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Adderall and Ketosis

meggs9605
meggs9605 Posts: 55 Member
edited November 28 in Social Groups

Is anyone else on meds that suppress appetite? I take Adderall for ADD and I am having a hard time distinguishing between side effects of the meds vs. my body's cues to gauge whether I am in ketosis/ becoming fat adapted. The subtle nuisances like energy, less appetite, cognitive clarity, etc are characteristic of both. I would like to eventually come off of the medication, or at least have a lower dose, but I'm not sure when or how if I can't tell the difference.

(I know it's not time YET since I have only been strict the last couple of weeks. In fact, today especially, I feel run down and exhausted even with my meds. I am just curious if anyone else had any experience with something similar.)

Replies

  • shelbydodgeguy
    shelbydodgeguy Posts: 194 Member
    I take several medications, one of which is Topamax for migraine prevention and it definitely suppresses my appetite.

    I have several health issues so I'm always in fairly intense pain and feel run down and exhausted even when in ketosis. However I do notice an increase in cognitive clarity and my memory has somewhat improved which was much needed.
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    I have been keto for over 3 years and I take Adderall.
    I used to take 30mg extended release and now am at 15mg extended release. I cut back a little at a time as I felt the meds became too strong.
    Probably about 2-3 months into keto I cut to 20mg then about 2-3 months after that I cut to 15.
    I made the decision based on beginning to feel “speedy” after taking it.
    I haven’t had that feeling again at the current dose so I have decided that I may not ever be off the meds completely and I’m fine with that. I skip at least 1 day a week because I think it’s good to prevent tolerance and so I can know how I feel when I don’t take it. I prefer my level of focus taking it as opposed to not taking it. I have used a C8 MCT oil before in place of and also with meds and I do think it helps but you have to dose it like every hour to maintain the level of focus and I don’t have the calories available for that because I still want to lose body fat. So I don’t bother with it. Plus it’s just a pain.
    On the days you feel sluggish you’re probably low on sodium. I supplement sodium every day around 3-4g plus I salt all food to taste. Some people need way more than that even but I seem to do ok as long as I get 4-5g total each day as a minimum.
    The more fluids you drink the more sodium you need and if you’re sweating or exercising you’ll need more too. Some people need as much as 10 or more grams.
    There’s roughly 2.3g sodium in a teaspoon of fine salt and 2g in a tsp coarse salt.
  • meggs9605
    meggs9605 Posts: 55 Member
    Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »
    I have been keto for over 3 years and I take Adderall.
    I used to take 30mg extended release and now am at 15mg extended release. I cut back a little at a time as I felt the meds became too strong.
    Probably about 2-3 months into keto I cut to 20mg then about 2-3 months after that I cut to 15.
    I made the decision based on beginning to feel “speedy” after taking it.
    I haven’t had that feeling again at the current dose so I have decided that I may not ever be off the meds completely and I’m fine with that. I skip at least 1 day a week because I think it’s good to prevent tolerance and so I can know how I feel when I don’t take it. I prefer my level of focus taking it as opposed to not taking it. I have used a C8 MCT oil before in place of and also with meds and I do think it helps but you have to dose it like every hour to maintain the level of focus and I don’t have the calories available for that because I still want to lose body fat. So I don’t bother with it. Plus it’s just a pain.
    On the days you feel sluggish you’re probably low on sodium. I supplement sodium every day around 3-4g plus I salt all food to taste. Some people need way more than that even but I seem to do ok as long as I get 4-5g total each day as a minimum.
    The more fluids you drink the more sodium you need and if you’re sweating or exercising you’ll need more too. Some people need as much as 10 or more grams.
    There’s roughly 2.3g sodium in a teaspoon of fine salt and 2g in a tsp coarse salt.

    Thank you so much! That is so informative and helpful. I know its not time to decrease anytime soon, but your feedback helps me know what I should expect perhaps.
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