Adderall XR and Appetite Gain
January 6, 2010 2:04 AM Subscribe
Want to return regular Adderall but afraid of what my doctor will say.
I have been on medication for ADD for several years now, and recently my doctor switched me from regular Adderall to the XR (extended release) version...now my appetite is really high! I exercise at the gym regularly, but my appetite is ridiculous when I am busy and stressed out -- and sometimes I make myself sick from overeating.
Can I tell this to my psychiatrist or will that trigger a "warning" bell that I am abusing the drug?
What should I say?
I am not trying to lose weight as much as keep myself from going crazy with the food.
I have been on medication for ADD for several years now, and recently my doctor switched me from regular Adderall to the XR (extended release) version...now my appetite is really high! I exercise at the gym regularly, but my appetite is ridiculous when I am busy and stressed out -- and sometimes I make myself sick from overeating.
Can I tell this to my psychiatrist or will that trigger a "warning" bell that I am abusing the drug?
What should I say?
I am not trying to lose weight as much as keep myself from going crazy with the food.
I had the same problem with the XR. It was *SO* good at being extended release that when it was done releasing, I could almost literally feel the bottom dropping out. Instant return of ADD symptoms and ravenous hunger. Usually happened mid-evening. So then I'd stuff my face and feel sick.
Vyvanse worked better for me. Its rate of release (for me) is a little more gradual. When I switched to it, I noticed that it was a little "peaky" as well. Instead of a wuick "come-on" followed by 8 hours of even-keeled-ness, followed by the crash, it rises and drops in what I perceive as a smooth curve. (It also uses only one of the amphetamine salts, rather than the coctail that Adderall is. The one it uses is purported to be the "cleanest". Fewest nervous-twitchy-speedy effects with the most ADD-fighting ability.)
Another thing I have heard of is doing two XRs (at half dose) staggered through the day. Might even work better- instead of one 30 in the morning, maybe one 10 in the morning and another 10 at noon might get the job done as well or better.
But yes- be honest with the doctor. Their job is to listen to your symptoms and how they affect you, and help you come up with the best solution. I found that my psychiatrist was tremendously helpful with this. Not just helpful at listening to my symptoms and making a diagnosis, but at working with me and figuring out what worked best, and also with allaying my fears on things like abuse and whatnot. (Good news, he got a professorship! Yay! Even better, he worked a deal with the Uni and let him keep some of his patients.
Rise in appetite does not indicate abuse of amphetamines.
Nor does it indicate non-abuse. All it indicates is that the user ran out.
posted by gjc at 7:28 AM on January 6, 2010
Vyvanse worked better for me. Its rate of release (for me) is a little more gradual. When I switched to it, I noticed that it was a little "peaky" as well. Instead of a wuick "come-on" followed by 8 hours of even-keeled-ness, followed by the crash, it rises and drops in what I perceive as a smooth curve. (It also uses only one of the amphetamine salts, rather than the coctail that Adderall is. The one it uses is purported to be the "cleanest". Fewest nervous-twitchy-speedy effects with the most ADD-fighting ability.)
Another thing I have heard of is doing two XRs (at half dose) staggered through the day. Might even work better- instead of one 30 in the morning, maybe one 10 in the morning and another 10 at noon might get the job done as well or better.
But yes- be honest with the doctor. Their job is to listen to your symptoms and how they affect you, and help you come up with the best solution. I found that my psychiatrist was tremendously helpful with this. Not just helpful at listening to my symptoms and making a diagnosis, but at working with me and figuring out what worked best, and also with allaying my fears on things like abuse and whatnot. (Good news, he got a professorship! Yay! Even better, he worked a deal with the Uni and let him keep some of his patients.
Rise in appetite does not indicate abuse of amphetamines.
Nor does it indicate non-abuse. All it indicates is that the user ran out.
posted by gjc at 7:28 AM on January 6, 2010
You should definitely talk to your psychiatrist about any problems you're having with the medication you've been prescribed. Many (hell, all?) ADD/ADHD medicines mess with people's appetites in one way or another, and your doctor won't be surprised to hear this one isn't working for you and you want to try a different one. Maybe you need a new psychiatrist, if you have so little trust in the one you have.
posted by The corpse in the library at 7:09 AM on January 7, 2010
posted by The corpse in the library at 7:09 AM on January 7, 2010
« Older What is this style of African art called? | Recommend me a trustworthy UK data recovery... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by telstar at 2:58 AM on January 6, 2010 [1 favorite]