new adhd diagnosis sos

[adhdpeachykeen]

hi all! I was recently diagnosed with severe ADHD (combination type). Prescribed 20mg XR for morning and 20mg IR for the afternoon as needed for a booster. I have always been tiny, currently 5’3 and 108. I struggle with remembering to eat sometimes and with my meds it makes it slightly more difficult now that I just don’t get hungry. We made a mutual agreement that she will prescribe those meds as long as I agree to at least maintain weight. When I can’t eat sometimes I’ll have an Ensure (220 cal & 9 grams of protein) but that’s not cutting it. Does anyone have any tips or any ADHD friendly easy meals (no dietary restrictions). Thank yall in advance & happy to be here!

[STEM_Dad]

Welcome to the community adhdpeachykeen !

The only recommendations that I can make are:

1. Establish a routine, and

2. Make a menu plan to follow (maybe on a weekly basis)

I have predominantly Inattentive ADHD, and when I was on Adderall XR, it didn't curb my hunger much more than caffeine does. I've never been one of those ADHD Brains who forgets to eat...but sometimes I shift my eating time by as much as an hour or two.

I am in a routine of eating three meals a day, but if I forget to eat on time, my hunger reminds me. (If I go way too long without eating, my hunger gets so bad that it can make me feel sick. Or I might even get the shakes.)

• Like you, I had difficulty with being underweight until I hit 30...and then I started to gain weight gradually. So, just be aware that your metabolism can change.

• I was married for a long time, and my wife rarely ate breakfast or lunch. I couldn't understand it, until I met ADHDers, such as you, who are the same way. (She's got some impulsivity, but no other apparent ADHD traits. She started out tiny, but has struggled with excess weight since she was younger than you are now. Incidentally, she's the same height as you.)

[adhdpeachykeen in reply to STEM_Dad]

Thanks so much for the info!

[STEM_Dad in reply to adhdpeachykeen]

You're quite welcome.

This is a great ADHD community. I probably spend more time here than in any other. (I list some others I'm a part of in my profile.)

Have you started following any ADHD podcasts or YouTube channels yet?

I get a lot of information from the ones I follow.

It can be a bit overwhelming, because there are so many ADHD influencers now.

I'd suggest starting with the "How to ADHD" YouTube channel (or maybe Jessica McCabe's TEDx Talk first; she's the co-founder and host of that channel).

[Mamamichl in reply to STEM_Dad]

Routine does help. Before my ADHD meds, my stomach would’ve “wake up” until 10 for breakfast, and I now had to eat when I take my meds. I sometimes take them with milk instead of food because it tricks my body thinking I am eating. I also eat a yogurt. On top of having issues with breakfast, I also hyperfixate and forget to eat unless I have scheduled time to eat. I make sure I eat one big meal a day but also graze throughout the day if possible. I learned that mindful eating helps some people, and eating while watching something is helpful for others.

Other good ADHD channels are ADHD_love (their book is dirty laundry), and The holderness family (their book is ADHD is awesome).

[adhdpeachykeen in reply to Mamamichl]

Thank you so much!

[STEM_Dad in reply to Mamamichl]

Milk is nutritious!

Unless you only drink nonfat milk, it could definitely meet the need. My youngest daughter drinks more milk than any other beverage, at least when she's at my house. She eats a smaller breakfast than her brother or I do, probably because she drinks more milk than we do.

(Don't tell anyone, but at 9 years old I'm letting her drink coffee...just one cup on the weekend, and it's 3/4 milk with a little sugar in it. 😉 She likes it as much as cocoa.)

[Mamamichl in reply to STEM_Dad]

To be honest stem_dad, I got my kid to stop breastfeeding at a year for doing something similar. Caffeine is an ok way to let kids go unmedicated. It’s old wives tales that taught us not to allow kids any caffeine.

[CloudsAreLovely]

I'm an odd eater too. Always have been. If you want to maintain your weight eat healthy....cut sugar and stay active. If you skip meals never skip breakfast eat a light breakfast like a bowl of fruit or a smoothie 😋. Wait 15 minutes after you eat to take your meds.

[Mamamichl]

smoothies are my friend. Same with yogurts. I like to keep berries close by and I eat one every so often since it’s within arms reach.

Full fat milk, or even cream can also help.

[adhdpeachykeen]

that’s brilliant actually never thought of adding whole or cream for extra fats thanks!

[JinxUrit]

I'm struggling to get weight off. ADHD with the impulse issues and being unable to connect daily actions to long term goals seems to make it even harder. When you've been in ADHD meds for a while you no longer have appetite problems. So ironic how it impacts people so differently!

[Vicster111]

Hi, my son had a severe issue with his weight loss with his meds and they were threatening to take him off his meds(he's old enough to decide so not my choice anymore) but it was getting to the critical stage. He couldn't always stomach ensure and still wasn't gaining. So he's now drinking a pint of blue milk(full fat) with breakfast-he has cereal before his meds, they are methylphenidate 20mg immediate release, then he has lunch when tablet wear off, sandwich and another pint of milk. Take his other tablet then managed dinner when that has worn off with 3rd pint of milk. He's actually putting weight on. 3kg in 5 weeks which is amazing for him. I'm on extended release elvanse(vyvanse)30mg and it doesn't really effect my appetite that much, not as hungry during the day but really hungry at night. The milk has worked wonders for him though. Maybe worth a try? Roughly an extra 900 cals a day just with the milk.

[adhdpeachykeen in reply to Vicster111]

Ooh my goodness! Good to hear that’s working for your son. I will be giving that a try thank you so much

[Vicster111]

Thank you and I hope it works for you too 😊

[MatheusGoat]

Make sure you have breakfast before taking your medication in the morning. I m on Elvanse 50mg. It has decrease appetite but after few months, I have noticed that my appetite has come back a bit.

I had all the side effects possible when starting taking Elvanse, but they have subsided.

So try to give your body time to adjust with the medication.