Posted by Emme on September 9, 2004, at 22:18:44
In reply to Re: focus/speed advice needed » Emme, posted by KaraS on September 9, 2004, at 17:58:18
Hi Kara,
> I am in the same boat as you. I have been having a terrible time with brain fog and have been trying to determine whether it's ADD or just depression related (along with some other potential causes such as CFS, adrenal fatigue and hypothyroidism.) I wish that I could get tested as well but I'm not sure that would do much more for me than give me a label.I was hoping it would give me useful insight. I'll see what happens when I talk to my pdoc tomorrow, but right now I have the sense that it wasn't helpful.
> I've been looking into many books and articles on the subject. There are quicker fixes like Ginkgo, Picamilon and Piracetam (and similar nootropics). Piracetam is considered a drug in the U.S. Low dose selegiline has helped a lot of people focus and is supposed to be a really good antioxidant. That's a drug in the U.S. too as you probably already know.
Okay, I think I'll ask my pdoc about piracetam and see what she says. I've taken selegiline. I think the amphetamine metabolites make me tired out because of the stimulation. I felt like it was contributing to mood instability. But...maybe I should revisit it at a still lower dose - I last took 2.5 mg.
Ginkgo - I am interested in trying it. The testing psychologist mentioned that she'd had three child patients who had had strokes b/c their parents gave them ginkgo. I realize that's not the norm - god only knows how much the parents gave them to cause hemorrhage. It spooked me a bit, but I may still give it a go.
> There are also plenty of things that you can take to help with antioxidation, energy formation and general health of the neurotransmitters (lipoic acid, ALC, phosphatydlserine, NAC, carnosine, Co-Q10 etc.).
> > I see my pdoc tomorrow. I suspect she might suggest strattera. I'm not sure I want to try another prescription drug. Actually, I'm not even sure I want to treat this directly at all vs. see if things improve as mood control and sleep improve. But I'm getting off track.
>
> I hear you. I feel that I if I could just get a good night's sleep, I could wake up and think a hell of a lot better and faster.Yes, not being a zombie helps. When my motivation is increase, my focus is also better.
> > Would pro-cholinergic substances improve focus (in addition to memory)?
> >
> > Thanks muchly.
>
> My understanding is that cholinergics can improve focus up to a point. Too much choline can cause depression though so you have to be careful with dosage. DMAE supposedly helps with concentration though I haven't had much luck with it.
> There are other things worth looking into. Some people have had success with Rhodiola as an antidepressant and for clearing their heads.
>
> Stimulating antidepressants are helpful too but those can aggrivate sleep further. Same with takeing the amino acids l-tyrosine and l-phenylalanine.I have to watch it. Too much of a stimulating substance and I get overstimulated - then focus goes out the window. It's all about dosage. I actually have some l-phenylalanine from when I was taking it w/ selegiline. I could consider trying that alone.
> I'm drawing a blank right now in terms of other options. There's a good book on the topic called "Brain Longevity" by Dharma Singh Khalsa, MD. He has dietary instructions and different kinds of exercises mentioned as well. There are a couple of new books on the topic that I've ordered from the library. I'll have to see if they're any good or just retreads of what's already out there.
> I haven't really implemented much of what I've read yet. That's the next step for me so I couldn't comment yet on efficacy of many of the above-mentioned treatments.
Thanks for your input and the book reference. I'll let you know if my pdoc and I agree that anything useful came out of the testing.
Emme
poster:Emme
thread:388773
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040901/msgs/388995.html