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Vyvanse users, how do you cope with the awful crash? (self.ADHD)

submitted by mercxxADHD-C

Vyvanse has always been on the stronger side for me, but it really helps me with my motivation, which Ritalin doesn't seem to have much of an effect on.

My issue is the crash that comes 8 hours later. I was given a booster of Ritalin for later in the day and it definitely helps....by postponing the crash and making me absolutely useless 4 hours later than usual. On top of this, I feel like an anxious piece of shit. It's as though all of the crappy, anxiety inducing things I think about when I don't take my medication become twice as intrusive when I crash, along with a lower than usual self-esteem. After the anxiety wears off, I feel absolutely numb, listless, and apathetic. The low self-esteem tends to linger for the rest of the night.

I would really like to continue with amphetamines because I know they work well for me, but with the state of mind the crash puts me in (which I'm in right now), I can hardly justify how functional I am during the day considering how shitty I feel afterwards.

Does anyone else notice these side effects from Vyvanse? How do you cope with it? I've tried exercising, which helps, but my heart rate goes through the roof which I'm not sure is all that safe. I also can't really afford to lose any more weight either with my naturally high metabolism.

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[–]fuckeverything_pandaADHD-PI 5 points6 points  (1 child)

For crash: make sure to eat throughout the day. All these stimulants suppress your appetite, and when they wear off it will be a lot worse if you are also contending with low energy and bad mood due to hunger that the stimulant has been masking. Also, Vyvanse in particular works by being metabolized - eating throughout the day will make it smoother.

And what others have said: you may just be on too high a dose.

[–]arghnard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I crash on my meds only on the days I don't eat. I agree with this very much.

[–]12inchYoda 3 points4 points  (1 child)

Yeah I had really bad anxiety with vyvanse when I took a 50mg dose everyday. Going down to 40mg helped a shitton. Before that though, my psych recommended taking a nap to help the anxiety, but that didn't really help. I'll try to see if I can remember any other tips she gave me.

[–]mercxxADHD-C[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Last night I ended up taking a really hot shower, which seemed to help quite a bit. I'm guessing it's the stimulation that helps calm the nerves. I'll try the naps as well and see how that goes. Thanks!

[–]spngbobADHD and Parent 2 points3 points  (4 children)

so interesting how different people experience the same med. what you are describing sounds just like me on Adderall. on vyvanse I am golden. perhaps speak with doc about trying different med.

in the meantime make sure you eat throughout the day, keep hydrated and try to cut down on smoking if you smoke. all that helped a good deal when I was on Adderall. good luck!

[–]mercxxADHD-C[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I'm thinking of trying Concerta, perhaps a higher dose than the current dose of Ritalin I take to see if that helps the motivation at all. Gotta love the good old trial and error method.

I definitely need to start keeping an eye on how much I eat and drink, as I seem to lose track of time and forget all about it. Hopefully that helps a bit. Thanks!

[–]spngbobADHD and Parent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

oh it will really help to force yourself to eat regularly during the day even tho you do not feel like it. seriously the thought of food on adderall disgusted me but i feared the crash more so i forced myself to graze all day and drink only water. helped a lot.

[–][deleted]  (1 child)

[deleted]

    [–]spngbobADHD and Parent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    that is pretty much my vyvanse experience also. while it worked i really hated adderall. seriously i dont see how anyone abuses a stimulant! damn. anyway until i learned how to handle the crash it made me like despondant when it wore off. it scared me.

    [–]Varrianda 2 points3 points  (2 children)

    Crashing on vyvanse for me was the smoothest thing ever. I was just a little tired and I felt kind if sore. I just made sure to drink a fuck ton of water throughout the day. And force food down my throat.

    [–]mercxxADHD-C[S] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

    Now that you mention it, that may be the problem. I usually drink a lot of water throughout the day but forget to when I take Vyvanse. Same situation with eating, I don't get too nauseous anymore but I lose track of time and forget to eat all together. I've been pretty good with both water and food today, so I guess I'll have to see if it helps with the crash. Thanks!

    [–]Varrianda 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Let me know how it goes! And yeah, not eating and drinking can definatly cause a shitty come down. Best of luck!

    [–]xmnstrADHD 1 point2 points  (4 children)

    I hardly have any problems with the crash. I feel a bit shitty, almost hung over, and get a very slight head ache. That's all. I can live with it, without a doubt.

    Your situation sounds a lot like what Ritalin and Concerta was like to me.

    [–]mercxxADHD-C[S] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

    Interesting, the only thing I feel from Ritalin wearing off is drowsiness and the usual inattention. Perhaps I'll give Concerta a try and see how the crash from that is compared to Vyvanse, even though I'll probably be giving up the motivation I get from amphetamines.

    [–]xmnstrADHD 0 points1 point  (2 children)

    Have you tried combining methylphenidate with coffee? It really did wonders for me. I had to quit with Vyvanse, though.

    I think that this is a good example of different medications being good for different people.

    [–]mercxxADHD-C[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

    Definitely. It's really great for all nighters but I can't combine them regularly. More than one cup gets me clenching and grinding my teeth (something I do with or without stimulants when I'm stressed, wired, or hyper focused on something). it's really not great for my chronic jaw pain :(

    [–]xmnstrADHD 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Yeah don't go overboard with the coffee, even one cup would probably be too much.

    But I do agree with the jaw muscle tension, that's one unfortunate problem.

    [–]arghnard 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Water water water water water.

    [–]kkmsin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Here's your schedule for how to make Vyvanse smooth: 1. Exercise 2. Eat breakfast 3. Drunk a fuck ton of water 4. Take Vyvanse 5. Continue drinking a fuck ton of water.

    :D

    [–]nwf839 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Whenever I crash at the end of the day it's for any combination of the following reasons:

    1) I didn't eat enough throughout the day

    2) I didn't drink enough water

    3) I didn't get enough sleep the night before

    Odds are you're probably not eating enough if you're losing weight. I'd recommend eating a large, protein rich meals for breakfast and right before you go to bed and eating food that is dense in calories throughout the day so it's easier to get down (Peanut butter, nuts, and yogurt are pretty good for this).

    Exercise is pretty important for anyone, but the jump in heart rate from cardio freaks me out too. Personally, I work out early before eating or taking my meds, but if you can't find the motivation to do that just don't overdo cardio or stick to low intensity stuff like brisk walking. Resistance training should be fine though, even on the meds.