I've been on the FocalinXR for about 3 weeks now (newly diagnosed ADHD) and am noticing my clothes are fitting a little less snug! :):)
Did you have that happen when you went on the meds? Does it eventually level off? I guess this is a nice side effect - I could lose 10-15 pounds. But I don't want to end up waif-thin either.

Oh wait. That'll never happen. I eat too much chocolate. :D

I just started on Adderall (10 mg x 2) and have the same question about weight-loss. I noticed a slight loss of appetite for a couple of hours after it kicks in, but my appetite is normal during meal times. I also feel "hot." Does this mean the adderall is boosting my metabolism?

No. Damn it.

I'm on straterra and lamictal and have lost weight. About ten to 15 pounds so far. I think it's the straterra, it made me nauseous in the beginning (a normal side effect). I never ate much breakfast, I would have a "brunch", a small one. And believe me, I may have started late but I ate lots.

On the meds it's different. I have that one meal and maybe a snack later, but I am genuinely not hungry. I only have cravings for protein but by no means am I on the high-protein diet fad.

As nice as it is to go down a size in my clothes, my friends don't think that's so healthy...to lose my appetite like this. I have no other problems that I know of.

As nice as it may be to conveniently lose weight under these circumstances, my focus is more on how the med is helping my ADD and bipolar.

I recommend searching our medication section for specific drug side effects and research.

Oh boy Joyous!!!!You will hate me!
I was 140lbs at the start almost 5 months ago.Last weigh in...112.Which,by the way is way too much!The IR Adderall was way bad for me and just about shut me down!Now,Im getting a appetite back and gaining again.
I was measured in height so Im 5'2" turns out.Thought I was 5'3"!I thought that it wouldnt look or make that much diffrence because Im so small framed but apparently it looked pretty bad!
Honestly,it did.I lost my boobs,butt and looked skeletal!You would think that I wouldnt of looked so skinny because of my height but Im just not made that way.
Dopc said to gain or hes taking me off.He meant it this time!LOL!!!!

So,Im eating like a horse and halloween helped alot!CANDY,CANDY,CANDY!!!!!!!!!!

Its something to really watch and keep on top of.

I've been on Adderall XR 2 x's per day and wellbutrin 2 x's per day since last February. I have gone from a size 8 to a size 2....my appetite is bigger now than it's been in past few months but nothing near what it was.

Oh boy Joyous!!!!You will hate me!
No, Brandi, I couldn't hate you or anyone for being thinner than I am. I'll admit to envy, a bit of jealousy....but not hate.

I've finally come to accept the aspect of my self and although I never figured out how to lose the weight, at least I'm not obsessing about it. Years ago I went through the bulemia thing, hating my body and hiding under excessively baggy clothes. I'm not as big as Oprah or Kirsty at their biggest, and they had the chuzpah to walk on stage....who am I to complain?

Of course, if you ever decide on a fat transplant, keep me in mind!

My sis is the same.I remember how I use to tease her when we were little,it makes me sick to think about it now.I have apologized many times since we have grown.She just laughs and says I wasnt the problem.
I still feel bad today.I will probably never forgive myself.

She works out every day.She walks everyday,miles!She is around maybe 160 or so.The thing is she is as hard as a rock!!!!She is fit as a fiddle!!!!
I dont understand how someone who works so hard everyday for years dosnt shed the pounds?
She eats healthy and is fit,but stays the same size.
Shes beautiful in everyway!I call her velumptuous(did I spell that right?)


Thats why my hubby got so upset about my weight loss.My whole family did!I am usually a curvy gal!Jessica rabbitt was my hero!!!!!LOL!!!!!!

Last night hubby said "your getting your butt back!!!!!!"he was like a kid in a candy store!LOL!!!!!!!!!

My doctor offered to put me on a non-stimulant form of meds, since I hate feeling jittery. I refused, and said I liked Adderall because it helped me lose weight. I have a tendency to binge out of boredom, and Adderall makes sure I only eat when I'm hungry. I was pretty surprised when he told me Adderall used to be a weight-loss drug.... it was called "obetral" or something that starts with an O.

That's so true, ADD medication makes u lose your appetite. I started to take Methylphenidate (Ritalin) 3 times a day as suggested by my doctor since around 3 months ago. With those pills, I can go through the whole day without feeling hungry at all.. I wasn't always like that, I loved food. I lost around 10 pounds within the first 2 months.. Well, the med might not be the sole contributor to that coz I exercised too. But those pills can definitely be really dangerous if taken by ppl with eating disorder...

My adderall dosage was recently increased and my appetite disappeared. I've lost about 5 pounds. I've noticed that if I eat a solid breakfast before I take my meds, I'm ok. A happy side effect is that processed sugar and any kind of fat make me nauseous. Birthday cake icing used to be my favorite and now I can't even stand the smell of it. My heart and my arteries are doing a happy dance. Good thing since diabetes and heart disease run rampant in my family. Two aunts had heart attacks just last week.

I was always too thin until the fertility drugs. In high school, without meds, I always forgot to eat. I learned to eat on a schedule, hungry or not. I can stand to lose 10 or 15 pounds, but don't want to lose more than that. So, I'll go back to my schedule, if I have to.

I started on Strattera in July and weighed 148. I'm now down to 134 (nekid). At first there was the nausea; however, I'm just not hungry a lot and can't seem to eat very big portions like I used to (I really shovelled it in).

Also, I think that part of it is that I'm just not eating as frequently as I used to. I used to wander around the house trying to think of what I was trying to remember to do and since I couldn't get anything else done, I would end up in the kitchen, oh well, maybe I'm hungry kind of thing. I don't do that anymore and saved on grocery money too, except now I have to buy smaller pants.

Dr.'s office said I've lost weight. I can't remember how much I weighed on my first appointment. I didn't record my weight but if I recall correctly I weighed around 170 at the end of the summer (and was not happy about that since it was my highest weight ever). I started meds around September 23rd. This morning I weighed about 162, so have lost about 8 pounds (and I've only made it to the gym twice). Clothes are fitting a bit looser.

I think I lost more the first few weeks when I was on Adderall-XR. I think I remember feeling warm a lot, now that you mention it. But it was my first med, first stimulant. I was thirsty so I was drinking a lot of water and intentionally staying away from soda and things with caffeine (and your body needs water to metabolize fat).

But the med didn't seem to be helping much with symptoms and I was kind of intense and irritable, and blood pressure up a bit. So we decided to try something else. Have been on Concerta for about 2 -3 weeks. I've continued to lose, but I think not as much. I don't notice myself feeling warm, and not as thirsty, but I do still drink water and try to stay away from the other stuff.

On both meds my appetite has been affected. I'm a night owl and am groggy and hard to wake up so often I don't eat breakfast. I usually get a pretty decent lunch. But I find in the evenings I'm not hungry. Sometimes I get hungry late, after med wears off. So I'm going to try to do better about eating on a regular basis, whether I feel hungry or not. I could stand to lose more, but it'd probably be better if it was from going to the gym more regularly rather than from my skipping a lot of meals.

Peace, ~~bythesea

Yeah, I lost like 20 pounds since I started first Ritalin and now Concerta over a month ago. The only positif effect so far... (Well I know that's too much weight for such a short period of time but I also have to lose weight for some other medical condition so I guess it's okay...)

No. Damn it.Ditto. :(
I kept hoping but know such luck.

Hi
I welcome the weight loss factor. I weigh just 145, but I was 130 like 2 years ago and i would like to go back to that.
Also my waist gone up to a whopping 37" from 33".
i want to know if Stratttera or any of these meds affect blood pressure or other vitals in a bad way?
I do would like to start on Strattera soon..

I would like to know from other people's experiences regarding this.

Hi, I'm new here, but I can tell you that I had a sickning reaction to Strattera. I was then put on Adderall XR-It changed my life! I don't know what kind of bubble I have been living in for the last 36 years, but life is so different now!

In answer to the blood pressure question: From what I've read (by the way I have 2 daughters also with adhd-I was the last to be found to have it), anything that is in the stimulant family of meds does raise your heart beat , but also can raise blood pressure. My youngest daughter and I are both on a small dose of blood pressure medication at bedtime. Its not just for the blood pressure alone, it also helps us fall asleep faster, and sleep better.

As for the weight loss issue, that was going to be one of my questions, but you all beat me to it-lol!

Yes, I have dropped 34 pound since starting my meds in July.

I had been fighting my weight now for years, blamming it on anti-depressants and a hysterectomy. I had already lost some a few years ago, but this medication jumped right in and took care of it. I hope it continues. I have a fear one day the meds will stop helping in that reguard or the doctor will take it away and it will all come back.

I am glad to meet all of you. It seems adult adhd isn't as un-common as I thought!

I too have lost about 25lbs since I started back on my meds.
I am the inattentive type of ADD and weight has always been an issue since I had my 3 boys and now the big over 30 has done it a good one..

Since I am back on meds after 10years being off....I eat like a normal human being. Which is a good thing. I don't starve...I eat normal...
I make it a point to eat a BIG healthy protein filled breakfast if at all possible.
Then I snack until dinner. Like yogurt, cheese & crackers...etc.
At night I eat a normal one small plate dinner....
I feel better, I also take vitamans and the Omega's suggested by my ADD doctor.

There can come a point that losing too much is not healthy, esp if you are thin already. It should level out, you should also be wise about eating.
Along with the joy of taking meds you need to try to eat smarter to help yourself along.
Esp if you are thin. Vitamens, healthy snacks...even the "meal" drinks that are out are good. Like ensure, etc. I would always check with your doctor , before you change it too much, and he should be checking your weight every 3 months after your initial visit on meds anyway, along with a full panel.
For liver functions, cbc etc.
They ususally do this first appt so they can gauge everything and make sure you are ok.
If he isn't I would be concerned, and ask why he didn't?
I love being on my meds, but with anything there are things to watch for and be smart about. Self education is very important for us ADDer's, esp older adults.
So welcome to the newbies!

One change I have noticed is that I am choosing better foods, healthier foods, than before the meds. I told my doctor this and he said it was the meds helping me make better choices, that I must have used food as a comfort in the past-which I did.

Exactly Sillynilly,

me too!
I was a carboholic,....now I see that I have less craving for it and junk....
That is also a factor in losing weight..This is a good thing for those of us that have weight issues. I think there is probably a direct coraliation (sp) to the inattentive types being more overweight than our busier counterparts the ADHD type.....
My older sis...she's a rail...she would argue that..but it's true, she is in good shape for her wise age....
I am the amazon sister who was a rail in my younger years..but was alot busier,,,,and after kids..stress, sit down job ...went to pot...
so there you go....keep up the good food thing!
Feeling skinnier, and being able to deal with things better, plus healthier diet..how can that be a bad thing!
As long as it's not too much at once!!!

Funny story:

My kids always asked "why did you gain so much weight mom?"
(I went from 110-194)

My answer used to be to the kids and others who would question me:" Oh you know I had a hysterectomy when I was 27, hormone changes, and all the anti-depressants".

Not long after the Adderall they asked again.

Without even stopping to think, I said "because I was lazy and laid around eating ice cream and junk all the time".

I think the meds really clear your mind of all the fog.

Update on the weight loss:

On july 17th I started taking strattera. I weighed 148 lbs. I was taking 18 mg x 2 to start. Then in August bumped up to 20 mg x 2. Now its 40 x 2 (since September) and I weigh 130 pounds-with all of my clothes on, including shoes. I'll bet that the weight loss will stop when I don't increase my dosage. I'm 43 years old and about 5'3--I don't exercise to speak of. I might walk or ride a bike with my daughter when the weather is warm and dance when I go out with the band, but could never get into that exercise routine. The thing I have to watch is not eating. Since I'm not hungry, I will forget to eat and then get real shaky and have a headache. I guess my blood sugar gets low. I have not had a problem with blood pressure rising, but my bp was low anyway. I do notice that I'm warmer than I was last winter, but that could be menopause.

Why am I the only one who hasn't lost weight?

I guess this is a rhetorical question; I don't expect anyone knows.....

I was on Ritalin several years ago and it did have a major effect on my weight and appetite -- I used to eat for boredom. I took a relatively small amount (20 mg. per day) as well as Wellbutrin and I lost a lot of weight, I was down to about a size 4. But then I got pregnant and stopped taking all meds, and gained 70 pounds with my pregnancy! So I went from about 112 (at 5'5") to 182 the day I had my baby.

And since I was nursing I had to lose the weight the old fashioned way -- no meds -- just dieting (and a little exercise thrown in occassionally)! I did Weight Watchers in the summer when my appetite is lowest and lost much of the weight -- down to 120 with clothes on, but I've gained a little of it back so I'm about 125 now.

The truth is, most of us that are larger than we want to be have "earned" it. I'm convinced most overeating is for comfort/pleasure and just not watching portion sizes. For the most part it really is just too much food and too little exercise that makes us bigger than we want to be.

Dear Joyous:

You wouldn't happen to be taking Lexapro too? I've read that that causes weight gain.

No, just Concerta. I'm 49 and started menopause at 35, at which point my weight started creeping up. But I was never 'thin', anyway.

Amiegrace said that most of us are larger than we want to be have 'earned it'. While I agree, maintaining a healthy weight takes work, however I think that weight loss as a side effect from meds is not a weight loss that is 'earned' (not that it isn't welcome), but more likely a result of increased metabolism and/or activity, or decreased appetite.

And plenty of 'thin' women DO have a lower appetite, or higher metabolism. Or they have an eating disorder. And plenty of them DO work hard on maintaining their weight. It's more difficult for some of us than for others to gain, lose or maintain.

I really think that it's inappropriate to make sweeping 'value' judgements based upon weight (not that Amiegrace was doing so), but it does bug me when I hear people do that.

Hey there,

Believe me, I'm not being judgmental about size -- I've been up and I've been down. I think that people are surprized by weight loss when on ADD meds because they don't realize that they are eating a lot more than they think they are, and when their appetite decreases, they are surprized by the weight loss.

When I was trying to lose weight after I had my baby (without meds of any kind), I was upset because I thought I was eating little enough to lose weight, but then when I started Weight Watchers and ate a sensible amount (with nursing, about 1600 calories a day) I was stunned because I was eating WAY more than I thought I was. And the weight came off with Weight Watchers.

The truth of the matter is, there is a healthy weight range for each and every individual woman based on her heredity, lifestyle, and nutritional choices. Not everyone is supposed to be stick thin! Nor does everyone look best that way. There are quite a few women who, in my opinion, look better at a normal weight than they do at a "superthin" weight.

My whole point was, most of us here in SuperSize America eat way more than we think we do.

Many friends who have children on meds also talk of them losing weight, but it can be really negative effect in little ones. My concern with the meds, was any neg effects on my kidneys or liver ( I am Diabetic) Any one here been on meds long enough and had liver checked, ketones etc?
I AM at the point where OMEGAS and everything health wise alone, have not been helping me where i need it. I want my life back, but am concerned about adverse reactions to the meds. Feel free to e-mail me

I've lost a fair amount of weight on Adderall. The weight loss was *really* rapid - about 30# in 3 months. It's leveled off since then, though.

I love the weight loss effect, but I hate feeling like my eyes are wired open and over energetic. I feel like a Mexican Jumping Bean--but I get so much done that otherwise I wouldn't--except for right now, I should be doing other things but had to come in here

Did you notice the weight loss right away or did it take time? Was it becauxe you slowed down on your eating?
The reason I ask I am on adderall xr20mg. I have been on it for a month. I eat the same(which is really more than I need). I am 23 5'3" i weigh 102. I have always been thin. I dont look crazy skinny I have very very small bones/frame. But if I lost any weight it would be terrible. The weightloss only comes from cutting back on food right? I hope so thanks>

I had depression/anxiety going on along with my ADHD, so when I started meds they actually stabilized my weight loss and I've gradually gained a few pounds and am about where I should be now.

Scattered

I'm on Adderall XR, 20 mg a day, and I've lost 45 pounds in a years time. I don't think it's all because of the meds. The Adderall made me more motivated and the things I did while motivated helped as well.

I've been on Adderall 20 mg twice a day for four months (although it took me a while to get to the point where I would remember to actually TAKE it both times and I rarely take it on weekends) and I've lost about 20 pounds.

Which is fine with me, because I was at my highest weight / largest pant size ever. I'm 5'9" and was around 183-185, and my size 14 pants were getting pretty snug when I started the medication; now I'm hovering right around 162 and able to fit into a whole wardrobe of size 10 and 12 pants that I haven't been able to squeeze into for several years!

I think the biggest change for me is the Adderall reduced my habit of "self-medicating" with massive amounts of caffeine, which for me took the shape of soda, specifically Mt. Dew, and not the diet stuff. (I can't stand the taste of artificial sweeteners.) Three or more cans a day really helps pack the pounds on and keep them there. Since going on the meds, I've reduced my soda intake significantly and increased my water intake quite a bit, which has always resulted in weight loss for me.

I did also have some issues with forgetting to eat - one major symptom of my ADHD is hyperfocus and tuning out the world - until I started paying special attention and building reminders into my calendar and tasks to make sure I stopped once in a while to eat something. And as others have mentioned, I truly believe the medication has helped clear my mind so that I'm not mindlessly eating junk food just because it's there, plus I was actually motivated to take an exercise class and stick with it for six weeks.

I have lost about 15lbs since starting meds. I believe that they do curb the tendency to eat from boredom or self medication. I believe this even more strongly because I have a big problem with remembering to take the meds and notice that on those days when I didn't take it I tendended to snack more. I love the weight loss, having weighed over 200 lbs when first starting. I just wish I could remeber to take the medication every day.:p

I lost 10lbs. a month the first 3 months.It has definetly slowed down because I take med holidays now and BOY!!!!!!Can I tell a diffrence!!!!!
I eat everything in sight!!!!!!!
In fact Im on holiday now.Im a complete space case and the house is in shambles but at least the turkey is good!!!!!!LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been on concerta just a few weeks. I seem to be warmer in general. Not sure if my metabolism is faster ??? Then at night (maybe when the meds are wearing off) I get colder. Sometimes during the day I feel my face getting hot and flushed - but not so much as when I first started meds.

Anyone else experience this??

I lost a lot the first two weeks on Adderall (20 lbs). Pretty much anything I ate came right back out but then things went back to normal. I was thin before so it wasn't a great thing but I noticed a few people said they eat better foods now. I never realized this but I think I do eat healthier now. Vanilla coke and chocolate was pretty much my meal of choice before. Now I'll have a sandwich for dinner instead of a snickers bar.

Hey everyone! Haven't posted for a while - the holidays were hectic!

I last posted on November 22, 2005. At that time I'd lost 34 pounds since July on Adderall XL. He has raised my dose a few times over the last couple of months. Well I lost another 11. All of a sudden, I'm gaining not loosing? I cannot figure it out! I eat the same, I still work-out? Anyone have any answers? This is really upseting me. I was just 8 pounds from my goal, and slame! It reversed on me?

Sounds like your body is used to the meds now. I only lost weight in the very beginning then I just stayed the same. I've heard the last 10 lbs are the hardest for people to lose when they are dieting so maybe you've just hit a plateau and need to step up your workout routine.

The other possibility is your still losing inches but your gaining muscle as well. With this option you don't look like you've gained weight, you might even look skinnier then before but the scale says you've gained because muscle weighs more then fat.

I found that not only does Strattera cause me to lose weight (a good thing because according to the chart at the doctor's office I weigh enough for two of me).

However, I found a more interesting effect-- when I am on my medication, certain foods that I normally like actually taste BAD to me-- bread and rolls, for example-- it drives my mother NUTS. Other things just do not taste the same. This can be a real difficulty for me, because as a poor law student, I have to eat what I can afford and what is available at the cafeteria, not necessarily the most friendly ways in the world. Did anyone else experience this?

Well, I experience something similar, but not exactly the same. I find that food simply does not appeal to me, not even my 'favorite' foods or junk food. This Xmas, I ended up giving away most of the sweets I received, and all the leftovers from various get-togethers rotted in my fridge. I actually lost weight over the holidays. I find myself standing in my kitchen, knowing that I have to eat, but since everything is unappealing and so is the idea of actually preparing anything, I don't bother.

But when I first started on meds, the sight and smell of food nauseated me. At least that's gone.

I have some nearly new jeans that I only wore a handful of times because they ended up being "transition" sizes...PM me if you could use some jeans in size 12 or 14. I can't use them and I'd love to see them be put to good use. I know how expensive it is to buy new clothes and end up not able to wear them just a few weeks later!

I have some nearly new jeans that I only wore a handful of times because they ended up being "transition" sizes...PM me if you could use some jeans in size 12 or 14. I can't use them and I'd love to see them be put to good use. I know how expensive it is to buy new clothes and end up not able to wear them just a few weeks later!
I know what you mean. I have been going through jeans like crazy! I've hit every size starting from 18 and now I'm a 2. I have lots of jeans too-we all need to have a swap meet! LOL I have tons of shirts as well, p.j. pants and scrubs, for all the medical people here! Anyone lost shoe sizes? If it were not for my daughters fighting over my berkinstocks (I have lots), I'd offer them out too. Went from a size 7 to a 5 and 51/2.

This is very strange to me. The loosing weight thing. I never thought I'd ever loose this much? Of course I do have the fear of medication change and gaining it back. Whoever that has dramatic lose, please post!

This is too coincidental.

Just yesterday I gave my good friend 3 bags of Levis. Atleast 12 pairs of jeans. Sizes 14 and 16. And we all know how expensive Levis are.

I currently wear size 14 but only kept 2 pairs of Levis (for motorcycle riding.) I just recently bought 4 pairs of new jeans that are flared/bell bottom and 2 have a destroyed look. I watched Oprah and she had the girl from "what not to wear" on her show and they showed my levis as being out dated. (That's all I have worn in the past decade.) I am venturing out into different types of jeans.

Anyway, two years ago I wore size 18 jeans. I then started on Atkins and went to a size 16. I then started Adderall in March 2005 and went down to a size 14 in jeans and dress pants.

I haven't been a size 14 since I had my kids 12 years ago. I am happy being a 14 since I am tall but I would love to get into a size 12.

I have a treadmill and an exercise bike staring me in the face while I type on this computer. hmmm???? Decisions, decisions.

Hello:

I have been taking adderall xr 20mg 1x a day for 1 week and i havent seem to feel any different especially not a decrease in hunger. Im eating the same which is a lot. I cant even say that my head is a lot clearer. I was wondering when i suppose to feel any better or if i need a bigger dose or something. I was kind of looking foward to losing the weight since i just had a little girl about 3 months ago and gained 65 pounds. I am having the hardes time with the last 15. Does anyone find a difference with the adderall xr and the adderall regular? my friend lost a lot of weight on the adderall regular she said the xr was more expensive and did not work for her. just wondering?