Hi there:

I'm surprised to hear that your son's doctor started him on 20 mg of Vyvanse. Generally speaking, children with ADHD will start with a 5 mg dose (of whatever med their doctor prescribes) and slowly work their way up in dosage until they reach the right balance of managed ADHD symptoms without side effects.

I'm not a doctor or an expert on ADD meds, but it sounds like 20 mg was too much for your son. The doctor probably wants to start at a lower dose with something else to fix the sleep issues. I would ask him about this and find out if you can use a lower dose of Vyvanse instead, since you like the results overall.

In the meantime, here are some articles that might help...

ADHD Medication 101: Attention Deficit Treatment Advice

ADHD Medication: Say No to Side Effects

Top 10 Questions about Medications for ADHD Children...Answered!

Adderall: ADHD Medication FAQ

More about ADHD Medications...

I hope this helps!

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Remember, as a parent, if you find that you do not agree w/Dr. on meds—Ask Questions! If your child did okay other than sleeping, then make sure Dr. knows this. If you are unsure after only 2 days why Dr. is changing meds, ASK. You are your child’s parent, you know your child best, you should not be afraid to ask your Dr. these questions. If you are and Dr. treats you as if you don’t know anything, see about getting a different Dr.

My Dr. asks me how my son is doing, whether he shows symptoms, how I feel about upgrades, whether meds should be changed or not, how he is doing in different venues. I am not a Dr. but if my child is doing ok w/current meds other than minor symptoms, then I should know this. Dr. doesn’t sleep in the same house, he doesn’t have to deal w/the tantrums, etc. You do.

If you let your Dr. know what is happening re: your child in school, @ home, @ babysitter/daycare/afterschool care/visiting others, etc. Dr. is not going to know. Some Dr.s are just like teachers, drug them and they will be docile. If you do not want your child to be this way, question what is being prescribed and why. Ask about symptoms before you leave Dr. office and if Dr. says read the inserts, ask again, and keep asking. Don’t let Dr. leave the room until your questions are answered. You are paying for Dr. time even through insurance premiums. It is your right as a patient and a parent to know what you are giving your child and why. Be forthright with information and your Dr. may be more forthright with you. Even when my son has issues @ school, I let Dr. know this (even to embarrasment of my child). This has to do with his mental health as well as physical. It also tells Dr. whether or not meds may/may not be doing what they are supposed to. We tried one drug and it didn’t work. I told Dr. why I felt it wasn’t working and what I was seeing about my son’s behavior. He changed the drug back and increased slightly to the drug we had been using, even at a higher dose than usual. Made the difference immediately.

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