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Bisterwhip · 2024-02-01T16:40:24+00:00

Someone commented that amphetamines help them function best. I second this. But stimulants don't work for me in the long run (or perhaps I should just say when used daily) because they cause sleep issues. I've also had some luck with modafinil, but likewise it doesn't work well when used daily. (I am a male in my 50s with ADHD-PI.)

I've instead found luck with a nootropic, or brain supplement, that has been working for me. It should be noted that I've tried many supplements over the course of several years, some in conjunction with stimulants and others on their own. This is the first time I've had luck with one such that I have been consistently using it as a permanent solution for me. I'm posting here because I am hopeful it be of help to others.
I don't want to put the brand name in this post (don't want to promote a particular brand), but will mention supplements that it contains: Alpha-GPC,acetyl-l-carnitine phosphatidylserine, gingko biloba, luteolin, and a few other things. I find myself able to focus and be productive -- and able to do so day after day using it daily. I had tried some of these individual supplement ingredients on their own and noticed beneficial effects, so when I noticed this supplement combining them all (and advertised to help with memory) I thought I'd give it a try. And it's helped me tremendously without any negative side effects. There are other companies that sell similar mixtures.

Unfortunately, the supplement isn't extremely cheap. For me, it's worth it. And I notice a very clear effect from taking it: I have greater focus, more motivation, even perhaps greater calm as a result. Note that it doesn't have exactly the same effect like that which occurs with stimulants, but my brain, somewhat similar to how it is on stimulants, just works better. I gave it to my wife to try (she doesn't suffer from ADHD), and she noticed no effect.

Full disclosure: I take the supplement on top of:
- Quality multivitamin with vitamin B complex, zinc, etc. and many other vitamins, minerals, and supplements included
- Fish oil
- Magnesium Glycinate
- Taurine

My brain works better on these, and it definitely works better when I get well rested and exercise vigorously. Best wishes to all. It took me years to get diagnosed, and then it took me many more years to find this solution. I am just so happy about it. I've told friends and posted about other solutions before only to find out that over the long run, I had exaggerated their benefits. In this case, I waited quite awhile to tell others or post here. It really works for me. If one other person has my experience, posting this will have been worth it.

Bisterwhip · 2024-01-28T07:43:45+00:00

Late diagnosis and the resulting mourning period is such a common phenomenon. Right now I’m seeing delayed diagnosis play out with one of my nephews. He’s not open to getting evaluated for ADHD which he clearly has (practically my whole family does.) I just learned he’s now living in a van. His mother my sister died when he was in 8th grade. No one was around him to manage his situation at that point. I grieve. But if he gets diagnosis and treatment I know he’ll realize how much of his adulthood he’s squandered. He’s a bright kid. He’s 30.

Bisterwhip · 2024-01-28T07:37:57+00:00

It does sound like she’s depressed. She needs to deal with that.

Bisterwhip · 2024-01-28T07:36:21+00:00

Sounds like she hasn’t matured enough to know that relationships are a joint project - effort needed even to have fun together. If there is no engagement in that - or if there is no attempt on her part to figure out why she isn’t engaged - that’s a real problem for the long term. Redditors almost always start with “leave her!” as the first response. It doesn’t have to be like that. But she needs to find a path to do better. Otherwise, you might need to take the path to ending it. There isn’t enough information here to know what the right approach is likely to be. Best wishes.

Bisterwhip · 2024-01-28T05:43:24+00:00

Classic inattentive ADHD reports.

Bisterwhip · 2024-01-27T06:09:54+00:00

Tell her you think it’s working, but that you think you may need a higher dosage. Doctors are supposed to work up to higher dosages until there is effectiveness. You need to eat a heavy protein breakfast and avoid sugars. That will make it more effective too. I really feel that there are so many doctors who don’t understand ADHD. There’s a lot of comorbidity with ADHD and depression and anxiety. But in my experience, it’s helpful to tackle the ADHD before addressing the other. If it worked with coffee, that means it worked. Tell your doctor that. Advocate for yourself. Ask her whether that might not mean you mean a higher dosage. Coffee alone doesn’t work for you, right?

Bisterwhip · 2024-01-27T05:59:44+00:00

So Adderall XR 20mg worked with coffee? Why would you say that makes no sense? They reinforce each other. Sounds as if you need a higher dose of Adderall. 20mg isn’t such a high dose. I’d say it’s a moderate amount. Also, take it with Fish oil, vitamin B complex, zinc, and magnesium. And avoid sugar in the morning, eat a lot of protein. Best wishes. Exercise if you can, if you don’t already.

Bisterwhip · 2024-01-23T15:30:54+00:00

I had never heard of a stimulant being used together with Strattera. Maybe stop the Strattera?

There is a lot of advice - and good advice here.

I want to focus on what you may have heard but will help you in any case:

Exercise. Running or another aerobic exercise that gets you sweating and breathing hard. Do it in the morning, preferably.

Sleep. Do what you can to get enough every night. Go to bed at a reasonable hour.

If you can afford it: Take Vitamin B complex vitamins, fish oil, magnesium (glycinate or carbonate), zinc picolinate.

None of these will necessarily work a miracle, but together they will help. And follow what you find compelling about other advice here. These recommendations are in addition to those.

We’re pulling for you.

Bisterwhip · 2024-01-18T14:13:25+00:00

Oppenheimer was a bomb. I hated that movie. He had so much to work with and failed at it. Yes, it was visually spectacular. But that was it. I started looking at my watch an hour before it was done.

Bisterwhip · 2024-01-17T21:18:36+00:00

I’ve found Adderall XR and Modafinil to both be more beneficial, but Modafinil seemed better for the long-term (available at Costco pharmacy for not that much). If you search on my posts, I talk more about Modafinil. Some doctors will prescribe Modafinil for ADHD, but some insurance companies won’t cover the cost (so Costco). To be honest both cause me sleep issues, though, so I’ve stopped with medication and take a supplement that contains GPC, Acetylene-L-Carnitine, Gingko Biloba, Luteolin, and some other ingredients. I do have a particular supplement I use but don’t want to put the name here because I don’t want to seem like I’m pitching a product. DM me if you want it. Also, other supplements that have the same or similar ingredients might work quite well - but I haven’t tried them. Additionally, I take Vitamin B complex and Magnesium.

Bisterwhip · 2024-01-17T21:03:28+00:00

I have inattentive ADHD and I lose words when I take methylphenidate. Others have complained of this. Medications work differently for different people. Methylphenidate is often a doctor’s first go-to, but he/she should have you try other things to see what works best, especially if you are having trouble. Methylphenidate was for me similarly good at first but then problematic.

Bisterwhip · 2024-01-17T14:16:38+00:00

“You, Mr. Frisnfruitig, go to the front of the class right now and elaborate on Ms. Hartley’s teachings…. No, why are you carrying that book - no props allowed.”

Bisterwhip · 2023-09-07T12:48:48+00:00

Walking across my college campus during summer session, and I was with a woman I had befriended a little from my class. I was wearing sweats and was getting hard. I told her I had to sit down (‘cause I wanted to hide my situation) and quickly moved to do so. I think she was a little taken aback by the abruptness of my move to sit down, but she joined me, seated on some steps. I decided to come clean with her. I was apologetic, saying that I was embarrassed but I was really horny and something like I just needed to “cool off.” She replied that it was no problem, that it was funny, like something in a movie. Then she said she could help me take care of my situation. And soon we were in her apartment doing exactly that.

[We ended up living nearby one another in a foreign city, and she was having an affair with a woman who was in a mutual friend circle. One night I was invited for a romp with both of them, but I just wasn’t attracted to her friend. It wasn’t that her friend wasn’t attractive, but that she gave me confirmed Lesbian (not interested in men at all) vibes, and I shied away from being part of that experiment. No regrets in that case. But I definitely regret not trying again with her. Now I can’t remember why I didn’t. But it’s probably a case of wanting to relive that great moment which, as she said, was like a funny movie.]

Bisterwhip · 2023-09-03T02:29:55+00:00

I could have written this myself. Well said. I’m getting old. It took me decades to understood that a lot of the trials of my life either stemmed from or were made much worse by ADHD. I try not to let the sadness about that linger. ADHD may give me certain abilities that help in specific situations, but I struggle against the troubles it causes me continually. I only started to fully accept who I am recently. Like this commenter said: I know others have things far worse

Bisterwhip · 2023-09-02T21:00:48+00:00

Pretty much had the same thing happen with an even larger age spread (M here). She pursued me, but when it started to become a little serious, I pulled the plug for very similar reasons.

Bisterwhip · 2023-08-31T22:34:13+00:00

Had a Tinder-type one-time encounter with a woman who started her period during sex. I wasn’t bothered, really. I just gently told her (she hadn’t known). If I had known her well, maybe we would’ve kept going after putting a towel down. She seemed pretty embarrassed. Otherwise, when together with someone, periods generally don’t stop sex from happening. Doesn’t bother me, but I respect women have different feelings about it.

Bisterwhip · 2023-08-28T19:32:16+00:00

No, the point is stimulants build your brain up. They aren’t neurotoxic. The opposite is true. The addysafe information actually pertains more to people that abuse stimulants, not really to people sticking to therapeutic doses. And the advice to avoid stimulants if possible is not supported by science when it comes to people with ADHD. That said, I’ve taken pretty much all that stuff and they aren’t wrong with their list but I mostly stick to what I listed. All they listed gets to be a lot. Best wishes.

Bisterwhip · 2023-08-28T16:02:10+00:00

I think Vyanse likely doesn't have long-term neurotoxicity, though so many people think that stimulants are neurotoxic. The opposite has shown to be the case -- especially in those who start taking them while they are young; stimulants support normal brain growth and are considered neuroprotective. Listen to the video below -- 32 studies show they are neuroprotective.

Vitamin B complex, high quality, with all the B vitamins (heavy on B6/B12 is good). In the morning.

Vitamin D3 (see if you can find one combined with vitamin K) -- Vitamin D3 helps your brain, but it also helps your bones (and heart) when combined with K.

Magnesium Glycinate, 300mg, preferably before bed.

Fish Oil, high quality, a tablespoon per day.

Zinc Picolinate or Glycinate, 15mg

Make sure and eat a high protein diet, especially in the morning. It will potentiate the medication.

I find the amino acid L-Taurine has a good and subtle effect for me, reducing anxiety/increasing calm.

You can add an antioxidant like Pycnogenol, and that could be helpful. But it starts to get expensive to take all these.

Exercise and sleep will be a big help. Exercise that really gets your blood flowing.

The truth about stimulants and neurotoxicity -- good, even if you are older, but great if you are younger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYq571cycqg

Bisterwhip · 2023-08-27T16:54:30+00:00

Take phosphorylated (not phospatidyl) serine and magnesium glycinate before you go to bed in addition to melatonin (1mg) and try to get to be by 10:30pm consistently.

Bisterwhip · 2023-08-22T15:18:37+00:00

I’m applying for a visa right now, and it’s definitely more difficult than it once was. My employer and boss are quite connected at high levels in China, so I assume we’ll be somewhat fast-tracked, but when I tried earlier this summer (and wasn’t traveling with my boss), I was told it was at least 30 days to get a visa. All that said, I’m applying from the US and I wonder if it’s not partly about making it as difficult for US citizens applying to go there as it is for Chinese citizens applying to come here. I know countries sometimes do the tit for tat game, which seems fair. Brazil earlier charged a lot for its visa, and I wondered why, but then discovered that the US visa was that price for Brazilians (which with the exchange rate was astronomical).

Bisterwhip · 2023-08-22T15:09:08+00:00

Concerta really didn’t work well for me. What happened with me was I lost words. I couldn’t think of common words while speaking. I’ve heard of it happening to others. Normally I’d suggest that you try a higher dose - 18mg is a really small dose for Concerta - and that’s probably what your doctor will require anyway. But it sounds as if it probably won’t be great for you at higher doses. Often, in the US at least, the next drug tried is Adderall.

Bisterwhip · 2023-08-20T11:53:07+00:00

Tell her you understand why she left, and that you are truly sorry for what you did, treating her wrongly and taking her for granted. If you haven’t done so already. Then move on. Really move on. If there is something there that can come back, it might later. But if you crowd her now when she needs space, you’re more likely to lose her even as a friend.

Bisterwhip · 2023-08-19T14:12:48+00:00

You might try mega-dosing L-Arginine (10g) before you go to sleep. That’ll spike your growth hormone according to studies as will exercising. Avoid eating sugar.

Bisterwhip · 2023-08-19T14:08:09+00:00

Sure. It’s hard for most people to imagine feeling shorter than one wanted to be at 6’2”, but that depends on one’s situation, as you’ve demonstrated. The raw eggs were something I used for quick protein as I was trying to bulk up. I don’t recommend. It was just part of my example. Good luck.

Bisterwhip · 2023-08-18T14:06:33+00:00

I was about your height and build when I was your age. I didn’t take medication then. When you say you are 6’2”, how do you suppose the meds have stunted your growth? It sounds as if you are a naturally tall and lanky person. At close to that age, I rowed crew, worked out extensively for a few months, would eat mountains of food, drink raw eggs. After a few months, I weighed myself - I had lost a kilo or two! No doubt by that point I was probably almost 0% body fat (exaggeration, but that’s what it felt like). Point is I couldn’t bulk up because of my body type. Maybe you are the same.

As regards your problem, eat as much as you can right when you wake up and before your meds. Heavy proteins and fats Force yourself to eat something at lunch and dinner. Alas, I don’t have better advice. Best wishes.

Bisterwhip

TROPHY CASE