Adderall vs other meds for Adult ADHD

[Lilwonder]

I’m 55, diagnosed almost a year ago. Was given Adderall. At even half a pill a day I get horrible GERD / heartburn symptoms after 2 days on this. Tremendous lack of appetite and I’m already thin. Anyone else experience this? Are other meds different?

[JamieJJL]

Appetite suppression has been a common thread for ADHD meds for me. Took Adderall for a very long time, stopped for a while and tried some others, and now I'm back on it again. Haven't really experienced the GERD symptoms as you have (I mean I have, but I had those before I took it so it's not from the meds), but definitely reduced/eliminated appetite and for me constipation.

For the appetite my suggestion (and I think this might carry over to any ADHD meds with appetite suppression) would be to make sure you eat something somewhat substantial before you take your dose, that way you already have a meal in you when it kicks in, but also for some reason I don't feel as much suppression when I do that (still don't really get hungry, but I'm experienced with the alternative signs of hunger on these meds so when I feel those at least with this method my body lets me eat, unlike if I take the meds before any food).

Other meds will definitely be different though. With stimulants/stimulant-adjacent meds, appetite suppression is pretty common, but it happens in others too. When I was on Atomoxotine (Strattera), it was so bad that I could literally go several days without eating and not feel hungry in the slightest. Other meds will have different side effects (Focalin XR made me seem like a zombie to anyone who saw me, Vyvanse occasionally gave me wicked visceral anxiety [what I call getting physical anxiety symptoms without necessarily the accompanying mental state, basically my body going full fight-or-flight while I'm sitting at my desk and me going "what the hell is happening I wasn't doing anything"]), but these side effects might be different for every person.

[Jozlynn]

Hi Lilwonder!

I'm on Vyvanse XR with an Adderall IR in the afternoon. When I started my ADHD meds journey, I was on Adderall XR. It worked wonders for me in terms of being able to focus and stay on task, but yeah - the appetite definitely went away.

JamieJJL gave great advice to eat a substantial meal before you take your dose. It'll make all the difference. I've had to learn to eat even when I don't have an appetite and that has also helped. During the day I'll often drink a protein shake if I'm really not feeling like eating. At least I'm getting nutrition into my body, because it's vital to the brain. Not eating can actually hinder what the meds are designed to do, because your brain isn't receiving what it needs to function, so some of the regular ADHD symptoms can "come through", so to speak.

I haven't experienced the GERD symptoms, but I imagine that's pretty awful. You might need to be on one of the non-stimulant options for ADHD. There are several that I'm aware of and know people who have had a lot of success using them.

It might also be that you need to be on a lower dose of Adderall, if that's working for you in all the other ways it should be.

Definitely let your doctor know about the GERD/heartburn. I have no idea if that's indicative of something, but any symptom that's bothering you to that degree should reported.

Wishing you the best of luck finding your sweet spot with meds!

[Lilwonder in reply to Jozlynn]

Thanks so much. Sounds like I need to get in touch with my psychiatrist for a trial on something new. Perhaps a non stimulant.

[Mamamichl]

stimulant meds like adderall can affect your stomachs. Do you take your med with food and plenty of water? If not, start with that. Better if it’s high protein and low sugar. You may need to go the non-stimulant route.