Loss of Appetite - ADD / ADHD Message Board

tullosfamily · 03-28-2003, 08:09 AM

I have a child that is on Adderall XR and has been on it for two years. She has and is experiencing loss of appetite and weight. She is on a low dosage of 15mg a day. Can anyone offer suggestions on how to counteract the loss of appetite often related with taking stimulants?
Thank you

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Kerry

mlgable · 03-28-2003, 09:48 AM

You can do lots of things for the wt. loss and poor appitite. Keep her favorite healthy type snacks in the house. Does she like granola bars or fruit roll? Think of the things she really likes and try keeping more of those on hand and keeping them out where she will see them. Also try one of the liquid nutrition supplement such as pediasure for kids, boost or Ensure in a flavor she likes. Have you tried making milkshakes or malts at home? This can be a fun activity and she gets to drink what she makes. How about smoothies? These are very popular and made with fruit. Also there are many cookies that can be made that are fairly healthful too that might help. Cheese and crackers is another good snack she might enjoy. Think in terms of things she eat or drink on the go so to speak so that she can just grab something as she passes the kitchen or the treat bowl in the living room. Hope some of these suggestions help.

mvhunt · 03-29-2003, 06:24 AM

Mys on struggled with lack of appetite for YEARS while on different med's. He woulf often get extremely hungry right before bedtime, when everything had worn off I presume, so we'd let him chow down then. Also, we'd give him a huge breakfast at the same time as his morning dose... before it became effective and lost his appetite. However, we moved to Florida, got a new p-doc and this wonderful guy suggested periactin, an anti-histamine with an appetite stimulating side-effect. My son now eats like a normal growing 12 y/o and has gained weight. A true miracle! I can't believe I wasn't told about this years ago... needl;ess to say I'm rather PO'd at his old psych for never mentioning this drug.

Michelle