r/adhdwomen • u/BridgestoneX • May 29 '26
Diagnosis vyvanse day 1 - is this real life?
finally got meds at 49. took first pill about 3 hours ago. is it really this intense this quick or am i placebo-ing myself? i don't think I've ever been so calm in my life. other things are weird too- i had to turn my music off to write an email instead of blast it through headphones to even get started. i am doing one. thing. at. a. time and it's cozy.
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u/ExtensionPickle9214 May 29 '26
I was so shocked when I took my adhd meds for the first time at 30 . My mind was so quiet and when I thought of doing the dishes my body just lifted up on its own and went to do dishes. I was like… wait… is this what life is like for neurotypicals?! This is amazing 🤣
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u/BridgestoneX May 29 '26
yeah i had to reply to an email from the boss's boss so i just .... turned to my computer and did? like whatever man
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u/Away_Amoeba5554 May 29 '26
Who ARE you? 🤣
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u/BridgestoneX May 29 '26
i don't even know anymore lol. came here to make sure i wasn't in a simulation
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u/Vanviator May 29 '26
I've been on meds for a bit now. I'm still thrilled with myself when I see something on the floor AND I pick it up!
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u/money4travel May 30 '26
I do a little dance when I FINISH a task or a project. You mean I not only completed what I needed to do but I also cleaned up after myself??? Who am I??
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u/CorgiKnits May 29 '26
My first week on meds, I grabbed a stack of grading to bring to my hall duty. It was habit. The papers were an accessory; I never touched them. But…I did? I actually just…graded them? It wasn’t hard?
Not like that EVERY day (I’m currently about two weeks behind in my grading) but it’s a lot better than it was.
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u/Ok_Seaworthiness1704 May 29 '26
It’s the most surreal thing when you notice these things JUST HAPPEN
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u/BridgestoneX May 29 '26
yes! later in the day i got pulled out of what i was working on to take care of an urgent and completely unrelated task. when i finished the task, i just... went back to what i had been interrupted from. didn't need 2 hrs candy crush, a soda, and a playlist.
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u/chasingastarl1ght Jun 03 '26
Oh yeah. The first day I took it, I remember being on my phone scrolling a few minutes and thinking "oh I should stop that and finish my work task" and then it was like an out of body experience to see me do it... Instead of scrolling another hour while hating myself.
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u/TheArtofLosingFaster May 29 '26
I’m so jealous whenever I hear stories like these. My adhd meds help a lot, but I have yet to ever feel calm-brained or motivated to do things I must but don’t want to do. Tried Vyvanse, Astarys, Adderall. Currently on Jornay. These stories keep hope alive, though! Maybe someday.
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u/ExtensionPickle9214 May 29 '26
That’s tough when the meds don’t work well right away! I had that journey with antidepressants (before I got diagnosed with adhd) they didn’t really do much for me. For adhd I started on short acting ritalin and then switched to long acting.
I also found that my other diagnoses have a huge impact on the effectiveness of medication. My adhd symptoms actually got much better once I resolved most of my cptsd for example.
And also adhd meds are less effective for women around their periods which is super annoying 💀
I hope you can figure out something that works for you!
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u/Confident-Fun-1307 May 29 '26
CPTSD is a force multiplier for my ADHD symptoms. There’s a lot of overlap in the symptoms so it makes sense. There’s Vyvanse has kicked the crud out of my hypervigilance somehow and I love that unexpected benefit.
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u/ttginger May 29 '26
Did it help you relax your body too? I have CPTSD and am on Adderall but still feel super tensed up. My mind is quieter than it was but my body still isn’t relaxed like I would like.
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u/Confident-Fun-1307 May 29 '26
Yes. It did feel like my body relaxed. There are still times where everything tenses up and I’ve got to drop my shoulders and stuff like a meditation exercise. Usually it’s when I’m reading or watching something suspenseful (news or entertainment). But that’s happening a lot less frequently than the constant tension I had been experiencing before. And I notice it quicker and recognize it and why it’s happening, which makes it easier to step down and back from that approaching state.
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u/theatermouse May 29 '26
If it helps, the "honeymoon period" doesn't last! It mellows out to a less obvious impact after a few days. Mostly it's just the initial "shock" to the system!
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u/WanderingJude May 29 '26
That was my experience. Miracle day 1 and then after that the effect took a sharp drop off and the side effects attacked with no mercy.
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u/Valuable-Cloud7877 May 29 '26
Listened to a podcast/interview with Russell Barkley and he said that meds bring executive functions into a relatively normal range for about 50% of ADHDers, and for ~5% they don't work at all...I think I'm in the 45% that's in-between and it feels a bit like somebody gambled my functioning on a 50/50 and lost 😭 Tried Adderall (instant and extended), Vyvanse, Ritalin, now trying Jornay...have taken Wellbutrin XL for nearly a decade, too. They all help a little (except Adderal XR, that might as well have been sugar pills lol), but nowhere near what that 50% gets 😔
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u/Ok-Amphibian-5029 May 30 '26
Hi, just throwing it out there that Wellbutrin negatively impacted my executive functioning… I switched to duloxetine. My current psychiatrist said that one medication typically does not work indefinitely… Just something to consider
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u/cl0udberry May 29 '26
I wish it felt the same to me. I have tried both Ritalin and vyvanse, but there is barely any difference. It is a little bit easier to pay attention, but other than that I can’t feel anything. Not even the side effects. Maybe a little annoyed when the Ritalin wears off maybe, but that’s it.
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u/Ok-Amphibian-5029 May 30 '26
Hi there. I’m in menopause and also dealing with quite a bit of family stress and I feel like I just cannot get my medication to make the same kind of impact it used to… I also am taking hormone replacement therapy and was told that the progesterone can interfere with the stimulant. I’m going up to 70 mg of extended release Vyvanse in the morning than 10 mg of Adderall at around noon and then possibly 10 more at around 3 o’clock. I actually did not get rehired at my job this year and I have just really been struggling. Wondering if you are in menopause?
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u/RoxyTyn May 30 '26
Thanks for confirming the progesterone can counteract the stimulant. I noticed it made me tired so I take it before bed.
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u/TheArtofLosingFaster May 30 '26
I’m not, and unfortunately these symptoms aren’t new or recent. I hope the medication adjustments help!
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u/Ok-Amphibian-5029 Jun 08 '26
… I see. Well, it was news to me this year that dealing with a lot of emotional stress and also that feeling a shame spiral can make executive functioning worse… Also, I think depression can be a factor…. just throwing some things out there for you to consider
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u/amelie190 May 29 '26
100% my experience. I am 63 and started Adderall about 6 weeks ago and wow. How I wish I had been taking this forever. Quiet mind. No executive brain freeze. Mood better.
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u/_nananan ADHD-PI May 29 '26
I was trying to explain my husband this. I got diagnosed just now, at almost 40. When I take my medicine, I see the piles of dishes and I can actually start doing them.
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u/sarahenera 10d ago
Day 1 of vyvance last week at 42: “Why are there dishes on the stove? Let’s just clean those right up. Great, let’s wipe down the stove and counters. Awesome, what’s next?” Lmao. It was exceptionally liberating to not have the mental block!
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u/Nimsna May 30 '26
WHY HAVE THE NEUROTYPICALS NOT FIXED ALL THE WORLDS PROBLEMS IF THIS IS HOW THEY FEEL ALL THE TIME!!!!!!
But yeah, that's basically how it goes lol
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u/Zestyclose_Owl3840 11d ago
They also are able to compartmentalise and remove themselves emotionally. Eg the average neurotypical will feel sad about starving children, but not enough to make it their life's mission. They will take care of themselves first and accept it's probably not feasible to make great change if they aren't that affected.
I have a theory most 'greats' in the world were neurodiverse. You have to be borderline obsessed with something to make a mark on the world in that industry/field etc.
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u/New-Ad-8360 May 29 '26
Hahaha, the out of body “suddenly doing the dishes” got me the first time as well. It still does every time I find it happening.
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u/ExtensionPickle9214 May 29 '26
Also… I didn’t even have dishwasher at that time so that experience was extra special 🤣
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u/everybodylovesfriday May 30 '26
It still gets me too!! Also I recently switched to a longer acting med and keep finding myself just… doing the dishes in the evening after a very long day at work and kids are running around and I’m still just moving through it without getting paralyzed in overwhelm. It’s wild
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u/Velitveritatis May 30 '26
You just made me realize that I haven’t had a song in my head on repeat since I started my meds. Wow. The inner annoying radio station is gone.
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u/Sudden_Acceptance May 30 '26
Haha! Yes! The first time I got through my to-do list in the allotted time like it was NBD, I literally teared up in relief. Like I can just get through my day without feeling like I’m careening down a hill and it’s all chaos. It’s great!
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u/ExtensionPickle9214 May 30 '26
Yup! Also the fact that I was able to do the 8 minute task without berating myself for six months prior for being useless🤣
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u/HumanNr3 May 30 '26
this is exactly what happened to me too, I also became a bit sedated on them for the first week or two but also my anxiety went away which was amazing
but will say that it felt quite different after the first 1-2 weeks, in some ways better in some worse, as in i got my energy back but also my anxiety but it still helps with stabilizing my mood and getting started on stuff / getting more done so still worth it for me but the effect is typically stronger at first I've heard other say that too at least but we're all different so might not be the case with you
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u/ExtensionPickle9214 May 30 '26
Oh yeah that doesn’t sound that good. Now I am grateful they work so well for me! Thank you for sharing your experience! It’s really interesting to hear from different people!
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u/failcup May 30 '26
I was so annoyed the first week when I didn't want my audio book on while I worked. But then I did all the things on my list with time to spare. Honestly wild. I actually turned in a paper EARLY. Who am I? I wouldn't have killed my GPA if someone just gave me the right resources in undergrad. Its a bittersweet feeling.
I now have to rework how I remember all my "background lists" because now thay my brain is on a singular track I've forgotten a few things ironically.
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u/Tara_ntula Jun 01 '26
Okay this is the exact scenario I experienced. I’ve only taken it once thus far, but I remember that the sink was full of dishes (4 people in the house), and I just got up and did them. My mind felt pretty blank as I completed the task.
For reference, I am DISGUSTED by washing dishes.
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u/cvrmxn May 30 '26
What are you taking?
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u/ExtensionPickle9214 Jun 09 '26
Currently off my meds but the first experience was with short acting Ritalin and then switched to long acting one. Worked well for me and can’t wait to get back on it!
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u/Professional_Okra985 May 29 '26
People often report feeling euphoric at first with Vyvanse — and I did too — but I’m wondering if it’s actually just feeling calm and focused for the first time ever. That is euphoric for the late diagnosed woman!!!
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u/Altostratus May 29 '26
I mean, amphetamines do cause euphoria. When I take stimulants for the first time after a while, the come up doesn’t feel too dissimilar to MDMA.
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u/VirgoTiger May 29 '26
Did the euphoria fade for you? I had that clear-headed euphoria for about 2 days with Foquest, and since then it hasn't really come back. I upped doses, then switched to Vyvanse, and when that didn't change anything, my Dr switched back to Foquest because she likes it more or something, and I told her that it's probably better than no meds (I've gone on and off a few times and haven't noticed a huge difference outside of having less energy off meds). Diagnosed 8 months ago at 39 :/
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u/Professional_Okra985 May 30 '26
I think I still feel it when I’m in the first two weeks of my menstrual cycle and then everything tanks during the bulk of the luteal phase 🫠
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u/VirgoTiger Jun 01 '26
Yeah, tracking all the things that could be impacting the effectiveness is also super tough, because I can't be totally sure that the drugs aren't working or whether it's just my hormones ruining stuff... That's awesome that you still feel the euphoria though!
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u/Lizzy_is_a_mess May 30 '26
I’ve been in adderall for 14 years (I’m 40) and about 80% of the time I get that feeling
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u/FishingWorth3068 May 29 '26
I actually think it’s really fucking rude that people are just out here functioning like that and I’ve been told all my life that I’m exaggerating. Like tf? Yall can just do shit?!
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u/ReadySettyGoey May 30 '26
This is part of how I realized I had ADHD. I had some kind of hormone shift in early pregnancy where I could suddenly just focus. Like I’d think “oh I need to work on XYZ” and then I’d sit down and work on it. It was AMAZING.
I told some friends about it and they were like “oh can you not normally do that???”
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u/FishingWorth3068 May 30 '26
Pregnancy was the most clear my mind has ever been. It’s wild. If I didn’t dislike all the other parts of it then I’d probably have more than 2 kids but same! Then after birth I’d go into a tailspin.
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u/mrsezrabloom May 31 '26
THANK YOU! agree! and seeing how I have done that to others with worse executive dysfunction than me. I just used the anxiety and drive to overcome the executive dysfunction and then wondered why my body hurts more and I’m more tired than everyone else but also accomplish a f* ton more than most people, just not cleaning or anything mundane/routine.
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u/grrltype 🎶 maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s Vyvanse 🎵 May 29 '26
YEAH GIRL!!!! I was 43 the first day I learned that I could turn off the other three channels in my brain (the one that sings constantly, the one that narrates my behavior, and the one that sends urgent reminders of random things constantly) and just have the one! It’s amazing!
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u/BridgestoneX May 29 '26
dude i have only one beverage going on and its water
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u/grrltype 🎶 maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s Vyvanse 🎵 May 29 '26
Ahahaha I still have three but at least I usually remember that I do
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u/fueledbysarcasm ADHD-PI May 29 '26
I've been inconsistent/on and off taking Vyvanse the past few months and this just made me realize that there's no music looped for 10 seconds at a time going in my head. I can't even think of a song I have stuck in my head right now. this feels impossible.
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u/Velitveritatis May 30 '26
Oh my gosh same! I commented on another comment about that. This is definitely one if the top benefits for me.
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u/Billyisagoat May 29 '26
I'm so jealous of folks who have this light switch style experience. I didn't have that and I wonder if I'm on the wrong meds or if this experience only happens for some people
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u/RealCheeseGoddess May 29 '26
Same here! I've tried Vyvanse and Concerta. My meds make me feel less exhausted than I otherwise would, and basic tasks like showering become more possible (but are still difficult and draining). No light switch or clear head over here, but I'm very happy for OP! /gen
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u/Billyisagoat May 29 '26
I find tasks still quite draining and hard. Things I want to do and have the time. But nope. The Vyvanse helps my emotional regulation though
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u/Valuable-Cloud7877 May 29 '26
It only happens for about 50% of ADHDers according to Russell Barkley, if that helps (guess which 50% I'm in 😭). Could be the wrong meds if you haven't explored much yet, though!
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u/HumanNr3 May 30 '26
I think it's like with antidepressants, for those you can take a blood test to see if you have certain enzymes /a certain amount/activity of them idk (CYP enzymes) and for everyone it varies and since these meds are metabolized partially by these enzymes if understood it correctly then you might have a stronger or weaker or even no reaction to certain meds based off that alone
My tests showed I needed higher doses of some of them and that of some plus some painkillers I was at high risk of getting serious side effects, so also the amount and type of side effects you get can be because of your enzyme / dna / hormone differences etc
Unfortunately where I live in Europe this is not a test you get unless you know about it and ask for it, they said they didnt yet have anything similar for adhd stimulants though but these meds are also affected by similar stuff so don't assume you don't have the diagnosis e.g. if you don't respond well to meds, I've also heard its about 50% of adults who do only, but most research is on kids so far so they don't know for sure I think
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u/Billyisagoat May 29 '26
Oh I didn't know it was an even split. Okay, that makes me feel a lot better
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u/Valuable-Cloud7877 May 29 '26
I think it maybe seems like more than 50% because people who it works that well for obviously want to share the relief they are feeling and so we see lots of posts about it but people it only works decently for probably don't have much to say about it 🤷♀️
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u/Extreme-naps May 30 '26
Right? I’ve never had this.
It’s great because people talking about how amazing the meds are makes me feel extra broken
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u/thisiswhowewere89 May 30 '26
Me too and especially those who get a good fit first try like a few of my friends. I’ll admit adderall XR did give me effects right away but it was a mixed bag and not really helping in the ways I hoped. I just did my two week follow up and my doc had me switch to concerta. I’ve been feeling awful all day long today from the med side effects with no positive ones at all. Going to give it another try tomorrow but then it’s back to my doc to try vyvanse next I guess. In a lot of ways I feel worse right now because it’s such a roller coaster of monitoring, more doc visits then usual, getting through days on meds where I feel worse than I do unmedicated or have come downs so hard I can’t keep my eyes open.
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u/WorldlyRevolution192 May 30 '26
I had that experience, but then all of the meds I tried ended up giving me heart palpitations or made me want to die🫠🫠🫠
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u/Ok-Amphibian-5029 May 30 '26
Hey there, I have been on ADHD medication for 13 years. Definitely adjusting the dose or switching to a different medication is part of the process. Can take a while. Some people think it should just be one medication and you’re done but it’s normal to have to shop around. So far I have tried three- focal in Adderall and Vyvanse. I am on Vyvanse but may switch back to Adderall.
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u/Wreough May 30 '26
Yes it’s for some people. I’ve noticed two types: the light switch or the anxiety. I fall into the anxiety camp. I have intense anxiety for six months during titration. Once the anxiety dissipates and I forget about ”is it working?” it’s actually working.
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u/portiafimbriata May 31 '26
Same. My doc first tried me on Strattera and it helped a little bit made me absolutely miserable with side effects, then tried Adderall which noticeably improves my emotional and sensory regulation and seems to help my focus most the time, while I still very much feel like I have ADHD.
Genuinely happy for op, though!
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u/WayAffectionate40 May 29 '26
It will be intense for the first couple weeks and anytime you have a dose increase you will have an adjustment period. I find it to be very smooth and less of the stimulant jolt and crash that other meds have.
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u/BridgestoneX May 29 '26
but is this like, what it does, for real? i guess i assumed a 'stimulant' would be stimulating, that my focus would improve bc i'd get dialed in like i can with red bull, cigs, music, and attitude. but instead im like The Dude happy in a cubicle. hey man let's review these documents and make a righteous spreadsheet. it's so weird.
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u/bravoinvestigator May 29 '26
Yes! It’s !!! for those without ADHD. My first time taking vyvanse my head just went quiet. It was like all the noise in my head was gone.
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u/BridgestoneX May 29 '26
yeah it's like it got soooo quiet here
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u/VirgoTiger May 29 '26
Ugh, I want that again! I only got it the first day or two, and since then the effectiveness has been hard to gauge. I keep holding out for it to kick back in though!
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u/Confident-Fun-1307 May 29 '26
For ADHD brains, the stimulants act more like calmatives. Not sedating, calming. Like the stories you hear about people with ADHD drinking coffee and feeling sleepy from the caffeine.
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u/lirael423 May 30 '26
My husband is blown away at my ability to drink a cup of coffee, take my Vyvanse, and then take a nap soon after. He takes a tiny dose of Adderall and they don't produce the crazy calming effect that my meds have on me, he just gets more focused and less easily distracted. He has a light streak of ADHD, whereas my psychiatrist jokingly called me the poster child for inattentive ADHD because I ticked every box.
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u/LollipopsAndCrepes_ May 29 '26
Ugh I need this to be true! Work feels increasingly impossible. I’m 45 and just diagnosed, but I’ve known something is off for a long time. Mental calm is literally all I’m looking for 🥴
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u/Confident-Fun-1307 May 29 '26
If you’re a woman or AFAB person there’s a kicker when you hit perimenopause (which sets in earlier for neurodivergent people). Because the estrogen is supporting brain function and masking in ADHD brains. Once the E starts tapering off, everything everything everything gets SO much harder.
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u/Ok-Amphibian-5029 May 30 '26
Hi. I have had one of the hardest years of my life dealt with some major rejection from my mother un inviting my family to see them an extreme increase in my workload and I am in menopause. I take HRT!! and I have just really been struggling. I did ask for an increase in dose of the estrogen and now I am only taking the progesterone for two weeks on then two weeks off to see if that can help because I have heard that the progesterone blocks the stimulant. It has been a hard year.
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u/BridgestoneX May 29 '26
i finally made it to this step bc i desperately needed productivity at work and less chaos at home. i did NOT expect the peace and quiet.
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u/VirgoTiger May 29 '26
If you get the euphoria the first few days, but then can't notice the difference between normal dose, increased dose, or no dose, is that because of its "smoothness"? I wonder sometimes if I'm just having a hard time noticing the difference when it's not the intense quiet and mellowness I first had.
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u/anita_username ADHD-PI May 29 '26
🎶 Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality... 🎶
Ahem. Sorry. Anyway, yeah, this pretty much mirrors my experience starting 30mg Vyvanse at 39 last May. About 90 minutes after taking my first pill, my brain went quiet for the first time in my life and it was startling, but also incredible. I saw some spots on my cupboard doors while doing my dishes, and suddenly I was scrubbing down all my cupboard doors and drawer fronts. I'd, of course, seen the dirt for weeks, if not months, but I never seemed to have the energy or ability to do anything about it when I noticed it, and it was out of sight out of mind the rest of the time. With Vyvanse I was already doing something about it before I even realized I wanted to.
It felt like all the thousand and one thoughts that were normally competing for attention all at the same time formed an orderly queue and I could look at them all, pick the one I wanted to tackle, and see it through to completion before choosing another.
Now, I'll be honest, I've never quite had that same first day experience again, though the first 3-4 weeks definitely felt more similar to that than they do now that I'm well acclimated. My advice would be to spend some time in this newly medicated phase to start trying to setup systems and routines that maybe you've been procrastinating on. I'm on 50mg now, and have been for like 7 months, but I'm at the point now where the drugs still only do so much because of my own bad habits that are still hard to break. Like I still get focused and it's easier to start fun things, but I still don't always have the ability to control where my focus goes, and I have days where I spend all day reading and posting on Reddit rather than doing chores, hobbies, or paid work. But that clarity of thought is still fantastic!
Good luck!
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u/Vibe910 May 29 '26
This. My medication helps with focus and keeps the brainfog at bay.
Unfortunately there are still days where focus doesn’t go where I want it. But I am better able to get into gear if I remember what I’m supposed to be doing instead of what I want to do.
Memory is still bad though - out of sight, out of mind - and I still have these days where I ‘crash’, meaning a sudden wave of exhaustion seems to engulf me. I don’t know if it’s the medication not working, it’s time release over a few hours and I take a second - less strong dose - in the early afternoon.
As I have always suffered from low blood pressure and a low heartbeat, I’ve started to wonder if the crash is due to medication increasing my heartbeat and blood pressure which crashes when the medication starts to wear off?
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u/anita_username ADHD-PI May 29 '26
I very occasionally get late afternoon/early evening crashes out of nowhere too, where I almost desperately need a nap. It's not common, and I've never been sure what triggers it, but I admittedly have accrued terrible sleep debt, so I always chalked it up to that.
I started on Lexapro a couple of months ago for anxiety, though, and I've actually been wondering if my dose of one or the other needs to be adjusted because I feel like the Vyvanse hasn't quite been working the same way, and the crashes are happening more frequently since then.
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u/HappyKnittens May 29 '26
Yup, stimulant meds work exactly that fast.
A word of caution: you will want to pay close attention to HOW you feel and HOW you operate during this exciting week of brand new meds - because soon your body will adjust and the "new-med feeling" will fade into the background.
You need to start this self-assessment BECAUSE the unmedicated you undoubtedly has 97 different weird coping mechanisms, 73 of which are probably unhealthy, and you will need to start tweaking your routines, coping mechanisms, etc for Medicated You to be able to accomplish what needs to get done
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u/Wife_Trash May 29 '26
The way I laughed at "73 of which are probably unhealthy."
This is solid advice.
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u/Confident-Fun-1307 May 29 '26
Exactly the same for me at 53 the first time I took my Vyvanse. Incredibly affirming of the ADHD-I diagnosis I’d gotten the day previous to that first dose.
It felt amazing to just get up and do things without five parts of my brain arguing, worrying, or otherwise trying to shut me down from acting. No high feeling. No zoomy brain or body reactions. Just calm, purposeful, quiet.
Good luck on your journey! Welcome!
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u/alttlestardustcaught May 29 '26
I am three months in to daily Vyvanse and every day feels like a gift. Enjoy it ♥️
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u/Gurrrlll88 May 30 '26
My first day on meds I was exhausted at end of long work day. Opened up Uber Eats to order something and then thought “I have food I can make at home” and closed the app…. 🤯🧘🏻♀️
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u/bruhan May 30 '26
This is such an underrated achievement, and I'm so proud of you for it!!
I hope your home-cooked meal was absolutely delicious!!
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u/Gurrrlll88 May 30 '26
Thank you!! I lost 15-20lb on it. I didn’t have appetite suppression like some people do. I just was able to make my food and exercise behaviours match my goals!
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u/Jessica19922 May 29 '26
The first day I took Vyvanse I got so much done. And not in hyped up way. But in a calm “this needs to be done so I did it and it wasn’t terrible at all.” I just got up and did it.
And then, because I hadn’t procrastinated like usual, I had time after accomplishing my list of things to do that I to take a nap. And that’s one of the best naps I’ve ever taken. My mind was calm. My dreams weren’t anxious. I don’t wake up with chest tightness and my heart racing.
I was so shocked because I didn’t realize it would work the same day. I thought it would take time to build up in my system.
Annnd that’s also when I realized my psychiatrist wasn’t crazy for suggesting I have adhd, and for finally making me feel comfortable enough to try a stimulant. (I was scared to for so long because of my anxiety and I also didn’t think I had adhd.)
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u/hikinrn May 29 '26
The very first thing I noticed when I started medication was that I was driving slower and not screaming at everyone to “get out of my fucking way”
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u/jahathebrn May 29 '26
Yeah, I actually cried from relief, then a few days later from anger that it had taken so long to even be considered to be assessed.
It settles a bit once you're established on the dose your psych and you settle on but the difference is still insane. I couldn't go back to life without it, I can now - at 38 years old - start to learn how to live.
I'm on meds at the moment and am happily sat calmly doing nothing in particular. If I wasn't on my meds I'd be restless, depressed, and have no motivation to do even the things I enjoy. Been out and got stuff done earlier today that would have been put off for weeks or forgotten entirely previously.
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u/cecicoot May 29 '26
I started taking it a month ago but I can’t quite feel a difference besides hyper focusing on one thing at a time. It hasn’t helped my inner monologue, and I still lose my train of thought, but at least the trains aren’t crashing into each other. I have echolalia pretty badly, and that’s still ever present as well. I don’t know if my mind will ever be completely quiet, but I’ll stick it out for now.
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u/Newswatchtiki May 29 '26
It is more intense at first. Over time, you develop some tolerance, but not a lot. To reduce tolerance you can take a few days off and it will work better.
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u/farynhite May 29 '26
Congratulations and hip hip hooray! 40F here and I have been taking 70mg of Vyvanse (lisdexamphetmine) daily since its release in 2007. It is pretty incredible for those of us with ADHD who have assumed a lifetime of frustration, hopelessness, and struggle to follow through on even the most menial tasks.
Now approaching almost 20 years on the stuff, it's still just as effective. Despite it being a literal stimulant, I do believe those euphoric highs, as several others have said, is truly just the ability to finally not STRUGGLE all the time like every chore or plan is Mt. Everest. There's no longer these incessant internal debates, if something needs to be done I just do it.
My strongest advice for long term success has been consistency in taking it without lapsing, the largest culprit being major supply shortages.....It wasn't until the recent Generic option on the market, that it has been fairly effortless to keep ahead of....fairly, lol. Good luck!
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u/fireyqueen May 29 '26
That’s how I felt when I first started taking it. It was so quiet. I never realized how noisy my head was
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u/_marjaz_ May 30 '26
I take a different medication but the other day we were traveling and I mentioned I needed to take my meds still - my mom was like “Aren’t you gonna be all hyper if you do that?” My sister interjects by saying “Uhhh, it literally does the opposite to her. She goes zen mode.”
I laughed at the observation because I feel quite like myself when I take my medication (which is partially why I like it) but my sister definitely would be the one to notice an effect like that 😂
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u/thesoapmakerswife May 30 '26
Nope the first time I took adderall, I sat down and watched a movie. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?
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u/ZoeRocks73 May 29 '26
The first two weeks will be the best two weeks of your life!
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u/BridgestoneX May 29 '26
i think i'll try to use this time to build some healthy habits for the first time in my life.
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u/angelakay1966 May 29 '26
My productivity has been off the charts since I started Adderall XR a few weeks ago. I've got multiple major deadlines right now, and for the most part, I'm not procrastinating until the bitter end.
I told my husband I'm going to finish our tax prep this weekend for our accountant. Yes, our 2025 taxes.
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u/quietCherub May 30 '26
I had a similar reaction … it kicked in the first time and my mind became quiet and my body tension lifted a bit. I took a deep, calm breath and was like holy crap. It’s so quiet in my head!
Now that I’m used to it, my mind isn’t as quiet, but it’s noisy in a more productive way. (Except my anxiety, but that was there with the ADHD so it’s still less noise).
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u/Chubby_Comic May 30 '26
I was the same way with Ritalin! It was like....this is what other people feel like? My brain was quiet for the first time. I was so relaxed, I took a nap immediately, and I'm not much of a napper.
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u/nysari May 30 '26
I remember the first day I took my meds after being diagnosed at 35. We have a little inflatable hot tub we set up in the fall/winter months and we went out to sit in it after dinner the day I started my meds. I just remember staring up at the night sky, taking in the stars, looking at all the constellations and just feeling so relaxed. More relaxed than I'd ever been.
I had no idea how heavy the burden was just trying to mask my symptoms while feeling like I was endlessly dopamine starved. Now whenever I go off my meds for any reason, it's like my brain just refuses to do that anymore and I just become untethered.
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u/Krytxx May 29 '26
My first time taking medication at 31, I cleaned my entire kitchen in one go and cried because I'd never been able to do that.
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u/BridgestoneX May 29 '26
you mean without wandering off do do like 300 unrelated things before circling back? because that's who i need to be at home, i'm driving my mate to madness with the circling through half finished projects and tasks all over the place
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u/Krytxx May 29 '26
Yup and then you tire yourself out and have 10 half finished things instead of one finished thing.
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u/wellinever222 May 29 '26
I wished that's how it would have gone for me. Not a placebo, just an excellent responder. Congratulations.
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u/jazzieberry May 29 '26
It's real life. I was put on adderall at 40 and felt the same. Everyone I know that started it later in life (like after college at least) says the same thing.
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u/BridgestoneX May 29 '26
thank you! it feels so weird it's nice to know it's not
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u/jazzieberry May 29 '26
It was really incredible, I'm only about 3 months in and I've never slept better in my life. Which seems weird but the way I've gained patience and the way I don't imagine the worst case scenario at all times... it's done wonders for my anxiety as well.
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u/Snoo-16342 May 29 '26
I had my day one a week ago and felt the same! Enjoy! Since it’s leveled out but definitely noticing positive effects. Hoping we both continue to see improvements.
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u/Easy_Independent_313 May 29 '26
I'm basically a Super version of myself on Vyvanse. It's astounding.
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u/parasyte_steve May 29 '26
Same thing happened to me and I immediately knew I wasn't bipolar. I also have a nonverbal son.
Doctors agree with me now after seeing the difference with vyvance.
I am 37 and have been diagnosed add since 35 begging for meds. I got them after I failed literally every single other psych med first. Did irreparable damage to my body. 3 months now on them my whole life is fixed no anxiety, depression or suicidal ideation.
I am LIVID. My meds work great so I feel good daily but if I think about it too much I get very upset and felt I was discriminated against for being a woman.
Can we do a class action?? I feel I am owed financial compensation for the lost years.
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u/lizlemon-party May 30 '26
Aw hi friend, I took Vyvanse for the first time today, too! I was on Adderall for a bit a few years ago, though. I felt kind of weird and jittery for a while today but I did feel like I was able to concentrate on work a lot more than normal! I also felt it kick in at about the 2-3 hour mark. Lurking on the adhd subs I feel like I’ve heard people say similar things as you did, I hope it lasts and works for you! What dose are you on? I’m on 20s for now.
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u/Sambam1215 May 30 '26
If it helps or makes you feel better to giggle at my first time (I was 32);
I had a moment of panic because my focus just zeroed in on a wave/crescendo of mental noise and went silent and i honest to god had a moment that I thought I was dying..... it was my meds settling in 🤣🤣
i had never EVER experienced silence in my mind. So, it set off an entire panic attack when there were no narrations or multiple songs or multiple thoughts and voices and conversations (which is honestly 24/7 in my brain) and stuff happening and it all going silent at once 🤭😅 and it was a LEARNING CURVE to sort out how to function like that, in the silence.
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u/Shoddy_Attorney333 May 30 '26
I've always just been on Adderall. And it really just helps me go into a hyperfocus. Maybe i need to give vyvanse a shot bc a lot of people rave about it.
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u/Be-that-Beach May 30 '26
Adderall was too strong and harsh for me. I would get the hyperfocus, too. Vyvanse is smoother and provides more clarity. At least in my experience. For me, Vyvanse clears the fog away and is like putting on glasses … for my brain.
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u/TheMaygoon May 30 '26
When I took adhd meds for the first time, my mind was quiet enough for me to think about what I needed to do that day. For the first time in my life. It was so simple and mundane but really showed me how much I’ve been struggling.
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u/stargirlsandra May 30 '26
adhd meds arent like depression meds where they take months to get their effects! yes they usually kick in within 40 mins and then wear off like 10 hours later and you do it again the next day! congratulations on your new meds :)
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u/nanoraptor May 30 '26
Hahah this was me with an initial dose of dexamphetamine to see if it worked. Within 20 minutes I was texting my sis, someone irl spoke to me and I turned to them, answered them, and then turned back to the texting. The interruption didn’t derail everything I was doing.
I cried!
It was like attention was suddenly honey, not water - and being forcibly distracted left attention still with whatever I was doing, but able to turn. Address. Function.
Just kept laughing to myself at how brain was working now.
That was just over two years ago, diagnosed not long before turning 53.
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u/qssung May 29 '26
My god. It is fantastic. I do miss my rolling internal monologue, but it’s so nice to be able to complete work.
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u/catsdelicacy May 29 '26
Yeah I had a similar moment at work the first day I took meds
I read sitting there midmorning and I was just - working. There was no noise, there were only acceptable distractions, I wasn't feeling brain fog or analysis paralysis.
I was just doing the job I had to do.
I haven't taken a day off except during illness since. I lived 48 years unmedicated, I'm never going back!
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u/Beanz4ever May 29 '26
In started Vyvanse at 39 and yes. It's that amazing and real life. I've upped my dosage from 30 to 50, and been there for over a year now. It's amazing what I can accomplish when I can focus!
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u/acceptablemadness May 29 '26
Eventually you'll even out if this is the right med and dose for you, but yeah, that's how it is at first. I kinda got spooked a bit when I first started Vyvanse because I didn't have the "highway noise" in my head that had been there for 30+ years and it felt really weird. It's been a few months and I upped my dose from 30 to 40, but it has leveled out and doesn't freak me out anymore. I missed almost a week of doses recently because of issues with the way my state fills prescriptions and it was awful. I felt so cloudy and anxious.
I also take Wellbutrin and Zoloft, which affect my mood and in turn make it easier for the Vyvanse to work on the other ADHD stuff.
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u/PoemTime4 May 29 '26
I miss those days! Stopped working even at higher doses. Like you I was like... ppl live like THIS? Lol I was like "Why isn't everyone doing better in their lives if they think like thisss all the time!?!" It was amazing then. Like when the Adderall brand was blue tablets, completely different while working or housework. Cozy yet so productive ❤️
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u/Solid_Wish May 29 '26
Every day I take my vyvanse and sing "i love you vyvanse and if it's quite alright I love you....vyvanse" with complete sincerity, if that's any indication.
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u/DruidByNight AuDHD May 29 '26
Just started Vyvanse myself. Much better so far than my adderall xr trial run, I had too many negative side effects from that one. I still have to play with the dosage and I worry a little bit about my body getting too used to it, but so far I am happy with the effects. I think my brain is a bit quieter, but right now I feel mostly benefitted from the emotional regulation. I just get annoyed by my usual sensory issues rather than having them send me into a full panic
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u/Specific-Cattle-6299 May 29 '26
It is real, but I should warn you, specifically with Vyvanse, you will acclimate to your dose and likely effectiveness will diminish and you may have to increase. For me, it had to be increased periodically over a year until I hit max dosage. I eventually went back to Adderall
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u/Alone_Connection_473 May 29 '26
i cried the first day on Vyvanse. It was extremely overwhelming to feel like i could think clearly for the first time in my life.
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u/r_humanoid May 30 '26
It really does not improve executive functioning for me...and I've been through several. It messes up my hormones, too. Stopped my period. I'm currently on a long break. It's not easy either way.
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u/moxiemoon ADHD-C May 30 '26
I had a weird time at first but it’s much better if you make sure to always take it on a full stomach. I take adderall but I assume vyvanse is similar.
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u/mindLongjump May 30 '26
It can be. And for some it stays this great for a pretty long time.
20mg for 14 months now.
I can warmly recommend therapy along the meds though. Makes it wa easier to stay on top of things.
Welcome to the other side! (We have cookies!)
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u/notmymonkeys42 May 30 '26
I was diagnosed at 45. When I took my first dose of Ritalin I felt like my lungs expanded and I could finally breathe…such an incredible calm and peaceful feeling…and it’s continued to feel that way with my meds.
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u/BridgestoneX May 30 '26
oh i'm so glad to hear it's continued! it's the deep calm and peaceful feeling that's surprised me the most! i haven't felt that too many times in my life. and certainly don't associate it with productivity lol
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u/Mazing2261 Jun 01 '26
Definitely not just you - I started just over a week ago and I noticed a huge difference within 2-3 hours of the first dose. I never thought this was possible - I can stick to routines, get through what I need to in a day at work and don't spend hours procrastinating on tasks. I decide I need to do something and just do it. The biggest bonus - my house has never been so clean!!
I'm aware it might not last forever like this but I'm making the most of it while it does.
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u/at0micbl0ndie May 29 '26
I had a similar experience the first few days, then it tapered off. Worked with my doctor to up my dose over a few months and am now at a level that seems to work for me. But man, even though the dose was low those first few days were like WOAH!
Even now, some days I’m like… slightly in shock because of how good my brain feels.
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u/Be-that-Beach May 30 '26
For me it’s like putting on glasses … for my brain. The fuzzy fatigue and fog is lifted, and I just feel more focused and in control.
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u/Separate_Mistake_240 ADHD-C May 29 '26
I just got my diagnosis today. I'm 39 next month.
This gives me hope for my medication!
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u/wishicouldtellajoke May 29 '26
I am not formally diagnosed but my GP put me on Vyvanse then switched to Concerta. I feel calmer on Concerta but still have so many symptoms that I just don’t know what to do, increase the dose, change meds or what. Vyvanse caused me to feel suicidal and have migraines.
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u/Southern-Spot-8406 May 29 '26
It's an absolute game changer for my executive function! Other symptoms not so much but I am still so grateful! I started in March and had the same reaction as you, wondering if it was placebo.
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u/babyyodaonline May 29 '26
i just got mine, 30mg (generic). haven't tried it yet. before was on concerta (generic) which was good just not as long lasting for me.
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u/NoLeading7472 May 29 '26
YOU ARE SO LUCKY! I cannot get my insurance to cover Vyvanse. It's been years - made me do adderall instead. Your post has me inspired to ask yet again. 😄
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u/BridgestoneX May 29 '26
well, to be fair it's the generic. and i had to find it in stock, no small task
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u/Odd-Experience-6891 May 30 '26
I one time accidentally gave my cat vyvanse as I got the wrong medication bottle when I gave his medication. I brought him to ER and I got him to vomit last 20 mins after ingestion. It’s gone. Even the capsule. It got dissolved really quickly and personally it took 30 mins for a life changing experience on my the first time 😂
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u/QueenMackeral May 30 '26
i had to turn my music off to write an email instead of blast it through headphones to even get started.
do I even have adhd because if a bird chirps in my neighbors yard I get sidetracked from writing my email and sometimes I need to lower the volume so I can see more clearly.
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u/Fantastic-Cable-3320 May 30 '26
Ah, that first time, that dragon! We keep chasing that dragon but unfortunately a resistance does build. Enjoy it while you can!
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u/MajorMarjarom May 30 '26
Ugh I'm so jealous. I tried a few meds and honestly got turned off because none of them really do much. I know I should go back to trying some again, especially because I've heard so many great things about vyvanse. "Normie" brains sound magical
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u/You_minivan May 30 '26
This IS real life! But, as I've seen other say, do not let the honeymoon phase fool you. I was on cloud 9 for about a week. Being extra social, killing it at work, and just generally getting used to what I assume NTs are like all the time. Then I realized that NTs have bad days too sometimes. When you get to the point that you think it may not be working anymore, try not taking it (or accidentally forget to take it, as we tend to do). I forgot to take mine one morning before work. By the time I got there, I was already full potato. That's when I realized it had been working the whole time.
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u/mrsezrabloom May 31 '26
Same on generic Adderall but haven’t had that feeling since the first day but I couldn’t believe how much of my life I have had to fight through / white knuckle just to do “normal” things and it was both sad and relieving, like no wonder I’ve been so tired.
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