Natural Remedy for ADHD - Need Advice | ADHD Information

Hi -

Do any of  you have any experience and/or advice on using some of the natural remedies on the market for ADD/ADHD?    A couple I have run across include 'Attend' and 'Flavay' and a host of others.  I started taking Attend a few months ago and am doing OK, not great.  I really don't know if I can attribute it to Attend or not.  

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I used Bright Spark and Focus for my son for about a year. The teachers definately noticed a difference but he had other issues that couldn't be resolved with these meds.

www.nativeremedies.com was where I ordered them from. They have several different remedies according to what you are looking for.

We are now using Daytrana and I am very pleased.  Good Luck!

I am no doctor, but can you try a stimulant and Zoloft?

Were you on Wellbutrin or the generic?  I heard a report (on NPR) that the generic was not having the same effect on people as the real thing.  Just FYI.

I like to point out that everything "natural" is also made up of chemicals and natural chemicals can be harmful or helpful just like synthesized chemicals.  An example: digitalis (foxglove) is a poisonous plant but small amounts of the purified form are used for heart problems.  I would personally prefer the purified, titrated form from a pharmaceutical company than just chewing on the plant (or home-brewing a tea) and hoping it will do the trick and not kill me.

It's important to read exactly what the natural remedies contain.  Are there any potentially harmful ingredients? Are they in amounts that are considered therapeutic?  There is a thread somewhere around here that dissects one of these medications (Attend, I believe) and concludes that the amount of each naturally derived medication is too small to do anything.  Everyone should do his/her own research, though, so that they feel comfortable with the decision. 

Good luck.  I hear you about getting up at 3 a.m.  I think that's hard for anyone to deal with.

Thank you all for your responses to my original request.

Some background and recent developments....

I am a bit new to the ADHD diagnosis so I am just sorting through all of my issues ...if that makes sense.  I suffer from depression but more towards the anxiety side coupled with impulsivity issues.  Wellbutrin worked really well for me but my hair started falling off so I went off of everything.  It has been about 3 months and this week I decided that this approach of no meds will not work for me.  I have been taking Attend which I think is working ok for the ADHD but not great.  Also I am getting very aggitated very easily.  I have 2 wonderful little girls that just don't deserve the kind of reactivity they have been getting from me.  I cannot seem to get a handle on it.  I think I am just getting overwhelmed easily and  over reacting to the stresses in my life.  I'm ok with starting meds again but am really concerned about the hair loss issue.  My Dr suggested trying Ritalin but I honestly believe that I need something that is going to cover me all the time...like at 3 am when both of my girls happen to be up crying for whatever reason.  I was on Zoloft for the depression and found that it made my ADHD worse.  I couldn't concentrate for the life of me.  I basically sedated my brain way too much even at the very lowest dose.

The bottom line is that life has just become way too difficult without the meds.  No amount of mediation, natural remedies, diet or anything else appears to be enough to handle the ADHD and depression/anxiety.  Given that, any suggestions on meds that might work for me would be appreciated.  I am researching meds like Adderall and Concerta that would cover me throughout the day.

Thanks again to all of you.

I just bought brightspark and focus.  What other issues did you have?  I haven't started them yet as I am getting a food sensitivity and hair analysis done tomorrow and want them to be clean tests. 

My son, 8 at the time, couldn't stay still, in & out of his seat, couldn't follow directions, did not keep his hands to himself, list goes on and on.

It helped him to a point, but he also has ODD and it just got out of control after about 6 months. We finally started Daytrana 10mg and what a difference for him.

I am new to all this like you. I wish I had an answer for you. Hang in there. Are you comfortable with this doc of yours and perhaps someone with a new approch to meds might help. Good luck!Celexa is great at keeping a mom from yelling at her kids.... and her
husband!!!!!!