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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cherylann on January 19, 2005, at 15:43:48
I've got some gaba from the vitamin shoppe that has inositol and niacinamide along with it.
It does work, kind of a stoned feeling, but calm. However, the next morning I am always SO depressed. Too bad, as I like how it works. Now I need to figure out what is causing the reaction. But I'm thinking it's the gaba.
So where is everyone?
cherylann
Posted by Glydin on January 19, 2005, at 16:19:50
In reply to A problem with gaba and where the heck's everyone?, posted by cherylann on January 19, 2005, at 15:43:48
Your post is very timely for me. While I have no good insights as to "why" and I am not taking GABA, I am taking inositol and niacinamide. I began this combo about a week and 1/2 ago in hopes of possibly getting off of very low dose Klonopin and to see what would happen. Anyway, the past week has been wretched for me and yes, it's a depressive feeling plus increased anxiety. There are other midigating factors, prehaps.. but it seems strangely related. Additionally, instead of decreasing my benzo, I've had to increase it slightly - wasn't my plan at all!
This post is a "misery loves company" one - I'm trying to figure it out, too.
Hope you feel better.... I hope I feel better, too.
Posted by KaraS on January 19, 2005, at 22:26:19
In reply to A problem with gaba and where the heck's everyone?, posted by cherylann on January 19, 2005, at 15:43:48
> I've got some gaba from the vitamin shoppe that has inositol and niacinamide along with it.
>
> It does work, kind of a stoned feeling, but calm. However, the next morning I am always SO depressed. Too bad, as I like how it works. Now I need to figure out what is causing the reaction. But I'm thinking it's the gaba.
>
> So where is everyone?
> cherylann
It might be (at least in part) the result of the antihistamine effect of the niacinamide. I am taking niacinamide now and if I take too much, I start feeling more depressed. Plus I have noticed in my case that anything that makes me feel groggy can elicit a depressive response.K
Posted by jasmineneroli on January 20, 2005, at 1:08:07
In reply to Re: A problem with gaba and where the heck's everyone?, posted by Glydin on January 19, 2005, at 16:19:50
Hey all!
I've not been posting recently cuz I've had a return of anxiety, periodically, and been busy with work, plus some sleep problems. AAAAAAAGH!!!I've just come back from my Pdoc and he categorically stated that GABA supplements CANNOT cross the blood-brain barrier, they are a waste of money!
So I think it's the niacinimide that is causing the depression..it did that to me too at 500mg (bedtime dosing). I reduced it to 250mg and feel OK now.Glydin, you and me BOTH!!! Exactly the same result as you.
As you know, I've been trying the tryptophan + niacinimide + magnesium and reduced the clonazepam for the past 2 1/2 months. It's resulted in a recent return of anxiety, and now I have had to go up from my measly .25mg Klon. per day (with an extra .25mg, if stressors increased) to .5mg everyday. This is the opposite of what I was hoping for!
My sleep has been very disturbed too...not what I expected from my humongous dose of Trypt.!! For some reason, the Trypt. worked (sleepwise) when I first increased the dose up towards the 3-3.5 gram range. Then it stopped, and just got worse, not matter what dose I went down to.
I'm very disheartened too :(My Pdoc has no more "drug" solutions, that he thinks will be effective for me, with no side effects..given my history. I felt a bit at a loss today.
One great thing about him though.....he was very interested to hear about Picamilon...had never heard of it before, but feels that it is worth me trying. Believes that in combining GABA with Niacin, it is certainly possible to cross BBB. He wants me to give it a try, and report back to him in two months.
He was theorizing that because a lot of serotonin receptors reside in the GI tract, that much of 5-HTP/tryptophan is absorbed there.
I like the fact that he's open minded and considers/discusses these things. (It's probably because he does a lot of clinical trials).Good grief, I'm babbling here!!! Sorry all.......that's how I get, when the anxiety monster hits.
Hang in everybody.
Jas
Posted by jujube on January 20, 2005, at 9:45:52
In reply to Re: A problem with gaba and where the heck's everyone? » Glydin, posted by jasmineneroli on January 20, 2005, at 1:08:07
Hi Jas!
I'm so sorry that your anxiety and sleep problems have reared their ugly heads again :-( I understand how disheartening and frustrating it can be. I think this time of year does not make it easy to cope with these types of issues (a few of my friends have been dealing with similar issues lately when a few months ago they had gained some control over them).
It sounds like you have a pretty good pdoc - one who is open-minded and knowledgeable of and receptive to alternative treatment plans. He obviously is going to work closely with you to ensure that no stone is left unturned in terms of your treatment. It may be small comfort at this point, but at least you know he has your best interests at heart and recognizes the limitations of ADs in your treatment because of their side effects on you.
You know, I wouldn't feel bad about having to increase your Klonopin dose slightly. Being able to function and having good quality of life is so important. And, your dose is still small when all is said and done. So, don't be hard on yourself about that.
My thoughts are with you Jas. Try to hang in there!
Tamara
>
Posted by Willyee on January 23, 2005, at 21:36:56
In reply to A problem with gaba and where the heck's everyone?, posted by cherylann on January 19, 2005, at 15:43:48
> I've got some gaba from the vitamin shoppe that has inositol and niacinamide along with it.
>
> It does work, kind of a stoned feeling, but calm. However, the next morning I am always SO depressed. Too bad, as I like how it works. Now I need to figure out what is causing the reaction. But I'm thinking it's the gaba.
>
> So where is everyone?
> cherylannGaba does not readly cross into the brain barrier,definatly not easly.However amongst the debate there are people who say it can get in,just not easly and in large amounts.I know i always noticed a gaba supplement.
Proble might be sometimes gaba is overated,too much gaba is said to be anxiety provoking,as well as creates depression.Usualy gaba is used insmall amounts in cnojunction with otehr meds,just to cut a small amount of anxiety,hence most people use very small dosages of a benzo.
I know any gaba substance taken alone that ive used,whetehr med or natural,neurontion,gabaitril,picamilion,phenbutt alone was terrable.Stimulants and most meds dont work on gaba but instead the catchomines however its spelled,dopamine,serotion,noradrenaline etc,id be carefull using just gaba alone.
Also ghb,a very intense gaba agent is known to cause twitches when used alone,a lot of people use it with caffiene.So one thing you can try is to add a small amount of caffiene to balance the gaba,you might be pleaseanty surprised that the caffiene will actualy serve as a calming agent to the gaba,it has in my case,good luck
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