Last updated: November 27th, 2019 Vyvanse is an excellent medication. But, many people don’t recognize the Vyvanse withdrawal symptoms that may eventually arise as a result of getting off the prescription drug.
While withdrawing from Vyvanse should always be done under the supervision of a doctor, this article shares the withdrawal symptoms that I experienced after stopping Vyvanse.
But, this article also reveals:
- The major disappointments of withdrawing from Vyvanse
- The major upsides of withdrawing from Vyvanse
- My 9 best tips for dealing with Vyvanse withdrawal
So, make sure to read through this article until the very end to get all of my personal tips for making the transition off of Vyvanse as smooth and pain-free as possible.
OK, let’s get started…
Contents
The Vyvanse withdrawal symptoms I experienced
Here’s a list of the symptoms that I personally experienced when I stopped taking Vyvanse after one year of use:
Nausea
Withdrawing from Vyvanse made me feel slightly sick. It wasn’t an overwhelming sickness or anything like that.
But, I definitely didn’t want to move around too much since I didn’t feel like my normal medicated self.
Headache
Without Vyvanse, I had a moderate headache that lasted two or three days before going away.
It wasn’t a severe headache.
But, it was noticeable and frustrating to deal with. I drank water all day long to deal with the headache.
Irritation
Vyvanse is such a useful medication for most people with ADHD, to where you’ll probably feel irritated when you don’t have access to it.
This is to be expected, since your brain enters a state of shock when its neurotransmitters aren’t firing like they would be while on Vyvanse.
While withdrawing from Vyvanse, your brain constantly sends you annoying messages like ‘What are you doing? Why aren’t you taking Vyvanse right now? Go take some!’
The irritation is only temporary, but it’s still somewhat difficult to deal with.
Hunger and weight gain
When I take Vyvanse, I don’t want to eat much food.
But, as soon as I stopped taking Vyvanse, I wanted to eat nearly twice as much food.
I also put on a few pounds after stopping Vyvanse. This was pretty hard to avoid.
Inability to focus
As you know, Vyvanse is a medication that helps people with ADHD focus.
Without Vyvanse, I felt like I was no longer competing on a level playing field.
So, I naturally went back to feeling a little bit like a wanderer, daydreamer or slacker (like back in highschool).
Wacky mood
When a medication becomes a part of your daily regimen for a long enough time, your mind will naturally feel out of wack without it.
In my case, not taking Vyvanse made me feel a little more emotional, short-tempered and probably unpleasant to be around.
Increased anxiety
You’ll probably feel anxious when you stop taking any important medication.
Withdrawing from Vyvanse made me feel like a lost puppy for a little while, because my brain had gotten so comfortable on the medication.
This led to feelings of increased anxiety and nervousness.
Lethargy
Naturally, I didn’t want to do much of anything when I stopped taking Vyvanse.
I was a real couch potato extraordinaire.
But, lethargy is just a mental push back.
So, I eventually fought against my brain, and made my way back into the gym.
Desire for alternative stimulation
When you’re on Vyvanse, your ADHD brain gets used to the amazing feeling of mental stimulation that Vyvanse provides.
Naturally, after I stopped taking Vyvanse, I felt the desire to be stimulated by something.
This led to me drinking a lot more caffeine in the form of yerba mate and coffee.
If you’re withdrawing from Vyvanse, prepare to drink a lot of coffee or tea (not necessarily a bad thing).
The major disappointments of withdrawing from Vyvanse
Coming off of Vyvanse isn’t an easy decision to make.
So, I feel that it’s important to take a look at the disappointing aspects of withdrawing from Vyvanse, too.
Here’s a list of the disappointments of withdrawing from Vyvanse:
Fear of missing out (FOMO)
By far, the biggest disappointment of withdrawing from Vyvanse is the fear of missing out (FOMO).
In case you aren’t familiar with the term, FOMO is a normal response to the feeling that you’re “missing out” on something in life.
With Vyvanse no longer in my life, I strongly felt as if I was going to miss out on potential opportunities that life brought my way.
Of course, FOMO isn’t always a logical response. But, it is pretty difficult to overcome the fear of missing out, because it’s basically hardwired in your brain.
Feel way less productive
While on Vyvanse, I felt like a well-oiled machine.
I would wake up at 6 a.m., pop a Vyvanse, crush some work, and basically forget to eat until noon.
Without Vyvanse, you have to develop a lot more mental resilience in order to have that type of work ethic.
Being on Vyvanse makes dealing with ADHD a lot easier. Not being on Vyvanse makes ADHD symptoms much more challenging to overcome.
Need more sleep
For some reason, my body functioned perfectly well off of 6 or 7 hours of sleep while I was taking Vyvanse.
Without Vyvanse, I sleep for 8 or 9 hours.
Obviously, getting a lot of sleep is important for good health. So, it’s probably a good thing that I’m now back to getting the amount of sleep that my body naturally desires.
But, I have to admit that I miss grinding for 14 hours each day, relaxing for a few hours, and then getting by just fine with 7 hours of rest.
Still need stimulus
When you stop taking Vyvanse, you’ll probably still want some type of stimulus to satisfy your ADHD brain.
I’m naturally a stimulus-seeking, risk-taking kind of person. So, as soon as I stopped taking Vyvanse, my stimulus-seeking behavior went back into overdrive.
I wanted to drink coffee, watch action movies, exercise, or just do anything to keep my ADHD brain satisfied.
The major benefits of withdrawing from Vyvanse
It’s important to keep in mind that not all Vyvanse withdrawal symptoms are bad.
Understanding the benefits of withdrawing from Vyvanse actually helped me a lot while going through the process.
For example, while I didn’t necessarily want to withdraw from Vyvanse, I knew that I probably wouldn’t be able to use the medication permanently.
So, here are the major benefits of withdrawing from Vyvanse:
Freedom to travel
I personally like to travel a lot.
And, having to check in with a doctor for Vyvanse prescription refills every month or so felt like a shackle that I was locked into.
It’s also difficult to get Vyvanse in most countries other than the USA. So, relying on Vyvanse can add some hurdles to your life.
However, freeing yourself from mandatory doctor’s visits and pharmacy pick-ups is a major benefit of coming off of Vyvanse.
Stronger feeling of groundedness
Stopping Vyvanse brought back my sense of groundedness.
Without Vyvanse, I felt like I was able to create stronger emotional bonds with people.
I think a lot of people can relate to this, since being on Vyvanse usually makes you feel like you’re operating on a different wavelength than most people.
Long-term health
Going without Vyvanse is probably a positive long-term decision to make for plenty of people.
But, this isn’t always the case.
Life is complicated, and I completely respect that Vyvanse will help many people take control of their ADHD symptoms.
In my case, I know that going without Vyvanse can provide some positive benefits for my long-term health.
Better skin
For some reason, my skin improved after I stopped taking Vyvanse.
I had more color in my face, and I didn’t look as pale.
Of course, I have no idea if this is a common experience, or just anecdotal evidence.
It’s just a truthful observation that I have to note.
My 7 best tips for withdrawing from Vyvanse
While I can’t give medical advice (I’m not a doctor) – I can still share the best tips that worked for me while I was withdrawing from Vyvanse.
Here’s a list of my 7 best tips for withdrawing from Vyvanse:
Tip 1. Talk to a physician
Withdrawing from a medication like Vyvanse is a fairly serious decision. So, you should talk to a physician if you decide to do this.
A medical professional will be in the best position to give you advice regarding stopping Vyvanse.
Tip 2. Slowly taper off of the medication
I didn’t stop Vyvanse cold turkey. That would be miserable.
Instead, I slowly lowered my intake of Vyvanse using a ‘Vyvanse water’ medication titration trick.
For example, I lowered my intake of Vyvanse by about 5-10mg each day until I totally stopped taking it.
This made the withdrawal symptoms that I experienced a lot easier to deal with.
Tip 3. Clear your calendar
If you’ve been taking Vyvanse for a while, then you aren’t going to want to accomplish much once you stop using the medication (at first).
If possible, you should try to take a week off from work, catch up on some movies, or read some books that you’ve been meaning to check out.
Without Vyvanse, you’re going to want to clear your calendar, and get really comfortable for about one week.
Tip 4. Do some light busy work
Sitting around all day might make some people (especially high-achievers) feel even worse about withdrawing from Vyvanse.
If this sounds like you, then I recommend doing some light housework, cleaning, small DIY projects or anything to keep your mind off of withdrawing from Vyvanse.
Tip 5. Force yourself to exercise
Forcing yourself to exercise will generally make you feel better about withdrawing from Vyvanse.
Your brain will try to prevent you from exercising.
But, it’s usually in your best interest to exercise regardless. You’ll feel a lot better afterwards. I promise.
Pro tip: If you have access to a sauna at your local gym, make sure to use it as often as you can once you’re fully off of Vyvanse. I could never take advantage of using saunas while on Vyvanse, out of the rational fear that my body would overheat (since Vyvanse is a stimulant). Sweating out your toxins is such an amazing luxury, so be sure to do it often (again, make sure you don’t have any Vyvanse in your system).
Tip 6. Drink lots of water and Pedialyte
You need to do a lot of healthy activities to counteract the negative symptoms that come with quitting Vyvanse.
And, drinking water is great for you. So, make sure to drink at least 8-10 glasses per day.
Drinking some Pedialyte (Amazon) is also amazing for hydrating (it’s much healthier than drinking Gatorade).
Tip 7. Consider using natural Vyvanse alternatives
Using natural alternatives to Vyvanse like Zipfizz (Amazon), yerba mate, and pure pomegranate juice is going to be a must while coming off of Vyvanse.
You’re going to crave something to fill the void that’s left over from Vyvanse.
And, I think it’s perfectly okay to go ahead and temporarily fill that void – so that you don’t feel absolutely miserable while coming off of Vyvanse.
I highly-recommend stocking up on Zipfizz and cranberry juice, at the very least.
This will allow you to safely feel stimulated (by the caffeine and vitamins found in Zipfizz) while also detoxing your body (with pure cranberry juice).
Tip 8. Do a full body detox
I recommend doing a full body detox if you’ve been using Vyvanse for quite some time.
There’s a decent chance that your adrenal glands will be fatigued after using Vyvanse, anyway. So, you’ll probably want to take advantage of a full body cleanse of some sort.
You’ll ultimately want to drink a lot of raw beet juice, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and take a good nutritional supplement like Barlean’s Chocolate Silk Organic Greens (Amazon). This organic powder formula is quite healthy and tastes like a chocolate shake.
Tip 9. Get out of town for a while (if possible)
If you can afford the extra cost, I highly recommend booking an AirBnB apartment in a nearby (or far away) city while you’re getting off of Vyvanse.
Yes, this is essentially like taking a staycation or a vacation (depending on your preference).
I personally took a trip to New York City when I was coming off of Vyvanse, and I had never been to NYC before, so it was an amazing way to distract my mind from the Vyvanse withdrawal symptoms I was experiencing.
So, if you can swing the added cost, keep in mind that rewarding yourself with a vacation is a great way to mentally distract yourself from the worst of the withdrawal symptoms.
Vyvanse Withdrawal Symptoms Conclusion
Overall, withdrawing from Vyvanse doesn’t feel great.
But, it isn’t the end of the world either.
I would compare Vyvanse’s withdrawal symptoms to having a mild cold that lasts four or five days, and then subsides over the next the few weeks.
It’s important to note that my Vyvanse withdrawal symptoms were only temporary.
Stopping any important prescription medication after taking it for a long enough time will make you feel strange for a while.
But, after 2-3 weeks of not taking Vyvanse, I began to feel like my old self again – for better or worse.
At the end of the day, I still appreciate that taking Vyvanse improved my life in big ways. I may continue to take Vyvanse at some point in the near future.
But, it’s still wise to stay cautious of the withdrawal symptoms that may come with taking Vyvanse.
Vyvanse’s withdrawal symptoms are a real possibility. And, they’re something that you’ll have to take into consideration when using, quitting, or taking a break from my favorite ADHD medication in the universe.
Thank you for this amazing article. My son has been on vyvanse for about 6-7 months. I consider it a high dose. He lost a ton of weight and had horrible insomnia. This caught up with his mood and increased his anxiety. Recipe for a total disaster. Although the doctor was supportive and understanding on our decision, I don’t think he gave us the details such as in your article on what to expect. Thanks again
Hi Jane you’re very welcome for the article. I’m happy to hear that you now have a better understanding of what to expect. Your son will most likely start to gain weight again very soon, and he shouldn’t suffer from anxiety issues for much longer, either. It sounds like you have him on a positive path forward.
Thanks for article! Now that I’m on Medicare and prescription plans, no longer able to afford. Jan 2020 prescription was $550 copays. Bought 5 day supply for $115 and began weaning. Headache, major fatigue, plus diarrhea which may be other issues. Applied for financial support with Takeda, process can take several weeks. Ran out of pills couple days ago, dr wrote substitute prescription for adderall dr, took first one today. My decision is more pros than cons to taking it, plus I’m 65 yrs old and have enough pain and fatigue with chronic auto immune diseases. Vyvanse helps me through brain fog and allows me not to sink in sea of depression. Best wishes on your journey!
Thank you Mary!
Ridiculous, most if not all know what the withdrawal symptoms are. You can drink Pedialyte all day and you will stillfeel like. Just trying to give a reality check here people. And seeing a doctor is fine but they will not be able to prescribe anything that will help. And No.9 Get out of town for awile. Believe me if you take that advice it will be the worst trip of you life ! Obviously tapering down is 1 of the only things you can do. Pubmed says Black Cumin Seeds will help with withdrawals (Amazon.com 18.00 dollars or so 3 or 4 times daily). Also pain relievers will help 3 or 4 advils every 4 hours or Excedrin. And a hot bath or Jacuzzi will make you feel good but temporarily. Do these things and stay in bed and watch a few movies. Depending how much you have taken should be feeling better in about 3 days or so.
Thanks for the note on the Black Cumin Seeds, Advil and hot baths. Those are good tips that I might have to add to the article.
ADHD Boss, you’re a true, evolved gentleman, as is apparent by your response to the (abrasive) comment above. 🙂
Thank you for your kind words Summer, it comes with the job. Many people commenting on this website are dealing with extremely stressful life situations so I understand where it’s coming from.
Thank you for your honest experience, great article. my son started low dose of Vyvanse in elementary school when diagnosed with ADHD. His dose became high in middle school, he became miserable, unhappy, depressed from not feeling like himself. His doctor insisted the meds good out weighted the bad and put him on an antidepressant. He was so medicated, not feeling good or bad. At 13 he has stopped taking it for about 3 weeks now. He is too big and too old for me to make him swallow the Vyvanse. I see so many things in him that you wrote in your article. It’s nice to know there can be a life for him not shackled to this med. He seems happy and healthy!
Thank you for your comment and story about your son, Cynthia. It sounds like your son wants a life that’s free from ADHD medication. That’s great to hear he’s happy and healthy. I wish you two the best of luck.
I’m glad I ran upon this article, I wish I had found it about 4 months sooner , when my 11 year first stopped taking Vivanse. she had been on Vivanse for 3 years. I helped her wean off of it because she seemed so miserable, She became distant, lost weight , and was more agressive and short tempered and so depressed she didnt want to do anything.
I’ve noticed a lot of important in her attitude and less anxiety, most of all she seems a lot happier now. One big accomplishment is that she learned to swim a week or two afterwards. We go swimming every year , and she never could learn to swim on Vivanse, she was always afraid of drowning now she loves to swim and gets in the deepest part of pools and dives in. I recently gave up work to homeschool her to give her more time to heal mentally. School was too much stress and she was always so tired for the first part of the day. She had been on AD/HD meds for 5 1/2 years so basically she’s never been to school without being medicated until this year, she didnt do any better or do any worse. Just happier, and at times felt like the staff was against her or talking about her.
Her appetite is great now, loves food more than ever , gained about 15 pounds.
I recommend meditation or yoga, exercise daily, outdoor activities and take hot baths with Epsom salt it eases body aches, helps you rest better, also spending time with people that are positive and happy.
Thanks for the article. About the timeline though, I’ve known people who took 2-3 months (not weeks) to feel like themselves again after stopping. People may need different amounts of time to recover from the withdrawal.
You’re very welcome for the article!
Yup, you’re definitely right about the timeline.
It can definitely take 2-3 months (or longer) to feel like yourself after stopping Vyvanse. Everyone is different in that way.
This has been one of the most practical and useful sites about transitioning off vyvanse – thank you so much for taking the time to provide your experience with everyone.
I’ve been taking 30mg for 5 years now and finally decided it was time to allow my brain and body to rehabilitate and feel normal again – and I would like to conceive in a year or so, cannot do that on vyvanse. Its been 1 week since fully off the drug and it has been a drowsy struggle. I’ve taken a lighter load at work and sleep at least 9 hours/night. Seems to help. Also, I’ve naturally stopped smoking after stopping vyvanse, which is a huge breakthrough (smoker of 18 years!). The anxiety that I experienced taking vyvanse halted the trigger to smoke. Now I’m researching a nutrition and detox plan to help my body recoup. Also very concerned about weight gain, although inevitable, is like to curb as much as possible. (I am exercising, plan to up cardio to 3xweek, 1 hour increments). Any suggestions you can offer on diet and detox besides the powder? Many, many thanks.
Thanks so much for your awesome comment. And congratulations on making the decision to have a calm, happy and healthy pregnancy.
It’s also great to hear that you’ve stopped smoking. I smoked for a number of years as well, and I still miss it sometimes. But at the end of the day, it’s really just the dopamine that our ADHD brains crave. If you can figure out a way to get dopamine in a healthy way (exercise is great) – then you’ll most likely do just fine.
As for nutrition and detoxing, I’ve written many articles about eating high-quality fruits, vegetables, and other superfoods that will flush toxins out of your system. Here are two good ones:
http://adhdboss.com/fruits-vegetables-adhd/
http://adhdboss.com/superfoods-adhd/
Detoxing mostly comes down to drinking green smoothies every day, exercising, and using a sauna (when possible). So you’re definitely on the right track with your cardio routine. Great job!
As for weight gain after stopping Vyvanse, I also wrote an article on that exact topic with the help of an experienced personal trainer:
http://adhdboss.com/vyvanse-weight-gain/
Like I said, it sounds like you’re on an awesome path so far, so please just keep up the excellent work 😉
Thanks so much for this I think this is not right for my 6 year old holy hell!! She needs to get off it!
Do what you think is best for your daughter Danica. Just make sure to chat with her doctor if you make any changes to her medication regimen.
Thank YOU for your comment!
My daughter gained weight on vyvanse and makes her anxiety so much worse. She is stopping cold turkey because she ran out and wont see a doctor. Vyvanse and adderall are both very addicting. I know she will be very agitated and sleep a lot. I am glad shes in college and hopefully she will exercise and keep busy.
Hi Ruby. That’s very interesting, because I don’t hear much about people who gain weight while taking Vyvanse. The weight gain usually happens once you stop taking Vyvanse. I’m wondering if her weight gain was somehow related to a hormone imbalance? That sometimes happens.
It’s also common to gain weight in college just because of the stressful environment and easy access to food. I put on a LOT of weight in college.
Either way, I wish your daughter plenty of success going forward.
Hi Ruby,
I also gained weight on vyvance, 45 lbs. in about a year and a half. I am going to taper for about 2 weeks because I’m at 70 mg a day, then deal with the fatigue and sleepiness. I have stopped taking it for a few days now and then and never had any symptoms beyond that. Your daughter’s experience is similar to mine. Thanks for posting.
I’ve been on Vyvanse for 9 years and currently take 60MG every day (including the weekends). I take breaks when I notice that my tolerance of the medication has peaked. I usually do this once every 3-6 months and I take a 1-2week break. This allows me to flush my body and accumulate some extras.
When I take these breaks, as you can imagine, the effects are immediate and the lethargy/tiredness is unreal. As the article states and I cannot express this enough. Exercize is key. Your body feels sluggish but the truth is that you still have the ability to output the same amount of movement that you could without it. It’s all in your head and you convince yourself that you’re tired even though your body has had, if not, too much rest.
Just commit to it and force yourself out of it. He hit the nail on the head when he said you will feel better after your workout. It really does uplift your energy levels which seems like a paradox.
Great comment Tim. Yes, taking a “flush out” break is really important, and it helps a lot. And exercise always helps so much as well.
I was taken off vyvanse a week ago because I was and still am experiencing Tourette’s like tics does anyone know if it can be permanent after stopping vyvanse for just over a week when it should have stopped after 5 days
Hi Twitchteen,
Thank you for your comment. I’m really sorry to hear about the tics that you’re experiencing.
When I was prescribed Vyvanse, I remember my doctor asking me if I was experiencing any tics as a side effect. But, I personally wasn’t experiencing anything like that.
I would check in with a doctor if I were you. I very much doubt it’s a permanent side effect that you’re dealing with.
But, it’s still something that you should discuss with your doctor, just for peace of mind.
Thank you for sharing this article. I haven’t been able to find much information on this topic mostly just people stopping who abuse the medication. However, I have been prescribed vyvanse since I was 18 for adhd and I am now 23. I found it helpful all through college but now that I’m done I figured I needed to make some lifestyle changes. I decided to stop taking the medication cold turkey and hopefully these withdrawals will go away soon. I have gone two days now without taking it and I don’t have any plans to go back on it. I’m looking forward to being myself again and it’s amazing that my anxiety is already starting to go away. It has been so long since I wasn’t on this medication I almost forget what I used to feel like before I started it!
I’ve been taking Vyvanse since I was in 5th grade I think I started at around 30 mg I believe and now at 16 I’m at 70 mg. I feel like I need Vyvanse to focus because I’ve been with it for about 6 years. I don’t have a problem with it but I feel like I’m way too skinny for my age! I’m 5’6” 116 pounds at 16. It definitely has made me have less of an appetite. Do you have any advice to help with my appetite and to help me from looking so skinny and scrawny! Thank you!
Hey Brayden,
Can you enroll in a sport at your school that forces you to do strength training? I’m not sure if you play sports, but wrestling and hockey are both really fun, and your coach would force you to lift weights.
Wrestling is ideal, because you can compete against guys who are in your same weight class.
Plus, having a good coach really helps with the motivation to grow.
If you’re not into team sports, then you can try bodybuilding (get the book “Starting Strength”). You should also start eating steak and eggs at least twice a week.
And finally, just lower your dosage of Vyvanse if it suppresses your appetite too much (talk to your doctor about this first, obviously).
Good luck man!
Stefan, this was so helpful. Just stumbled upon the website when trying to figure out whether to deal with the symptoms of withdrawal and try going off of it to see how I do. Your analysis is so thoughtful and thorough- incredibly helpful! I actually have the flu right now and am “down and out” anyway, and I’m considering tapering off as I already feel poorly and am taking extra good care of what goes into my body this week. Thanks so much again, and I look forward to reading more!
Really happy to hear this article helped you Meghan.
I hope you get rid of the flu and feel better soon.
Health is always the priority. Take care of yourself Meghan.
Hi, I’ve been thinking about quitting vyvanse soon. I take 30mg. I am afraid of the weight gain even though I might need it. I’m 5’4 and 106lbs, I lost about 14 pounds. Prior weight was 120 which is generally healthy. I’m just afraid of gaining more than that. I’ve also never felt comfortable at 120, I am more comfortable at 110-115. I’m hoping that I stay around there but there’s no way of telling. Could ou maybe help me gain some clarity on that?
Hi Sara. Please refer to this article for help with this issue:
http://adhdboss.com/vyvanse-weight-gain/
I am so grateful I stumbled across this website! I have been on Vyvanse for the last 9 years everyday, 70mg. Within the past few years I have wanted to quit sooo many times but I would always give in and end up taking one. I have such a love/hate relationship with it , on my meds I feel like superwoman I get everything accomplished and more , then the anxiety kicks in and I get irritable , emotional, and it makes me literally crave cigarettes (which noThing I hate more about my self than the smoking!) which off the meds you could not pay me to smoke a cigarette it’s the most disgusting thought to me but on the meds I will literally sit there and chain smoke and it makes me the happiest person ever . Also if I drink alcohol on the Vyvanse I get super intoxicating and end up getting black out drunk and I won’t remember anything. Off my meds I’m soo happy go lucky, I’m funny , cool, social, laid back , everyone can tell when I’m off them because I am that different of a person and they love me not on them , but off my meds I feel like I’m intoxicated I feel stupid I feel slow I feel like I’m messed up on drugs or something. Hopefully that’s just a withdrawal side effect as I don’t remember feeling like that before I started the meds . Anyways I know I have so many reasons to quit I truly feel like I’m a slave to it but I have to quit in order to get control back of my life , and honestly I am scared shit less! Wish me luck 😮
I wish you the best of luck Amanda. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on here!
Really appreciate your honesty (it’s a totally common experience that you had, by the way).
My 9yr old daughter is taking 30mg of vyvanse. She’sjust being on it for a bout two months now. She’s lost appetite and due to that shes lost some weight to the point her clothes seem very loose. She has mentioned she gets stomach pains and has constant dry mouth. She used to be very involved in school, she’s more focuse but less excited to participate in activities. She’s mention she doesn’t feel herself and asks to stop it. Any comments on this?
Ana I’m sorry to hear your daughter is having a tough time with Vyvanse. This is honestly a personal situation that’s best handled on a case-by-base basis. You’ll have to weigh out the pros vs. cons of keeping your daughter on Vyvanse or dropping it completely.
If she’s asking to stop it, that might be the best route to go, but it’s ultimately up to you as a parent to make this decision with her.
I know it’s a difficult situation, and I honestly wish I could help more. These decisions are incredibly tough to deal with.
You can always consult a doctor or therapist if you need further help with this tricky situation.
Hey- thanks so much for writing this. I know I’m a little late to the post here & I apologize if you mentioned already, but how long were you on Vyvamse for?
I’ve been on Vyvamse for almost 2 years.
I don’t want to discontinue my Vyvamse, but I do worry that I get bad anxiety (maybe akathesia) if I try to skip it for a day. My concern is that I NEED Vyvamse or I end up with extremely uncomfortable anxious physical feelings.
Do you have any thoughts on this?
Hi Cor.
Hope you’re doing well.
Your concern is a common one!
It’s ultimately up to you to design a “Vyvanse lifestyle” that works for you. Everyone responds differently to the medication.
If you don’t want to discontinue Vyvanse, that’s perfectly OK. If you decide to stop using it, that’s OK too. It’s up to you 🙂
You can also chat with a psych. doctor if you need to discuss this further. That’s what they’re there for!
Hello, this article has been helpful, thank you! I’m on day 5 of being off vyvanse after being on 40mg for 4 years. Although I am very tired I was able to take my 6 year old daughter to 3 birthday parties this weekendand had two nights out with my husband for various celebrations. I did sleep a lot in between though but that’s ok! Today I am so happy with how I feel, no anxiety, not irritable or aggravated easily. I feel calm and am starting to feel like me again. I decided to go off of it because I was getting heart palpitations. I haven’t had any at all in the past 5 days since stopping the meds. The only negative is my appetite is huge now and I’m scared to gain weight but will continue to exercise and make smart food choices. Fingers crossed that this smooter than I thought transition continues!
Congratulations on the amazing news Jenn. Sounds like you’re living life the way you want to!
Has anyone had trouble breathing after stoping vyvance?
Please contact your doctor about this Kenna, as it sounds serious.
I can relate to this article, to the positives of being off the med. I was wrongly diagnosed at the age of 4 with ADHD, and for 20 years I was prescribed high dosages of ritalin, then adderall, then vyvanse. Every day I felt like some sort of zombie. Jittery, irritable, hearing a constant ringing noise in my ears all day, with high anxiety and a plethora of social problems. I also had to abstain from doing cardio because it made my heart rate race too high due to the high dosage I was prescribed.
Unfortunately as a child my parents never listened or paid attention to my complaints about the side effects, rather they forced the pills down my throat and would threaten me with beatings if I mentioned to the doctor that I felt bad on the med, because they firmly believed that “children are to be quiet, seen and not heard” and utilized the prescription meds to dull my naturally outgoing and cheerful personality as a means of control. And then they would ask the doctor for higher and higher dosages as I hit my teens.
I haven’t spoken to them in 15 years.
I finally had enough and quit cold turkey in my 20’s (was on a 70mg dose of vyvanse, down from the 150 I had in my teens), after being diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome and learning that the vyvanse is probably the cause of my intestinal issues. I called the ADHD doctor’s office and informed them that I would not be a patient of theirs anymore.
I was fortunate. I did not notice most of the negative withdrawal side effects when I went off the med. I only needed a weekend to adjust. The only difficulty I had was a surge in my appetite but as a fitness guy for most of my life it was easy to control it.
Honestly, my ability to pay attention and stay on task IMPROVED without the meds because I am not distracted by the side effects anymore. I went back to school and earned my PhD. My social life improved greatly, because my anxiety vanished. I’m a much more flexible person today. My work life has improved greatly because now I can actually relate to my coworkers and my boss, and that I can now ace interviews with people skills as well as technical skills. I was able to experience what it meant to be alive for the first time in my life. The ability to enjoy the simple things in life.
I now have a son, and a wife. My son shows no signs whatsoever of having ADD or ADHD. Personally, I’d never dare put my child on this medication.
Really sorry to hear about your experience Jack. Misdiagnoses do happen. It also sounds like you’re totally justified to not speak with your parents.
I wish you and your family the best!
Okay so my 10 yr old son has been taking Vyvanse since he was 5 yr old . Now he takes 30 mg capsule . He seems to focus really well but he also has anger issues with it sometime. He really does focus in school but I think he will do better without it . When I don’t give it to him on Saturdays, he is more his self than when I do. I’m trying to figure out if I need to not give it to him this summer and see if he can make it when school starts back . Just confused a little , I want to do what is right for my son.
Hi Amber. I know I’m a little late responding to this comment, but I just wanted to know if your son went off Vyvanse for the summer? How did he do? I’m curious to know how it went!
Stefan Taylor, I was just wondering how you feel currently, now that you’re complete off Vyvanse? Did the sluggishness, fatigue, and withdrawal symptoms fully go away?
I just wanted to add that I’m prescribed 50mg daily of Vyvanse, and I would like to get off of it completely, but am terrified of the withdrawal effects and not being able to just feel “normal” again.
It’s a common fear to be scared of, and it’s ultimately up to you to decide what you think is best for your life. It’s definitely a tough issue to deal with, and I wish there was an easy answer for you.
Hi Nicolet. Yes! All of the uncomfortable feeling eventually went away. I feel awesome.
i was on 100 mg a day for a few weeks prior to that i was on 80 mg a day. I began feeling suspicious as if things were going on behind my back and convinced myself of imaginary scenerios. I have stopped taking vyvanse a few days ago cold turkey and still feel paranoid and suspicious for no apparent reason. also I am tired even though I get a good nights sleep. How long does the withdrawles last so I can go back to my abnormal self. I do not want to taper off.
Thank you for leaving your thoughts on here Dave. 100mg of Vyvanse is a LOT, so I encourage you to talk to your doctor about the best way to safely taper off of Vyvanse.
Vary insightful! I was born with the cord around me and I was ressitated. I have struggled tremendously with learning and have always had a strong urge for thc. I didn’t really understand why I could never put the pipe down till I started Vyvanse!!! I feel like my brain is right now. I get the same feeling off of thc but without the cloudy head. I work in the trades and make my living off the commission. Now instead of arriving at a home and Immediately wanting to wrap up the job so I can get home or something “better” on the next house, at the end of the day “better” was never found! Now I am focused on the job, have no issues spending 3 hrs on a job, leave the home with revenue and the homeowner with some outstanding products that are vary bennifical.
Last night I was talking to a in law that is taking adoral, he mentioned running out of his meds and started withdrawing without not realizing what was going on. I decided to look up withdrawals and realized they are the same. (Is it true Vyvanse and adarol withdraws are vary similar?) I don’t want to get off of it but great artical! My biggest consern of coming off the drug is my addictive personality! I feel normal and when I have urges to act out (doesn’t happen often while medicated) I can logically turn down and walk away. I have self will to say no! I have to say I am an addict to Vyvanse. “The mind of the insane”
Hi Casey. Vyvanse is one of those medications that I personally wouldn’t worry too much about being “addicted” to, because it’s typically so effective for people with ADHD. Taking Vyvanse gets you positive results for your life, so I wouldn’t worry about it personally. Keep it up!
Seriously, thank you for this article. A really great outline to follow. I knew there would be withdrawal but not as bad as I have been experienceing. So this article is encouraging. Glad to know others are going through the same thing with coming off this medication.
You’re awesome Megan!
Hi Stefan, this article is absolutely amazing. Our 18 year old daughter has been on Vyvanse for about 10 years. She is a freshman in college and about 1 month ago without telling us, she stop cold turkey. We could tell a change in her personality and several other things including her appetite. She is a cross country runner and has gained several pounds. She would shout at me and her mother when home on weekends then we got to where we didn’t want to see her because of her attitude. She has a 3.6 GPA at her Fall Mid Terms. She is 18 and making her own decisions. Your thoughts
Thank you for your excellent comment and question Garion. It sounds like your daughter is making her own decisions that best fit her current stage in life, just as you hinted at. Please keep me updated and let me know how things go? Would love to hear from you again.
Thank you so much for this article. I’ve been on Vyvanse since 2010. The highest dose I was on was either 40 or 50 mg per day. It was prescribed by my psychiatrist for treatment of anxiety. After a few years, however, I began to notice the irritability, moodiness, and fatigue, or “crash” that came on during the afternoon. I have been slowly working my way off and today I’m down to 5 mg. So glad they now make the chewable form, as it allows me to cut the pill for my taper. I’ve tried before to “jump” off this dose but end up getting back on due to extreme fatigue. I do my best to get out and exercise, but most of the time I’m so exhausted after a full work day that all I want to do is go home and sleep. I’m back on the low dose again and am contemplating getting off again. Any advice or tips on managing the fatigue?
Thanks for sharing your experience Richard! Time seems to be the best healer of Vyvanse withdrawal. It’s a matter of letting your brain and body adapt to life before Vyvanse. This takes time. Lots of food, water and exercise will help! Oh and having quality people in your life too. Wish you all the best.
I am glad I found this. My son has been on Vyvanse for several years. He is now a senior in high school and is coming off this medicine because he is wanting to go Into the military. It has made him very sleepy and also has given him a headache. Yeah I see the ADHD in him but not like it was when he was a lot younger.
Can anyone help him with suggestions on how to get rid of the head aches. On other notes he does good with out it.
I used to be prescribed 30mg vyvanse and I quit cold turkey in November- without thinking to tampe off of it. I began feeling symptoms not too long after (the first week of December). I’m still going through some of the side effects and it’s terroble. I just feel emotionless and I started having occasional panic attacks like I’ve never had before. I just don’t get excited over things that I used to get excited over and I was worrying me so I went to my doctor and we decided to put me back on the medication, but at 20mg this time. Symptoms have somewhat improved but I’m wondering if anyone knows how long until I feel back to my normal self? I have been taking the 20mg for about week now.
Sorry for the late response Paige but I’m wondering how things have been for you lately? Please let us know!