Question: Atkins and Adderall/ADD?

[MECMR]

Hello all:

I'm very new to the forums, and I wasn't sure of exactly where to post this. Please feel free to move it or re-direct me if it would be better elsewhere.

After many years of struggling with a number of concentration and anxiety issues, I was recently diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD). I'm now taking Adderall, and it has really helped. I'm currently researching Atkins, and I'm wondering if anyone on the forums has taken Adderall while on Atkins/low carb, and if you would be willing to let me know about your experiences.

Friends of mine who have tried Atkins have told me that any stimulants (like caffeine) are, in their opinion, even stronger reacting while on Atkins. Adderall is an amphetamine that has an odd effect of slowing down and clearing thoughts, but it can accelerate your heartbeat if you take too much. I haven't been able to find any information online, and my doctors are giving me blank looks about the whole thing. So, I thought I would ask here! If you ahve any expereince you would be willing to share, I would be very grateful to hear about it.

Thanks in advance,
Emmie

[knicknack]

Re: Question: Atkins and Adderall/ADD?

I started taking Adderall last June, and what happened was that I started losing weight a LOT faster. It was like atkins on speed (haha, had to say it, sorry. :P). Adderall can cause a weight loss effect on its own so it's unclear whether it was making atkins work faster or just speeding up my metabolism on its own.

I haven't experienced any increase in heartbeat or anything like that. I've since gone off of Atkins (couldn't stop losing weight on the Adderall), but I do find that the effectiveness of the adderall is diminished now that I eat more carbs. Interesting, eh? So, I actually think that adderall + Atkins = good for concentration.

Just my two cents...

[MECMR]

Re: Question: Atkins and Adderall/ADD?

Thanks for that feedback! It does make sense, although I guess it's hard to tell exactly why. The higher protein amounts must make a difference in metabolism, and perhaps effects the way the med is absorbed...interesting.


I've noticed a tiny drop in weight since starting the med, even without Atkins. I'm still getting my levels straight, so I will see how it goes. Thansk so much for sharing your thoughts!

Emmie

[hannahjsomers]

Re: Question: Atkins and Adderall/ADD?

I am currently taking Adderall as well as doing strict Atkins (less than 20 grams a day). Like Knicknack said, I am losing weight ALOT faster than I did before. I know its bad to say it, but I am actually enjoying the benefits of having severe ADHD. Atleast there is some positive to it. anyways, I don't think there is any problem with taking it while on atkins... I find myself to never be hungry and when I am hungry I eat a bite of something VERY low carb (i.e. cheese, slice of turkey, celery, etc.) and after a few bites... I am stuffed! Adderall takes my appetite COMPLETELY away.

[knicknack]

Re: Question: Atkins and Adderall/ADD?

I wanted to add an update (a year later, yay!): The weight loss effect of adderall goes away after a while, so don't get too complacent. Like me! I ended up gaining weight again since I had gone off program altogether.

So, anyone reading this well after the fact, just know that the weight loss effect of adderall does go away, so even if you get that initial weight loss, it'll level off regardless of what diet plan you are on.

[liv]

Re: Question: Atkins and Adderall/ADD?

So are you back on Atkins now or what are you doing?
Thanks for the update

[knicknack]

Re: Question: Atkins and Adderall/ADD?

Well, I had some health issues in the last year and a half so I haven't gotten back on plan yet, no. I had knee surgery about 1.5 years ago and it failed, so I have to get it again. I gained a little weight from that since I wasn't on plan, but as time went on and I wasn't able to walk right, I got pretty upset and stopped even trying to eat healthy. Which means, of course, that I gained even MORE weight. So, I'm about to start afresh with Atkins. It's time for me to stop feeling sorry for myself! I went off the ADD meds right around my knee surgery, which was a really stupid thing to do. I think it contributed to me getting depressed. My rationale was that I wasn't working at the time so why take them, but what ended up happening was that I haven't taken them regularly in almost 1.5 years.

So, in a way, I have to restart the meds and the atkins, now. It's frustrating - the whole cycle of mental/physical ailments and how they affect other things in your life.

When I went off plan and was still on the meds, I was mostly still eating 'real' food, but not really worrying about carb counts. That is to say, meats, veggies, fruit, and adding rice and potatoes in to try to stop the weight loss. This seemed to work pretty well for me, but eventually the adderall effect wore off and I gained about 7-10 pounds, I'd say. After surgery, I gained another 15 back, but I wasn't even trying to be healthy at all. Since I stopped the meds after surgery, it's possible that some of the gain was because of that, but really I think I got depressed and dove headlong into eating whatever I wanted.

So, I'd say that the adderall effect for me was about 7-10 pounds, since that's what I gained back once it wore off. Nothing else had changed in my life at that point - i was off plan but eating the same way, but just started gaining some weight back.

The rest is totally my own fault. :P But, I'm back to try to lose it again! I figure surgery is a pretty good excuse, but I did start eating junk food again and using my inability to cook as an excuse. Silly me!