Hi there everyone! I am new to this forum and I was searching online for someone who has made a similar discovery to mine. I have tried a few different medications and they all seem to have some very bad side effects. Dexedrine gives me mild heart palpatations, Concerta makes me feel crazy, almost strung-out (although I'm not quite sure what that feels like, so I could be wrong...lol). In Canada, I don't think ?Adderall? or ?Strattera? are available although I have heard of them.

Frankly, I'm tired of trying medication after medication that doesn't seem to help. So I wanted to share a real-life experience with you all:

Some of what you need to understand first is that I am an Anglo-American; mostly British, Scottish, and Irish. Quite the blend, eh? Anyways, I have always wanted to visit Italy. I love their food and a lot of their cultures. In my ventures, I finally got around to trying first, espresso, then when it was too strong a flavour for me, cappuccino. My discovery was amazing:

CAPPUCCINO REDUCED MY ADD SYMPTOMS!!!

I couldn't believe it; so I tried again the next day. I FELT LIKE A MILLION BUCKS!!! I got work done for my business that I hadn't been able to complete in months! For 3 days in a row, I have been working hard and ENJOYING IT! It's a far cry from my days of saying to myself, "I know I should be able to just do it, but why can't I?!" I have been beating myself up for so long but now, I don't have to.

Cappuccino has saved my life! I'm working through the day, and therefore less stressed at night. I can finally sleep because work is getting done, instead of sitting there WAITING to be done.

I hope that at least one person finds a similar experience because of this post. What have you got to lose by trying? Those nasty side effects that come along with medication? Who wouldn't want to lose that?

Please let me know what you think. I am so excited to share this with you all.

(PS. Cappuccino/Espresso machines are available at Wal-Mart dirt cheap! It sure beats $5-10 at Starbucks everyday!)
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Cappuccinosorry..allergic to milk..
plain strong black coffee for me ;)

Please let me know what you think.<!-- / message -->

I think you should do what both you and your Dr feel works best for you, no matter what it is.

I think you should do what both you and your Dr feel works best for you, no matter what it is.
me too ....

This is one of a couple of threads going now on caffiene and "treatment" with it.

Look into the possible side-effects of long-term excessive use of caffiene; the higher concentrations found in the espressos. Look at the connection of the draining on the endocrine and adrenal systems and the affects that it causes on the blood pressure and overall health and body systems. There is alot of research out there.

On occassion, I do let my son drink an occasional cup of coffee if he's having a tough time settling down to a big assignment, since he is not medicated, and it does help him quite a bit.

Espresso (basis of Cappucchino) has less caffeine than coffee. :)

Caffeine works on Adenosine, not Dopamine.

It's not *quite* a true substitute for ADD medications working on Dopamine.

But if it works for you, go for it.

That's great. Echoing lars, it's up to YOU (and peripherally your "medical agent") to decide what you're going to put in your body. No one else should make the decision for you.

You never tried Ritalin? or Strattera? Strattera is available in Canada, and it isn't a stimulant in the traditional sense, you never know might help you.

What I've noticed as a correlation, might not be correct, is those that say caffiene helps them (i.e. doesn't make them nervous, irritable, moody, etc) may respond well to the noradrenaline stimulation, this is why I think strattera works well for them. However, like me and others, too much noradrenaline just strings me out, makes me nervous, I'm strictly on a dopamine needy basis! :D)

Oh Lars, I learned as well that Focalin isn't available in Canada! :( I'm starting to get ****ed off now. My research into myself was leading me to want to try only dex and focalin in succession, but I won't be able to try focalin now. I know adderall and strattera won't be good for me, and desoxyn isn't here.

very interesting read half_a_penny - thanks for sharing :)

for the last 8 years I have found myself drinking red bull on a daily basis - its usually only one in the morning however during times of high work load its not unusual for me to have 3-4 a day! (and if available the Thai 'Kra Tin Dang' variety)

now I know its not doing my teeth a favour, however they really pick me and let me concentrate!

p.s. I wish I could drink coffee, however I have never been able to get past the taste...love the smell of coffee beans however as soon as it hits the taste buds....ugggh!!

I am thinking my Natural Energy drink will work just fine for me as a kind of mental clarity help and focusing thing,as well as helping with energy for workout's, cleaning house, whatever. It's alot healthier than meds ad some other things asit has a natural caffeine in it-an herb called, Guarana. this has helped alot of people with ADHD. It has the oppostie effect on kids as this herb calm's them down. I can't drink alot of coffee or expresso or energy drink's while taking Adderall, don't want to overdo it. So, its one or the other. should try an experiment, and try Adderall oneday, then wether the coffee, or energy drink with Guarana &/or Gota Kola (mental focus herb) and see which work's best. I am willing to try the cappicuino for a day or even a week to see if it helps. When my hubby drinks the frozen ones he clean's everything in site ( he doesn't have ADHD obviously!) if just for him! It can't hurt, but think they arekind of fattening and i would probably gain weight on it everyday, maybe. Just my thought's.

*ponders giving son a cup of coffee....*