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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by zonked on January 24, 2016, at 12:16:31
I was delighted to think, upon being able to resume ad lib caffeine dosing, that I could treat my ADHD with caffeine alone.
However, tolerance came on much more quickly than with prescription ADHD medications (Focalin or Dexedrine, in my case), which have been nil, at least with those two.
1. Can anyone reccommend books or websites to help me learn behavioral strategies for severe ADHD?
2. How can caffeine tolerance be avoided, and dosing be optimized?
Because I am dual-diagnosis now, I may have to wait some time before I can treat my ADHD with medication again. That's OK. I've never abused my ADHD medicine...
Z
Posted by rjlockhart37 on January 24, 2016, at 20:57:16
In reply to Optimal caffeine dosing for ADHD, posted by zonked on January 24, 2016, at 12:16:31
usally you can start with the 200mg, thats usally a cup or two of coffee, but you can buy caffiene tablets, there usally 200mg each, nothing over 400mg......i would suggest only 200-300mg because over 300 it causes jitteryness and irrtibility
Posted by Christ_empowered on January 26, 2016, at 9:09:12
In reply to Optimal caffeine dosing for ADHD, posted by zonked on January 24, 2016, at 12:16:31
hi. I seem to recall reading (and I could very well be wrong, of course) that 600mgs/caffeine=20mgs/dexedrine. I wouldn't take more than that, personally; the jitters, diuretic effect, laxative effect, etc. would get to be problematic.
I seem to recall reading that some minerals and vitamins help w/ ADD/ADHD. The Orthomolecular people swear B3 in high doses helps (they would, of course). I do think that B vitamins help a good bit. I now take a lot of OTC folic acid (no Deplin for this dude, lol) and loads of B6 (2 b100 caps=200mgs, plus 200mgs of B6 as a separate supplement, so I get 400mgs/B6 daily), and that seems to help. Of course, I also take 400mgs/Wellbutrin SR.
I hope you can find something that helps. I vaguely remember reading about some amino acids...DL Phenylalanine (spelling?) that boosts levels of norepinephrine and dopamine. Might be worth a shot, if your own research makes it seem promising.
Hope you find something that works for you.
Posted by rjlockhart37 on January 27, 2016, at 0:56:14
In reply to Re: Optimal caffeine dosing for ADHD, posted by Christ_empowered on January 26, 2016, at 9:09:12
you can take 200mg of caffeine and 1500mg of l-tyrosine and that will have a small psychostimulant effect, i used to do it when i was taken off dexedrine, l-tyrosine increases dopamine and norepinephrine, caffeine would add a stimulant effect
but still it's a crude way of trying to copy a psychostimulant like dexedrine, there's anxiety envolved from the caffeine in some people, and it can either make you in a better mood, or in vary bad mood, so it depends on the person and the dosage of these 2
Posted by Horse on January 27, 2016, at 11:19:47
In reply to Re: Optimal caffeine dosing for ADHD, posted by Christ_empowered on January 26, 2016, at 9:09:12
I don't know if you are on an maoi, but I found wellbutrin very helpful. Regarding caffeine, I find my daily cup or two still help my concentration even though I no longer 'feel the energy'. Sometimes I'll take excedrine for caffeine when coffee hurts my stomach.
Can't advise on your optimal amount. Anything below an intake that promotes the jitters...?
Posted by zonked on January 30, 2016, at 13:16:42
In reply to Re: Optimal caffeine dosing for ADHD, posted by Horse on January 27, 2016, at 11:19:47
Yes, thanks everyone, Nardil - 90mg/day for years now, in answer to the MAOI question.
I've found the optimal dosage and timing, I think.
I am trying fish oil and may supplement with
some of the suggested OTC things like b vitamins
after additional research.I'm also wondering with great interest if the
mindfulness work i've been doing in rehab can solve most of my ADHD/anxiety problems, or a significant enough amount to provide lasting symptom relief.I am already taking my prn clonazepam less because
of the work I'm doing here - at my own decision,
not due to pressure from the staff here.BEST,
-z> I don't know if you are on an maoi, but I found wellbutrin very helpful. Regarding caffeine, I find my daily cup or two still help my concentration even though I no longer 'feel the energy'. Sometimes I'll take excedrine for caffeine when coffee hurts my stomach.
>
> Can't advise on your optimal amount. Anything below an intake that promotes the jitters...?
Posted by rjlockhart37 on February 9, 2016, at 14:28:01
In reply to Re: Optimal caffeine dosing for ADHD, posted by Horse on January 27, 2016, at 11:19:47
usally anything above 300-400mg is the caffeine line from stimulating, to anxiety jitters......irritability is associated with too much caffeine, so I think maybe 1-2 cups of coffee, and go through out the day and sip on it
400mg makes me very uncomfortable, but still on some it increases energy and stimulation
This is the end of the thread.
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