C. is a 70 year old female referred to me by a colleague.  C. has Attention Deficit ADD ADHD since childhood, and she was loquacious, agitated, and restless throughout her appointment.  She contracted Lyme disease twenty years ago, which left her with neurological sequellae including mild MS.  She has headaches, hypertension, tinnitus, nocturia, shortness of breath, heart murmurs, and memory loss.  Her motivation for making an appointment is intractable insomnia of two months duration, with no apparent etiology.  In the past, she has only experienced trouble sleeping if she travels out-of-town.

  Because she is overly reactive to many pharmaceuticals, C. tried taking l-tryptophan at bedtime, with no change in her sleep.  When she took melatonin, it caused arrhythmias and chest pain.  On a “good night,” 2-3 hours after taking Benadryl, she would get drowsy.  If she could fall asleep, she would awaken and not sleep after that.

  I prescribed Level one 5-HTP, tyrosine, and dopa dosing.  At our first follow up 12 days later, after C. returned from a trip out-of-town, she came in “a very happy camper.”  She was falling asleep, and sleeping through the night.  If she got up with nocturia, she fell back asleep.  C. reported feeling more mellow during the day than she had her whole life.  She sat more calmly through her visit, and her responses were direct and succinct.  She told me her concentration and focus was better, and she was getting paperwork done that she had not been able to do for many months.

  At her second appointment two weeks later, C. reports that her blood pressure now runs normal, and her cognitive function is greatly improved.  She has no headaches, is not agitated, and feels miraculously better.  Her sleep is normal even when she goes out-of -town.  She is happy to continue her 5-HTP, tyrosine, and dopa and feels no need to pursue further treatment of Attention Deficit ADD ADHD.

  Kalen A., a 12 year old 6^th grader attending a parochial school, has a mother who has experienced profound benefits from using the NeuroResearch 5-HTP, tyrosine, and dopa therapy.  Last spring, Kalen’s teacher gave his mother two options:  put Kalen on medication for Attention Deficit ADD ADHD or put him in public school. 

  His mother finally thought to ask me if the 5-HTP, tyrosine, and dopa could help him.  I had not treated a young person, but remembered learning about it at the seminars.  We started Kalen on the level one adult dose (8 NR and 6 CR per day) and within five days his teacher called his mom and said ‘Whatever you are doing, don’t stop.

  Kalen remains on the level one adult dose of NR, his grades improved dramatically, he reports feeling able to focus, and he reminds his mom when it is time to take the next dose. 

Summary: When Dr. Ross Stewart first met Grant, it was clear that this child was out of control.  His severe emotional outbursts were affecting everyone around him, both in school and at home.  He was dismissed from three different preschools for violence towards himself and others - uncontrollable screaming, classroom disturbances, non-stop talking and uncontrollable movement.  He became physically violent when he did not get his way.  He was unable to follow simple directions and to calm himself.   He was openly defiant, regardless of the techniques used.  He would yell, “NO” directly in his teachers’ and mother’s faces.  He would head-butt his pregnant mother, who was depressed, exhausted, and fearful for her son and her new baby.

Results & Follow-up: After the initial treatment period and supporting serotonin, dopamine, or norepinephrine urinary neurotransmitter testing, Grant’s symptoms were relieved.  He became happy, calm, focused and cooperative.  He can follow his teachers’ and parents’ instructions, plays well with other children, and is no longer exhibiting violent behavior.

  In spite of the clear success, Grant’s father opposed the supplements and removed Grant from the program.  Grant’s symptoms returned in three days.  With this strong evidence, his father returned Grant to the program and has been a strong supporter since.  Grant’s behavior has continued to improve. He is now behaving within normal parameters for his age.

  On this particular morning, C.H. had been throwing things, hit his mother and sister and had a meltdown over the breakfast cereal choice.  Despite it being a school holiday, Mrs. H. had brought C.H. to his after school day care center because she “just couldn’t take it anymore”.  Though Mrs. H. felt like a terrible mother, I knew the opposite to be the truth. I  had been the family’s Pediatrician since C.H.’s birth and I was always impressed by the mother’s patience, firmness and common sense approach with dealing with her difficult, temperamental son.  Up to this point, Mrs. H. had firmly rejected the idea of any medical intervention but today she was open to any suggestions.  Upon further discussion, C.H.’s observed behaviors were best explained by decreased neurotransmitter (serotonin, dopamine, or norepinephrine) function: Attention Deficit ADD ADHD, anxiety, obsession, aggression, and poor sleep. 

  C.H. was started on the NeuroResearch pediatric 5-HTP, tyrosine, and dopa protocol.  Nine days later a notably happy, calm, polite and cooperative little red-head returned for a follow-up visit.  He stayed seated on the bench while his mother (also happy and smiling) described the past few days as “GREAT”!, something she admitted she thought she would never be able to say.  One month later,  C.H. came in bringing his pill calendar and wearing his big smile.  He was now sleeping through the night and waking easily in the morning.  School was progressing very well now that his bright mind and inquisitive personality were present.  His teacher had just recommended testing for placement in the gifted program for first grade.  Mrs. H. was actually looking forward to the next school holiday with anticipation and C.H. couldn’t wait for the weekend to join a friend for a play date. 

  This week, C.H. started first grade after a busy “normal” summer.  He qualified for placement in the gifted program at his public school and we are anticipating a great year!