R.C. asks from New York, NY on May 14, 2010
Adderall Weaning Process for Pregnancy
I have been taking Adderall for almost ten years. The medication has always worked well for me and increases my ability to focus on every day tasks most importantly at my job. I am 30 years old and my husband and I are ready to start having children. We decided to start officially "trying" on July 1st. We based the decision to wait until July on research we had done on the best and healthiest ways to wean off Adderall. Most the information we found suggested 6 months of weaning. I knew before starting the process of weaning was going to be difficult but we had hoped that if done properly, the side effects would be far less severe then they've been in the past.
Unfortunately, I'm not finding so far that this is the case. I am growing more and more frustrated with the process as we go. Here I am 4 months into the 6 months and I can feel myself slipping backwards. I'm finding the hardest part right now is the weight gain. Although it has been a struggle these past months, I have still managed to push myself out of bed early every morning (5 days a week), to go to the gym and get my work-out in before going to work. Additionally, I have been pretty good about maintaining a healthy diet and I've been taking vitamins on a daily basis. And yet I have gained at least 20 lbs since I started weaning 4 months ago. I had hoped the weight gain would start slacking off as time went by but it actually seems to be getting worse. In addition to the weight gain, I 'm finding that I'm more tired and feeling more depressed as the months go on.
What bothers me the most lately, is the way I've been feeling about myself. I've noticed that I'm constantly feeling self-conscious and less motivated to do anything. I feel far less healthy than I did 4 months ago which is really frustrating because the whole point of weaning off the adderall before getting pregnant was to ensure the health of myself and our baby. By the time I finish the 6 months weaning process, I could be 30 pounds overweight or more, completely unmotivated, totally unorganized and lacking a great deal of self-confidence. This is not the kind of person I want to be going into motherhood.
Does anyone have any suggestions of how to overcome the rapid weight gain. I feel like I'm doing everything I can do prevent it and yet nothing is working!
More Answers
C.C. answers from Tampa on May 15, 2010
Are you doing this with the help of a doctor? I ask because I'm bipolar and weaned myself off of my medication before getting pregnant WITHOUT the help of a doctor and was completely manic by the time my son was eight weeks old. I spent two weeks in the hospital and several months in an out patient program. I should have been under the care of a psychiatrist and I should have been more honest with my husband and midwife about how I was feeling during my pregnancy. If I had had a psychiatrist (for instance the one I have now) he or she could have worked with me to find something I could take during pregnancy and I could have saved myself a whole lot of trouble. You mentioned being depressed and that caught my eye. Good luck, it was hell of a f@*ked up first few months but my son is my favorite person ever. Just, hindsight being 20/20 and all, I didn't need to make it so hard on myself.
L.E. answers from Chicago on May 15, 2010
Cogratulations on your pregnancy, and good choices made to wean off of the adderall! My family has a deep history of ADHD and even though I've never taken the medication, I can see the effects. I know the medication helps get you through the day, but have you considered natural remedies? Since you're pregnant, do Reiki therapy. It's relaxing and can heal other issues with the body, may help with weight gain. As long as your OBGYN says you and the baby are healthy, I wouldn't worry about the weight. You can always get back into shape after the baby is born. If you stress too much about the weight gain, your body won't loose the extra weight. Expect to gain weight any how, because weaning from your meds will do that. Enjoy eating, your pregnant and allowed to gain weight! I used to be a nurse on the Nuerology unit, doing lots of one on one evaluation, and then I switched to Reiki therapy. Much more relaxing and grounding. There are more natural ways to help with brain issues than people think. Google it or send me a message, I'd be glad to help you. Good luck :)
M.H. answers from Atlanta on May 15, 2010
Hi R.,
Everything that is happening to you is right out of the textbook of coming off that type drug. Your body is trying to adjust. It sounds like you are putting forth a good effort but you may simply be missing a couple of pieces of the puzzle.
What kind of vitamin are you taking? Some are dangerous and actually do more harm than good. There are several different types and the delivery system will tell you how good it is or not. If it is a sulfonate or gluconate delivery system it is simply trash. Those are the ones you pick up at Walmart, Centrum, One-a-day, GNC....Chelate is a better formulation and you have to go to a pharmaceutical grade health store for those but they do still create some free radicals which is still not good. You need to take an abundance of antioxidants for it to be effective.
I take one that is compounded with an organic compound so it absorbs like food. If you are interested in trying it get back to me. Nutrition absorbing can balance everything INCLUDING your weight. My husband lost 110 pounds on this vitamin. A good Omega 3 will also do wonders. It is healthy for the brain and cognition, which means focus! The right kind of nutrition will also give you energy.
Also consider chiropractic care. It will help the detox process for the adderall.
God bless,
M.
C.P. answers from Jonesboro on May 15, 2010
I don't really have an answer so much as words of ecouragment. I am pregnant now with my second daughter, 8 months along. I had to wean myself off of Lexapro both pregnancies. It was hard and frustrating and seemed to take forever. Hang in there! U only have 2 more months to go! I know the weight gain sucks but after u have the baby u can go right back to ur normal lifestyle. I gained 50 pounds with my first and I lost all of it and about 15 more within 5 months of having her. U can do it!
C.
K.C. answers from Dallas on May 15, 2010
I wish I knew. I could never take myself off Adderall while pregnant (I'm currently 30 weeks) and still taking 15mg Adderall XR 2x a day. I was taking 30mg 2x a day. My dr told me since mine was so severe that it would be better to stay on a lowered dose than completely cut it out....(and my son is perfectly healthy)...
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