Adderall XR and weight and some more... | ADHD Information
I know this topic has been touched on. Does anyone feel like they have to remind themselves to eat?? I mean the last week I have literally forgotten to eat and don't eat till 8pm. I have only been on Adderall XR now for a week. I was on ritalin for ten years, provigil a couple months, then concerta now this, great doc huh? The only bad side effect I am having is the loss of appetite. I am sure I will adjust though
As far as the adderall XR goes, BEST med I have ever been on by far! It is so different from anything else. I guess ritalin works on your dopamine while adderall on your nueropenepherine (sp) Is that accurate or did I just make that up? Anyways I don't feel "medicated" while taking it, does that make sense? I just feel normal
I have lost about 10lbs in the first 2.5 weeks I've been on it... food to me now is nasty looking, smelling everything.It was also the major side effect when I was on ritalin in the past also.
I'm also very irritable...is that the adderall, what can change that?
I posted a new thread on me...hope I find the right mix soon
Amythe very noticeable irritability I experienced initially as the Adderall wore off has subsided appreciably...thankfully! I still must take care to time when I take a dose so as to avoid being in the middle of a meeting or other similar, environment when the medication wears off. I recall one meeting... we were hot and heavy into evaluating and deciding who to award grants to when I realized I'd forgotten to bring my next dose with me. I couldn't afford to become cranky there! I excused myself and took a brisk walk out to the car and popped my second dose in the nick of time!Ditto with me...I've gotten back some of my appetite, but as I said to my wife just the other day, since on Adderall xr I neither feel sleepy or hungry anymore...at least not the strong sensations my body was used to yea these many years... Marg, I found the side effects changed over time for the first few months, same might happen for you...time will tell. Like you though, overall I like the Adderall xr very much. Marg, yes, I did have to remind myself to eat during the first few weeks that I took AdderallXR. I tried to concentrate on eating fruits and vegetables, as they were "lighter" foods and easier to eat. I have been taking it for about 6 months, now, and this side effect seems to be wearing off.adderall makes me irratable whenit wears off. does anyone else have this effect? When I am on it I notice I can concetrate better but other than that not really anything else. I have to make myself eat because I forget. I actually gained weight on the med. I am normal very active and spontainious but this stuff really slows me down for some reasonYes--when I started on Adderall, I put a reminder in my Outlook calendar to take my second dosage and eat. Kind of silly but I wasn't feeling hungry. I've been on it now for almost 18 months and I am better about eating, but it is still a more conscious behavior.Well I'm thinking of talking to my doctor about putting me on AdderallXR. >GASP< I know, big shock coming from me. I just want to try it out and see how well I'll do. My concern is, I'm a petite person. I'm 5'4" and weigh only 115 (more or less). I really can't afford to lose weight. Someone in here mentioned that this med caused her to gain weight? How so if you're not eating much? Does it kind of work like the pill does to some (water retention and whatnot). Also, I'm irritable as it is. If this med causes irritability, what's the best solution for that?I just started on Adderall XR two - three weeks ago...I have lost 10lbs and my appetite is gone...I too have to remind myself to eat. I am alwasys drinking diet sodas and water...I found I have to lay low on the caffine. Some days foods do not taste right. Like popcorn, salad dressings, and meats other than chicken...I really want to eat fruits and yogurt. I am so happy to have energy and organization finally!!
All amphetamines to my knowledge work as an appetite suppressant... I was very dedicated to bodybuilding a couple of years ago and I supplemented with ephedrine during periods where I was trying to cut fat. Ephedrine works great if used properly!!! Not only does it recruit fat cells for energy and give you the extra energy needed on a restricted calorie diet when you are working out, it also suppresses your appetite due to the fact that it's an amphetamine. I'm not recommending or telling anyone to go out and buy this stuff for its potent weight loss effects. I'm just stressing the importance of knowing what you're putting into your body and what effects it will have. You don't need to be a chemist or physician to figure this stuff out either... just look for a reputable site on the internet or ask someone who would know.
To adress the weight loss issue... just because you're body isn't telling you it is hungry doesn't mean you shouldn't eat. When I was taking ephedrine, I still realized the importance of proper nutrition. Eating bigger and fewer meals isn't the way to do it. Try eating 5-8 smaller meals through out the day. This way you won't ever have to sit down to a feast when you don't even feel like eating. This doesn't only apply to those who are using amphetamines for one reason or another, it's the proper way to feed a healthy body. Drinking lots of water is very important too... I don't know from experience but making sure you're plenty hidrated might ease this dry mouth problem I've been reading about.
Any ways, I'm not telling any one what to do... I'm new to this myself. I'm a 22 year old university student who only found out about having ADD not too long ago. I've been on meds. for 3 days now and it is this that brings me to the forum. I'm just looking for a little advice and information myself and I'm only trying to shed some light on an area I may be able to help with. If you disagree with anything I've said that's fine... I'm no PHD... to each their own and all the best.
205 to 190 in a little less than a month at just over 6' which is okay and fitting right in with my New Year's resolution. Still eating okay but have noticed that I have no desire to eat junk food whatsoever as the thought of if makes my stomach turn. Did anyone else lose their craving for junk food on XR?
yes eating is a big issue--but you have to experiment with what works. I also get very dry mouth so all of my granola bars, meal bars etc don't work. I've lost about 30lbs in 2.5months 4 sizes and I don't feel my appetite is coming back. Because of the combo type of ADHD I have, the stimulants are all that works with me.I went thru this all growing up too. It really sucks.
I've lost all craving for sugar and snacks, of course then all I crave was apples-cold, wet and crunchy and of course good for you but not on the calorie count.
AmyI don't have an appetite usually so I do have to remind myself to eat. When I do eat I make sure it's something healthy. I never crave junk food these days and water is my drink of choice!
I started Adderall XR a month ago (30mg) and I'm really struggling with this
loss in appetite. My stomach is in constant pain from hunger but I can't
stand the thought of eating. Sometimes the smell of it is disgusting.
I'm concerned because today I was getting delirious from a lack of eating. A
couple hours ago I forced myself to eat a sandwich and powerbar and I feel
better. I'm concerned because I don't want to have to go through such a
difficult ordeal every time I need to eat.
I've been reading that I really need to wait to see if the side effects reduce
but I'm not really looking forward to this waiting period.
What question are you referring to?
Obviously I need to be up all evening at work so it works for me.....however it makes me nervous, like I am taking too much since it is XR. I cannot take the normal adderall because i crash. I am also feeling like I am building a tolerance already. I begin to get very frustrated and don't even want to talk to anybody...
Any insight or reccomenations would be great! Thanks
It seems to me that I am seeking some advice and insight....
To put this this as politely as possible you do sound a bit cocky. I have been on several adhd meds since dx 12 years ago and am very aware of all that goes along with it. The xr concept is a fairly new one to me.
Unfortunately your post has been anything but beneficial. If you took the time to time to read your own advice by searching amphetimine in the encyclopedia you would have noticed it neither referred to xr nor gave specifics. It just described amphetimines, pretty broad don't you think? If you had any sense you would know that every med is formulated differently affecting each individual differently. These boards are meant to help and educate not belittle. I don't mean to sound cocky but everyone who gives advice on medication should know there stuff. You should google ignorance and see what it says.
I hope I have given you some insight and advice before you go piss off another ADDer crashing from her meds.
Take care
I just popped on this website haven't been here for awhile. Well i initiated this post back in october when I started Adderall XR. Since then I have gone from 143lbs. to 124lbs. I am 5'8 and haven't been this light in 10 years! My appetite is getting better though. I also, in the past two months have switched jobs, gone back to school, and been working like crazy..... so I can't help but have to attribute some of this to that.
I do have another ? though. My doc had told me to play with my dosage until I got it right. Well I was comfortable at 20 mg 2 x a day. The issue is that often I work a morning shift then go back in and work an overnight shift. He instructed me to take 2 for that shift and then take two for the night shift.
Obviously I need to be up all evening at work so it works for me.....however it makes me nervous, like I am taking too much since it is XR. I cannot take the normal adderall because i crash. I am also feeling like I am building a tolerance already. I begin to get very frustrated and don't even want to talk to anybody...
Any insight or reccomenations would be great! Thanks
I dont at all mean to sound cocky but everyone on a medication should know about it, and if you seriously have to ask this question you need to do more research because this is probably the #1 most common side effect.
Good luck to you and take care.Go to a site such as www.wikipedia.com and type in "Amphetamine."
I dont at all mean to sound cocky but everyone on a medication should know about it, and if you seriously have to ask this question you need to do more research because this is probably the #1 most common side effect of any CNS stimulent. Be sure to drink plenty of water (your pee should be clear!)
Good luck to you and take care.
Marg5923... have you tried taking less than a full 20 mg every time? Even though you feel that you might be building a tolerance already, you might want to try this if you haven't already. Instead of taking 20 mg in the pm, open the capsule and take a reduced amount.
I take two 20 mg. XRs per day, and started to reduce the amount in my second dose when I started to feel like I wasn't getting the effect I used to. Before seeking a higher dose, I thought I'd try just varying the dose (but not exceeding the daily amount) and it seems to work fine for me right now... as if it got my brain out of the "rut" of receiving the same dose day in day out....
No, actually the side effect isn't good for anyone, even someone very overweight. It's a totally different approach. I don't want anything to eat, I get full right away, and nothing tastes the same. Not a healthy way to lose weight. However, changes in nutrition need to be made.
I am now under a 100lbs, I'm 5'2" and still losing weight...I'm 31, 32 in one month...
talk about not liking the side effect, I love food---and now I feel I can live without it.
However, then electrolyte imbalances come into play and dehydration...then take that on top of the increased heart rate...the side effects are maybe a small added bonus for someone like you, but if not taken control of can have serious systemic effects...look at anorexic's and how they ruin their bodies.
Amy