Quitting sugar cold turkey, adhd medication shortage

[willsandnoodle]

Apologies for this being in aibu, I can't find chat..?

Bit of a mixed one. I occasionally quit sugar, do really well for a few months and then crack. I can't make any decisions unless the time is right, and conditions are perfect to quit sugar once again.

I am going to run out of my adhd medication in a week or so, with no repeat prescription in site due to shortages. I am extremely worried about this, as the medication has truly changed my life.

I need to give myself the best chance of coping without medication, by looking after myself from the inside out. I'm looking for delicious, colourful and healthy things I can batch cook or make in advance and stick in the fridge. I usually make salad and stews.

I'm not in a salad mood at the moment, I may be once I'm over the sugar addiction.

Can anyone recommend any meals for me to make please, no egg, meat or dairy. No sugar.

I need mood boosting food ideas, any other tips very welcome. Thank you!

this doesn’t seem like the time to make a very big change to your diet as well as no meds

just take things gently and slowly whilst you’re off your med. So reduce yes. But no need to cut out completely

no egg, meat or dairy. No sugar.

good grief OP

and off your meds

no

Op, I have adhd and I think going off sugar now is a good idea. Sugar spikes wreak havoc on my ability to focus and when I'm off meds it's very difficult to moderate what I eat. I have always found a blanket rule to abstain from something is easier than limiting my intake.

Is there something you find comforting? I often find that a hot cup of tea (I have mine with just milk or black and no sugar) is as comforting as something sweet.

Apart from cutting out sugar I don't think now is a great time to make other massive changes but if you are already eggs, Dairy and meat free, crack on.

I find Chinese egg noodles very comforting. You can add lots of beans and vegetables to make them healthier.

Regarding the meds shortages have you asked your psychiatrist for an alternative? When dex wasn't available anymore I was prescribed lisdexamphetamine (elvanse), which seems to be easier to source.

Also, the usual: lots of sleep, exercise and healthy food will help with symptoms if you can stick with them and some people have had good experiences with high doses of omega 3.

Good luck!!

Very few main meals require sugar if you cook from scratch. Just avoid Chinese sweet and sour. Use some of your energy making bread. Stock up in bananas and nuts. Your health may be more important than strict veganism especially if you live in UK and buy high quality animal products. Much of rest of world veganism is more justified.

What medication are you on? I have family members on Elvanse, Equasym XL, methylphenidate and dexamphetamine and although it has been hard to get the correct doses at times (eg sometimes a 40mg dose is 20+20 and sometimes 30+10), we have always been able to get something. Can you ask about alternatives?

Do you like Thai/ Vietnamese food? Papaya salad, stir fried greens/morning glory with garlic, rice noodles in veg broth, green/red/massiman curry with veg/ and or tofu? Summer rolls with noodles and veg inside?

I always think this food can be made vegan pretty easily, just use soy sauce instead of fish sauce. Obviously the dressings do have sugar, but you could use sweetener or just use lime juice etc. Nice fresh flavours, and it's kind of comforting too.

Thanks everyone. I'm meat, dairy and egg free anyway, and have been for years. As @Quorny said, with adhd it's generally easier to abstain than reduce as that means more chance of success.

I'm on concerta XL, I've been in contact with the prescriber and asked to go onto quick release but he's said no as that will effect other areas of medication and I just have to wait. I'm honestly terrified how this is going to affect my life.

Eating healthy is always the answer to everything, we know this but doing it is another story.

I'm looking for actual recipes if possible?

Cutting out sugar now before my medication runs out, means I will be through the cravings and full of nutritional foods giving me the best base to face no medication. I don't know how long the shortage will last, maybe a week, maybe months I've no idea.

These all sound wonderful

@willsandnoodle I'm getting hungry just thinking about it too! I'm no expert chef but you can buy these little packs from waitrose with all the herbs/spices for a thai flavour. They are in the fresh herb section. Or theres a website I use - https://www.thai-food-online.co.uk/ They sell quite a few things, including interesting mushrooms, greens and fresh spices/ herbs.

If you like Thai/Chinese/Indian food have a look at the vegan Richa website.

I don't have suggestions but just offering my support. I can't take adhd meds right now for health reasons, even if there wasn't a shortage. It's very hard. Good luck to you with cutting out the sugar...I think this would benefit me enormously but don't think I could stick to it!!

Are you an all or nothing type? I am and can only do something like this when the mood is right, I can't force it. Once I'm on the ball it's generally easy to stay there so long as I don't try and have a 'treat'. What I'm not good at is planning it all myself.

Indian subcontinent is another great way to go, most of the population don't eat meat. If you look up indian pure vegetarian recipes you'll find loads of stuff.
Think aloo gobi, aubergine curry, pumpkin curry, okra, mixed vegetables, Tarka daal, chickpeas, potatoes and loads of spices.

Hi,

Firstly I share your fear due to the meds shortage, it’s been very stressful and my doctor’s receptionist told me I needed to phone round 4-5 pharmacies before they would alter my prescription to combine dosages - great I have a deficit of executive functioning so that’s not going to be easy!

I have found the Supercook recipe generator online really helpful as you can tell it what you have and what to exclude.

When I gave up sugar I found 2 thinks helped cheese (NOT applicable to you obviously) and plain cashews as they tasted a bit sweet. (You probably have your own routine.)

I swear my ADHD seeks sugar for a dopamine and serotonin boost which has led to some disorder midnight eating behaviours.

Good luck!

Yes, definitely all or nothing. And I'm not quite ready to go for the nothing option yet. I know what you mean about it being easier to stick to it once you've started.

I am going to run out of my adhd medication in a week or so, with no repeat prescription in site due to shortages. I am extremely worried about this, as the medication has truly changed my life.

I am in the process of getting diagnosed. Would you mind explaining how it affects you and how medication helps you?

I know if I'm going to be successful in trying a new 'regime' I need to follow a set plan, the novelty of something new keeps me focused. It may be worth having a look at Davina McCall - I believe she wrote a book on becoming sugar free.

I'm on Concerta XL and I've not had any problems getting hold of it yet - although I've family members who've had difficulties with other adhd meds. Keep phoning and trying lots of pharmacies as they don't all source from the same place. Good luck!

Tarka daal is my favourite food! I've never made it though. Do you have a recipe by any chance? I know I can google, but I'd obviously prefer a tried and tested recipe than picking from one of the hundreds online

I don't get it through the pharmacy, I get it through psychiatry uk, as they haven't managed to pass over to my surgery yet. Although that should have happened a while ago. My medication is therefore delivered to my house. I'm not sure what else i can do?

There's no way I'd be able to figure that out either!

Cashews are a good shout.

I know I'm going to want all the sugar when the medication runs out which is why I need to get on top of it now.

It's so worrying

I definitely can! But I'll reply again later if that's ok, as it'll take a lot of thought.

@willsandnoodle My recipe is not the best honestly and a bit random, lol. My Asian friends do much better. I have used this one and its super easy. I have added some frozen/ fresh spinach as well which is good.

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/tarka-dhal

I've been transferred to shared care - fortunately before the shortages started. Are your GP and Psychiatry UK onboard with this? I know its tricky but can you pester them?

My local pharmacy will issue on a private prescription - do you have the prescription or does it have to be issued directly through them?

Thank you and no worries if you don’t have time / have a lot on, it must be a worrying time.

I make this daal all the time, it's delicious (I don't bother with the carrots or the flatbread, just make some rice with it).

https://www.riverford.co.uk/recipes/masala-roast-carrots-with-lentils

I'm also an all or nothing kind of person where the timing has to be absolutely right.