Attention Deficit Disorder (add)

[bessiejay]

I was diagnosed with ADD when i was 20. Now, two years later, I have gluten intolerance. Has anyone else noticed that their ADD has calmed down after going on a gluten-free diet? SHould i stop taking my medication and see what happens? Anyone know anything about this? Thanks!

[angel-jd1]

You should never stop taking prescribed medication without first consulting your physician. NOT a group of people on a message board. PLEASE call your dr and set up an appointment.

-Jessica

[seeking-wholeness]

Bessie,

I just found Adderall tablets on the gluten-free medication list here at celiac.com, though you may want to call the manufacturer just to double check that they haven't changed the formulation.

You may indeed find that your ADD improves on the gluten-free diet, but I would give it at least a few months to work its magic before even considering stopping a prescribed medication. And I totally agree with Jessica that you should DEFINITELY be under a doctor's supervision when weaning yourself off of a drug.

I hope this helps!

[bessiejay]

Thanks everyone.

Luckily Adderall is what my doctor calls "Vacation Time" medicine. I can go on and off it whenever without a problem. Summer vacations I dont take it as well as the weekends for the most part. I feel the same after a week on, and after a week off it. He said it should be safe and that if i start to feel over stimulated after being on the diet for awhile, to try without and see if I am ok. So, thats good news.

sometimes i wonder what else is wrong with me, i feel so bombarded. Gluten Intolerance, ADD and Eating Disorder. I just like to think the Gluten Free diet will help me in all areas.

-Bessie

[Weyoun9]

Bessie,

I was diagnosed as ADD two and a half years ago. I first started on Ritalin XR, which gave me horrible headaches, and I switched to Adderall, and took it for two years. I stopped taking it a few months ago because of complications it was causing for me, which I have now learned were due to my sprue. I've been gluten-free for a month now, and I've noticed a significant reduction in my ADD symptoms, however, not complete remission. It may take more time, or it may never go away - but, I've been trying a good alternative to Adderall that may work for you too.

I've been taking supplements of the amino acid Tyrosin (or you can try phenylalanine, which is the essential amino acid tyrosine is derived from), which your body uses to build the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine (Adderall stimulates production of dopamine, Ritalin does norepinephrine). Since starting this therapy a week ago, the results have been remarkable! It is exactly like taking Adderall, but it lasts all day and no downer from it wearing off! It is quite safe (and cheaper), and can be taken two or three times daily (but not too late, like Adderall, it can cause insomnia) They come in 100, 500, and 1000mg capsules. I have been taking roughly 1500mg a day, 500 three times daily. The only downside is that it has to be taken on an empty stomach, or a meal without protein, so it doesn't compete for absorption with any other amino acids. But I can personally attest to the difference it has made for me. I would highly suggest it. You may want to do your own research online and/or ask your doctor. I had to find it out on my own, my doctor, for whatever reason, didn't know about this alternative!

I hope I could help in some way!

Regards,

Paul

P.S. - Also, I just wanted to note that this therapy also helps depression, since these neurotrasmitters also contibute to mood, motivation, muscle control, and overall sense of well-being.

[FaithInScienceToo]

Great question -

I was diagnosed ADD about 10 years ago now - I was also called "Space cadet" by my friends in college - Obviously, I was in 'brain fog' mode way too often while growing up...

So far, my experience with being gluten-free and 'on' Ritalin is:

(I take 20mg Ritalin LA each AM)

The Ritalin seems to work better!

Maybe it's getting absorbed more completely?

I feel better now while taking it...like I know it'll really going to do what it's supposed to...

perhaps it wasn't able to do the 'slow-release' thing before, and now it does?

My knowledge, so far, of how gluten-intolerance can 'cause' ADD, or add to it, is that the opiods effect the developing brain in childhood/teen years (your brain continues to develop up until about age 25)...and I believe, unfortunately, that it may not be reversible.

So, I imagine that I will always 'have ADD,' but not as 'badly as before going gluten-free'...since I won't be adding on any more brain fog from gluten to my already altered brain development...so, I could probably use the Ritalin "PRN" - which means 'as needed' later on...

For now, though, I don't want to change anything except my diet...one big change at a time...

I do want to reduce my Paxil back down to only 12.5 mg per day, though, as I did fine on that dose previously, and feel that since my gut is absorbing everything better, it will be ok. But, I'll probably wait until I have been gluten-free for at least 6 months before I try it. I want to make sure the 12.5 dose gets absorbed.

Good luck,

Gina

[Austin Guy]

I was quite ADD before going gluten free. I was forgetful, disorganized, would lose things, had bad social anxiety because of things like concentrating so hard to remember something I wanted to say that I had no idea what the other person was saying during a conversation.

When I get glutened I revert to that, but it is a bit worse and I absolutely hate it. I just want to crawl into a hole and hide for 48 hours.

I had been on ADD meds, but quit them when I lost my insurance. They helped some, but not enough. Getting off gluten has been almost miraculous for the ADD and other things. Psychiatrists need to be informed about gluten intolerance.