![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Stacy on January 10, 2000, at 16:07:43
I was diagnosed with ADHD 6 years ago, & was given Ritalin. I had a bad reaction (severe dizziness & weakness), so the Dr. put me on Dzipramine. This helped, but also had some nasty side effects (weight gain, very high blood pressure, hair loss, crankiness, etc.) I went off it after about a year. Someone told me St. John's Wort worked well for ADD. I took it for many years, & it did help. However, I felt there was room for improvement. Recently, I read about SAMe, & that it is thought to be similar to Dzipramine; but without the side effects. It is also supposed to help migraines (& I have bad ones.) My son (who has a severe case of ADHD)is currently taking Adderal, & is doing well; but he did experience side effects. At my age (40 something)I can live without the negative reactions! So I began taking SAMe about 5 days ago, but haven't noticed that it works as well as St. John's Wort. I'm also very irritable. Should I give it more time? (I've read that it takes about a week to see benefit.) I'd appreciate any thoughts on this. Thanks!
Stacy
Posted by anita on January 12, 2000, at 13:24:31
In reply to SAMe & ADHD, posted by Stacy on January 10, 2000, at 16:07:43
Hi Stacy,
Theoretically SAME could help w/ ADHD. Supposedly it increases dopamine, like the other ADHD meds do (Ritalin, Adderall). Increasing dopamine can often cause irritability, but that's a side effect that may go away. I would definitely give the SAME at least a two week trial, at a high dose. Most of the SAME trials use a dose much higher than the one recommended on the bottle, for depression at least.
You could also try Wellbutrin, Nortriptyline (like desipramine but may have fewer side effects) or SJW at a high dose (like 6 pills/day). Unfortunately most meds have side effects -- just a matter of what you're willing to tolerate!good luck,
anita> I was diagnosed with ADHD 6 years ago, & was given Ritalin. I had a bad reaction (severe dizziness & weakness), so the Dr. put me on Dzipramine. This helped, but also had some nasty side effects (weight gain, very high blood pressure, hair loss, crankiness, etc.) I went off it after about a year. Someone told me St. John's Wort worked well for ADD. I took it for many years, & it did help. However, I felt there was room for improvement. Recently, I read about SAMe, & that it is thought to be similar to Dzipramine; but without the side effects. It is also supposed to help migraines (& I have bad ones.) My son (who has a severe case of ADHD)is currently taking Adderal, & is doing well; but he did experience side effects. At my age (40 something)I can live without the negative reactions! So I began taking SAMe about 5 days ago, but haven't noticed that it works as well as St. John's Wort. I'm also very irritable. Should I give it more time? (I've read that it takes about a week to see benefit.) I'd appreciate any thoughts on this. Thanks!
>
> Stacy
Posted by Stacy on January 12, 2000, at 15:55:57
In reply to Re: SAMe & ADHD, posted by anita on January 12, 2000, at 13:24:31
This information is very helpful. Take care!
Posted by dove on January 13, 2000, at 8:28:38
In reply to Thanks anita! , posted by Stacy on January 12, 2000, at 15:55:57
I just want to add one thing about the migraines, which I have dealt with since I was 8 years old. I take Amitriptyline (Elavil) every night before bed, which has changed my whole outlook on headaches. Even a mere 50mgs, of Amitriptyline prevents migraines completely, unless I've taken something like prozac, which seems to induce them. I also tried St.John's Wort before trying any 'real' psychotropic meds, it made me extremely irritable, depressed, and induced massive migraines. I also tried Inositol, with the same results.
I have been much more pleased with the combo of Adderall, Wellbutrin, and Amitriptyline at bedtime, no headaches. Just a few thoughts.
dove
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.