Hello. It's been a bit since I've been on. I was on vaca for a week and then the pc burnt out but we are now up and running.
Has anyone had issues with maintaining weight? I am 5 foot 1 and was 152 lbs a few months ago when I started adderall. Now I'm 108. I take 15 mg twice a day. I have no appetite still. I know most of it is due to the meds but I do believe cutting out the sugars and carbs (mainly my coffee w/ cream and sugar addiction) initially due to appetite loss has made them unappealing. I make sure to drink carnation instant breakfast, vitamins, water..aka anything into my body is not empty calories. I just can't seem to eat enough to stop weight loss. The thought of more food is like dessert arriving after the 6 course meal. Prior to my 3 children I weighed 110 and that was the ideal weight for my body. When I was loosing weight I wasn't woried and really happy. On vaca I ate IMO a lot and actually loss another 10 lbs. ! Now I weigh 108 and know that I can't loose more. I have no desire to look gaunt, keep feeling dizzy like I do or have a stroke but I can't keep my weight steady. I am going to talk to my doctor but I wanted to know if anyone could relate and what you did to help. I feel good mentally but I'm physically wasting away......Jacaboon

My only suggestion would be to eat in the morning BEFORE you take it. I get appetite loss too, and I have a large bowl of cereal in the morning before I take mine. I take XR, which is something you might want to try. It is not quite as intense of a hit to the system, and when I switched to XR I found that. That is a lot of weight to lose in a few months. I am in the same boat as you, and shouldn't lose anymore weight. But I find if I plan my meals before I take the pill (morning and afternoon) then I eat more regularly.

...breakfast person but I guess it can't be any harder than it seems once my meds are in my system. I will mention xr to my doc. I know we need to stabalize meds through trial and error I just feel that she is going to judge me if I keep asking to try different meds or types of release. Thanks for the reply, Jacaboon

If your Dr. judges you for wanting to find the right meds and right dose for you, then you need a new Dr. There is nothing wrong with wanting to stabalize your meds, especially because now it is a medical issue. If you get your weight too low, you are going to have an even harder time. The XR you can take the same dose, but the way it works is it releases twice. I take 20mg of XR morning, and 20mg XR afternoon. If you are 15 and 15, you would take 15 in the am, and the way it releases is that instead of getting 15, and 15, it releases twice. It is a capsule with 2 different types of beads in it, 1/2 are immediate release, and half release a few hours later. So instead of your system getting 15 at a time, it is more like taking 7.5mg four times. I think it is easier on the system, and I find that I feel less buzzy, but get the same positive effects. You can also ask for a sample pack, my doc gave me a sample prescription for 30 pills free.

Try breakfast. Find something yummy, it doesnt have to be boring breakfast. You can make a cinnamon roll, bagel with cream cheese, omlette, whatever suits your fancy. If you are ok without it first thing in the morning, I am sure with 3 kids you give them breakfast...eat with them, then take your meds.

How long have you taken the Adderall? That is a ton of weight to lose! Could you estimate how many calories you ingest daily? Depending on your structure, 5'1'' and 108 lbs is not underweight by any stretch, but I am concerned with the amount of weight you've lost, especially if it has taken place in a short period of time. There are certain strategies you may be able to employ, but the only sure ones are: 1. Increase you caloric intake substantially. 2. Stop taking the medication.

Have you ever tried strattera?

Hi, I am taking 15mg of Adderall 2x daily and I have not had any decrease in appetite after the 1st 3 days of starting adderall. I have been on this dose for 9months. I tried concerta and it caused the same appetite suppressant for the 1st week, but after that my appetite went back to normal. The adderall worked better for me.. BTW - I am a powerlifter.. and I currently weigh 190 lbs at 5'7", I plan on dropping to 181. I eat 3-5 meals daily and lift 4 days a week with 2 extra days as recovery workouts. Oh yeah .. I am 47.

I've got a similar problem. I used to be 152, and now I'm at 133. This is over the last 6 months however. Sleep is an issue as well. I get maybe 5 to 6 hours most nights. I'm 5'5 and 133, but this is not too low, just wish I could add 10 or 12 lbs.

I am 5'2" and 125.I was 140 a little over 3 weeks ago.I dont really mind but I definetly dont want to loose any more.

i am 5'8" and i was 230, now i am about 178. ive lost most of it from feburary to july. i went from a 20 to a 12, and i am now almost a 10. never thought i would be this thin, without exercise, just because of a little white pill that calms me down. i was just given strattera and my appetite is really down now. i am not to concerned because my BMI weight is between 160 and 170, but i understand how some of you feel with rapid weight loss. i was scared at first when i was loosing 5lbs a week, but im not real concerned right now. does anyone else take adderall with strattera and have no appetite?
-heather

I can relate. More than you imagine. Let's just say that I lost more than 30+ lbs in six months. Of course, being depressed for the entire time, didn't 'ADD' more weight, to my bod...and it didn't end after I picked myself up...I like you, don't 'do' sugars, but I also don't 'do' carbs. I never had a problem previously with that extreme of a weight loss in such a short duration..but I did. I could blame it on the adderall..but I was reminded that, I never ate big portions, initially. Adderall does contribute to loss of appetite..don't get me wrong. But being as distracted as I am, always, I had to get in the habit of reminding myself to eat...and not just 'fake food', as I call it.
In my opinion..(just that), if you're prone to watching what you eat, anyways, you will be prone to losing weight, on adderall. I'm only stating this as my opinion because I'm on it, and I tend to scrutinize what I ingest.
Nova

I've been loseing weight like crazy, the appite supression is really starting to scare me but im getting into more of a routine so i actually get some food in me.

I have been offline a bit but my weight loss is continuing. I teach so many people are seeing me for the first time in months. IMO if you didn't know me you would think I was fine but those who knew me before are shocked and the comments are getting negative " you need to stop , that's enough" etc. I am now in size 0 or kids size 16 and have gone from a 40 c to a 34 b. I don't want to stop the meds because they help so much but it's so hard to eat. Today I had a heavy bloody stool (sorry it's gross) and I am concerned about my digestive tract. I agree with the post that I should increase my caloric intake. I want to not gain weight back but not loose anymore. I have carnation instant breakfast but I still get dizzy. It's not that I shun food always but I quite often forget to eat since I have no desire to. Finally I realize it's been 2 days and I start downing shakes. What about vitamin deficiencies? Thanks, Jacaboon

More trouble. What does it mean?

<HR style="COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->I have been offline a bit but my weight loss is continuing. I teach so many people are seeing me for the first time in months. IMO if you didn't know me you would think I was fine but those who knew me before are shocked and the comments are getting negative " you need to stop , that's enough" etc. I am now in size 0 or kids size 16 and have gone from a 40 c to a 34 b. I don't want to stop the meds because they help so much but it's so hard to eat. Today I had a heavy bloody stool (sorry it's gross) and I am concerned about my digestive tract. I agree with the post that I should increase my caloric intake. I want to not gain weight back but not loose anymore. I have carnation instant breakfast but I still get dizzy. It's not that I shun food always but I quite often forget to eat since I have no desire to. Finally I realize it's been 2 days and I start downing shakes. What about vitamin deficiencies? Thanks, Jacaboon
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First of all...If you are eating your carnation instant breakfast BEFORE you take the meds, it shouldn't be that hard to eat it. If it is, there may be something else going on. Adderall, from what I was told, does not stay in your system that long, and should not affect your appetite in the morning before you take it. If you are having bad stools, what you really need to do (aside from talking to your doc) is eat more fiber. Try having a bowl of fiber cereal i the morning instead of a shake. Or try taking some magnesium supplements. Drink water. I am about your size, and I have a schedule now and am able to maintain my weight. I eat fiber cereal in the am. then take an XR. Then eat something small in the afternoon, even if I dont want to. Even if its an apple or something. Take another XR. Then eat again in the late evening. You really should ask your doc about XR. Sounds to me like your are getting too much in your system at one time. Going for 2 days without eating is something that should happen if you are taking CRYSTAL methamphetamine, not Adderall :) You might need to cut back your does too...One other thought, if you can't get yourself to actually eat, try getting those running carbo packs called Gu gel, they come in chocolate, vanilla, etc. I used to use them while running. Just gives you a calorie boost, but not in any way filling like a shake. They also make snickers protein bars that are really yummy. Keep something in your purse. I make sure I eat something when I take the XR, because that way I get the food in before the stimulant, and it is easier to eat :) If you are worried about gaining weight back, realize that if you eat more often, you keep your metabolism moving. You can mainting weight that way. But not eating at all is really bad for your system. Then when you do eat, your body metabolizes it then shuts down again.

Your post made great sense. I am under much stress (moving and job troubles due to ADD) so that may play a part as well. It is just so strange. I can't find any site related to this. I have done so many searches " stopping anorexia, anorexia due to medication, increase your appetite etc.) but there is nothing but the dangers of anorexia. The only sites that touch briefly on the topic are cancer patients with appetite loss but the info is all hospital/IV etc. or phsycological causes of anorexia. I can't imagine taht there are that few of us who want general info on how to stay healthy with a decreased appetite. Have you tried protien bars? I always here how you can't survive on vitamins due to how each one is absorbed. Is a power bar the same thing or is it actually more nutritious? I want my body to have food not fillers but I will do what I can to maintain my health and the wonderful help of Adderall. I am seeing my psy doctor in a few weeks and have a form from my primary to have a blood work up. I did try xr but it wore off so fast. However, if my metabolosm is slowing down (my body thinks it is starving) maybe it will help. I'm not having the symptoms of overdose. In the beginning yes I admit the first week was euphoric but I am stable on my dose and have no bad side effects except the appetite and lack of sleep. thanks for you help, cass

My doctor freaked me out by telling me not to eat to much before and after I take my meds, because the food will absorb some of it. It's probably true. I'm 5'5 and was 170 pds before I started Adderall. Now, I'm 140. That was over a 10 month span though. They also told me that after a while, your body will adjust to all the changes and you will start eating better. I'm eating better, but not a big deal. I think you'll know when your body tells you you need food. No worries

Hello.

I can definitely relate. I started taking Adderall about 1 month ago and have lost a bit over 10lbs. My psych is considering taking me off of it because of the weight loss. I also suffer from an eating disorder...why I was started on Adderall is beyond me. Taking it makes it so much easier to restrict my food intake. I never want to eat. When I do...I literally force myself. And nothing ever taste good anymore. I have no cravings whatsoever!
Any suggestions would be great for those of you who are able to eat (normally) while on this med. I don't want to stop taking Adderall, but if I continue to lose weight I will have no choice but to stop taking it. I do eat before I take it...though that's the only time that I actually consume an entire meal for the day. Any dietary suggestions would be helpful. Thanks:)

Hey. Queen of weight loss here (self-appointed title.) I got on Dex in January at 130-35 pounds or so and have been sitting at 100 (a few pounds fluctuating here and there) since...when was that? I don't know--a few months now, I guess. Very, very rapid weight loss and now it's sort of just a struggle to stay above the minimum (I'm 4' 11 1/2''--the minimum is around 98 pounds.)

I drink 2-3 bottles of Ensure a day, wolf down doughnuts more than one morning a week and when I was up in Canada visiting Ian I didn't drink Dr. Pepper very much (which I always do--suck it down like water), really, so I guess a bunch of empty calories were missing, because I actually lost weight. (And trust me, they fed me well!)

All I can say is drink a ton of Ensure and eat the junk you didn't dare touch when you weighed more. Might not take you right back to the weight you were at but at least it'll likely keep your cheekbones from sticking out excessively.

And make sure you do some muscle-maintaining exercises. Isometrics? I think that's it. Yoga and what-not--things that freeze your muscles in tension for a while. When Dr. Dad and a couple other people told me to do that I dismissed it at first, because I was going "OK, exercise when I'm losing weight? That's senseless." But it turned out that (go figure) those goofy medical professionals knew what they were talking about because I got really, really weak. I can't lift my 3 year old now. True, he has grown a lot in the past 6 months but it's still kind of sad.

Eat a big bowl of ice cream before bed (need to do that here real quick) and if you feel like it, accompany your fattening dinner with some extremely fattening beer, like MGD, which I had to avoid when I was being told to lose weight at 130-something lbs.

-C

p.s. Tip on the Ensure: it's crazy-expensive. Boost is slightly cheaper. Carnation Instant Breakfast, I am told, is relatively similar in calorie count and nutritional value but I don't really use it, 'cause, well, even though it's cheaper, it's just not quite as simple and easy. (Involves milk and a spoon and stirring instead of just shaking a bottle and popping it open--yes, yes, pathetic example of laziness there, well aware of that.) Dunno if I can provide much valuable advice on the generic version of Ensure but I know for sure I don't like the generic version found at Wal-Mart ("Equate," that is)...

...I am now in size 0 or kids size 16 and have gone from a 40 c to a 34 b.
Ha! Same (almost exactly the same, actually) with the bra size here...and I can sooooo relate to the kid's clothing thing. On the plus side, you're guaranteed to have a nice inseam length when you're short and wearing kids' clothes. On the minus, it's really dang hard to find some sort of businesslike outfit for a grad school meeting or a job interview in kids' clothing--everything is covered in sequins and crap like that! I did discover that lots of places have started making kids' pants with adjustable waists--GAP Kids, to name one--which is cool if I manage to pack on a few pounds (because they generally melt back off within the following week.:mad: )

Does it feel kind of wrong to any of the other chicks here to be a woman complaining about weight loss? It was really weird for me at first.

Which adderall version is it that everyone seems to have the weight loss issues with, is it xr or ir? I take xr and have loss close to 30 pounds in 10 months and it would most likely be more if my mom would stop forcing me to eat twice a day. Now I'm to the point to where even if I get hungy I really batle with the idea of eating because I'm afraid I'll gain that weght back. It's like a bad rollercoster!! Well for me anyways because I could still stand to lose another 80 pounds, but adderall can't help me with that.

I haven't had the quick weight loss like others have.

I've been on adderall since the beginning of the summer.
I've only lost 11 pounds in that time.

Some days I get the supressed appitite feeling but it doesn't last long.
I wonder why it doesn't affect me like this.

yeah, I've been on IR adderall for almost a year and I've gone from about 130 to 118.. and I wasn't happy at 130 at my height (male, 5'7).. my pdoc thought I should try remeron, and it did increase my appetite, but it make me angry and aggressive to people. I guess my body doesn't like anti-depressants. I'm having the same issue too, because I want to gain weight but my metabolism is so fast that it's almost impossible to gain weight even if I cram really unhealthy food.