4 replies to this topic

[Aardvark]

Hi guys, newbie here- I've been diagnosed with ADHD-PI and mild dyspraxia (although I'm a really atypical case of a dyrpaxic and psychs would probably argue over whether I fit the criteria or not). I have a 46 point discrepancy between my processing speed and verbal comprehension index (for anyone here who might be familiar with the WAIS). I think the best way to describe my problem would be huge problems with executive function in all areas of my life, including things I'm interested in. "Paying attention" (classic stereotype difficulty with ADHD) actually has very little to do with it- I can and do diligently pay attention- but something gets scrambled in my brain and I continually make mistakes in tasks even though I'm very interested, paying attention and concentrating and always trying to figure out ways to remember. I have to concentrate very hard to do something I've done a million times before, not that I don't know how to do it, but it's like my brain keeps misfiring. I'm very slow at processing information and it appears like I 'lack' common sense. People have to explain something really specifically to me... or I don't get it. It takes a lot of effort to do everyday tasks without messing up.... with a lot of effort, I might make it through a day or two fine... and then I crash, badly.
and as for self-structured tasks... forget it. I need a *lot* of external structure and am practically unable to function without it (and yes, I have tried lists and organizer apps and checklists, routines, timers, reminders...). I get severe problems with 'task paralysis' when left to my own devices- it's liek the computer that is my brain 'hangs' and freezes because it can't fluidly figure out how to start. I have to fight really hard to get a simple self-directed task done- even if it's a hobby. It's really very, very tiring.
The thing is while I've had the classic problems with organization and working memory all my life, it's gotten much, much worse over the last 8 years, so much so I've wondered if there's soemthing more sinister going on than 'just' ADHD-PI.
Anyway, I've tried everything else- alternative therapies,all sorts of organizational strategies... the alternative therapies help with my energy levels, but I'm still really strugging. As a last ditch attempt I tried stimulants... but I'm really sensitive to meds, and had horrible side effects even after cutting the tablet in half.
I've been put on piracetam (Nootropil), and I see some subtle improvements... but I would love any suggestions on what else (non stimulant) might help (I'm already on fish oils).

[kingj24]

I now what your going through (a little bit) I have Cerebral Palsy and my processing speed is slow because of it. I don't know if you had any brain injuries at birth or not but that's mainly the cause of mine. I lack common sense an much of a thought process I just don't think through or about things. I'm even starting to see I have mild dsylexia I've tried every stimulant out there besides D-Amphetamine and they didn't do much for me either but it wasn't a 100% failure with stims as Focalin XR (15mg) helped me for awhile. Adderall XR I couldn't tell probably because I was only on 5mg. I'm going to try atomoxetine (Strattera) It is a non-stimulant an has been shown effective in multiple studies for ADD. So theirs still options out there you could even try guanfacine (Tenex/Intuniv) Intuniv is for ages 6-17 while Tenex is for any age. THERE ARE OPTIONS OUT THEIR FOR YOU. If you want to go with a stimulant go with Focalin as it's also approved for auditory processing disorder which if you look it up on wikipedia sounds like what I might be suffering from.

[Aardvark]

I now what your going through (a little bit) I have Cerebral Palsy and my processing speed is slow because of it. I don't know if you had any brain injuries at birth or not but that's mainly the cause of mine. I lack common sense an much of a thought process I just don't think through or about things. I'm even starting to see I have mild dsylexia I've tried every stimulant out there besides D-Amphetamine and they didn't do much for me either but it wasn't a 100% failure with stims as Focalin XR (15mg) helped me for awhile. Adderall XR I couldn't tell probably because I was only on 5mg. I'm going to try atomoxetine (Strattera) It is a non-stimulant an has been shown effective in multiple studies for ADD. So theirs still options out there you could even try guanfacine (Tenex/Intuniv) Intuniv is for ages 6-17 while Tenex is for any age. THERE ARE OPTIONS OUT THEIR FOR YOU. If you want to go with a stimulant go with Focalin as it's also approved for auditory processing disorder which if you look it up on wikipedia sounds like what I might be suffering from.

Hey kingj24, thanks so much for the reply (and sorry for my late reply to your reply!) . after my experiences with stims, I'm quite wary of them but very interesting that Focalin is also approved for auditory processing disorder- I definitely have a lot of problems with that, so will bring it up with the doc next appointment. hope Strattera will be of help to you!

[BioFreak]

I have similar problems in the "task structure" area. Here is what seemed to help me:
1. increase dopamine. to check if works for you, you can simply get some l-dopa, and try to do things you normally have problems with. l-dopa is no solution, more like a test. If l-dopa works out for you, you should find ways to increase dopamine in the brain (by optimizing the metabolism of tyrosine to dopamine for example). But you said, you got bad side effects from stims (I suppose you have tried ritalin as well?), what were they? maybe you do not need more dopamine after all.
2. increase gaba. as an inhibitory neurotransmitter it helps to calm down the mind and focus more. I've tried beta alanine and taurine with some success, but since gaba receptors develop resistance, its no long (or even medium term) solution. However, lithium orotate might help (in this case as a gaba reuptake inhibitor), and so does bacopa monniera(sensibilizes gaba receptors). At least I hope so. I'll be trying them out soon. You have to be careful with other gaba increasing supps though, because of the fast resistance building.
3. if you also suffer from depression, you might look into 5-htp too.. especially the right balance between dopamine and serotonin is important. And serotonin keeps dopamine in check(and vice versa).
4. brainwave entrainment has made a huge difference for me. I am using neuro programmer 2, it has some presents for adhd, and when I listen to them its like a button gets pushed and I just start doing what I need to do. But... there is a but there too.. cause you can't use it all the time, or if you need to listen to other people etc.
5. theanine might help also. it increases dopamine, serotonin and gaba in the brain, and induces an alpha wave like brain pattern. Haven't tried it yet though.
6. the better your brain is tuned with steps 1-5, the easier it will be for you to improve yourself, maybe not even needing special organizing techinques, but even if you need them, you will be greatly improving in using them once your brain works better...

Anyways, I#ve been going through most of these steps, and I had very good improvement, especially after dopamine+noradrenaline+adrenaline and serotonin were in check, and I increased gaba. But unfortunately I had to stop the gaba increasing part due to side effects, and now the problems are back big time, I suppose, until the gaba receptors are more sensible again... So I am currently waiting for gaba round two. this time hopefully side effect free.

[Aardvark]

Wow, thanks!! That was really informative; the brainwave entrainment sounds very interesting- if you have sleep problems, do you find that it helps with that?
Just ordered some theanine, hopefully that might help. I also ordered l-Carnosine, it seems to work with some people with ADHD-pi.

I have similar problems in the "task structure" area. Here is what seemed to help me:
1. increase dopamine. to check if works for you, you can simply get some l-dopa, and try to do things you normally have problems with. l-dopa is no solution, more like a test. If l-dopa works out for you, you should find ways to increase dopamine in the brain (by optimizing the metabolismug of tyrosine to dopamine for example). But you said, you got bad side effects from stims (I suppose you have tried ritalin as well?), what were they? maybe you do not need more dopamine after all.
2. increase gaba. as an inhibitory neurotransmitter it helps to calm down the mind and focus more. I've tried beta alanine and taurine with some success, but since gaba receptors develop resistance, its no long (or even medium term) solution. However, lithium orotate might help (in this case as a gaba reuptake inhibitor), and so does bacopa monniera(sensibilizes gaba receptors). At least I hope so. I'll be trying them out soon. You have to be careful with other gaba increasing supps though, because of the fast resistance building.
3. if you also suffer from depression, you might look into 5-htp too.. especially the right balance between dopamine and serotonin is important. And serotonin keeps dopamine in check(and vice versa).
4. brainwave entrainment has made a huge difference for me. I am using neuro programmer 2, it has some presents for adhd, and when I listen to them its like a button gets pushed and I just start doing what I need to do. But... there is a but there too.. cause you can't use it all the time, or if you need to listen to other people etc.
5. theanine might help also. it increases dopamine, serotonin and gaba in the brain, and induces an alpha wave like brain pattern. Haven't tried it yet though.
6. the better your brain is tuned with steps 1-5, the easier it will be for you to improve yourself, maybe not even needing special organizing techinques, but even if you need them, you will be greatly improving in using them once your brain works better...

Anyways, I#ve been going through most of these steps, and I had very good improvement, especially after dopamine+noradrenaline+adrenaline and serotonin were in check, and I increased gaba. But unfortunately I had to stop the gaba increasing part due to side effects, and now the problems are back big time, I suppose, until the gaba receptors are more sensible again... So I am currently waiting for gaba round two. this time hopefully side effect free.