ADHD Medication and appetite

[Luluisaac15]

Hello All

Just wondering if any of you or your children lose their appetite while taking ADHD medication? My son has been a picky eater for quite a while now, and now that he is taking ADHD medication, ( Metadate 10 mg), it is getting worse. I feel like he is losing so much weight, and his energy levels have decreased. What have you implemented or tried to help with this?

[Mudpies]

I added ensure plus and milkshakes to my sons diet to try and up the calories. I also switched him to whole milk although he isn’t a huge milk drinker.

[Luluisaac15 in reply to Mudpies]

Thank you . Switching milk is a good idea!

[Onthemove1971]

Luluisaac15-

Please make sure the doctor that prescribed the RX knows what is going on, if I were in your shoes I would want to change medication. Is he seeing a child psychiatric? They really know which medication is best.

Good luck.

[Luluisaac15 in reply to Onthemove1971]

His doctor is aware and her response was feed a nutritious big dinner and give pediasure . But again, he was already a picky eater.

My son was already thin before medication, but he feels much lighter since starting them .

Thank you for your response

[Onthemove1971 in reply to Luluisaac15]

It sounds like you are only dealing with his regular doctor, if huh out are that worried I would recommend you see a child psychiatric this could be a second opinion and you could see if there are other medication options.

If not then sneak protein into everything.

Good luck

[Luluisaac15 in reply to Onthemove1971]

Thank you. This is what his Behaviroal and Developmental PA-C atrecommended. Not his primary care physician.

I would definitely look into talking to a child psychiatrist. I’ve heard from several other, that talking to one, has helped most.

[beemom]

We had the same issue on Metadate. Oddly, switched to Focalin, which is for all intents and purposes basically the same thing, it's been a bit better- he'll actually eat lunch now. I load him up at breakfast and dinner- he is picky as well so I find ways to trick out his "favorites" with extra calories. I've found a brand of toaster waffles with added protein, as well as baked good mixes with added protein. I only give him whole milk/full fat cheese, etc. And when he's hungry, even it's after a time when I'd usually say the kitchen is closed for the evening, I'll give him a snack.

I've also let go of my idea that "you eat what we eat or too bad" the way I was raised- it's more important that he's getting the nutrition that he needs. So I'll give him the family dinner, of which he must take one bite of everything, and then a side of his favorites (mac and cheese, pizza, pasta, sandwhich). So far he's held onto the weight he gained back when we did a medication holiday over the summer. If all else fails, you can try having him off meds on the weekends and loading him up with food then.

[Secretargirl007]

Was told to use carnation instand breakfast and whole milk. She gave a note for him to talk to school and drink. She has us hold meds on weekends and school holidays.

[Madmarie]

This has been a issue with my son too. It seems right before bed he’s all of a sudden starving. We have dinner every night around 6:00. I started keeping healthy snacks on hand, that I know he likes. I tell him he can snack on those things until 9:15 at night. After that the kitchen is closed, and we start our bedtime routine. He is doing well with that, and he’s started gaining weight again. Hope this helps.