So I started taking a stimulant med for adhd about 5 weeks ago, and the dosage has increased twice, but about 3 weeks ago I noticed my weight gain stalling. I was at about 3000 cals day. Ok, no big deal, I’ll increase a few hundred calories. Then nothing, another 100, notice a bit of weight loss (strength still increasing) so I bump up a bit again, another pound loss, although strength still increasing.
I am now at 3700 cals per day and seem stable in weight now, perhaps this will be a point of future weight gain, or just a weight stable calorie total. I might need to bump it up some more if I dont start gaining weight over the next week or two.
But the point is, its still crazy, 700 extra calories to account for it!?!?!? I figured I might need a couple hundred at most. btw, appetite suppresion is a pain. makes it more difficult to get the cals in, but hell I’ll do 5000+ if I need to.
Anyone else have issues with having to increase calories drastically from adhd meds (stim based)? If so, how many cals did you have to increase to continue progress?
You might not be measuring properly and it depends on the medication.
On Vyvanse, I was maintaining my weight at around ~3300 calories. On adderall, I increased it to ~3800 calories and still was losing weight. I needed to bump it up to ~4200 just to maintain (and I’ve been triyng to GAIN).
The appetite suppression can be an issue. I set timers on my phone and keep a jar of coconut oil at work. Take a spoonful every couple of hours. Easier to keep down and it doesn’t feel like eating.
[quote]animus wrote:
You might not be measuring properly and it depends on the medication.
On Vyvanse, I was maintaining my weight at around ~3300 calories. On adderall, I increased it to ~3800 calories and still was losing weight. I needed to bump it up to ~4200 just to maintain (and I’ve been triyng to GAIN).
The appetite suppression can be an issue. I set timers on my phone and keep a jar of coconut oil at work. Take a spoonful every couple of hours. Easier to keep down and it doesn’t feel like eating.[/quote]
Thanks for the feedback. Interesting that there was a diff between the two for you, which are very similar.
I am taking concerta 54mg (ritalin, extended release). I was just diagnosed this year, and its the first stim I have been prescribed.
I am definately measuring cals right, i use myfitness pal for absolutely everything that I consume, except veggies, and I have a digital scale for measuring.
But it sounds like it might be normal considering your experience. I was just surprised at such a big jump I required.
Just for general health reasons I would try to get off it. Not really something you want to be on long term and is reportedly catabolic. No studies just a bit of anecdotal reports.