couple pounds (I'm 100 pounds). I've concluded this is because my body is not used to eating 3 meals a day since I only eat one meal a day on. Vyvanse. In turn, I believe every person reacts to vyvanse differently and to any drug for that matter. My advice is to move on a search another ADHD medication because sometimes a certain type is not right for you. I go to a school specifically for people who have learning differences like ADHD and I've met teens who become severely depressed on ritalin but are perfectly fine on concerta. So I believe it all depends on the persons body chemistry and no person is identical.

Overall, i give my medication a thumbs up. I have attained no dependency and have had few side effects besides the obvious ones such as lack of hunger and mild headaches from dehydration- both easly fixed or expected. Just don't give up. There is a medication that works for you and if there isn't, it is possible to overcome hyperactivity through different forms of therapy. After all, I survived without medication alright for 16 years. Good luck! I hope my input helped.

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This is meant to be an encouraging message to all sufferers with difficult Vyvanse withdrawal. The key to avoiding the terrible withdrawal symptoms is to reduce your dose gradually. I have been on this medicine for 3 years and on similar medicines before that. I know when you have been on such a medication long term, your weaning off period could be a year, with extremely gradual reductions over that long period. Never, never try to stop this medicine cold turkey.

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Well I have been on vyvanse for a couple months now and it has helped out tremendously!! Super productive at work, able to make it through the 12 hour days they ask I us all the time, and it still seems to be working just as good, you have to remember this is Not a 'wonder drug' you still have to exercise and move around. If you just sit around all day your blood doesn't pump as well witch means the vyvanse won't work do well. I also don't take it on the weekends usually, unless I work on Saturday and I will just to help not get too dependent on it. That also helps keep the wallet a little fatter because the prescription seems to last a little longer.

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I have been taking Vyvanse for about 3 years, with dosages ranging from 50mg to 70mg. It has been a very effective therapy for me. When I'm on it, I feel focused, productive and energetic. I would take it for the rest of my life, EXCEPT, it is a highly controlled medication and even though I have therapist and a prescription, there are times when I run out and can't get a refill on time. Which becomes a DISASTER.

When I stop taking Vyvanse for a day or two, I feel like I've been hit by a train. I can barely stay awake, even when I try to compensate with large amounts of caffeine. I've decided to quit taking Vyvanse because although it works very well, I don't want to be dependent on something that has such severe side-effects.

I recently had to take a business trip overseas for 4 days; I forgot to pack my pills and it would have cost $300 to see a foreign doctor to get prescription. I decided to suffer it out. That was a MISERABLE experience.

I've stopped taking Vyvanse for about 3 weeks now. I've felt extremely horrible and instead of feeling better after two weeks, I feel worse now. The withdrawal symptoms are almost unbearable (depression, agitation, tiredness, weight gain, lack of focus, etc). However, I know I will start feeling better, perhaps in a couple more weeks, and then I'll never have to go through this again. To add insult to injury, I've gained about 15 lbs.

If your physician has recommended Vyvanse to you, I'd suggest you think hard before you decide to take it. There's an immense sense of helplessness when you realize how dependent you've become to a drug.

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so i am a college student and my friend is prescribed 50mg vyvanse... i used to take about 1 every couple weeks to help me study for exams, and i loved how focused it got me so i started taking them about 2-3 times a week. i have been doing this for a couple months. but now, if i'm not on it, i feel extremely anxious and feel like i can't talk or do anything normal....

please realize i am aware that the use of this medication when not prescribed is not a good thing to do.... but ever the first couple times, i feel like i need it in order to study, be happy, or even talk to people. i want to stop so badly but the anxiety when i'm not on it is horrible.

if you want to lecture me on this sort of recreational use that is fine, i know i deserve it. but i'm looking for advice to help me stop. if i just cope with this anxiety for a couple weeks of being off of vyvanse will it go away? or will it always be like this? it's ruining me.

thank you

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I've had a similar experience. Took Vyvanse for one month, terrible withdrawal. I'm 51, had ADHD all my life and decided to seek a medication solution. I was prescribed 20 mg/day on January 3rd and about two weeks later the doctor upped it to 40 mgs/day. I've taken no other medication for ADHD, other than a couple week trial of Ritalin and Adderall, both discontinued due to side effects. This was several years ago. On 20 mgs the first few days I was jittery and jumpy, but loved the focused feeling. Some trouble sleeping. After two weeks, that all went away, so the Dr. upped me to 40 mgs. That was rough for a few days, but I then loved the energized feeling and the focus it gave me. One heck of a time sleeping still, so I decided to try a day without the Vyvanse about three weeks into taking it (remember I was on a LOW dose). I felt deathly ill. I almost could not get out of bed and felt as if I had the flue and I was shaky, horribly depressed, and panicky (not like me at all). Took me three days to feel normal. I was baffled. Low dose for three weeks, stop and this response? So I tried again for five more days at between 30 and 40 mgs Vyvanse/day (sometimes split one of the two 20 mg capsules I took each day) and sleep was so poor I did not take any today, January 29th. This time the withdrawal was worse! Ached all over, flue-like, shaky, hopless mood. Wow! I think I just took my last dose of Vyvanse. A total of 28 twenty milligram pills over about a month and I have this withdrawal. I am dumbfounded. I am so glad this medicine kept me awake to allow me to discover its horrible (and quick onset) withdrawal. I'd hate to think what it woud be like to be on this for a year and then have it quit working and then try to stop.

--Nate



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number 14... 400 mg i highly doubt that no dr. would prescribe that much to u 70mgs is high as vyvanse gets iv been on this s*** goin on 5 years and i have nothin but good things to say about it pppffff 400 mg give me a break.... unless ur a tweeker lol

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hey, obviously i found this thread because i was searching for the common side effects of vyvanse withdrawals, so be assured that you are not imagining these symptoms.
I switched over to vyvanse from adderall because there was apparently a national shortage, and I had myself convinced that I couldn't continue functioning at such a high level at work without some form of prescription assistance. My doctor moved me from 20mg of adderall to 50mg of vyvanse and at first, things seemed fine. Towards the end of week 1, i noticed that the effects were diminishing. By week 3, it was like I wasn't taking anything at all: lethargic, unfocused, and unmotivated. I was also feeling slightly "off", and it made me uncomfortable physically. I would get home from work, and while I'd usually go to the gym for an hour or so, all I wanted to do was get in bed. I was having wild mood swings, too, and didn't care about anything in my life. I was having problems climaxing during sex, which started to impact my relationship, and ultimately resulted in me breaking up with my long-term girlfriend because "i didn't feel the chemistry with her anymore", which I'm now convinced was a side effect of the drug. Anyway, I stopped taking the pills about five days ago (Wednesday). I spent all day Thursday and Friday in bed and started feeling terrible flu-like symptoms on Friday night, which I'm still dealing with. Severe headaches, pain in the muscles behind my eyes, sensitivity to bright light, and overall malaise. Theraflu and Alleve ease the symptoms for a few hours, but theyve been returning every night like clockwork. I'm also experiencing some deep, inexplicable depression and burst out in tears for no reason last night, which is very uncharacteristic of me. I'm hoping that these symptoms are just my body's response to the chemicals leaving my system and that they will pass within the next week. I can say, though, that this experience has turned me off to adhd medications for life.
You need to realize that you're currently a "guinea pig", for want of a better term, and that the long-term toll that this drug is taking on your body hasn't been fully explored. The first year or two of a drug being made available to the public is still considered Phase IV of the clinical trial cycle. I just mean that you should be cautious, and take the time to ask your prescribing specialist what is really known about any pharmaceutical before putting it into your body.

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