Adderall and appetite

I have a quick question for all you ADHDs out there... I was only recently diagnosed with ADHD, although now I realize I have always had it. So I have been put on Adderall, and it seems to be working well - my motivation is WAY up and so far I have noticed a huge difference in my focus for school work. So basically I love it. However, what I don't love is that it has completely (and I mean completely) wiped out my appetite. I no longer feel hungry, ever. And, when I forget to eat, I don't even feel shaky or weak...

For example, on Saturday I worked from 6:45 am to 330pm - missed my break because we were so busy, then went to my other job and did not realize until 8pm that I had eaten nothing since breakfast. I grabbed a wrap at that point (was kinda like, oh crap, now I will be ravenous later) but could only eat half of it, even though it was something I normally like. Then, when I got home, I made myself eat some soynut butter on bread and juice, but it was literally a struggle.

I guess what I'm asking here is, has anyone had this experience? What did you do? I don't want to stop taking adderall, because its helping me so much, but I also don't want to struggle to eat all the time, and I'm a bit worried that the drug seems to mask the physiological cues of hunger. Anyone have any experience?

that is too weird, i am currently going through the exact same thing!! except im taking vyanese (i think thats what its called) for it. but yes, NO appetite. i end up eating ONLY to keep my blood sugar from dropping too low so that I don't feel sick. everyone says "just because you have no appetite doesnt mean you can't eat," but as you implied also, im finding it VERY hard to force something down when i have no desire to eat.. I'm going home next weekend and seeing the Dr, although he told me to continue taking it until then. 

I'll update after that, but good luck to you!!

Thanks for your input... maybe this is normal? But ya, its surprisingly hard to eat when you have no desire to. Food kinda just sticks in your mouth and makes you feel crappy. I am interested to hear what your dr. says.

Yes, Adderall has that side effect.  Absolutely.

Maybe you could carry around some calorie-dense foods to munch on that won't take up alot of room in your stomach?

Maybe some mixed nuts, packages of peanut butter crackers, High calorie protein bars, etc.

My friend was on Adderall for a week or so, and he said it had the same effects.  I don't think he ate more than three times the entire week.   Really, I think you just have to go for the classics in the I'm-not-hungry-what-do-I-eat section.  Liquids and low-volume but high-cal foods.  Check the weight-gain forum for lots of suggestions, other than the typical...

Liquids: smoothies, fresh fruit juice, fresh vegetable juice, milk, hot chocolate, wine (in moderation), Ensure, etc.

High-cal snacks: Nut butter, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, olives, oatmeal cooked in milk, dense breakfast cereals (like grapenuts, kashi go lean crunch, that stuff) as opposed to air-puffed or flakey ones, etc.

Additives: Protein powder, ground flax seed, olive oil, other oils, vegetable broth or milk instead of water when cooking, etc.

I'm on it. I just have set times to eat cause I don't want my metabolism to up and die. you just have to remember.

Yeah medications for ADD and ADHD are stimulants so they cause a loss of appetite. I was prescribed for a year and just got off of it....ugh. I may as well have been doing coke. I hardly ever ate partially due to the meds, partially due to my own restrictions on myself at the time-I started having heart problems. Its not good stuff.

ok, well its good to know that this is normal at least. I feel a bit better. Does anyone know if this is a side efect that fades or continues?

your body will get used to it overtime.  After a month you'll start to get hungry again

I'm in a somewhat similar position -- recently diagnosed, figuring out my medication.  I found the appetite suppression was worst when I was on the short-acting Ritalin, reduced on the long-acting, and least noticable now that I'm on Concerta.  Of course, for me, the Concerta has an overall reduced efficiency in comparison to the others, but the fact it actually works for 12 hours and I don't need to remember when to take it midday makes up for that.

I've never had much in the way of hunger cues, so it wasn't a huge change for me.  Most people find the effect is reduced over time, as their body adapts.  The past week, however, my appetite has entirely disappeared.  Usually, I'm not hungry but I can make myself eat, whereas I've recently started to find this very difficult.  My medication hasn't changed, so I think it's more likely related to stress.

Things I've found:  eat a high calorie breakfast.  I find that not only does it keep me longer before I start getting woozy, it also increases my hunger later in the day.  I try to have eggs, peanut butter, or granola/yogurt with some sort of fat in it -- protein right off the bat, and my fat intakes tend to creep too low if I don't pay attention.  I tend to notice a bit more appetite through the day, as well.  A protein/yogurt-or-soy/fruit smoothie is another options.  

Personally, I'm trying keeping small bags of energy-dense snacks on hand, and just graze small amounts at regular intervals.  Eating a few almonds is less daunting than trying to scarf down a plate of food that looks unexpectedly huge.  (You still need to do this, of course, but the almonds can helpt tide you through in the meantime.)  Some people find their appetite comes back right before bed, when the meds wear off.  I'm not usually actively hungry, but I have an easier time eating.  I know everyone says not to eat right before you go to sleep, but in cases where you're having trouble getting enough food in, it can be readily disregarded.

Ok, so I've been on this like three weeks and I still have no appetite at all. If anything, my appetite is getting worse... and every time I eat I feel sick. I have been downing juice, milk and booster juice, but its really not healthy. I've lost nearly 10 lbs too. I did contact my dr, who was not concerned... but my friends are. any suggestions?

yeah, weight loss and depression are the most inevitable side effects on any type of ADD or ADHD drug.

yah i have taken pretty much every ADD pill they is because everything has a side effect on me....I think it was adderall that caused me to lose mad weight and I actually got to be underweight so watch out, but every one has a different reaction to different pills and dosages. Maybe you should talk to your dr. about switching to a lower dosage or different pill because for me, it usually takes about a week for the side affects to lessen and it isnt worth it to go in to bad health because a pill helps you to concentrate allthough some side effects you will just have to deal with. I got this new medicine that is a patch which lets you control how long the medicine is affective and it is awesome...no side effects for me, not even appetite loss!