Day two of Vyvanse...and nada

[Anonymous]

I took my 14-year-old DD for an ADHD evaluation earlier this week. She has always had working memory, attention and some decision-making issues, but I was never convinced they added up to ADHD. Anyhow, the doctor was very quick to whip out her prescription pad for a prescription for Vyvanse. I decided it was worth a try.

So it's been two days and she says she feels no different. She was supposed to be working on an English essay yesterday for homework (about 10 hours into taking Vyvanse, so that may have something to do with it.) She spend about two hours looking over the book, finding a few quotes and produced one rambling paragraph that didn't even begin to address the topic. Nothing new there.

Is it too soon to tell if this drug might help her? She's taking 30 mg. Does she need a higher dose? I figure we'll try this for another week and then consult with the doctor. I wasn't expecting miracles, but the doctor even said that even if she doesn't have bonafide ADHD, it should help with her focus issues.

Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I would give it time. It's hard to draw conclusions about an ADHD medication in a day or two, or even a week.

It could be the time at which she started to try to write the English paper -- Vyvanse is long-acting but it works in an arc, so the later in the day it is, the less medication you have in your system. Also, while the manufacturer of Vyvanse says it can last up to 13 hours, that's highly variable. Some kids metabolize the medication quicker than others.

DS, 8, takes Vyvanse. It gets him through the school day and a bit beyond. We're about to start a short-acting dose in the late afternoon of Dextroamphetamine to help with homework issues.

Also, Vyvanse may just not be the right medication. Kids' reactions to ADHD meds also vary a lot. Some kids do better on ritalin-based meds, others like our DS do better on the amphetamine-based ones.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Stimulants are very quick-acting. It's not like antidepressants that need some time to work. You might skip waiting a week and just call the doctor now.

The other alternative is that your daughter doesn't need it and so she doesn't notice much difference.

[Anonymous]

I agree -- they work or they don't, you don't build up to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree -- they work or they don't, you don't build up to it.

I didn't say it's a question of building up the desired effect. From experience with our son, however, I do think you need to wait at least a couple of weeks before you can make a conclusion that a medication is/is not working. The various stimulants can have varied effects and they don't manifest immediately in many cases.

In any event, the OP was expressing concern that a medication was not working 10 hours after taking it. Even at its best, Vyvanse is on the wane after 10 hours and it may not be realistic to expect a teen to write a detailed paper at that point.

[Anonymous]

DS takes 40 mg. Vyvanse. We saw the difference in a day. I would say that it does not last more than 8 hours (although it is very hard for him to get to sleep at night) and did not really need weeks to "kick in," unlike Straterra for instance.

Perhaps it is the dose (DS is several years younger and only weighs about 55 pounds). Or it could be the drug selection. We previously used Adderall XR but found Vyvanse to be a better fit.

[Anonymous]

OP here and now on day 4. I'm just not sure if we're seeing an effect or not. Part of it is that she takes it at 7 a.m. before school, and I don't see her until 5, so it could be wearing off. She spent forever on finishing her essay last night, but it was better than I expected. And she seemed to be able to give me a more coherent oral summary of the book than I expected.

That said, she was up at 2 a.m. She claims she went to sleep before that, and I hope that's true!
I'd rather not give the medication to her over the weekend, but she has a big project due next week, so I'm thinking of having her take it on Sunday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here and now on day 4. I'm just not sure if we're seeing an effect or not. Part of it is that she takes it at 7 a.m. before school, and I don't see her until 5, so it could be wearing off. She spent forever on finishing her essay last night, but it was better than I expected. And she seemed to be able to give me a more coherent oral summary of the book than I expected.

That said, she was up at 2 a.m. She claims she went to sleep before that, and I hope that's true!
I'd rather not give the medication to her over the weekend, but she has a big project due next week, so I'm thinking of having her take it on Sunday.

If the medication is not helping substantially, I cannot see the benefit in taking it. There are always side effects of any medication - I don't care what the pharmaceutical-industrial machine says. For me, the benefits would have to be absolutely amazing to even consider continuing any medication.

[Anonymous]

She might need an increase in the dose. Also, based on her hours and yours, you are not likely to see the effect. It's very difficult to start and adjust medication at your daughter's age. The fact that she isn't bouncing off walls from medication is an indication that it could be helpful. She just might need an increase.

About your thoughts on not medicating on weekends, what does your doctor think? Also, I can't imagine how difficult that will br for your daughter - like always being off kilter. Five days a week she has one feeling and the other two, she's off balance because of no meds. I can say that for my DS, if we forget meds on a weekend day, my son's day is awful. He's just not himself and he doesn't like it one bit.

[Anonymous]

OP does your daughter think it is working yet? She is old enough to know if it is helping with organizing her thoughts and with her concentration. Can you also touch base with teachers to see if they notice any difference? If she isn't having any side effects might as well stay on it a few more days just to be sure no one is seeing any positive effect.

It often takes more than one med trial to find the one that works and likely when you find that one your daughter will know. Don't be afraid to go back and ask for a different med, it is common. I agree with the above poster too - once she finds something that works she will want it on the weekend. Once you know what it is like to have your though process slowed and more organized, and you have the ability to inhibit your behavior you don't want to go back!

[Anonymous]

Ask her teachers.

Although with my DD, the vyvanse improves her ability to get dressed, organized and out of the house with fewer meltdowns. What time do you give it to her? i gave DD hers at 7 when she wakes up.