Hi...I'm new to this board.
My 12 yr. old daughter just started taking Concerta 6 weeks ago. She had been on Adderall XR for about a year and a half. At her last checkup (12 year old visit) she hadn't gained any weight over the past year but had grown 6 inches. We talked about her loss of appetite and how she couldn't sleep at night. The dr. suggested switching to Concerta as she said less side effects concerning loss of appetite and sleep issues.
Well, my daughter has been taking it for 6 weeks and we just noticed that she is still having the problem getting to sleep and her lunch is coming home 4 out of 5 times not eaten. She tells me she isn't hungry and that when she first took the medicine, she did have an appetite but not now. I would say this has been going on for about 2 weeks. She looks really thin and I put in a call to the dr but found this message board while I am waiting for the dr. to call back. She stepped on the scale and was really shocked that she had lost 3 lbs. I know there is a lot of emphasis on looks at this age, but even she is remarking how her ribs are showing.
I try to get her to eat a few bites at breakfast (before she takes the medicine) and I think that is the only thing that has helped her to NOT lose more than 3 lbs. She has always been an eater that "graizes" (sp?) but she seems to me to be not eating at all. And this is not by her choice, she is starting to get concerned.
Anyone else having these weight loss issues? Was this drug also a weight loss drug like Adderall was before it became an ADD medicine?
thanks
I don't think that it was a weight loss drug first, but I do know that all of the stimulant meds have the potential to affect the appetite. The only thing that I can think of (and by all means this is totally a guess) is that the parts of the brain that control focus and appetite are close together...
My 13yo son has been on Concerta since he was in 4th grade. He is now on 54mg every morning and his appetite is not the best BUT he is not losing weight. He does not eat alot during the day so I make sure he eats a good breakfast. Often times he doesn't eat much for dinner and then around 8pm his is SO HUNGRY! THAT is when I make sure I have alot of yogurt, fruit, veggies, cheese...anything he wants to eat I let him eat at night. Probably isn't the best to have him eat right before bed but I figure if that is when he is hungry then that is when I'll let him eat! He has been growing quite nicely (height-wise) and his weight is staying up there as well. He is long and lean right now and we keep a real close eye on his weight. My suggestion for your daughter is to have her eat a real good breakfast before she takes the Concerta and then don't sweat (too much) how she eats during the day. If she is hungry at night....let her eat! Have healthy snacks, make her shakes/malts....fruits and veggies and let her graze. It has really worked for us! We are quite happy with Concerta (the first and only med my son has been on) so give it a try! Good luck
Robyn Mom to Alex 13 ADHD
Welcome,
You will find help and support her.
Weight and sleep issues are not uncommon with the stimulants. If she is getting the positive results with the med, you can work on improving the appetite and sleep issues.
For sleep (discuss with doc of course) first try melatonin (1/2 to 1/mg) before bed. If that does not work, you may need to move to guanfacine (Tenex) or clonidine. With time, the aids to help with sleep may not be needed.
Weight strategies include large meal before meds in the morning and evening after the meds wear off. Also, sneaking in extra calories in the form of protein powder and olive oil. There are other threads with many things to try. Again, this might get better after she has been on the med a while (but might not). Guanfacine or periactin can be added to help with appetite.
Another option would be to move to focalin, which for some can avoid the weight effects. My youngest lost weight on concerta but has been gaining on focalin.
The stratagies chosen also depend what other issues are present.
It is important to taylor treatment to the child's individual needs and do not settle for anything short of good efficacy with either no or minimal (acceptable ) side effects.
Vickie is right it is all about balancing side effects and symptom resolution. My daughter also 12 cannot toelrate most stimulants. For us Ritlain LA was also our most successful as far as appetite. She took Concerta twice, once when shew as 9 and again just recently. For whatever reason she just couldnt tolerate the Concerta. We have also used sleep aids and meds to increase appetite.
Welcome and good luck. Keep trying.
My dd is on 27mg of Concerta... she is very small for her age.. 8 1/2 and 40 pounds. In the morning she has 2 fried eggs dripping in butter and for snack and lunch at school...it is what ever she wants... and I mean anything. I have chopped up a pizza slice and stuck it in her thermos. And when she comes home cheese sticks, nutra grain bars... I let her graze as well. Around 8pm she will have a regular dinner... health stuff.
When I make her lunch in the morning... I ask her what she wants and then add a few things... becauase I have gotten... i didn;t eat that because I wasn't hungry for it... ugghhh. I give her cheese wedges, salami slices, olives, egg salad.. she will not eat a sandwich... she also loves to eat tomatoes with mozzarella cheese and olive oil.
Good luck and welcome