Neuroscience

-I think it's the side effects of the antidepressant I can't handle -- and I seem to experience the less common ones. -I have measured transit, on more than one occasion. It's always been within the 18-24 hr timeline. -Could taking a vitamin d3 supplement in addition to my regular outdoor exercise combined with good diet, really make a big difference with the worry and obsessiveness? I have capsules of 2000 IU and just started taking it today. I may suggest it....thanks. Can you explain Dr. Hinz's position on why they'll do testing after but not before? I read the citations on both sites and I don't understand his "cookie-cutter" process of step1, 2, and 3 interventions. Lastly, what else can be done medically/nutritionally/etc to make the benefits of the meds last almost all or more of the time?

Dr. Parker, So how does all this work? I've read the references you cite. I just don't know how to talk to my psychiatrist to work on finding better results. I don't really feel comfortable suggesting the testing because it is so cutting edge and we're talking about a dr. who's putting it all out there on the internet. (which, while a good resource, is also a source that adds to confusion and misinformation for so many). I also would not do it without talking to him about it. So....what do I do? My "appearance" symptoms are adhd, obsessiveness and feeling compelled to have things a certain way. When I take adderall, pretty much everything is so much easier. But when someone else is not demanding my attention, I feel my heartbeat more because my mind is clear. Then I worry and obsess over all of this and sometimes (if I don't stop myself) I absorb myself in reading as much research as possible. I also still have my particular worries and obsessions that sometimes lead to panic attacks (which I manage well while the adderall is effective, less so when it's not effective) --- having enough time to finish something, being on time, having any formatting done exactly the way I want for any project, being in crowds, being in new places with new people, asking anyone for a favor or information, understanding all the details of what is going on with me, conversations w/ people. These things have been like this since I was a kid, but in the last couple years I've learned some things to manage them better and can at least identify them now. Other issues -- chronic neck and shoulder pain (since high school...had PT, carpal tunnel test - pinched nerve was identification), chronic ear infections/drainage difficulties since very young childhood and continued sinus difficulties (but not severe, though aggravated by extreme dust), headaches when the neck and sinus pain is worse, rarely feel rested in the morning but even when I feel ok-also rare-it's still difficult to make myself do what i need to (kind of like how everything used to be before taking adderall) and I am as consistent as I can be with sleep hygiene (probably about 50% successful, which is consistent for me). I rarely wake up in the night unless I'm thirsty or hot or worrying about something subconsciously (pretty rare though). I fall asleep usually within 30 minutes of lying down. Sometimes it's harder because of the aches/pains and my head muscles have a hard time relaxing. It helps to have pressure on my head and complete darkness. Let's see what else....The adderall doesn't last long enough (it lasts as long as it's supposed to; it just doesn't cover the whole day. Even the 12-14 on Vyvanse wouldn't be enough hours most days). -I have no food allergies and I doubt any sensitivities as my transit and bm are within the ranges you cite (doesn't mean I never have difficulty, but it's very rare). -I'm 29, female, very regular cycles, generally more irritable and unfocused during that time each month -I eat well (lots of protein & grass fed beef etc, fiber, long chain carbs, fruits/veggies, limited sugar) and work out 4-7 days a week either aerobic or strength/flexibility exercises. -BP with adderall is around 107/75-80. Average HR with adderall is around 85 during the day. Otherwise, RHR is about 60, MHR is 183. -In last year I've dropped a lot of weight, but due to making these lifestyle changes and being more consistent in them. I weigh about 120 now. -my mood is pretty typical and I handle difficulties so much better than I used to. I don't feel sad. I feel slightly frustrated because I can't put the pieces of the puzzle together yet. I'm thankful for all that I do have and am able to do. I feel overwhelmed right now because the last several weeks have just been so incredibly demanding with all that I have to do and I have just been barely surviving. -my B12 came back over 800, thyroid was 2 something, iron was 14 something, vit D was 17 (which is a little low according to what I read). I couldn't give blood last week because my veins were too small, which surprised me because I drink a lot of water (not quite a gallon a day most days). -I'm successful in that I have my own apartment, car, the same teaching job for the last 3 years (I teach 32 1st-3rd graders), do other activities besides school, good friendships. I just stopped taking citalopram this week (10 mg) because I noticed that my teeth had started chattering together sometimes. When I went up to 10 it got worse. It's also worse when the adderall has worn off, or if I'm nervous about something. Early on I had troubles sleeping, but that had ceased. I never noticed anything positive; I took it for about 2 weeks. I've taken other medications and had strong reactions at low doses also, which I gather from reading your info, is a sign of something else going on - usually with the gut. But like I said, the transit etc are within your cited ranges. I can't figure it out! This tremendously long post is an indication of my obsessiveness and I KNOW there is so much here that you can't begin to address it. Your book and your site has been so helpful in these months of sorting through things. I know I won't have perfection and that's ok :) but I would like to hear what you have to say in general. I know you like the testing and have had great success with it clinically to guide supplements along with medications and to eliminate any problem foods. I just feel like Ive done that already, but I still can't figure this out. And I don't know what to say or how to say it to my dr, whom I like and trust (both of which are not easy for me). What else do I need to do to get my life together!!?? Thanks a bunch........!! :) Jessie