I suffer from fibromyalgia, CFS, and acute depression and anxiety. I have tried a few small doses of Vyvanse, and to me it's like a miracle drug. I am not depressed, I have enough energy to get through the day, and while the fibromyalgia pain is still ever-present, I am better able to deal with it. Should I ask my doctor for a trial of Vyvanse? I'm just concerned because she's been giving me Klonopin for panic attacks, and I'm afraid she will not believe that the Vyvanse does not exacerbate the anxiety and panic attacks, which it absolutely does not in my case.
Has Vyvanse ever been prescribed as treatment for depression?
Question posted by awesome4711 on 19 Feb 2011
Last updated on 22 October 2018 by marzboy777
8 Answers
marzboy777
22 Oct 2018
Hi awesome!
First thing you want to do is stop the Klonopin. You can't take a benzo and an amphetamine together; that's a "speedball" and no doctor worth his or her salt so to speak will prescribe both. So my suggestion is to stop the Klonopin and then proceed with the Vyvanse. I take Adderall and it helps tremendously with relieving both my depression AND my Fibro pain. Best of luck and do keep the group updated.
Kdg
22 Oct 2018
Yes! Vyvanse has been incredible for my depression. I have treatment resistant depression and prescribed Vyvanse for binge-eating disorder (FDA “on-label” approved). It did help with the binge eating, but also, even better, it has helped me with depression in that I want to get out of bed and do things. Have been on it for ~ 3 years with no return of depression. Now, I still like to nap and have never been a go-getter, but I do NOT have that dark dark depression.
By the way, I also take Wellbutrin, Trintellix, and Ativan.
I added Vyvanse after being on these other meds for a year and still needed an extra boost.
Gr8wshark
22 Oct 2018
I've suffered from Bipolar Depression for 47 years and have tried every medicine on the market.I've been on Vyvanse now for about a year and I've yet to have a depressed day.Mind you I work out 2 hours daily in the gym to get those endorphins but it has been the Vyvanse which has made the difference for me in conjunction with my regular medicines.Yes..absolutley ask your doctor.This doesn't work for everyone..you have nothing to lose.
csalinas
31 July 2018
This is such an old question, but I'm hoping someone else who stumbles upon it like I did will read this and find it helpful.
I was diagnosed with ADD insanely late, at 17 years old and in my senior year of high school. And attention issues I had were blamed on depression, until my doctor finally listened and diagnosed me, prescribing me Vyvanse.
I'm ashamed to say I don't take it daily now that I'm on summer break, but it literally feels like a miracle, as OP stated.
Not only do I focus, but I feel truly happy.
I know medicines are very complex, and my change in environment from high school classrooms to a more independent college life has also aided in my happiness.
But specifically when I take Vyvanse, I feel a spike in my mood. I am willing and motivated to work, which few actual anti-depressants could ever manage for me.
I HIGHLY recommend asking you doctor if it would be a wise choice. It IS a controlled substance, which may make it more difficult to be prescribed, but it is more than worth a try.
I haven't even needed my real antidepressant lately, but we'll see if that's due to my environment or not, I suppose.
gemit2000
18 March 2018
Let me add another repsonse with the same phrase: "it's been a miracle drug for me"
40 years with chronic depression and tried about 40 different drugs. Each gave me side effects and depression. 8 years on Vyvanse and 8 years of normal life. It's no longer uphill. Take it in the morning and in about an hour or two I get a feeling of peace and possibility and the energy to take things on. Anxiety is lessened because anxiety was related to depression.
My only issue was before Obamacare... I couldn't afford it. Even when I discovered "Shire Cares" I still was paying $100/mo. for psychiatrist. Then my primary care doc said he'd give me 3 scripts at a time (FL law allows) so I see him 4x per year and insurance pays for 3 visits.
Actually one other issue. My doctor said he needed an ADD or ADHD diagnosis to prescribe after Vyvnse's clincial trial for depression failed. So I had to go to a neuro-psychologist and hope I could convince him I had ADD as well. Don't know if I really do or I was good in "throwing" his tests, but I got the diagnosis and the rest has been pretty much smooth sailing (not easy getting Level II drugs easily).
In the end my depression is gone plus I don't pay the approx. $300 / mo. for the drug because of Shire Cares. With my income level it costs me $0. It helped when my Blue Cross said they wouldn't cover it unless I took ADHD generics like Ritalin or Adderall (I'd taken them in the 90's and they were the closest thing to an effective treatment, at least for a few weeks when they lost their efficacy for me) cause their copay was $40/mo. But to tell you the truth if was between the depression and $1000/mo. I'd find the money!
Gr8wshark
17 Feb 2018
I have suffered from depression and bipolar disorder for 47 years.I have tried every antidepressant on the market from Elavil to Lithium.Vyvanse has been a miraculous drug for me.I've been on it for about a month and have resumed an active life
GeeWizz
22 Oct 2018
I’d like to know how you are doing on it after 3/4 months. As the first 3/4 months it was great for me but the effect went down a lot after that. Still helped just not as it did those first 3 months and a higher dose just made me super cranky.
dixie_angel0302
31 Jan 2017
I know this is an old post but I was wondering if you ever were prescribed Vyvanse for depression?
I, like you, suffer from depression and have tried all of the anti-depressants but struggle to take a pill every day. I have read studies about Vyvanse for depression but get the impression it is not commonly prescribed for it. I would like to try but not sure my Dr would be willing so I was hoping you had some feedback.
Gr8wshark
17 Feb 2018
Dixie ..Vyvanse has been a miracle drug for me.I would suggest having your doctor put you on a trial.If he refuses go to another doctor.Just my opinion.
youngjude
14 Aug 2014
I had Vyvance prescribed to me for my ADD. It is good medicine but I had some cardiac side effects from it and had to go back on Adderall. I have never known it to be prescribed for depression.
LaurieShay
19 Feb 2011
Hey awesome,
Vyvanse acts like other amphetamines by affecting the brain chemicals norepinephrine and dopamine. Some antidepressants also act on these two brain chemicals in a similar fashion. Without going into a chemistry lesson, that is why you may feel better when you take the vyvanse.
While vyvanse is not recommended for people who suffer from severe anxiety or agitation, talk to your doctor about it. You have nothing to lose. All she can say is no.
Have you ever thought about an antidepressant like cymbalta which may help the anxiety, depression and pain, all in one medicine?
Hope this helps,
Laurie
awesome4711
19 Feb 2011
Thanks Laurie. I've tried just about every antidepressant out there, and none of them work for me. None of them. The Cymbalta made me nauseous and did nothing for the depression. I was on Lexapro for years, but stopped that a long time ago. That drug basically made me feel like a zombie for about six months -- couldn't laugh, cry, or feel much of anything -- then stopped doing anything. I came off it cold turkey, which was a huge mistake. The physical withdrawals made me feel like I was either losing my mind or having a stroke!
The Vyvanse makes me feel what I can only imagine is "normal". It doesn't "race me up", but I can function at a normal level for hours on just a small dose. I'm able to socialize much easier. (I also have social anxiety disorder). I can think clearly and really focus.
The two downsides are (1) since I'm able to be more physically active, the fibromyalgia can be exacerbated; and (2) the rubber band effect when it wears off is pretty bad. My depression can get much worse; it does not increase my anxiety level though, for whatever reason. However, being very drug sensitive, and needing very little of the drug to get an optimum effect, I don't see myself ever becoming addicted.
You're right: the worst that can happen is my doctor says "no". I just don't want her thinking I'm engaging in "drug-seeking behavior".
Thanks again.
~Diane~
LaurieShay
19 Feb 2011
You are very welcome Diane. And I wish you the very best.
Psyched
20 Feb 2011
Great answer Laurie! Just wanted to say I think you give really good advice when you post and that your answers are informative! Keep up the good work!
LaurieShay
20 Feb 2011
Thank you, I try very hard and take this site very seriously. It is nice to be recognized for this, again thanks.
Psyched
21 Feb 2011
You are very welcome and your caring shows!
GeeWizz
21 April 2012
Hey Awesome
I have to say I completely agree and relate to you regarding Vyvance. I felt like you were writing about me almost. I am 43 and struggled with depression, social anxiety disorder, as well as ADD, my whole life. Also watching my teenage daughter grow up and really struggle with these same problems as well. We both take Vyvance now and the difference is just amazing to me.
Ive taken numerous various different anti depressants... AS WELL AS... numerous ADD medications. Even on some of the amphetamine ADD medications I felt horrible, and like a zombie (Ritalin, Adderall, etc), and while some helped some what with my ADD, they increased my anxiety level, and either had no effect on my depression or made it worse.
So I definitely do not agree that all amphetamine drugs will help depression, and will give you the same effect as Vyvanse does.
I am not quite sure what is different about Vyvanse, but all I know is that it is significantly different than anything Ie ever tried. Its been a miracle drug to me. I finally feel "normal" on it, and Im just happy and ok for no specific reason. I feel the best mentally/spiritually I probably ever have in my life. It is a wonderful and amazing feeling. For me there is no abrupt sudden effect or wearing off of the medication, its long lasting. It not only helps with my ADD, but I was just so shocked at the side effect of it getting rid of my depression (thats actually how I found your post as I wondered if anyone else had this effect from it, lol).
Good luck and let me know what happened with you in regard to taking Vyvance,
awesome4711
22 April 2012
Thanks again for the advice Laurie. I just wanted to let you know I finally talked my doctor into prescribing Vyvanse (30 mg) for me. I've been on it since last December, and more often than not it still works wonders for me. I will say, however, that if I'm extremely depressed, as I have been lately, even the Vyvanse does very little. It takes the edge off a bit, it makes me a little easier to live with, but on my really bad days... I'm afraid it would take a someone with the proverbial magic wand to make a difference. Another minor downside is that I've seemed to develop a tolerance to it fairly quickly, which is unusual for me in that I'm very drug sensitive. So, since I don't have ADD and really don't have to take it every day, I try to come off it a few days a week so it'll work for me when I need it. There can sometimes be an unpleasant rubber band effect, but I'm trying to manage that with biofeedback techniques.
I'm convinced I'll eventually find the proper regimen that will maximize the positive effects of the drug.
The only really big problem with the Vyvanse is the price! My insurance doesn't cover it, and it costs me close to $175 for a month's supply! Which means I won't be able to stay on it forever, and that's not good. I'm thinking about applying for prescription assistance from Shire, but I hate to ask my doctor to fill out all that paperwork. Apart from appealing to the manufacturer, does anyone have any suggestions on how to get this drug cheaper? Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks again.
LaurieShay
22 April 2012
You can go to a site called Rxassist.org and click on the patient portal from there you can enter the name of the medication and it will send yopu directly to the manufacturer's information. Click on the application and print it out. You can fill in a majority of the information and the doctor will have very little to complete. It really is easy. I help the patients at the clinic where I volunteer do this very thing alot. Somewhat of a hassle but well worth the savings if you qualify.
awesome4711
22 April 2012
Hi GeeWizz. I'm so glad to hear someone else with depression is benefiting from Vyvanse. I hope it will eventually be approved and prescribed for depression as well, with careful monitoring, of course. I'm sure there are people with severe anxiety disorders or other mental/emotional disorders that could be greatly harmed by Vyvanse, or any amphetamine-based drug. It would always have to be on a case-by-case basis. I'm fortunate in that my anxiety and panic attacks tend to occur when I'm NOT taking Vyvanse. Obviously, my doctor trusts that I know how to manage my myriad of problems and symptoms, and when to take the proper medication, because she's still willing to continue my Klonopin as well. I never thought she would agree to that, but I'm guessing she's adopted the "when all else fails" approach with me!
Anyway, I hope the Vyvanse continues to work so well for you. Have you noticed that you're developing a tolerance to it? And if you don't mind my asking, what strength was prescribed for you? I'm considering asking my doctor to increase mine to 40 mg, but I'm assuming the higher the milligrams the higher the price, so I may have to hold off on that.
Please keep me posted on how you're doing.
My3littlemen
22 Aug 2012
I know this is an old post but I wanted to give my experience and I hope it will help. I suffer from systemic lupus and it causes severe tiredness, weakness, joint pain and foggy headedness. My doctor prescribed vyvanse to help with my energy and focus at work because I'm a counselor and if I'm not 100% at work then my clients suffer. The vyvanse has been a miracle drug for me in a lot of ways, but it definitely has its drawl backs as well.
I have lots of focus at work and feel like I have energy and clarity while taking it. I've been on it for almost 2 years now. These however ate some of the negative side effects I've suffered from and how I've treated them. Lupus effects my joints just like fibro effects your joints. Vyvanse dehydrates you rather quickly and totally takes away my appetite... which I'm a small girl to begin with. After taking vyvanse for a few days in a row I can barely move my neck and shoulders they hurt so bad.
It's really important to make yourself eat several small healthy meals a day and drink water constantly. I mean literally sip water every few minutes when you can. Our joints need lubrication and the vyvanse speeds your heart and sucks ever amount of water it can from you. I also stopped taking it every day. I only take it 5 days a week and if I know I have a day with no client appointments I won't take it either. This is vital because your body needs rest and nutrients and on the days I take vyvanse I tend to nit sleep as much and not eat as much and my body reacts with severe headaches and severe joint pain. You can take ibuprofen with vyvanse but be careful not to take to much since your heart rate is quickened and ibuprofen thins your blood. If you're overweight or unhealthy you are a heart attack waiting to happen. It's extremely hard to not want to take it every day because when I'm home I want to clean and exercise, take care of my children and stay on top of everyday tasks but if I take it everyday I get really sick and ran down and headaches that could put down a horse. So my advice is if you get on vyvanse start on a low dose and gradually increase. Make sure to eat and drink as throughout the day and don't skip your vitamins. Take vyvanse early on morning with big breakfast. Stay away from caffeine or diaretics throughout the day. If you start to feel its wearing off before the day ends drink a bit if vaccine and that usually jump starts the last of the vyvanse in your system again for a couple hours. Don't ever take another pill though because the side effects are horrible. Headaches, jaw pain from clinches your teeth and dizzy blurry vision. Some doctors will recommend 40 mg in morning and 30 in afternoon if you notice your medicine isn't as strong in the evenings. Remember there is no such thing as the perfect drug so listen to your body and maintain a healthy lifestyle of eating we and exercise with at least 8 hours of sleep each night. Meditation helps a ton too, so join a yoga class or some form of quite self reflection time for just you where you can clear your head and focus on the good things you want for your life. I hope this helps whoever reads this and those like me suffering from autoimmune disorders or depression.
dray616
23 Nov 2013
My name is David and I have suffered major depression for years. A year ago I started taking a new anxiety and depression medication call Aplenzin. I take the max dosage at 522. new version of Wellbutrin. It is over $1000 a month but my insurance pays for it. I have started Vyvanse 50 mg in AM. Not only has it helped with my depression but helps with pain too. I have neuropathy for several years. I have a spine disorder and helps with that too.
While it is an off label use to take Vyvanse for depression, it works for me.
ljonesx123
21 July 2014
My son takes Vyvanse and I have to admit I have taken it a few times I suffer from depression anxiety panic attacks, an it does seem to work miracles for me on days when I can't even get off the couch it will have me cleaning the whole house and functioning like a normal person
GeeWizz
18 March 2018
I’d like to know how the Vyvanse is still working for you if you were able to continue taking it. You description of your experience with other anti depressants was exactly the same as mine, as was your experience with Vyvanse. But after 3 months the positive went down. Was still better on it but not as good. When I tried to up my dosage I just got super cranky.
May sound weird but I think there is some other condition not fully identified yet that I /we/people like us have. Just wish I knew what it was for sure now lol.
GeeWizz
18 March 2018
Yes you build a tolerance to it within 3 months for me. If you come off it , even for a couple of days and go back on you seem to get that first time dosage reaction again.
It’s strange... frustrating and the med sometimes makes me feel like that true life movie “Awakenings”
As for the cost. I hope the person in previous thread figures out you can go on the Vyvanse website and print there coupon thing where you pay no more than $35 for it. It’s good for 6 months I believe and then you can fill out another etc.
Draw back of it as stated before. It drys you out! Your mouth... which makes you have horrible breath lol. And for women... well... it drys you out down there.
I was taking 40mg. Tried 50mg and no improvement actually got cranky-not nice and snappy on it. Went back to 40 then to 30. Then took a break from it for 5 months. Taking Adderall instead which works ok/good. It’s only $10. Dry mouth isn’t as bad. Vyannse is better tho.
Related topics
vyvanse, depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, generalized anxiety disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome (cfs)
Further information
- Vyvanse uses and safety info
- Vyvanse prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Vyvanse (detailed)
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