ADHD but cannot take stimulants at all

[blueskyslinky]

I was diagnosed with ADHD 13 years ago I was trialled on various medication but I cannot do stimulants at all due to migraines, I can't even do stimulant supplements like tyrosine as that triggers migraines. I do have better strategies to cope than I use to but I'd love to hear any non medication non stimulant treatments, supplements etc that have helped you?

Bupropion

Clonidine takes the edge off for me and helps with sleep. I can’t take adhd meds because I have Tourette’s too and the stimulant increases tics.

Sorry just read you were looking at non medication.
Maybe something similar to cbd..

I can't take adhd meds either. I don't know if I have really found strategies that will help though.

Have you tried non stimulants?

@anon90210 Medications are difficult as many can't be used along side the medications I use to prevent or treat Migraine or they actively make the migraines worse. I guess I am looking for more non prescription medication things but I'm open to other medications i may not have tried and which aren't stimulants.

@MrsBennetsPoorNerves Its nice to know someone else understands! My main coping strategy is to utilise my hyper focus but its not really that healthy to be sure.

Caffeine (it's effective)
Music (I have different playlists for different activities)
Dopamine ladders (to trick yourself in to executive function don't try to go from high dopamine to low dopamine- instead step down a ladder. So the path from social media doom scroll to washing up goes doom scroll > tv programme > next tv episode whilst washing up)

@nodogz, thanks they sound like good tips!

@blueskyslinky they do work. I like a classic video game soundtrack when tidying and cleaning. Puts me in hyperfocus from all the hours of sonic and mario- and I imaging I'm a little person in a game doing all my quests!

And body doubling. Just get someone in the room with you or a pet. Got done boring work to do just call a friend on teams and have them doing their work in the bottom of the screen.

These are all things I'm doing with my kid (who is probably adhd) and trying to bring him up without shame or guilt.

You have to have to turn all the "I should do this" which your brain turns in to "if I was a good person I would do this, if I wasn't lazy I would do this" into "I could do this" (because even though it's boring I'll feel better/be better prepared/be looking after myself" It's a head shift

SNRIs can help. Atomoxetine (SNRI) is prescribed for ADHD. If you can't get that prescribed, try Duloxetine or Venlafaxine. I'm ADHD and on Venlafaxine for severe anxiety and depression, but I've noticed it does help my ADHD as well in that it helps with focus a bit and keeps me calm. I feel more measured in my approach to things now and my brain doesn't feel as racey.

@stbrandonsboat I've been on Duloxetine and then Venlafaxine and had an awful time with both they also conflicted with my migraine medication which I need to prioritise as I cannot function at all without them due to severe chronic migraines. Thanks for responding though.

@nodogz Thanks I think these are things I can actually utilise right now, I really appreciate you sharing them in such detail.