ADD and Appetite | ADHD Information

Dragonlady aka/MB,

Yes, and my pharmacist recommends, while on Concerta or any other med that does this, be sure to eat before taking med and eating several little meals throughout the day, even if you're not hungry.

First, it will prevent you from gaining weight by eating everything in sight after it wears off.
Second, your body needs its fuel to function properly, as I'm sure you know.

May I ask what mg of Concerta you are on? I started two weeks ago on 18mg, and never lost my appetite...in fact, I'm hungrier than before starting Concerta! Today I began 36mg. Haven't eaten yet, as I should have, and am hungry. I would love to lose a little of that appetite.

Also, MB, do you have any problems going to sleep or sleeping at night? I don't know if you're on any other meds that would help with that or not. But I'm looking forward to better sleeping habits.

Thanks!
I've been getting sick in the morning when I try to eat for the past 2 months, since I've been on Concerta. Has anyone had this happen? Every now and then I can stomach it, but usually I'll just start coughing until I puke. I just haven't been eating breakfast. It's almost as if though my mouth is really dry feeling? Has anyone else experienced morning sickness on Concerta?Paul, may I call you Paul?

Dry mouth is a definite side effect of most meds. I would suggest you drink lots, I mean lots, of water, which is good for you anyway.

Nausea is also a side effect of many meds. I personally have no problem with that on Concerta.

Paul, you couldn't be be pregnant, could you?

Anyway, I would talk with your doctor about the nausea, since it's been going on for 2 months.

Gypsy woman, I am now taking 54mg of Concerta, but I have gradualy built up to it, I immediately lost my appetite after starting Concerta even at 18mg. After I take Concerta I don't eat until dinner time, sometimes I snack.

I need to take Concerta no later than 6am, if I take it later than that I will not be able to settle down at a decent hour, I sleep so much better now that I have been on it, I used lie in bed with my mind racing and tossing & turning, now I lay down when I feel tired and within minutes I fall asleep peacfully.

 I just recently statred taking Concerta for my ADD(2 1/2 months) and I find myself not wanting to eat a thing! Especially early in the day I have no appetite what so ever, but in the evening I find myself a little snacky. I am aware that loss of appetite is a side affect but I am just so shocked as I have always had a love affair with food, and loved to eat, when I was sad, depressed or stressed I would eat to calm myself down and now I feel no need to eat in order to make myself feel better. Has anyone else expirienced this?

                                      Dragonlady76

Yep, overeating is a form of self medication for ADD sufferers as it triggers a dopamine release and ADD is related to low levels of dopamine (and possibly noradrenaline) in the brain.  If you're getting your dopamine levels from meds, you won't need to "self medicate" with food. I've always been somewhat of an emotional eater... not the pigging-out-on-the-Haagen-Daas-when-depressed kind of emotional eater, but I just eat for the pure enjoyment of food. I LOVE food. Though I am not particularly overweight (I'm in the high normal range for my height), I have tried to limit certain foods to no avail. In typical ADD fashion, I'm all gung-ho at the beginning, end up losing a few pounds, and then I give up, gaining the weight back.

A side effect such as decrease in appetitie would probably be a definite bonus for me.