I've been taking Adderall for about two months. I have always had a very low appetite since I was about 19 (now 29), even though I am not underweight, nor overweight. But since starting this medicine, there are times I could go days without eating. I try hard not to do that, but it's so hard for me to eat when I'm not hungry.
Just this week, I think I went three days without eating. I drink alot of water during the day. I know this is not healthy. I don't how anorexics can even function. It makes me feel physically horrible, dizzy, nauseated, stomach pains. I'm not worried about losing weight, I might could stand to lose a few. But if this continues, I'm worried about losing too much weight. And then deal with people wondering what's going on..... And with the insomnia adderall causes, that makes me feel worse when I have gone without eating.
Has anyone experienced severe appetite loss, to the point you can't eat anything? I think this will get better over time, but for the time being I need to take control over this.
I have had this happen before, not on adderall...when I have been under severe stress. I drank a lot of Boost and Ensure to keep my energy up and felt better. Guess I will have to go back to that for now. Does it get better over time?

Howdy Princess Mess,

Yes the side effects do go away with time. All day, I am not hungry but my appetite usually comes back in the evening. In the beginning I actually gained weight from eating at night. But now I make sure to eat during the day and to drink lots of water. The protein drinks are great! Also, be sure to add in a multi-vitamin. I take mine in the evening before I go to bed so it doesn't interfer with my adderall.

Also, I have also noticed that after I work out in the evening that also increases my appetite. So now I try to work out after work so I can get dinner in earlier. I also love the Light 'N Fit Yogurt. I will eat one of those on the way to the gym.

If your side effect doens't go away, talk to your doc. He can actually add in an med to increase your appetite. Just remember that Adderall can make your heart work harder....so protein and nutrition is a must! You need strong muscles to keep your body going.

Good luck!

hi Princess Mess!

Make sure you eat (a good meal) in the morning BEFORE taking Adderall. Also, even though you don't WANT to eat, make sure you try to eat throughout the day.

I drank a lot of Boost and Ensure to keep my energy up and felt better. Guess I will have to go back to that for now. Does it get better over time?Yes, it does get better over time. The time it takes tends to vary from one person to the next.

I was going to suggest trying some meal replacement shakes like you have used in the past, because those were the easiest things that I was able to get down when I used to experience this side effect.

Hang in there, and I hope that you are able to avoid 'running on empty.' It's very important to keep some fuel in your 'tank' so to speak, even when it's the last thing your feel like doing.

i know what you mean about not wanting to eat. i have lost 20 lbs since i started adderall about a month and 1/2 ago. i barley eat, but i dont feel crappy or drained because of that. i drink a TON of water though. honestly i needed to loose weight but i know this isn't the proper way to do it. i weighed ~185lb before i started taking adderall and i weighed myself the other day and i was 165 even, but i do feel a 10 fold better because i lost all the weight, i feel a lot lighter on my feet.

i dont feel like the side effect has subsided much yet

Well, losing weight if you need to, will make you feel better. I think my problem is stemming from the combination of not eating and not sleeping well. I am definitely going to try the nutrition shakes, because what's the point of being treated for ADD and be worse than before? No, it's not like that everyday..and I have good days, which makes me know the medicine is working. I do take breaks from the medicine, to regain my sleep and prevent tolerance. Now, I guess it's up to me to take care of the eating trouble.

i dont feel like the side effect has subsided much yet
Over the years I have found that it usually would take me months to get over that side effect after starting on a new stimulant.