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.
Do you mean you didn’t sleep the night after you had a dose in the morning? Normally the dose wears off after 3-4 hours for standard release Ritalin and 6-7 hours for extended release. That would mean if you took it at 10am it should be completely worn off around 2pm for standard Ritalin and by 5pm for extended release. Did you take a second dose?
It is important to remember that how it is today is unlikely to be how it is in a few months. Your body has to get used to processing Ritalin and also the different level of demand you will place on it given your improved capacity. You may overextend yourself and maybe even hurt yourself in this process. It is normal to have some trouble adjusting and small issues like one missed night of sleep but it should level out within a fairly short time, maybe a week or two. If you have ongoing disruption make sure to talk to your prescribing doctor and make sure it isn’t a side effect.
Good luck, have fun!