[PrepCouture]

I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 5. I haven't taken medication in over 7 years. I tried nearly every alternative treatment (at least 20 different ones) and have experienced little to no improvement. The most effective alternative treatment left me unable to eat and I lost a ridiculous amount of weight.

I went to a therapist and he met with me for a couple sessions before recommending I see a psychiatrist or my GP since the therapy clinic felt there was little they could offer me.

I'm going to the GP for the first time in like a year and I'm clueless as to what treatment I should pursue. I get super restless and struggle to sit for more than a half hour at a time. My ADHD has taken a toll on everything from work, school (I'm an undergraduate student), and personal life. I'm devastated that I haven't been able to find efficacious alternative treatments, and growing more and more depressed over the consequences my symptoms have taken on my entire life.

I'm pretty open to any treatment, I just want to find something that will be effective. I'm worried this isn't going to happen and really nervous over making a decision as to which path I should take treatment-wise. Last time I went to the GP, he pretty much left it up to me and the alternative treatments I opted for didn't work. It's just so frustrating not knowing where to go from here.

[Travelinglady]

Hi, PrepCulture. I think you should consider asking the GP for a referral to someone who specializes more in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. There might be some new treatments available now. I know there are some good books about dealing with it.

[PrepCouture]

Originally Posted by Travelinglady

Hi, PrepCulture. I think you should consider asking the GP for a referral to someone who specializes more in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. There might be some new treatments available now. I know there are some good books about dealing with it.

Thanks for your reply!

I considered this, but they said to see the GP since most psychiatrists have an 8+ week wait time.

[LastQuestion]

Asking the GP for a referal to a psychiatrist is a good idea.

I've found Ashwagandha root extract and L-Theanine quite relaxing, but not sedating in any way. I've found supplementing magnesium helpful as well. If you haven't already tried these it might be worth asking your GP about them and what dosages would be appropriate for your needs.

[PrepCouture]

Thanks, everyone!

I'm going to a specialist for nutritional testing (to check my levels of precursors to certain neurotransmitters.) This will allow me to pinpoint what I need to supplement and how much. The doctor also prescribed low dose Ritalin for me to try.

We'll see how it goes. I'm hoping either or both the medication and supplement routes work without causing any harsh side effects.

[PrepCouture]

Update

I've been taking the generic form of Ritalin (see thread here http://forums.psychcentral.com/atten...0-ritalin.html )

I also had a follow up appointment for blood testing to measure the precursors to various neurotransmitters and coenzymes so I can better identify what I need to supplement. I would like to give alternative treatments like this another try and this test will help identify the best combination and dosages. My GP ordered it, but now there are a few problems.

My very overprotective parents whom I live with while finishing school (I'm moving out once I graduate in 6 months) like to get involved in this sort of stuff. Firstly, my mother (who has no background in science or medicine) is convinced I could have something else going on. I don't; I had blood work done before to rule out other problems. Considering my symptoms have been very similar and ongoing since early childhood and do not match any other disease or disorder, we know there isn't anything else amiss. While my mother means well, she is too overprotective and is really getting on my nerves.

Secondly, I'm on my parent's insurance. My parents want insurance to pay the roughly $180 for the test and copay. The doctor said they probably won't cover it. My mother cancels the test and wants to submit it to insurance before I reschedule it. I didn't know a parent could do this for an adult child? It's annoying because they are so involved in my healthcare decisions and now I have to find time out of my busy work and school schedule to make another appointment. I'm also waiting on insurance to pre-approve the test, but I only have a 2-week supply of Ritalin. I was supposed to have a followup appointment with the blood work, but now I have to wait. Ehhh, it's just so annoying and I can't stop ruminating on it.

[LastQuestion]

I had a similar medical/insurance situation with my parents. I used to give consent for my doctors to share information with them, but after everything fell apart, and their insistence that it was because of medications rather than living conditions and serious psychological issues, I updated my information at their offices. If they wanted to know what was going on with my treatment my parents would have to discuss it with me. I did this primarily because their involvement was causing far more stress than benefit.

I'm curious if you've ever done a few months of magnesium supplementation? It's not something that shows up in bloodwork unless it's extreme, and it doesn't have to be extreme in order for it to cause issues. I'd suggest getting bloodwork for vitamins and minerals before bothering with stuff like neurotransmitters as a vitamin/mineral deficiency can be a cause of imbalances in neurotransmitters. In addition, changing to a healthy whole foods diet can make up for many other deficits, as will regular exercise and sleep. Even when doing all of the above I'd suggest taking some ionic magnesium for a few months and seeing if it helps.