Comments on: ADD/ADHD Treatment Notes: More on Vyvanse

By: Dr Charles Parker

Dr Charles Parker — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:27:44 +0000

Dawn,
I don’t have specific references to document downstream effects of stimulant meds re: stuttering. Some studies do exist regarding downstream seizures, and certainly tic disorder, so it does make sense that stimulant could aggravate stuttering.

My take on these matters at this point, and I predict will soon become the standard of care: why not measure what the neurotransmitters are, take a look at the various metabolic factors present, and make some specific corrections to those likely imbalances.
cp

By: Dawn

Dawn — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:22:12 +0000

Dr Parker:
My son was dx wih ADHD September 2009. He takes 30 mg of vyvanse. He did mildly stutter and it seems since December his stuttering has increased. Their is a family history of stuttering, could his medication be the cause of this increase?

Dawn

By: Dr Charles Parker

Dr Charles Parker — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:10:47 +0000

Denise,
Amphetamine products and methylphenidate products can both show tic side effects. Often these side effects can be modified by using Intuniv with the Vyvanse, but quite often require their own set of separate intervention strategies – including going off the stimulants, and obtaining clear neurotransmitter biomarker results.

That neurotransmitter information has proved useful in many children with tic disorder. Most commonly seen as you would suppose, an increase in excitatory neurotransmitters and significant immune dysfunction – casein is an antigen often associated, as is gluten. If you don’t look you can’t see.
cp

By: Denise Claude

Denise Claude — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:41:14 +0000

Hi Theresa, My name is Denise and my son has experienced the same issues with the tics on Vyvanse, i was wondering if you have talked to any representation to see what your options were about this unfamiliar severe side affect. I would appreciate it if you would get back to me asap. Thank you!

By: Dr Charles Parker

Dr Charles Parker — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:14:49 +0000

Kim,
Hard call without more info. Yes, your observation could be the case, and if the antidepressant was recently raised that could be the issue. However, in addition review the DOE as all stimulants when topped out tend to cause irritation, esp. AMPs.
cp

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:22:38 +0000

DR. Parker, Thank you for your reply that confirms what we thought was correct. Today my child came home and told us he experienced anger like he has never felt before and it scarred him. We are aware that the depression medication being taken could have this side effect and should be reported . We are concerned and want to know if it should be continued?

By: Dr Charles Parker

Dr Charles Parker — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:24:11 +0000

Kim,
Sleep can be side effect at the outset – and whenever that happens I drop back to a diminished dose – use the water titration to go to 1/4 the dose by dividing the single cap into 4 oz, and then 1 oz/day.
cp

By: Kim

Kim — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:15:14 +0000

Dr. Parker, We are new to using Vyvance for our child. We are on day four, starting with 1/2 titration. He has no problem going to sleep but is waking up at around 4 A.M. and now has difficult time returning to sleep. Sleeping was not a problem prior. This is of course catching up with him at school being sleepy at end of day. Is this temporary? Any suggestions?

By: Dr Charles Parker

Dr Charles Parker — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:14:07 +0000

Aviv,
Yes, always low and slow with stimulant meds. No harm, better, more predictable outcomes, awareness of metabolic rates, better titration accuracy using the DOE.
cp

By: aviv

aviv — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:24:53 +0000

i suggest to all the first time u taking a pill is to take it very small bit from it and see what happened
and then a bigger one cos i did take the smallest Ritalin pill [10mg] and got over-focus for 4 DAYS!
and then 2 weeks with lite effectiveness from it