help with weight

Lori - posted on 06/08/2011

Doc said to buy whole milk for my kiddos. I love summer time too, because they can delay taking their medicine a little bit and stock up on food in the A.M. They are hungry and will eat twice sometimes! Don't buy Lite/diet things for the entire family. buy regular ice cream, regular yogurt, etc. Mine want to skip lunch....so I just let them eat lunch late (3 pm) and then we have a late dinner when they are hungry again. I let them pretty much eat when they are hungry. Be sure your daughter isn't taking any baths either (UTI)....showers only. And have her use the flushable wipes. That helps.

Marissa - posted on 06/04/2011

Ok well here is my suggestion my daughter had a lot of UTI's I started giving her cranberry juice once a day.I was giving my daughter a PB&J and a Nutripals (kinda like pediasure but less expensive) at bedtime. When she started the meds she lost 6lbs. It took a few months but she put the weight back on I also let her eat whatever she wanted whenever she was hungry just to get the weight back on (I am glad to say my daughter is a veggie head). After about a year and half on the Adderall she got an appetite back and it isn't too much of a fight to get her to eat dinner actually she usually eats 2 servings of whatever we have.



My daughter is 10 and only 56lbs ask the Dr about her weight my daughter is on the short side and so 56lbs is ok for her. If the Dr is concerned about her weight they will give u some suggestions about how to help her gain it.

Carole - posted on 01/28/2009

Hello ...I have the same issue with my 10 year old son. I get him to drink ensure during the day ..it's a drink so there is no fuss on his part.

Josephine - posted on 01/28/2009

I have a 13 year old son and he only grew 1 in. and gained no weight in one year. He is on the 30 mg of Daytrana patch. From reading it appears that all these drugs supress their appetites. I usually put on the patch on in the morning and he is really hungry. He never eats lunch maybe a snack. Dinner is never at 6 pm his hunger usually kicks in after 8 pm and that's when his patch is off. He always gets up in the middle of the night and eats. I buy him bread, yogurt, ice cream and cereals. And that's when he eats. The doctor said let me eat when he wants and what he wants. He hasn't lost weight so the doctor is not concerned that much. But I am doing is I am taking him to Children s Hospital of Philadelphia to see an Endocrinologist. I will let you know how it goes. I will also speak to the doctor about Mirtazapine. Thanks

Wendy - posted on 01/28/2009

MY 9yo daughter also weighs 50lbs. She is taking Adderall which also curbs the appetite. She took Vyvanse for awhile and began to gain weight, but since our insurance changed and does not cover Vyvanse, we are back to Adderall. Vyvanse worked great! She also has an issue with taking solid pills, we use applesauce to help. My Dr. said that as long as you can give your child lots of calories, they will get the nutrition they need on weekends without the meds. They need the calories since they are taking stimulants, their body will naturally burn them off. My son takes Concerta and he keeps gaining weight, but I still give him the calories for his medicine to burn off.

Jennifer - posted on 01/28/2009

my son was also on conerts and we were told to give him a piece of bread with peanut butter on it with his meals and also the carnation instant breakfast drinks at least twice a day and that really seemed to help with him. He is also nine and only ways 50 pounds. But in adding just those things he seems to be putting on wieght slowol but surely.

Jennifer - posted on 01/28/2009

That is what my daughter is on and I have seen a difference is her appetite.  Vvyanse works great.

Jennifer - posted on 01/28/2009

My daugther is now 11 and has gone throughthat since she started on meds 5 years ago.  She was on adderall .  I just started giving her whole milk that seem to help with the weight and ice cream.  I know they is not the healthiest way to go but she needs the extra fat.  My doc did suggest the ensure but she did not like them.  I also give her a carnation instant breakfast no sugar added drink every day too.  She doesn't like to eat lunch. That seems to be the time when her appetite decreases. So I load her up at dinner and breakfast.  It has the extra vitamins along with the milk.  Now if she doesn't drink milk.  UGH that is going to be hard. 

Jennifer - posted on 01/28/2009

My daugther is now 11 and has gone throughthat since she started on meds 5 years ago.  She was on adderall .  I just started giving her whole milk that seem to help with the weight and ice cream.  I know they is not the healthiest way to go but she needs the extra fat.  My doc did suggest the ensure but she did not like them.  I also give her a carnation instant breakfast no sugar added drink every day too.  She doesn't like to eat lunch. That seems to be the time when her appetite decreases. So I load her up at dinner and breakfast.  It has the extra vitamins along with the milk.  Now if she doesn't drink milk.  UGH that is going to be hard. 

Jennifer - posted on 01/28/2009

My daugther is now 11 and has gone throughthat since she started on meds 5 years ago.  She was on adderall .  I just started giving her whole milk that seem to help with the weight and ice cream.  I know they is not the healthiest way to go but she needs the extra fat.  My doc did suggest the ensure but she did not like them.  I also give her a carnation instant breakfast no sugar added drink every day too.  She doesn't like to eat lunch. That seems to be the time when her appetite decreases. So I load her up at dinner and breakfast.  It has the extra vitamins along with the milk.  Now if she doesn't drink milk.  UGH that is going to be hard. 

Pam - posted on 01/27/2009

Hello Lynda,i have a 11 year old boy who also takes concerta 54mg,last year he was so skinny that they considered him anorexia,this scared the living bananas out of me,since than we have put him on a high fat high protien diet,no shakes nothing like that,i just make everything for him that has the highest possible fat and calorie intake,mind you we still keep it as healthy as possilble,we make alot of things that have alot of cream in it ,since last year he has gained 11 pounds and doing great,he still has days were he doesnt feel like eating at all but even if i get breakfast into him before his meds i make it a good hearty one,i also allow him to have extra snacks when he is hungry even if its in the night,i know this sounds crazy but thats when the meds wear off and the tummy starts to growl........he usually doesnt wake in the night for this but he has and i have allowed him to eat nothing crazy mind you but something filling and healthy that will satisfie him,good luck to you.

Josi - posted on 01/27/2009

My son takes Adderall which does suppress his appetite. I encourage him to eat breakfast at home and also when he gets to school. He's eating two breakfasts which is more calories, and it's before his meds kick in so he's hungry. He eats a snack when he gets home from school, and at dinner time I portion control his meals. That meaning that I give him certain portions and he knows he has to eat what's on his plate. I don't go overboard, but I also make sure he gets a good sized meal. We also encourage my son to eat a bedtime snack, which he does every night. My Dr. also suggested that I give my son Carnation instant breakfast drinks. Whenever he wants it I'll give it to him. The Dr. also suggested adding olive oil to veggies, etc. as a way to add calories to my sons diet. My Dr. also suggested letting my son pick favorite things that he likes to eat...for instance my son told the Dr. he loves strawberry ice cream. My Dr. said to let him eat ice cream after dinner as a snack.

Lynda - posted on 01/26/2009

Rebecaca I have not heard of that but worth a shot.... Sarah is to skinny for size 7 pants and to tall for size 6. sure makes it hard to buy cholthes....old navy is my fave......

Rebecca - posted on 01/26/2009

My son is 9, he does not fit into size 7 pants. He is on Vyvance, love it, but he does not gain weight. just bought Muscle Milk from Vitamin World. It is in a powder and i mix it in a glass of milk in the Am and right before he goes to bed. Were trying it, but I've hears thats what he needs is the protien.

Lynda - posted on 01/25/2009

thanks to both Danielle and Francine. I like the carnation idea and think I will try that we got a blender so might as well use it ...lol

Lynda

Danielle - posted on 01/25/2009

I went through the same thing with my son. My doctor recomended having ahigh calorie breakfast of Carnation milkshake mix with high calorie ice cream and whole milk. It's great for snacks as well!

Francine - posted on 01/24/2009

Lynda, I was surprised by Shannon's comment that 27mg was a high dose of Concerta. My 11 year old son has been on 72mg (2-36mg) for over a year now and has been taking Concerta for a total of 2 years. It definately supresses his appetite but we have been able to prevent him from losing weight by making sure he eats breakfast (before his meds kick in) and...On a good day I can also get him to drink a cup of cocoa made with whole milk (not water) for the extra protein and calories. Next, when he comes home from school I bribe him to eat a protein snack (usually a cheese stick or yogurt drink) and then he is allowed to have an ice cream sandwich or whatever his favorite snack of the month might be. The bribe is...he is not allowed to play or watch t.v. until he eats his snack. He RARELY eats lunch which is evident by his irritability and/or lack of energy when he gets home from shool. As for dinner I have come to accept that my child is not hungry at the "normal" dinner hour. I wait until he IS hungry...usually around 8:00 p.m. and at that time he will eat dinner. His bedtime snack is usually a milkshake made with: ice cream, whole milk and a scoop of instant breakfast. If he is willing to eat anything else I will GLADLY give it to him. The doctor always suggests high calorie and high fat foods along with a daily multi-vitamin.

I saw that Nicole suggested mirtazapine. My son's best friend was on that med for the calendar year of 2008 and gained 10 pounds. His family is thrilled with his results!

Last but not least, I wanted to let you know that we had an appointment with my son's psychiatrist this past week and although my child has not lost any weight the Dr. WAS concerned that he had not gained any weight in the last 6 months and strongly suggested that we change meds. He wants us to try Vyvanse. He said this med does not seem to supress the appetite as severely as concerta.

Good luck to you and your daughter!!!

Lynda - posted on 01/24/2009

Shannon = concerta is in 18mg,27mg and 52mg( I think) she was on 18mg but was having a really hard time in school this year so we upped it to the 27mg she is doing well in regards to all areas but her weight...... We have an apt on Feb 12 so will have to see from there I do see a lot of parents are using adderall I think I amat our  going to ask about different drugs

Nicole I will ask about that at our appointment on Feb 12

thanks to both of you

Nicole - posted on 01/24/2009

Our doctor gave us a prescription for our son, to help him increase his hunger, while on meds for ADHD. The prescription is called mirtazapine 15 mg(1/2 at bedtime) He was able to gain an additional 6 lbs, over the course of a month and 1/2. You may want to ask your pediatrician about this, as a possible alternative.

Shannon - posted on 01/24/2009

MY daughter has not gained any weight in the three years that she has been on adderall.  She actually lost weight the first year and a half then started gaining weight very slowly and is about a pound shy of where she started.  I know your daughter is on a different drug but it seems to me that 27mg is really high (my daughter is on 10mg of adderal and she weighs 57 lbs. 8 1/2 years old).  Maybe there is some middle ground with reducing the dose to help your daughter gain some weight.  just my opinion.