ADHD coping skills

[LabLover3]

Hi, I have ADD but I find that all the medications give me anxiety and i cant take them. strattera doesn't work and makes me physically sick. Does anyone have experience with this type?

[AuntieSquirrel23]

yep. I’m a late-life diagnosis and knowing my body well by now, I’ve always been medication resistant. This was no different when put on Vyvanse. Did nothing but make me nauseous

[curlydachshunds]

Same, nausea, projectile, vomiting. Didn’t feel any positive effects.

[Etherial]

45M late Dx 2yrs ago here...

Over my lifetime, I've noticed how much diet, exercise, sleep, hydration and the right supplements helped me feel better and be at my best, but "my best" was always a wildly moving target. Good news is that many of those accidental discoveries were actually treating my ADHD symptoms, and naturally!

I say this because, since I've gotten the Dx and started learning as well as meds, I can safely say that there is nothing as effective and convenient as finding the right ADHD med, as well as the right dose... BOTH are critical. It's an exhausting trial and error process called "titration" , and I think I've finally landed on one that works for me in Azstarys. It's a very individual journey to find the right med or med combo.

Having said that, here are some of the supplements that I've found very useful over my lifetime, and STILL useful around my medication windows, in case it helps.

Every morning musts:

High potency Omega3s

Vitamin D with K

Vitamin B coenzyme complex, preferably with methylated B12

Whole Food Multi Vitamin

Magnesium L-Threonate

Protein forward snack or breakfast, esp with meds

Jury's out on whether Orange Juice or citric acid interferes with certain ADHD meds...

ADHD / dopamine Boosters I cycle in but don't take regularly:

NAC

Mucana Puriens or L-Dopa

L-Tyrosine 500+mg doses

L-Phenylalanine 500mg

I like to add Tyrosine or Phenylalanine to my morning stack when I know I'm going to have a demanding morning. Otherwise anytime of day.

Night time before bed:

Magnesium Glycinate or Bi Glycinate...not any other form of magnesium

L-Theanine , esp SunTheanine form

GABA - very effective, but I seem to be sensitive to it

Noteworthy ADHD supplements been made aware of:

Lions Mane

Recently started taking a high quality Bacopa supplement in the evenings with favorable results on my sleep and morning mood... (I'm sooo not good right outa bed...)

Things that absolutely affect ADHD brains in good, but esp BAD ways:

Caffeine - I did this in half or more after finding right med

Sugar - was never a sweet tooth, but once I cut all added sugars, even before Dx, I noticed a huge improvement

Alcohol - lots of back and forth all my life, but all the above and so much more in life are so much more effective without all the side effects of being a regular drinker... that lead me to realizing I was a problem and "binge" drinker. On the right med, I found it almost "easy" to taper off and leave booze habits behind. Such an improvement in my gut, mind, skin, mood, time, MONEY and relationships... I think it was a poor coping mechanism, and a clumsy attempt at self-medicating. Not worth trying to control with an ADHD brain.

Avoid sitting too long, MOVE the body, get real exercise when you can, STAY HYDRATED, find ways to eat quality food and regularly (don't skip meals or snack on junk) and practice good sleep hygiene. Combine that with those natural supplements and it might make your journey a little easier, even if you don't find the right med.

Best of luck

Rich

[Mamamichl]

sounds like a gene sight test may be a good idea for you. It takes your genetics like a paternity test then mixes it with all mental health meds and will tel you which meds will have adverse side effects and how extreme they may get (though the it won’t say what kind of side effect it would be)

[NotAChevy]

hello! I've learned with Strattera that I have to take it after I eat something. If not, I'm nauseated and actually have thrown up. I must admit that I'm lucky, as Strattera 40mg works well for me, but its def not for everyone.

[LabLover3]

thank you everyone