Do you suck at sleeping?

 I used to suck at sleeping.  My legs would twitch, my mind would race and I would agonize over getting up for any early meetings, classes or work.  I am not sure if all ADD'ers struggle with sleep, but it seems to be fairly common.  I am still not sure if it is more the drugging effects of the gluteomorphin and caseomorphin or the deficiencies in iron and magnesium that were making my sleep so unrestful.  I would awake feeling like someone had slipped me a roofie and then stumble to the coffee maker (literally) often drinking 5-6 cups of coffee a day to stay awake.  

         Since going gluten and dairy free and adding in some  Natural Calm before bed I have seen a big difference in my ability to fall asleep, and how I feel when I wake up.  I used to sleep for 9-10 hours and still not feel rested, but now I can sleep maybe 7 hours and wake without an alarm clock.  There has been a lot of hype about treating ADHD with 5-HTP.  I don't find that my sleep really improves with 100 mg of 5-HTP before bed, but I do find that I feel way better the next day.  I wake with a better attitude and tend to be happier throughout the day. 

          I am also going to experiment with a SAD lamp since I recently moved to northern California and find that I am really craving some sunshine.  My sister lives in southern England and told me that her SAD lamp really improves her mood and energy levels.  Many people seem to swear by these lamps for improving their sleep quality.  I will be posting my experience with the lamp as soon as amazon delivers it.   I can't wait.  

NPR: ADHD and Diet

research news

Study: Diet May Help ADHD Kids More Than Drugs(234)  (272)

March 12, 2011 Kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be restless, impulsive, inattentive and difficult to handle. Many are treated with drugs, but a new study suggests that food may be the key. The study's author says a very restrictive diet can significantly reduce symptoms.

Is Restless Leg Syndrome a Nutrient Deficiency?

       Ever since I can remember I have twitched, squirmed and tossed myself to sleep at night.  The twitching often comes in the form of rubbing my feet together which my boyfriend refers to as cricket feet.  Despite my brain telling my feet to stop as loudly as  possible there is no controlling it.  I always assumed it was excess energy and I just needed to exercise more.  It was neurological symptoms like these that eventually led me to become what I would call, an exercise addict, in an attempt to diffuse the tension I constantly felt.

        The drug companies have come up with a name and of course a drug to treat this so called disease, RLS.  If you are like me and have suffered from this problem it is not funny.  The good news is you don't have to shell out your hard-earned money for some expensive pharmaceuticals.   At least not until you try Iron, Magnesium and Folate supplements first.

Iron
People with RLS may have low levels of stored iron aka, ferritin.  I know I did when someone finally tested my ferritin level instead of the standard free iron level.  Fewer symptoms of RLS have been found in people with ferritin levels greater than 50 mcg/L.

Folic Acid
The synthetic form of folate, a water soluble B vitamin that helps maintain new cells in part through the creation of DNA and RNA.  RLS is associated with folate deficiency especially in pregnancy.  It is also needed for red blood cell formation and preventing anemia.  It was probably not a coincidence that I was always anemic.

Magnesium
The first time I took magnesium citrate I had an out of body experience.  The calm feeling that came over me was unreal.  My favorite magnesium product is call natural calm.  I drink a large glass before bed every night.
For a great article on the topic and recommendations for dosages, check out this link http://www.lef.org/protocols/neurological/restless_leg_syndrome_01.htm

Fixing the ADD Brain

         I am living proof that there is hope for curing ADHD that doesn't come in the form of ADDERAL and DEXADRINE. I now believe ADHD has a cause that is reversible. There isn't one book on ADD or organization (a dirty word to us ADD'ers) I don't own and I've spent thousands of dollars on drugs and doctors. None of these things ever fixed the problem. No amount of screaming or scolding by my supportive yet unsympathetic parents ever made a difference. 

         I suffered for thirty years in silence, and as a girl felt even more alienated then your stereotypical ADD boy. Sloppy, disorganized, impulsive, rude, sarcastic, flaky, forgetful, distracted and worst of all dissatisfied with life in general. All of us have probably heard a few of these before. For an ADD'er it can be a daily occurrence.  Finally at the age of thirty I found an explanation. It is a good thing I always embodied two other helpful ADD traits, insatiable curiosity and an inability to quit.

         I don't know if it will work for everyone, but I share this with the hope that  it will end the suffering of other people with broken brains like myself.  If you haven't read Dr. Mark Hyman's book The Ultramind Solution, get it now http://drhyman.com.  I also recommend The Paleo Solution by Robb Wolf http://robbwolf.com/.  These books changed my life and my brain.  However crazy it sounds, an inflamed brain and gut can cause ADHD, OCD and anxiety. What causes the inflammation you ask? Hidden food allergies and the standard american diet (SAD) of sugar, caffeine, gluten, and dairy.  

          Yes, I know it sounds out there, but I dare you goggle "leaky gut" and see how many hits you get.  The biochemistry can get complicated but Hyman is a doctor and Wolf a biochemist so believe me they have the science to back up these claims.  If you suffer from ADHD and you haven't tried an elimination diet, I highly recommend it.  Within 3 days I felt a difference and I have been gluten, dairy and legume free for 8 months.