berrybird Posted November 11, 2015 Share Posted November 11, 2015 I'm closing in on finishing my first W30 (Day 28) and while I've overall been pleased with my results and the new habits that I've developed, I'm finding that I'm really having a hard time concentrating and the ADHD symptoms that I've had under control with medications for a few years now just don't seem to be working as fully as before. I was diagnosed several years ago (as an adult) with moderate ADHD. My doctor suggested that I had been "self-medicating" for years by consuming large quantities of sugar and caffeine - I was one of those kids who could drink 5 sodas and not even blink while my peers were bouncing off the ceiling, which should have been the first clue, perhaps. I cut down on my sugar and caffeine consumption after going on low-dose stimulant meds, and have been doing well. Now, however, since cutting sugar much more drastically and limiting my caffeine consumption to 1 to 2 coffees per day (before the Whole30 I was consuming about 5 caffeinated beverages per day, coffee and diet soda) on Whole30, I am having such a hard time concentrating. I am very loathe to increase dosage of my prescription stimulant meds, but my productivity and ability to focus has been pretty shot over the past few weeks, which is incredibly frustrating because I otherwise feel quite good physically other than having some digestive issues and food aversion my first week. My mood is very good, too. I'm just really scattered and the motivational "kick in the butt" I normally get from my meds seems to be very weak. Anyone have similar experiences or advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators SugarcubeOD Posted November 11, 2015 Moderators Share Posted November 11, 2015 I'd say a trip back to your doctor is in order... with no background in what you describe, it sounds like you cut out sufficient stimulants (coffee/sugar) that your meds are now too weak. If there are two options, one to increase your meds and one to start eating piles of sugar and caffeine again, then it would be up to you to weight the side effects of each course of action and decide which one suits your values and lifestyle better. It can be hard to believe that the way we change our eating habits can go so far as to change things like ADHD, but you know that to be true when you cut out a lot of that stuff before your Whole30 so it stands to reason that cutting more out means that there's a gap between what you ate and what the meds can do at the dosage they're at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewer5 Posted November 11, 2015 Share Posted November 11, 2015 I would highly suggest looking into the benefits of a ketogenic diet for mental clarity and focus. If you have been consuming a lot of starchy veggies, they can make you calm & happy, and they can also make you foggy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erica Gucc Posted November 11, 2015 Share Posted November 11, 2015 I have not changed my coffee consumption on whole30. I have been eating plenty of fruit. I have found my adhd symptoms are still perfectly under control! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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