Posted by JLx on November 2, 2003, at 11:03:02
In reply to adrenal disfunction/ depression/ HELP, posted by bobbyswitchblade on November 1, 2003, at 17:50:47
> For about a month i have been seeing a wholistic doctor who determined, determined though a saliva test that my adrenals are not functioning properly.
Your doc recommended no other supplements or dietary changes? I make notes from this board when somebody says something relevant to me:
"Commonly recommended adrenal supports are vitamin C (gram doses, up to three times a day), magnesium, selenium, pantothenate, B-complex (in other words, extra pantothenate on top of that in a B-complex), alphalipoic acid, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil).
For some reason pantothenic acid keeps coming up in my research. Just emphasizing it again." http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20031003/msgs/271971.html
>These recent tests show that I have depressed morning cortisol levels and elevated evening levels.
There's a book I've read called "The Cortisol Connection" that talks about that very thing, including recommendations. Here's his website: http://www.cortisolconnection.com/index.php
One of his recommendations was to get to bed before 10 pm to help normalize the cortisol rise and fall. If I remember correctly, I think he also says he himself takes theanine in the evenings for this purpose too. (Theanine is an over-the-counter amino acid).
>I was diagnosed with depression many many years ago and anti depressants never helped- the only thing that did help was a stimulant called adderal although it stopped working after 3 months, ... SInce then I have had ECT through which I also experienced a rise and fall. Nothing has helped since. I have no energy and cannot think straight at all.
I hear ya. I, too, have had long time depression not relieved for long with any anti-depressant I tried. I think the key is figuring out what kind of depression, and then trial and error to what works -- and it will probably turn out to be a very interwoven combination of things. For me and from what I've seen many others here, the problem is achieving balance as I believe we have some sensitive brain chemistry (and other biology) going on here, so a correction one way throws off something else another way. And it takes time for these nondrug regimens to work too. But they can help. Magnesium was a big key for me, despite thinking I had it covered by taking a multi-vitamin/mineral. Here's a lengthy site about one man's experience and research: http://www.coldcure.com/html/dep.html
He says,
"Electroconvulsive shock treatment (ECT) lowers calcium concentrations thus promoting a more healthful calcium/magnesium ratio."
This suggests to me that if ECT works this way and it helped you, albeit for a short time, magnesium supplementation may also help. If you try it, make sure you use a form of magnesium that will be effective (magnesium oxide is not very absorbable) and not contraindicated for depression (magnesium glutamate and aspartate are not advised). On that site Eby recommends magnesium taurinate, which I haven't tried. I like magnesium glycinate, and mg malate. Mg citrate is less tolerable to me, meaning more conducive to diarrhea so I have to take less at a time. I've also diluted magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts). Epsom salt baths, btw, are a good way to get some magnesium in your bod and are relaxing too.
This is something else I found helpful in directing me to what I should try:
http://www.brainplace.com/bp/checklist/Another was the e-book of Patricial Slagle which you can read free here: http://www.thewayup.com/
Stick around and talk with folks here, some are very knowledgeable and have really "been around the block" and may have just the comparable experience/advice that will help you. :) (I, for one, feel better these days on my natural regimen -- which include dietary changes -- than I ever did on any drug or nothing at all.)
poster:JLx
thread:268649
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20031023/msgs/275771.html