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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by krybrahaha78 on March 2, 2005, at 23:02:42
This might be a silly question, but I was just curious about nicotine and ADD. Nicotine is a stimulant, is there anyway it could help ADD sufferers?
Posted by Spriggy on March 2, 2005, at 23:26:13
In reply to ADD and Nicotine?, posted by krybrahaha78 on March 2, 2005, at 23:02:42
I hope you aren't suggesting to start smoking to help with ADD..My father is 43 and dying of emphysema right now. Please don't even attempt to pick up such a habit. You will pray a very costly price for it..
I'm losing my father because of nicotine.
Posted by krybrahaha78 on March 2, 2005, at 23:41:23
In reply to Re: ADD and Nicotine?, posted by Spriggy on March 2, 2005, at 23:26:13
nah im not a smoker or even suggesting it to anyone, i was just curious because i seen a few studies done where people chew nicotine gum and stuff like that.
Posted by TheOutsider on March 3, 2005, at 5:55:42
In reply to ADD and Nicotine?, posted by krybrahaha78 on March 2, 2005, at 23:02:42
> This might be a silly question, but I was just curious about nicotine and ADD. Nicotine is a stimulant, is there anyway it could help ADD sufferers?
There are undoutedly people on the board who are much more knowlable about Nicoteen and ADHD than I am, however I will post what I know.
I tried chewing Nicoteen Gum to treat my ADD symptoms, it was somewhat helpful although not nearly as effective as Dexedrine.
Unfortunatly tolerance soon develops to Nicoteen supplements.
Apparently there are drugs in development for ADD which act on Nicoteen receptors, but maybe I just imagined it.
Posted by banga on March 3, 2005, at 8:18:43
In reply to Re: ADD and Nicotine?, posted by TheOutsider on March 3, 2005, at 5:55:42
I believe anything stimulating is something people with ADHD are drawn to. My coffee habit was the first signal to my doctors that perhaps ADHD is an issue. I read somewhere how drinking coffee is "your body's pitiful attempt to raise dopamine levels."
Posted by Ritch on March 3, 2005, at 9:31:08
In reply to Re: ADD and Nicotine?, posted by banga on March 3, 2005, at 8:18:43
> I believe anything stimulating is something people with ADHD are drawn to. My coffee habit was the first signal to my doctors that perhaps ADHD is an issue. I read somewhere how drinking coffee is "your body's pitiful attempt to raise dopamine levels."
I agree with that. I'm convinced as ever that I have comorbid ADHD with my bipolar. I used to drink coffee and caffeinated soda and chain smoke nonstop all day in my '20's (up to 3 packs a day). When I stopped smoking, there would be a rebound effect that persisted for several weeks of extreme confusion, inability to concentrate. Hopefully they will come up with a nicotinic receptor drug for ADHD that is nonstimulant.
Posted by gadman on March 3, 2005, at 10:24:20
In reply to Re: ADD and Nicotine? » banga, posted by Ritch on March 3, 2005, at 9:31:08
I was a heavy smoker and caffeine user throughout my life.
Appr 4 years ago I quit smoking and have had problems with Anxiety/Depression ever since??? I never before drew the correlation (until recently) but it is strange that in the same year I quit smoking, I had to be put on Effexor for Anxiety/Depression.
This happened about 8 months after I quit smoking.
I know this isn't ADD but I have been diagnosed GAD/Minor OCD...
gadman
Posted by Ritch on March 3, 2005, at 12:14:06
In reply to Re: ADD and Nicotine? » Ritch, posted by gadman on March 3, 2005, at 10:24:20
> I was a heavy smoker and caffeine user throughout my life.
>
> Appr 4 years ago I quit smoking and have had problems with Anxiety/Depression ever since??? I never before drew the correlation (until recently) but it is strange that in the same year I quit smoking, I had to be put on Effexor for Anxiety/Depression.
>
> This happened about 8 months after I quit smoking.
>
> I know this isn't ADD but I have been diagnosed GAD/Minor OCD...
>
> gadmanThat is interesting. The only stuff that works the best for my bipolar depressions (which are ADD-like big time), are drugs that work well for ADHD. I didn't mention it, but when I also quit smoking I became a lot more restless as well (being unable to sit still). Perhaps smoking was self-medicating a depressive ADD symptom cluster? Nicotine produces a simultaneous *alerting* and *calming* effect. Hmmm. Just the two things that seem to be the hardest states to maintain! :)
Posted by fires on March 3, 2005, at 18:23:48
In reply to ADD and Nicotine?, posted by krybrahaha78 on March 2, 2005, at 23:02:42
> This might be a silly question, but I was just curious about nicotine and ADD. Nicotine is a stimulant, is there anyway it could help ADD sufferers?
I don't have time to read all the replies, so I may be repeating what someone has already stated:A lot of ADD males smoke. Probably not coincidence.
Posted by paulbwell on March 4, 2005, at 5:16:59
In reply to Re: ADD and Nicotine? » krybrahaha78, posted by fires on March 3, 2005, at 18:23:48
I was Dx with ADHD and have been taking Ritalin for a year
I am in my early 30s
Late last year I was taken off it, and soon after began to smoke regularly for the first time in my life, I was well on my way to becoming hooked,I resumed my medicine, and quickly all desire/need for Cigarettes fell away.
Coincidence?
Posted by retrojen on March 6, 2005, at 15:05:08
In reply to Re: ADD and Nicotine?, posted by TheOutsider on March 3, 2005, at 5:55:42
You are correct. Wellbutrin is used for smoking cessation, ADHD and depression. It works on nicotinergic receptors in the brain.
I have used it in the past and found it too be too stimulating. I felt anxious on it.
I was started on Strattera going on three months ago and had problems initially with stupor and lack of motivation. I tried to compensate by over-using caffeine. This in turn kicked in anxiety, which tended to paralyze me more rather than motivate me.
Interestingly, I had the same thought as you. I quit using caffeine, and as a short term stop gap, have chewed nicorette (2 2mg pieces a day). Although I have had fleeting headaches, it's worked fairly well. Because I quit smoking 8 years ago, I didn't want caffeine urges to trigger me to smoke. So far so good.
I'm planning to stick with no more than 2 pieces a day and then gradually add in a good exercisae routine. Hopefully by then, I can get the motivation thing taken care of without any additional chemical help...
Jennifer
> > This might be a silly question, but I was just curious about nicotine and ADD. Nicotine is a stimulant, is there anyway it could help ADD sufferers?
>
> There are undoutedly people on the board who are much more knowlable about Nicoteen and ADHD than I am, however I will post what I know.
>
> I tried chewing Nicoteen Gum to treat my ADD symptoms, it was somewhat helpful although not nearly as effective as Dexedrine.
> Unfortunatly tolerance soon develops to Nicoteen supplements.
> Apparently there are drugs in development for ADD which act on Nicoteen receptors, but maybe I just imagined it.
>
Posted by Aserone on March 9, 2005, at 3:52:55
In reply to Re: ADD and Nicotine?, posted by retrojen on March 6, 2005, at 15:05:08
Yes nicotine do work. I've also medicated with coffé and nicotine prior to getting good help for my add/sad. But DON'T pick up a smoking habit it's the most dangeourous drug addiction there is, but that you already know i suppose.. :)
No scare tactic here i do see myself as a smoker.. :(
I still smoke now and then but really if you do find that nicotine work for you try the transdermal patches. They've really helped me concentrate. I also have the nasal spray which works REALLY fast too achive concentration.
Thats my advise if you think nicotine might be something for you.
There already is a medicine that potentates acethylcholines own effect on nicotinic receptors, Galantamine. It's only indicated for Alzheimers in my country thou.
Current drug regime for me that work (kinda):
200mg Tramadol sr (opioid-snri)
2mg Alprazolam sr (Triazolo-Benzo)2mikrog Naltrexone (Opioid antagonist)
400mg Proglumide (CCK-A&B antagonist)
240mg Magnesium (NMDA antagonist)7mg Transdermal nicotine+Nasal spray
Maybe i'll change magnesium to dextromethorphan.
//Aserone
Posted by ed_uk on March 10, 2005, at 8:36:37
In reply to Re: ADD and Nicotine?, posted by Aserone on March 9, 2005, at 3:52:55
Hi Aserone,
>Galantamine. It's only indicated for Alzheimers in my country thou.
Same in the UK, what country do you live in? - I'm curious!
Glad to hear you're doing well. Did you say that you take 2mg naltrexone?
Ed.
Posted by Aserone on March 11, 2005, at 6:47:52
In reply to Re: ADD and Nicotine? » Aserone, posted by ed_uk on March 10, 2005, at 8:36:37
> Hi Aserone,
>
> >Galantamine. It's only indicated for Alzheimers in my country thou.
>
> Same in the UK, what country do you live in? - I'm curious!
>
> Glad to hear you're doing well. Did you say that you take 2mg naltrexone?
>
> Ed.Hello.
I'm not from the u.k. i'm from scandinavia. One of the worst places to have mental problems in. A good example of this is Anna Lindh if you heard about her. Everyone just close their eyes and the problem is gone. :/
No it's not 2 mg. That would have been too much. I take approx. 2 microgram. Check out this site if you haven't already.
http://drgimbarzevsky.com/Naltrexone/index..html
/Aserone
Posted by gadman on March 11, 2005, at 7:46:01
In reply to Re: ADD and Nicotine?, posted by Aserone on March 9, 2005, at 3:52:55
I started smoking when I was 13 years old and immediately was "hooked"...
Everyone always assumes you start smoking because it makes you look "cool", this was quite wrong for me. When asked why I started smoking or continue to smoke, my answer was always, "I like the way it makes me feel"... No one could understand that, even myself...
It all becomes clearer to me now...
I smoked for appr 24 years and quitting smoking was the 2nd hardest thing I have ever done in my life (The first hardest thing was quitting drinking)
gadman
Posted by ed_uk on March 11, 2005, at 7:56:42
In reply to Re: ADD and Nicotine?, posted by Aserone on March 11, 2005, at 6:47:52
Hello :-)
> i'm from scandinavia
That's interesting, I know people on p-babble from Norway and Finland. What country are you from?
>One of the worst places to have mental problems in.
Why is that? Are you saying that the Scandinavian people just ignore the problem of mental illness, or pretend it doesn't exist?
Thanks for the link! Do you think you're benefitting from the naltrexone?
Ed.
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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