Trying to put down in words what it feels like taking Vyvanse for the first time as an adult diagnosed after 30.
After years of trying other treatments, therapy, non-stimulant medications, I’ve got my first prescription for a stimulant and today is my first time taking it. I was always wondering what would it feel like so I think I’d try to describe it:
After the initial physical sensation subsided (stiff feeling in the neck, jaw, a feeling like tension on the skin of the back of the head) and I’ve started my work day I’ve realized that I’m pretty much feeling calm. Like there was a race in the back of my head where each task was fighting for a priority and I was trying to accommodate the first one that came to mind, but now while the race is still there I can just methodically pick one out and focus on it for a bit, or switch to another while still remembering the first one. It feels almost mechanical in how calm the process is (maybe a bit too mechanical actually), and I feel less governed by emotion.
I’m still getting distracted, but it seems like distractions last much less and I don’t feel panic and urgency after returning to the task at hand.
Now I wonder what it feels like once the effect is over, and if I will be able to sleep tonight normally.
One other effect is that there is almost no hunger, so I had to remind myself to eat something. In that regard it feels similar to hyperfocus when I’m absorbed in a task and forget to eat anything. I don’t know if it’s actually bad since I do have enough weight that needs losing, but I also don’t want an eating disorder. Feels like I need to start planning my meals.


Similar story, 30mgs vyvanse. For me it was like a sudden collapse of thousands of different thoughts into one sharp point. Then I watched a 2 hour Russell Barkley video because I could, and absorbed all of it.
Nowadays it’s a pretty good medium. It can make anxiety worse, but only because I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on the thing going wrong. I don’t eat as much, but I think it’s gotten to a good level. See how the next few days treat you, it should become something your body adjusts to pretty quickly.
Don’t think I had trouble sleeping? Not more than the usual insomnia anyway.
I couldn’t sleep the first night now, maybe because I drank coffee as well during the day though.
Hope it’ll pass, tried taking the dose earlier in the morning today
As a general rule yeah with breakfast.
You may need to reconsider your caffeine intake. I’m sure you’ve noticed, but it operates on some of the same channels. I went cold turkey after I started vyvanse, just to make sure I got a good idea of where I landed without it. Turns out 30mg is enough to get me fairly well stimulated, and I gave up coffee completely. See how you go.