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Question
100: Dear Dr. Dunc, My husband was diagnosed with ADHD a
few years ago by a medical doctor here. He tried Adderall for a while,
but now watches his diet more, is aware of the benefits and drawbacks
of caffeine, is more aware of his stress level, sees a counselor,
etc. He does have some tics which you talk about in your section on
Tourette's, and he does take Clonodine on occasion if he becomes angry
and his blood pressure rises. His doctor thought at one point he might
have one of the explosive disorders. He wants to take a B complex/
multivitamin supplement, but it was mentioned by his doctor a few
years ago that a certain B vitamin was bad for someone with his conditions.
Is it true that one of the B vitamins might be bad for someone with
his conditions, and if so is it B1, B2, B6 or B12 that he should stay
away from when buying a B complex/ multivitamin supplement? Sincerely,
B.D., CA, USA.
I'm not
familiar with any research in this area, however one paper that has
been published on a topic close to this is below. In this paper, the
vitamin B6 is mentioned but from the abstract the theory suggests that
B6 is not
'bad' -- rather, a magnesium deficiency is to 'blame'.
It is
worth knowing that hypotheses (and this paper only suggests a hypothesis)
need supportive research before they can be considered to be anything
other than simple guesses, though. I'm not saying that there isn't
anything to this: I'm saying that I would need to see objective, experimental
data on it before rendering an opinion.
One last
thing -- you mentioned that your husband 'on occasion' takes the antihypertensive
Clonidine (Catapres). Irregular use of Clonidine can create serious
fluctuations in blood pressure; physicians strongly recommend that this
medication be used consistently, or not at all. I would suggest that
any use of Clonidine be discussed with and monitored by your husband's
physician.
I hope
this helps!
Dr. Dunc.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Med Hypotheses. 2002 Jan;58(1):47-60.
The central role of magnesium deficiency in Tourette's syndrome: causal
relationships between magnesium deficiency, altered biochemical pathways
and symptoms relating to Tourette's syndrome and several reported comorbid
conditions.
Grimaldi
BL.
BonnieGr@aol.com
Prior
studies have suggested a common etiology involved in Tourette's syndrome
and several comorbid conditions and symptomatology. Reportedly, current
medications used in Tourette's syndrome have intolerable side-effects
or are ineffective for many patients. After thoroughly researching the
literature, I hypothesize(emphasis
added by Dr. Dunc.) that magnesium deficiency may be the central
precipitating event and common pathway for the subsequent
biochemical effects on substance P, kynurenine, NMDA receptors, and
vitamin B6 that may result in the symptomatology of Tourette's syndrome
and several
reported comorbid conditions. These comorbid conditions and symptomatology
include allergy, asthma, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,
obsessive compulsive disorder, coprolalia, copropraxia, anxiety, depression,
restless leg syndrome, migraine, self-injurious behavior, autoimmunity,
rage, bruxism, seizure, heart arrhythmia, heightened sensitivity to
sensory stimuli, and an exaggerated startle response. Common possible
environmental and genetic factors are discussed, as well as biochemical
mechanisms. Clinical studies to determine the medical efficacy for a
comprehensive magnesium treatment option for Tourette's syndrome need
to be conducted to
make this relatively safe, low side-effect treatment option available
to doctors and their patients. Copyright 2002 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.
