HOW to stop taking adderall without WEIGHT GAIN??

Quote:

anonymous wrote:

I'm so glad I found this forum! I have seriously started to ween myself off of Adderall 275mg to 60 mg. I don't know if the Add's changed me or if i just changed but i was an extremely social person, loved being around people, etc. Now, I am so antisocial...it's hard to even go to the store. I've lost a lot of friends because I don't want to be around people anymore. Also, I gained about 35 pound over the past year and a half ~ since I've slowly decreased my dosage. Thinking about the "real" me or the "old" me...even I don't recognize myself anymore. I have been to the doctor to test my thyroid and now he says I have hypothyroid (the slow one) which maybe could have been caused by Adderall??? I really feel that Adderall makes people gain weight if you take it for a while.

275mg of Adderall.. Is an extremly high dose.. Are you Pos thats what you were taking?? I find that hard to believe..

As I am a nurse for a Dr that works with ADD or ADHD and gives Adderall daily. There is NO way 275 mg would ever be given.. That would make your heart bust out of your chest..... 60 mg is the highest dose that is allowed in most states.. And if you are on 275 mg it's because of you over taking the meds...

I don't know where the hell everyone got that Adderall is addictive and you become dependant on it. I took it for 4 years straight, almost every SINGLE day of my life in that 4-year period. Adderall is NOT addictive, nor does your body become dependant on it. I quit taking it with ease. And you're worried about gaining weight. This is my advice: Don't get lazy after taking it. I weighed around 135-155 within that whole 4-year period, and six months later, I had gained 40 lbs. This was my fault because I was used to not doing anything and having Adderall drop the weight for me. It doesn't make your life a 'living hell'; I have no clue where that came from. The reason it makes your body reject food is because certain foods speed up your thinking process, which would counter the whole effect of Adderall, which is to slow your thinking process down so you can focus on one thing at a time. Anyway, off to the MAIN point of this whole paragraph, which is how to not gain the weight back. While you're on Adderall, force yourself to eat something, say, every 3 hours. Drink LOTS of water to satisfy the hunger. Keep doing this until you're at your desired weight, and as long as you ate something filling every day and drank lots of water, the weight should fall RIGHT off you. Good luck!

There is a blog that helped me to get a grip on what to expect, and to pace myself during recovery and to also get a sense of support. Google "adderall withdrawal syndrome" and you'll find it. I tried to quit over and over for a year of hell---and even though I have never had a problem with drugs or addiction before--- I kept going back just in order to function. But I was hardly functioning on the pills. They stopped working. I was prescribed different pills, but I didnt matter. Even though they weren't working anymore, I had to keep taking them or I'd be crippled with withdrawal / depression. So the dose was increased, but the increased dose just made me crazy. One week, I couldn't stop sewing for 3 days- no sleep- no outside, just sitting at my sewing machine like a maniac until I finished a garment. Of course, there had been a period, a blessed time when I was having a love affair with my adderall. It was my best friend. But when it went bad, I realized I was deeply screwed by this "friend". You will have a long hard road ahead, but it is worth it to be free. Whatever you do, just never take another pill again. Breakdown: Before adderall you are at 5. During adderall you are at 10. When adderall stops working, you dont go back to 5, where you started, you go below, to 1. Climbing back up to 5 is a humbling experience, but I have learned to love me at 5.

I can't believe what I just read. Why would you come on a board regarding such a powerful drug, and state your opinion as fact? Please stop telling people that Adderall isn't addictive because that is false information.

I was on adderall for 7 years I didnt take it on sundays and on sundays I would eat and eat and eat! I have always been skinny even before adderall but it made me super skinny. My boyfriend of 8 years told me I NEED to get off of it. I was agitated drinking alot and chain smoking sometimes! i GOT OFF OF IT .... i JUST STOPPED COLD TURKEY. I was taking 2 pills 30 mg a day. I cried alot when I first got off of it for like no reason I gained alot of weight but that was because I couldnt stop eating! It has been 9 and 1/2 months I am starting to lose all this weight, my skin looks better, I am clearly happier, and so is my boyfriend. I feel like I was in coma for years. Some things I seriousley dont even remember happened that I should when I was on it. I am glad I didnt continue it for one more day! With diet and exercise anybody can motivcate themselves. It is so easy to convince yourself that this is a good pill to take. It will make youo lose weight get sh*t done it is GREAT! AT FIRST! Then things start really going down hill and btw the longer you are on this pill the harder it is to get your metabolism back! I dont know if I would suggest quitting cold turkey but if you have been on it for over a year and you want to get off DO IT! DO NOt wait! most peiople are scared they will gain weight and it will make you lazy ..... yeah be more scared of the other side affects it is not luke you can be on this pill forever anyways! Getting off of adderall is almost as hard as getting off of herion!

that ios such a crock of sh*t!!! I do not know who yoiou are or what you are talking about! ADDERALL is BLACK LABLED in Canada and cant be sold in other countries it is a growing problem and it keeps getting worse! Google adderall and read up!!! This is one of the most addictive drugs in the world! It is like legal cocaine for people who dont have adhd and most adults dont hav it they just think they do and doctors have no problem writing a script that is how they get paid!!

I totally understand! I am wanting to stop taking this medication and I am having a very hard time. I have two kids and I can't function without the meds. I have been on the meds for 4 years and I just turned 34. I lost down to 109 pounds and am up to 119. I can easily eat on the meds. I am prescribed 30mg 2x a day and only take 15mg 2x a day. I can't stand the way that I feel when I even take 20mg at a time. I have always worked out and now I feel like I walk in circles around the gym. I get so irritated with things! I just lost my mother 1 year ago to liver cancer and I really am afraid to take this medication anymore. I do like the whole focus aspect of the meds, but I really don't want to take a medication to stay awake during the day and have to take Ambien to go to sleep at times. I really feel like that is not a healthy combo. I really don't know who I am anymore and this is a terrible feeling. I think we are going to have to do a great deal of serious praying to come off of this stuff. I suffer from serious PMS every month. The Adderall isn't meshing well with that problem. My skin looks older, more dry, and I feel like I crave more sweets. UGH! I am over this feeling! Hope I have helped you! I also forgot to mention the bad breath it causes you to have.

I'm a 35 year old woman who's been on Adderall since I was 16. I'm glad to read that there are others who are trying to break free from this medication.

For me, going off this med needs to be GRADUAL. Take as long as you need to. I'm giving myself 4-5 months to taper off. (Currently in month two). I haven't gained a pound.

Yoga is definitely the answer. I try and practice every other day. I've also started an elimination diet to ensure I'm consuming whole foods. I'd also suggest taking a vitamin or supplement. Sometimes the brain can attach to the ritual of swallowing a pill every morning. Sounds silly, but at this point I'm in search of anything to keep me on track to get off this stuff.

I don't expect things will ever be "normal". I mean, I've been on Adderall for 19 years. Since I've started this process I can feel the fog moving into my brain again. Simple tasks have become extremely challenging. Work is tough. And yes, I'm a little tired... But not to the level it would be if I just quit cold turkey. Even though general life has become harder, I'm still 100% committed to discontinuing my relationship with Adderall. It's time to find out what my brain is really like.

Anyway, long story longer: take care of yourself, yoga, long walks, exercise (circulation is key), water, healthy food, vitamins etc.

Best of luck. Thanks to everyone who's commented on this post.

Did you quit cold turkey??
Please answer :-)

This is not an example of the proper use of the medication, but more of a self observation of my own circumstances.  I am 28 years old and have been inconsistently prescribed to Ritalin, Adderal, Provigil, Dexedrine, and more than i can even name since i was in 4th grade apprx 10-11 years old.  For the most part, the prescriptions have been given simply on what i can remember as (well basically) my own self diagnosis.  I find this a little disturbing (thank you America)  to begin with, seeing as a 10 year old can simply state he cant pay attention to his homework and suddenly he has an attention defecit disorder.  I have mixed feelings about the drug.  I love it, in the sense that I can truly see a NOTICEABLE difference in my behavior and work ouput over the course of time using it on a consistent and responsible basis.  I hate it, in the sense that my long term prescription has barred me from military service since my first ( out of 9 attempts to join ((different branches)) since 2003.  The military situation only being, that they red flagged me at MEPS for my prescribed use of the drug, and despite mine being off the prescription for the year+ that they required for entry, it came to no avail, as i was red flagged as AD/HD incapable of military service.  My anger towards that is incommunicable and i very much resent the system that screens military applicants as a result.  However, back to the main point, I have used, and at times abused my prescription.  However EVERY time i try to ween off of my prescription (most times i go cold turkey, but not always), I experience a substantial weight gain.  The worst being this last year, with many factors in place.  I have gained over the course of the last year being June '12 - June '13 a whopping 30 POUND GAIN IN WEIGHT.  Now while i cannot admit to being completely OFF the medication throughout this period, I can attest to the fact, that mine using the drug INCONSISTENTLY attributed to this.  WITHOUT DOUBT.  It is a scary thought to think that my body has adapted over the course of 18 or so years to this drug, but it keeps me prescribed to it nonetheless.  I am fearful of the long term affects that this drug (which truly surfaced in the early 90's) could have on me, but i am just as fearful of what could become of me without.  And i feel that i am a part of an early generation of youth that was prescribed to it in some sort of "flood" of ADD/ADHD diagnoses.  Either way, to this day i fill prescriptions, and i try my best to keep them consistent, in the fear that if i do not, i will succumb to the adverse effects of withdrawal..   And i truly believe that withdrawals from this particular type of medication, can last much longer than the individual is possible of noticing.  Hope my thoughts were of help.

EXERCISE. Exercise. Do not change the adderal for food. Keep eating healthy and you will fi fine.

I would love to stay in touch and offer each other support.

I agree completely with your post! Everything you experienced I have too. I have been on adderall for 7 years and I am now 30. This drug isn't just a resemblance of cocaine, it IS cocaine. This is not a safe drug to be taking and being 30, I have finally now seen the issue this drug causes. Not only is it an amphetamine which increases anxiety and paranoia, it also causes heart attacks and heart problems. Is an A on a test or in my case, a promotion at work worth dying at 40? I am not a dramatic person and I have never posted on a forum before but this drug made me feel like my heart was beating out of my chest for only the last year I took it. To be dehydrated, and to have "fake energy" from a drug that your body naturally (or any body for that matter) does not have, eventually your body will shut down. My advice.. Get on a non amphetamine drug, and I believe adderall will be illegal in the next 5 years.

Hi I would like to give you some serious advice!! all these people don't seem to be helping because i truly believe that they are too dependent on the meds. and have no will power or self control. First of all the amount of Adderall that you are taking is extremely high. Probably cause you done it for so so you might feel you have build a tolerance, but I'ma give you some tips now how to get off of it on a sure and safe way. Fist of all you gotta have a plan and stick to it, lets say you wanna stop doing it in the next 3 month, which will give you enough time to train you body. I you have a calendar to help you follow through will be even better. For the first month you are gonna cut you dose down to 25 mlg. and everyday you are gonna have a strict but healthy diet, you need to eat 5 times a day every 2 1/2 hrs. before 6 pm!. You are gonna have a healthy breakfast like a protein shake or some egg whites, fruit, yogurt etc. after 2hrs, almonds or nuts, or something similar (its good to very) protein shake could be used as a middle snack as well just a lil bit!, then for lunch Protain, (chicken cooked with cooking spray and seasoned with mustard onions and peppers and cayenne pepper, and garlic salt,) tinny potion of brown rice, and lots of steam fried veggies. (cooked the same way as the chicken but separately) i have lots of other delicious healthy recopies its all about being knowledgeable of the foods that are good to eat and how to make them yummy! and for dinner, chicken and vegetable soup (is also a great healthy low calorie meal that you wanna consider eating at least once a week), or the protein shake! right before you have you dinner take you adderall! If im not mistaken it wears off after 5 hrs, if yours last longer then take it like at 4 pm, the pony is that you don't wanna have any cravings at night, at the most have some milk or plain yogurt or nuts to camp you stomach, n keep your metabolism going! The point here is that you want to get you body use to not eating late at night, and still be fast by eating every 2 1/2 hrs. late dinner is the only sacrifice you need to get rid of and i promise you it will help keep your weight and even loss extra pounds gain on the cheating days! Trust me it very hard to get rid of dinner i been trying to do it for a while cuz i got used to eating late, n all my craving come at night time. But I have never been skinnier then when I did eat late at night. Ofcourse you need to exercise regularly 4-5 times a week is fine, do a lot of cardio runny is the best to stay slim!, after the first month has past you bring the dose down to 20 mlg. and keep the diet try to find out about at the food that you can eat that will be in those constrains "protein, lil fast carbs, n a lot of slow carbs" Another things is that I try doing all the cooking for my weeks meals in one day or 2 of the week, put it on containers n everyday is ready to go! Its the best smartes thing you can do! cuz if you are the kind of person that thinks that eating a subway is healthy eating then let me tell you that you have a lot to learn about healthy eating so, educate yourself in the matter and learn to cook your meals the way you liked them the the healthy choices that you prefer, make a list of them! find creative ways to combine them! Oven cooked chicken is also a great idea with a pineapple and peppers, seasoning, etc!
So Rule number:
1- don't eat past 6 pm
2- eat at your hrs!
3- start taking adder all in the afternoon 4-6 pm, and buy sleeping pills incase you have trouble sleeping at night!
4- never starve your self, always have almonds or cashews with you just in case you need it!
5 - exercise n drink the protein shake after exercising!
6 - adder all will help you control the craving at night!
7 - drink lemon water only! no Sodaaas!!! or sugary drinks!
8- after a month in a half you body should be getting used to not eating at night specially if you are giving it enough food during the day!
9- after the second month bring your doses down to 15 mlg. and try taking it every other day! specially on the days that you know are gonna need it, like test, or other things.
10- try bringing it down to 10 mlg. and doit like every other 2 days, and you gotta gotta have will power to know that you can do things with out the meds, The meds just make it easier but not necessary! The day you are not on it test your strength into not giving in for any craving, sweet, or nothing! you will see you will no even get hungry at night!
11. this diet will actually make you lose wait, once a week you can eat whatever you want before 6 pm!! So its ok if you drop like 7 more pounds before quitting adderall cause once you quit you will gain water weight you will probably retain a lil bit of water but its ok, Those 7 lbs are gonna be you safety cushion! on the days that you cheat or overeat, then you can try to compensate the next day by eating less calories! Just keep an eye on you weigh every week or every other week! cause you need to be cautious of the weigh you are gaining, so you won't let yourself go!
12- Your body has something call the "weight set point" so in short words, when you body has been used to being a certain weight for a while, it will automatically find the way to compensate for any gain or loss of weight! So if you stay 120 for 6 months maintaing a real healthy diet, and one day you have a night out and with friends and eat all this food, your body will burn it fast because he knows it will mess us the set point! However if you start making it a habit eventually it will keep it n start gaining weight! Same thing when you starve yourself as is the case for most adderall users you body will store all the fat and carbs that he can as soon as you give him the chance, "just in case you decide to starve yourself again". also since you lose a lot of water, he minute you are off of it will retain water as well, but after 3 days your body will get rid of the execs water! its that simple!
Don't let a drug control your life! I have suffered from aspirer syndrome and ADHD all of my life and I have never needed it till now cause i gain 30 lbs last year, for a lot of different reason and changes in my life. I been dieting for a while, but like I said, The "weight set point" won't let me lose the wight that easy, when I start losing and the second that i cheat a lil, it will store it to protect it self from losing weight. And because of my long stressful day at school i would get very hungry at night, so after trying for a while i finally got to restrict myself from diner but it was very hard, so i decided to get a lil help and its working fine! I take it with my dinner n then im not hungry at all after 6, and it wears off after 10 so sleeping pills definitely help to put you asleep! le mw know that you think! It not easy but not impossible at all! n nothing good come easy you know! ;) good luck!
My name is Francesca!

Hey! Ive been taking adderall for a year and my face,personality and the days i'm off of it I feel almost useless. I threw away the prescriptions I had 2 days ago because i really am scared of it turning into a bigger addiction but Its hard. I know if i have it in the house I will definitely keep using. I would love to hear how your experience is going... I am also terrified of the weight gain.. I already gained a couple pounds while i slowly stopped using.... please email me! natasha.abdul@icloud.com