Posted by medlib on April 12, 2002, at 2:58:29
In reply to help -- flush on new meds, mechanism?, serotonin?, posted by Katekite on April 9, 2002, at 20:40:18
Hi Kate--
Welcome to the board! Glad to hear that you had a positive response to Ritalin. Its primary drawback is a short half-life; for most people, the therapeutic effect lasts only 3-4 hours. This usually requires multiple doses/day, often producing a "rollercoaster effect." If this proves a problem for you, you might want to ask your pdoc to try Concerta, a timed-release formulation of methylphenidate. Btw, it is my impression that most people who experience stimulant "poop out" are taking them as antidepressant augmenters; I believe that ADDers seldom have that problem.
If you are sensitive to increases in serotonin availability, it's not surprising that salmon causes you problems. It's high in the amino acid tryptophan, which is a precursor of serotonin. Some have suggested that the Omega 3 fatty acids prevalent in salmon may play a role in serotonin synthesis, as well; if that's so, salmon may deliver sort of a serotonin "double whammy." Turkey and milk are among the many foods high in tryptophan.
Well wishes---medlib
poster:medlib
thread:102572
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020408/msgs/102849.html