After taking online tests here at PC, I asked my new psychiatrist to be tested for ADHD. The test was affirmative. However, he cannot prescribe medication to treat it until he has my PTSD under control.

I think the ADHD has hurt me most in interpersonal relationships. I just seem to misjudge things and misunderstand even the most basic things. I have trouble communicating spontaneously. And, I have had trouble on the job. I've had more jobs and careers.

I noticed years ago that I had learning and reading problems. Also, I was always stressed out. I can read newspapers but have trouble with books. I need to use old-fashioned learning techniques with lots of repetition. I have comprehension problems and don't read between the lines well.

I don't know how all of this is going to work out. Hopefully, it can be treated so that my life improves.

I just got the news . . . I start a full-time temp job tomorrow. (One that could go permanent.) I have a cold which will make it more difficult. I have to be at work at 8:30 AM and am going to need a lot of luck!! It's a potential new career and it's with a very good company. I hope I can focus clearly and am not too nervous.

Hey Unhappyguy...

I was diagnosed with ADD about four years ago at age 43. The good news is that 90% of us ADDer's respond well to the medications, just be patient because it can take a little time finding the right med / dosage. Make sure you read up on ADD and it's effects on you and those around you. ADD does major damage on one's self esteem, especially on those of us who don't get diagnosed until later in life.

Good luck on your new job tomorrow. Get plenty of rest, if you can, have a good breakfast in the morning and I'm sure you will be fine

[Travelinglady]

Ditto with what YYZadd said!

[Maus5321]

Agree with what YYZ said! If you get the right medication things will get brighter for sure. I am still new to the world of ADD but since getting on the medication. Things have gotten quite a bit brighter. I am still working and trying to see where things have been effected by my own add. The biggest for me right now is building up my self esteem again as that has been dropped into the basement over my lifetime. Trying to have more patience and get fuse under control. Try to be in more control in general.
I will be 28 in 2 days. I am still young but its gonna be a process for sure.

[Maus5321]

Oh! and good luck with the job!

[LovelaceF]

Is the job going well, unhappyguy? Best wishes.

[painsme]

Hope the new job goes well. I am a 55yr old female being treated for ADHD, PTSD, and a couple other diagnosis. It takes a while to get the right meds for both. I had old school parents that didn't believe in ADHD when I was young, that alone spiraled me down trying make it in a mostly non ADHD invironment. My self esteem took a big hit, not able to concentrate, finish things, and all the other symtoms of ADHD. Be persistant with getting a med that works for you, and as YYZ said read up on ADHD. Good Luck.

Has anybody read anything recently about the possibility that grains containing gluten, that is, wheat, rye, barley (and maybe oats) all contain exorphins which are thought to have the capacity to have effects on ADHD? The research is on-going in that regard, but it is known now that exorphins (products produced when gluten is metabolized) have many detrimental effects mentally on people sensitive to gluten. (It isn't the same as Celiac disease because the symptoms affect the sensitive person differently than Celiac does.)

I would try eliminating wheat, especially, for 1 to 2 weeks and see if you feel any better. It is not essential to have grains in our diets. The amino acids can be supplemented by eating more green vegetables, seeds, and nuts.

There are verified cases of people developing dementia from use of wheat. One schizophrenic at Duke University completely recovered from schizophrenia by eliminating wheat from her diet. She was released as cured. It can affect many organs of the body, including the skin.

Not that much is known yet about sensitivity of the ADHD patient at this point, but the symptoms you describe are very clearly similar to the descriptions cited in Wheat Belly by Dr. David Williams. Research is still on-going, and Dr. Williams states that the more they learn about this problem of exorphins in grains containing gluten, the worse the problem is turning out to be.

It all has to do with agricultural re-engineering of the wheat genes to produce a
more productive grain. Doing so altered the genetic makeup of wheat and it is now
believed that wheat is not healthy for us to use because of the genetic changes
including increases in wheat chromosomes. It is the "dwarf wheat" that was created by
re-engineering the wheat plant, and 99% of the world use of wheat is now dwarf wheat.

Dr. Williams' book is worth your reading if you have time.

I have read a couple of posts on another ADD website where the person talks about doing a gluten free diet ADHDMarriage.com

I have not tried doing the gluten free diet, but I don't think I really eat that much wheat. I know I did really well on a low carb diet about 12 years ago, before I knew about my ADD.

[Maus5321]

I do not eat much wheat products either. Maybe the occasional sandwich or grain waffle. Well wheat pasta to. But i mostly eat non wheat stuff.

I read somewhere a couple times to that these same products(Or maybe it was glutens) were also linked to kids possibly getting autism and aspergers. It increased there chances of developing. I would have to do more research but it seems it is starting to become a trend all over. Not to use YYZ as the example but I think people from his generation had less gluten in there worlds and things were not as processed. But now in the newer generations more and more every year things are getting more and more processed for various reason's.

Maus, it's the genetic re-engineering of wheat (during the 50's and 60's, I think) that has altered the health value of that grain.

The problems are centered in the breakdown of gluten in which particles called "exorphins" act on the opiate centers of the brain and other parts of the body
where opiate receptors are located. Exorphins can cause everthing from acne to
dementia, according to Dr. Williams.

[Maus5321]

Originally Posted by genetic

Maus, it's the genetic re-engineering of wheat (during the 50's and 60's, I think) that has altered the health value of that grain.

The problems are centered in the breakdown of gluten in which particles called "exorphins" act on the opiate centers of the brain and other parts of the body
where opiate receptors are located. Exorphins can cause everthing from acne to
dementia, according to Dr. Williams.

Thank you for the update and tid bit! I am way out in left field as usual.

Is the re-engineering of the wheat the cause of the way the gluten breaks down releases the exorphins or is that a totally seperate issue and I am just deeper into left field now?