7 replies to this topic

[orangish]

I have my suspicions that I have traits of nld since I have trouble with my abstract thinking, simultaneous thinking and expression which isn't commensurate with my abilities. It manifests in problems with summary, picking out important details, trouble with unstructured assignments and goal directed behavior.

I've got add and some other medical symptoms, but these cognitive problems persist and I don't know how to deal with them.

I'm pretty much screwed if I have this as it will limit me in vast ways. I was wondering if anyone here knows of treatments that would work with such a learning disability?

I might add that I've discovered I have a very significant overgrowth of the mysterious bacterial population of morganella. I was on a brief round of antibiotics that made a slight difference in symptoms, but nothing huge.

Edited by orangish, 07 December 2007 - 10:06 PM.

[stargazer]

Morgellan's (sp?) disease? The one most doctors think are delusional parasitosis? For you my friend I recommend brain training sites as www.lumosity.com www.mybraintrainer.com and www.brainbuilder.com, you might as well get yourself a rubick's cube as. Combine with jogging or walking about an hour a day to keep your BDNF elevated will hopefully result in structural reorganization of your brain. This may sound outlandish but alot of new research show really really promising results with brain retraining. Also, if you indeed think you have morgellan's you need to go to a psychiatrist/specialist. I know this is almost always impossible for people suffering from delusions, perhaps you should talk to your friends and family about it so they can help you?


Best Regards, StarGazer

Edited by stargazer, 12 December 2007 - 02:35 PM.

[orangish]

I've stumbled upon that condition described in the literature, but can, thankfully, say I do not have those symptoms/delude of those symptoms.
My symptoms, are unfortunately, confirmed by a coach that I work with on writing papers and time management.

I'm trying to source the symptoms and since I have clear digestive problems took that as an unlikely lead to explain the origin of my symptoms. The test revealed I have a population overgrowth of morgenlla. A bacterial population that people with this morgellan's disease seem to have appropriated.

I do not have lumiscent fibers causing weird symptoms in me. I just have confirmed symptoms that don't yield very good prognosis.

Thank you, though, stargazer. I'll try your suggestions.

[graatch]

Deficits in executive function (what you describe) are a hallmark of inattentive ADD. Don't think it needs to be learning disorder.

I wonder if you'd benefit from aricept, the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Look up the studies showing, specifically, improved executive function and attention in ADDers. Since you apparently don't tolerate high-dose stimulants well (still take wellbutrin), this might help you get more mileage from your current regimen.

[luv2increase]

How about deprenyl? Maybe deprenyl and aricept would suffice as a treatment for inattentive ADD.

[graatch]

Unfortunately, given my own experience with deprenyl I'm not sure. No strong data, but my gut feeling (and what I've read in reports) goes against it being all that helpful for serious inattention, at least in monotherapy with aricept. What it seems like is that it helps people who are already focused, or who have some element of hyperactivity -- hence the positive results in Tourette's. I have a little theory regarding deprenyl that it might potentiate the existing "balance" (limbic/prefrontal) of dopaminergic function. Methylphenidate and amphetamine both tend to emphasize prefrontal transmission over limbic dopamine, hence their usefulness -- and amphetamine is better than methylphenidate here, and Frangible tells me this is probably why it's more effective in inattention. Likewise, I think this might be why D2/D3 agonists (the prefrontal cortex mostly expresses D1) aren't so good for ADD/ADHD alone, though very effective for anhedonia. Bromocriptine, which actually antagonizes D1 to some extent, is pretty well-known for not being helpful in the slightest for focus/attention.

Selegiline might be useful for improving things once we've already created some element of prefrontal cortex support. I feel the same way about aricept.

Keep in mind these are just my thoughts.

How can we go about improving prefrontal cortex function without drugs, through neuroplasticity? Well, consistent, focused effort is probably a start. Meditation, exercise ... socializing? Martial arts? The problem in inattentive ADD I think is that the condition makes it very difficult to maintain this sort of effort over long periods of time -- you need something to kick you in the ass.

Glycine is very interesting too. So is nicotine.

I also just purchased a large quantity of Trivastal, which is D2/D3 but whose main metabolite is D1 (and this drug has a 21 hour half life/stable blood levels over 24 hours in the Trivastal Retard formulation -- potentially a lot of metabolite), and which has been getting very promising reports for improving focus. I should be able to report on this in the earlier days of the New Year.

Wonder when we'll see pure D1 agonists, like dihydrexidine. I would think this would be getting more research, as shitty prefrontal control is a big component of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Edited by graatch, 19 December 2007 - 08:41 AM.

[graatch]

Prefrontal cortex: executive function. Planning, time management, direction.

[meursault]

Dude, go to a doctor immediately, talk to them about treatments, etc., and if the doctor doesn't help, see different doctors.

Edited by AntonW, 19 December 2007 - 09:38 PM.