I read lot of things here, related to my problems and many times it gets too scientific which is good of course for more knowledgeable members,
but sometimes there are too much terms and I get pretty overwhelmed and close everything or jump to another topic, but I would like to learn and understand it better.
I will try to reflect as accurately as I can how different supplements work for me, so maybe one day
other people may benefit from this thread.
My condition:
I try to make it short, I am really struggling as I am writing this post because there is too much information in my head
and I dont know how to put it in order.
I was depressed since my late teens and treated with fluvoxamine (SSRI) to my 20s then I started drinking and smoking pot a lot and it somehow
has taken place of my medication,
but I had difficulty with all the ADHD things below even through the medication, I dropped from collage, and I am attending another one now.
I was binge drinking a lot, every weekend many times both days, never drank less then 8 shots, I was mixing it many times with beer wine and pot.
I was many times drinking to point when I passed out or, hurt myself a lot because I was falling and stuff, even DUI a few times. The point is I always
wanted to drink more to just get sh*tfaced and my friends also drank a lot but they are now fully functioning individuals, many of them with collage
diplomas and work, but I am not.
I stopped smoking pot completely a year ago, I am 24 now and I made a bet 80 days ago to stop myself from drinking no beer,booze,wine anything for 2 years.
I watched and read many things related to ADHD including Dr. Russell Barkley's presentations.
I would say I have very hard times doing something that is abstract, as studying, or studying on computer or putting something together
whether its information, complex ideas, it is all happening in the inside of my head, but I cant manifest anything into reality,when there is no gratification in short time period. (hope this makes sense)
I have difficulty concentrating on studying, meditation I get very impatient when sitting in school, writing something that takes too long.
It is third time I am trying to write this post, because I couldn't get it done because I wanted to be perfect and complex as I imagined.
I was diagnosed ADHD last year but I could not get any medication because I guess people here didnt realize how serious it is
and pointed it out as laziness and such, but
I want to make an appointment with psychologist (with whom I did neurofeedback) tell them all this and try to work out
some kind of behavioral therapy with recommendation for psychiatrist to get me some medication for ADHD.
(We only have atomoxetine and Concerta with extended release in my country)
How I relate to Dr. Russell Barkley presentations :
I can plan but only the simple things most of the time like in everyday life, I am trying to stick to solid routine
which is not going as successfully as i wish. I bite my nails pretty often and I also need to move my legs or do something with my hands instead of just sitting still. I cannot sustain goal-directed behavior across long spans of time.
I cant pursue long term goals and self interests, although this sounds like I am not trying enough,
or it may sound as I am just another procrastinator, well my opinion here is that
I think I have pretty decent imagination and ideas which can be implemented or things that can be designed or painted,but I dont have the "energy" to pursue them and manifest them into reality, but something must be wrong
because I know many people who think of something and can paint/write/manifest it.
So this isnt just delusion I guess that everyone, who does not do such things, is impaired,
because I think some people just dont have hobbys or dont know what to do.
In other words I have problem with performance not knowledge, I am just not doing what I know I should do.
Sometimes it helps to externalize information ( making notes with deadlines)
What I cant get going is to externalize motivation and make some kind of artificial consequences of inaction or
gratification like points and tokens - as it is said in the Barkley's presentation.
I read some books about willpower like The Willpower instinct, procrastination equation and how artist work,
they gave me good understanding but I cant get going most of the techniques.
I am completly time-blind, I have lot of trouble, doing something that is not physical.
What helped me : I do some exercise, running once a week , HIIT if I dont feel like it
just few minutes with jumping rope and stretching several times a day is good for fatigue,
it also gives me more mental energy. I have cold feet and hands quite often.
I am very consistent with my diet, I DONT eat most of the processed foods, junk food, sweets, no soft drinks,no sweeteners just whole foods. Mostly rice, pasta, lentils chicken , tuna, kale green peas, eggs,banana,lemon.(sometimes I dont eat enough protein)
I tried NoFap throughout this year and I didnt relapse much but this time it feels lot better I am 40+days clear
and it feels like I have very good control, the urges and "stacked" libido are lot weaker.
I try not to watch any tv series or movies or pointlessly browse internet just to seek pleasure, also I dont visit
social networks and generally I just dont look for fun on the internet or phone.
I do cold showers for at least 3 months now, although it is getting cold here I dont want to stop and during the shower I breath calmly not erratically.
I smoke additive free tobacco daily ( dont know if it makes a difference).
I know that all this may be caused by bad environment and years of bad habits, that is why behavioral therapy is
necessary and might help. I daydream quite a lot and also have some reoccurring thoughts, not sad actually
but maybe worrying a little.
I also meditate twice a day for pretty long time it helped me with being tense in some kind of way
and with some impulsivity also, but I cant sustain thought for very long time I drift into dream like state then
I go back to my breath and this goes on and off pretty much always.
I can relate to GetOutOfBox in this http://www.longecity...in-development/ thread although not with everything for example:
I'm not chronically stressed or anxious, but "triggers" tend to set off a disproportionate stress response.
Its pretty long thread and I only read the first page its too much for me but I will try to read it all
and I will post if I can relate more to some things. I found another thing I relate to "I dont get much joy from doing
something productive or necessary after completing it." (same thread)
I am not sure if it also might be anhedonia because I am not willing to work for a higher reward.
I dont work I am very frustrated/panicky when it gets to finding a job, because I have almost no work experiences
so I might be quite anxious because of this.
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Supplements I take:
Vitamin D 2000UI, Zinc 50mg , Vitamin C 1000mg, probiotics
Sencha tea it is quite good jump start for a day and makes me a little energetic and calm, but maybe too calm and self-concious.
Panax Ginseng I tried 400mg in vials it probably helps me with fatigue and I kinda like it,
but with the combination with sencha it makes me little more restless, like my mind is calm but my body is restless.
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Supplements I am intrested in:
ALCAR
I tried it before but only in small dosage (250mg) so maybe I should give it a try because I read here http://examine.com/s...ts/L-Carnitine/
(paragraph 4.2 , 4.3) that in research with mice it increased serotonin in cortex and hippocampus and also noradrenaline.
What dosage should I take? At examine the dosage range is 630-2500mg for ALCAR, also at what time?
Should I take it along with choline or 3 eggs a day are enough?
Are there any side effects I should watch out for?
L-tyrosine
Some reports show that it might help with motivation and I found on examine http://examine.com/s...nts/L-Tyrosine/
(paragraph 3.3) that a combination of tyrosine (1500-3750 mg) and 5-HTP (150-425mg)
was associated with reduction in symptoms as assessed by ADHD-RS.
LLLT + PQQ, CoQ10, Shijalit
I found it on Lostfalcos blog http://www.lostfalco...-laser-therapy/, and I read some papers about it and I really want to try it
as one of the papers said that it might help with executive functioning, Lostfalco wrote that you should scan the whole
head and I started shaving my head because I am pretty bald on the top of my head so this is maybe a little advantage,
but I am not entirely sure about the exact regions I should scan, I would like to order just the 48 LEd lamp,
and also I couldnt find what should be do dosage of the supplements (PQQ,CoQ10,Shijalit) he recommended and when to take it?
Ginko biloba or EGb-761 extract
I ll take it probably in the morning.
For cognitive enhancement take 120-240mg one to four hours before performance.(http://examine.com/s.../Ginkgo biloba/)
80-120mg EGb-761 in children with ADHD for a period of six weeks is associated with reduced
symptoms of ADHD as assessed by parental and teacher assessment,
although it is significantly less effective than the reference drug of 20-30mg methylphenidate.
According to research it has many other benefits.
Rhodiola Rosea, Bacopa monnieri extract, Micronized creatine monohydrate, Fish oil
What dosage and when should I take theese?
All theese seem to help with fatigue depression, anxiety stress and along with Ginko biloba
they affect neurotrasmiters and other things in positive way(most of the time I guess?) , Do you think it could be too much?
What side effects I should look for, I dont understand the activation, up-regulation, inhibition and other mechanism,
so thats why I am asking. I know I need to probably test them all separately, but creatine for example
seems like it has quite good benefits with almost no side effects.
How much fish oil should I take when my omega-6 intake is around 8-11g ?
I have never supplemented fish oil in my life and also I dont eat much fish with omega 3 content,
so this might help a bit.
Any brand, recommendation?
Piracetam:
After long time I took 3.6g today and it is probably why I finished this post.
It makes me little bit motivated and focused I dont need to adjust on my chair so often.
It is quite good to feel like this after long time but I dont want to have high hopes.
Could this mean that I have high acetylcholine? And should I try more supplements like this?
I remember that I get tolerance after few days but I was always taking only 2.4g - 4.8g
Do you think I should go with 2.4 or more three times a day? And if I get a headache should
I take some choline with it? ( This is the one and only racetam I can get in my country.)
Question: Would increased dopamine levels lead to higher goal actions and will it lower pleasure
seeking behaviour like food, smoking, socializing, or quite the opposite? (I am probably oversimplifying, feel free to pass this Q)
There are lot of supplements I didnt mention but I would like to try but it is long enough I think,
so I am looking forward to your suggestions.
Q2: How do I find out which supplements are reliable, what should I look for, should I bet on the reviews?
If you have any suggestions for when, what form, brand should I take, please share it with us.
Some European source for supplements will be appreciated, because I will avoid customs and taxes this way.
Of course amazon.co.uk or other domains are welcome.
Off topic: If I get acne from milk products, does it mean that it is bad for the whole body health-wise?
( I am asking because I am not getting enough calcium probably)
