Going back on adderall

[Somedude89]

It's been a 10 years since I been off adderall. I'm 22 now and just accepted the fact I really need to be on medication. My doctor gave me 15mg to take once a day. I'm worried about getting sick and not eating while on adderall. Can anyone give me any adivce on how make a somewhat smooth transition?

[nanners]

i have no experience with adderall, therefore no advice for you, sorry.
but i wish you luck in your journey!

[sarahsweets]

Low and slow my friend.

[sunnydaysahead]

I agree, you can start with like a half or quarter dose and work up to it. Thats what I did. I was off adderall for a long time, about ten years I guess!! while I was busy being an opiate addict.
Anyways, it went pretty smoothly for me. . . the apetite suppression only lasted the first week or so. that was the biggest thing that bothered me, since I do a labor intensive job, I KNEW I was hungry or at least NEEDED to eat, but it was tough.
glad it went away though.
hope this helps

[MrDavidAlan]

22 here. Its been many years for myself as well (probably around 10, as I was on Ritalin, and my parents thought i'd end up with a drug problem...)

I started with 5 mg xr (You have no idea how painful that was being I needed to get my life back on track).

Right now I am on 10 mg xr (I suspect you are on xr as well).

PLUS an 5 mg IR "as needed".

[k1dj03y]

While I was never on on adderall as a child I am now 15mg 2-3 times daily. I would assume that after 10 years there would be no medication remaining in you from back then (not assume i know lol). So I suggest starting slow and working your way up. Start at taking half of one on a day off from work (or school) and see how your body works. Do this for a few days until either the side effects go away or b. you reach that 15mg daily dose.

As for the appetite thing, I have been on adderall going on my third month (I think or was it 4th?) and I have yet to 'figure things out'. When I started on the med I weighed 219 lbs (July 2nd), currently I weight 188lbs. (when I was tracking it it averaged out to 8ish lbs a month) And I am 6' tall. I am telling myself that 180 is my 'worry point' but until then I am not concerned. Also I noticed my weight loss has begun to level out. While I dont eat like I use too, I have been paying more attention to WHAT I eat.

Today for example, I was not hungry but I told myself I needed something to eat. So for breakfast I had a greek yogurt and banana (5am). Lunch I had a cliff bar (not the best option but it works as I am always on the go at work and never was a big lunch person) at 1030am. Between lunch and dinner I had a fruit cup at about 300pm. And for dinner I had a steak with mushrooms, baked potato, and acorn squash at 600pm.

While in the past I would have a bowl of cereal, toast and coffee (with half and half/sugar) for breakfast, A soda at the desk while working, lunch would be mcdonalds, then another candy bar. . . as you can see more junk then quality.

So maybe do what I do, and while not eating full portions just tell yourself you have to eat and do so. Just make more healthy/smart decisions in the process.

[Somedude89]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm taking XR so the pill can't be cut After 2 days on adderall I'm not eating as much, but I have to tell myself eat. So far this has been an easy adjustment and I'm already feeling more focused.

[Somedude89]

I have one more question. Do you think it's better to take adderall everyday? My doctor said its ok not to take it on weekends or when I have nothing to do. I just don't want to gain a tolerance to the drug since I really need it.

[sarahsweets]

My opinion is that adhd affects all areas of your life so taken it consistently helps.

[Somedude89]

Thanks for all the help everyone. It's nice to talk to some people with similar problems.

[stealthology]

Absolutely take breaks when you can. If you have nothing much to do one day, give your brain a break. At least once a week.

[MrDavidAlan]

Originally Posted by stealthology

Absolutely take breaks when you can. If you have nothing much to do one day, give your brain a break. At least once a week.

I agree.

I would take a break when you can... however for me...

I can't even drive safely without medication. I have no idea how I made it this far... (so far, over a month without running off the road or driving over medians, etc)

... but after taking my adderall for a extended period of time (and I felt this way when was on Ritalin as a kid)

I just feel horrible. I need to rest. My brain cannot be this stimulated all the time.

[Drewbacca]

I like taking a day off to allow my body to relax... one day is fine while day two is usually an uncomfortable acute withdrawal. I recommend taking it daily, but taking a small dose on the days off so that you don't have too extreme of a transition.

YMMV, you just need to figure out what works for YOU.

[ltoler123]

Honestly the eating this was a huge problem for me. I'm 5'9" and have a small frame and usually weigh about 127 and I didn't want to lose weight and have a super fast metabolism (when not on meds, I can out-eat any guy). In the first month I was 115, so I found a few tips on making myself eat.

-Eat a big protein filled breakfast before taking your meds. I think it makes my adderall work better since my brain is fueled with slow burning proteins! Just no orange juice! It can weaken your med.

-Protein shakes/super food shakes. Don't use them for a meal, just as some extra needed calories. I used to work at a vitamin store and there really are some great tasting ones with a lot of vitamins and nutrients.

-The thought of eating while on adderall is WAY worse than actually eating. Force that first bite and you'll find food isn't as unappealing as you thought.

-I found that eating fruit is really enjoyable on adderall. I think its the juicyness is nice with the whole dry mouth problem. I try to keep a bag of cut mango, pinapple, and apple to much on when I walk from one class to the next.

-Small meals! Eating a whole big meal on adderall is tough, but its much easier to break it into small meals, its actually healthier too.

-Honestly over time the appetite suppressing side effect lessens a great deal.

-Lastly, I've found on adderall healthier foods sounds more appealing than the things I usually enjoy like fried foods and starches and carbs. Things like vegetables, greek yogurt, and grilled chickens are more satisfying to me now. Which is awesome because I had the most unhealthy cravings before!

Sorry long winded I've just been wanting to share my tips since I've luckily gained 5 pounds of muscle the past two weeks while on adderall thanks to weight training and a good diet!