![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by horseluvr on September 10, 2003, at 9:38:43
Hi,
Stumbled across this site accidentally. I'm 26 years old and by all appearances, have everything going for me but the reality is that I'm a mess. Growing up, I was the quiet, shy girl who spent class after class in a dream world doodling horses in my notebooks. I was very artistic and was told by my retired art teacher that in all her years of teaching, 4 students stood out in her mind and I for some reason was one of them (I mention this because I've read that artistic ability can be tied to ADD). In any case, despite being unable to pay attention in class, nor being able to sit and study at home, I still pulled decent grades, though as I grew older, my grades suffered a little more each year. Reading just put me to sleep--but if something interested me, I could read for hours. This is still true even today. Regarding tests, if the material bored me, I flunked but if it was intriguing, I would get 100s on the tests. Notetaking was tedious and when it was required and checked, I sometimes wrote the notes upside down and backwords (I can do that quite easily) just to confuse the teachers. I'm not sure how I made it through highschool as there were a lot of family problems at home. My first year of college, I was set on putting my inmaturity behind me and becoming valedictorian. I wanted to prove to my parents that I could be a success. Even though I'd never taken school seriously and remarks that I was a scatterbrain, that I'd forget my head if it wasn't attached, that I had the attention span of a housefly, etc. stuck in my head, I decided to ignore these remarks and focus instead on remarks that my IQ seemed above average (if only she'd work harder). But college life was too much for me--I'd sit down with every intention of studying but find myslef asleep or doing all sorts of other things (none of which I ever finish). Reports and other papers seemed tortuous and it wasn't until the adrenaline set in the evening before they were due that I could complete them. By my second semester, I somehow caught mono and gave up the school idea. I got involved with the wrong crowd and started taking drugs and drinking. I was desperate at the close of the year to get my grades up and managed to pass. My parents kicked me out that summer at the age of 18. I lived with 2 separate families for a month each and eventually got an apartment. I waitressed for a couple of years and eventually secured a position in a co. as a receptionist. I worked my way up and after a merger and another upstart, I am still with that management today. I am now the manager of the Human Resource dept. but in fear every day for my job. I know the CEO keeps me because we are small and as far as integrity, loyalty, honesty and dedication, he doesn't know if he can replace me. But I make so many mistakes and I find it impossible to focus and as the company grows, my days are getting more and more difficult. I desperately want to be successful and an asset to the company but I am so un-productive. I wake up each morning thinking of all I want to accomplish but feel helpless to complete anything. My finances are a wreck--I am already bankrupt--and I am so impulsive that I don't trust myself if I had money. My dream is to return to school but I have no energy and the idea of studying leaves me practically paralized--I can't be a failure again. About a year ago, I was put on Wellbutrin for depression by my doctor because I just wanted out. It helped and in retrospect, I remember that I was a little more focused when taking it. Due to a sick pet and his medical bills and my dislike of chemicals in my body, I took myself off of it earlier this year and the static in my head (like those old tv s without reception) seemed to be increasing. Last week, a friend sent me samples of Wellbutrin SR because I can't afford a prescription but I know this isn't the answer. I went to my doctor to get tested for ADHD-inattentive after hearing a program on the radio. I didn't know what they were discussing but it was about someones daughter and she sounded just like me. I was about to change the station until I realized what they were talking about and to hear a name put to my insecurities and fears and inabilities made me just ball my eyes out in my car. But I can't seem to find anywhere that will test me as an adult; the universities don't call me back and the doctors my healthcare provider recommended don't perform the tests. I'm desperate to know and find some sort of medication that will help as I start a new job on Monday where my responsibilities will triple and I'm so, so scared. Please help me...
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on September 10, 2003, at 13:41:47
In reply to ADHD--How and where do I get tested?, posted by horseluvr on September 10, 2003, at 9:38:43
I really wish I had some better information for you, but I'd highly suggest starting by taking the ADD/ADHD diagnostic tests here:
http://www.amenclinic.com/ac/addtests/
This should help you to better understand exactly what it is that's troubling you, seeing as how ADD/ADHD can present as a constellation of symptoms, some of which are occasionally conspicuously absent, and some of which are quite paradoxical. Taking these tests and learning more about *exactly* where your greatest strengths and weaknesses lie, i.e. having an inside-and-out in depth knowledge of your possible ADD, should help you to much more easily express your difficulties to a psychiatrist. You don't just have to come out and say, "I'm here because I think I have ADD." Sadly, when an adult complains of this disorder, as real as it may be, warning sirens tend to go off in the doc's head -- possible drug-seeking behavior. Instead, simply describe your symptoms in as great detail as possible and allow the doctor to come to a conclusion of his/her own.
Posted by horseluvr on September 10, 2003, at 14:50:39
In reply to ADHD--How and where do I get tested?, posted by horseluvr on September 10, 2003, at 9:38:43
Hi,
Me again. One more question--whether I have the ADHD-I or am just incapable of getting my act together, is there any natural product that has been successful in treating either?
Thanx!
Posted by DSCH on September 11, 2003, at 14:26:59
In reply to Re: ADHD--How and where do I get tested?, posted by horseluvr on September 10, 2003, at 14:50:39
Some people claim success with grape seed or pine bark extracts and taking the amino acids D- and L-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine, but I noticed no impact from taking pine park extract. DLPA helped for a while and I may revisit it.
I also believe I have non-hyperactive ADD (what Amen calls inattentive ADD) which was complicated by a bad case of burnout that is clearing up now.
Strattera seems rather promising for inattentive-type ADD. It is atomoxetine, a selective reuptake inhibitor of norepinepherine, rather than a psychostimulant. But, as always, some people react well to it and others poorly.
Posted by DSCH on September 11, 2003, at 15:24:16
In reply to Re: ADHD--How and where do I get tested?, posted by horseluvr on September 10, 2003, at 14:50:39
> Hi,
>
> Me again. One more question--whether I have the ADHD-I or am just incapable of getting my act together, is there any natural product that has been successful in treating either?
>
> Thanx!OK, a switch got thrown and a lightbulb went off over my head. :-) This is the program I developed, and which I slid from when I stopped taking DLPA...
1) Atkins diet. Carbohydrates and sugar elevate blood sugar resulting in insulin release. Insulin then assists the transport of L-tryptophan across the blood-brain-barrier to form serotonin. This comes at the expense of the transport of L-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine, the precursors to dopamine and norepinepherine. So keep carb intake low, especially simple sugars.
2) Full vitamin and mineral supplementation. I think Atkin's Basic #1 is a pretty good basis to work from. It's hard to come by and I think everything with the Atkins brandname has its price jacked up so I take one capsule of Solray Twice-a-day Fe-free Energy Formula with each meal. You need vitamins C, B3, and B6 in particular to assist the enzymatic activity that produces dopamine and norepinepherine within the brain. http://www.mind-boosters.com/chapter_13.html (see figure 13.1, NADH is activated B3)
3) DLPA, L-phenylalanine, or L-tyrosine. Load up on the precursors to dopamine and norepinepherine. These are best taken before meals.
4) Omega-3 deficiency? I don't think this is the case for me, but you may want to consider it. "excessive thirst, frequent urination, vision impairment, dry skin and hair, learning difficulties" from http://www.nutritional-healing.com.au/add.htm
Posted by horseluvr on September 11, 2003, at 20:26:58
In reply to Re: ADHD--How and where do I get tested?, posted by DSCH on September 11, 2003, at 15:24:16
Hmmm, I do take a lot of vitamins as I have absolutely no energy in the morning or the rest of the day for that matter. To date, I haven't been taking the amino acids but I ordered them last week because I hear they are good for fighting age :O) Anyway, I am in the habit of taking flaxseed oil and the fish oils. Unfortunately, I am a sugar and caffeine junky. I just can't seem to get enough of either and have an obseesion with cheesecake, chocolate truffles (I've eaten entire boxes in one sitting), and cinnabons and other gooey pastries. Even when I am not hungry and the last thing I feel like doing is eating, if you pass sweets in front of me I'll eat until they are all gone. I beg the girls in the office to leave the sweets out of the kitchen because I really have no control. They think it's funny but after the inital sugar rush and high, I'm left with pounding headaches and I hate, hate myself for not having the self control to not eat something I wasn't hungry for in the first place. And the coffee, I drink it all day and dehydrate myslef and I know it's bad for me but it makes me feel more awake and as though my mind is a little clearer. I even take stackers--not to lose weight but for the feeling it leaves in my head. I don't want this junk in my body so I will keep trying the vitamins, I'll start trying the amino acids, the grapeseed extract and the pine bark. I love meat and so that won't be hard to increase in my diet and as of today, I am drinking the licorice tea that another post mentioned to see if it'll help me waken. Thanks for all the help! I still would like to know how and by whom others were diagnosed. I've taken the online tests before and according to my answers, even the dumbest stump could figure out that I have issues--whether they are chemical or mental aside LOL But seriously, I want to get a handle on this and your insights always help. Thanks again! k
> > Hi,
> >
> > Me again. One more question--whether I have the ADHD-I or am just incapable of getting my act together, is there any natural product that has been successful in treating either?
> >
> > Thanx!
>
> OK, a switch got thrown and a lightbulb went off over my head. :-) This is the program I developed, and which I slid from when I stopped taking DLPA...
>
> 1) Atkins diet. Carbohydrates and sugar elevate blood sugar resulting in insulin release. Insulin then assists the transport of L-tryptophan across the blood-brain-barrier to form serotonin. This comes at the expense of the transport of L-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine, the precursors to dopamine and norepinepherine. So keep carb intake low, especially simple sugars.
>
> 2) Full vitamin and mineral supplementation. I think Atkin's Basic #1 is a pretty good basis to work from. It's hard to come by and I think everything with the Atkins brandname has its price jacked up so I take one capsule of Solray Twice-a-day Fe-free Energy Formula with each meal. You need vitamins C, B3, and B6 in particular to assist the enzymatic activity that produces dopamine and norepinepherine within the brain. http://www.mind-boosters.com/chapter_13.html (see figure 13.1, NADH is activated B3)
>
> 3) DLPA, L-phenylalanine, or L-tyrosine. Load up on the precursors to dopamine and norepinepherine. These are best taken before meals.
>
> 4) Omega-3 deficiency? I don't think this is the case for me, but you may want to consider it. "excessive thirst, frequent urination, vision impairment, dry skin and hair, learning difficulties" from http://www.nutritional-healing.com.au/add.htm
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 11, 2003, at 20:39:09
In reply to Re: ADHD--How and where do I get tested?, posted by DSCH on September 11, 2003, at 15:24:16
> 1) Atkins diet.
>
> 2) Full vitamin and mineral supplementation.
>
> 3) DLPA, L-phenylalanine, or L-tyrosine.
>
> 4) Omega-3 deficiency?Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect this aspect of this thread to the new Psycho-Babble Alternative board. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20030903/msgs/259218.html
Bob
Posted by DSCH on September 11, 2003, at 22:47:20
In reply to Re: ADHD--How and where do I get tested? » DSCH, posted by horseluvr on September 11, 2003, at 20:26:58
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20030903/msgs/259260.html
Posted by Francesco on September 13, 2003, at 10:36:35
In reply to Re: ADHD--How and where do I get tested? » DSCH, posted by horseluvr on September 11, 2003, at 20:26:58
Hi, I really simpatyze with your problem. I think to have ADHD too, and I had to spend a lot of time to find a p-doc expert in it. Finally I got it ! Tomorrow I'll be tested for it and maybe for the first time I'll receive the right treatment.
I live in Italy and it has been a big deal to find someone who had heard before about adult-ADHD. My method was searching on Google if there was some italian psychiatrist who wrote articles about aduld ADHD ... then I looked for the e-mail of these guys and finally I wrote them ... one of them replied and asked me for a biography ... another tip can be asking information to pediatrists expert in "children ADHD" ... they are far from easy to find ... Good Luck !
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.