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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SteelyDan on May 7, 2008, at 14:44:18
I want to try fish oil, but i'm concerned that it may cause anxiety. Anyone know it this could be true?
-Dan
Posted by Glydin on May 7, 2008, at 21:00:58
In reply to Can fish oil cause anxiety?, posted by SteelyDan on May 7, 2008, at 14:44:18
It did for me.
I have no answer as to the pathophysiological reason involving polysyllabic words with numbers in them (smile) as, from all I've read, it's not "suppose" to.... I do know using FO supplements did definately upramp my anxiety symptoms.
Tested it several times.... I wished I had not had that delightful finding as I have other good reasons to use it. Also, I tried cheap to pricey and various concentrations.... never worked out for me.
Posted by johnj on May 8, 2008, at 10:01:47
In reply to Can fish oil cause anxiety?, posted by SteelyDan on May 7, 2008, at 14:44:18
It caused anxiety in me too. I think it has been posted that it may cause an increase in dopamine which can make one anxious. I don't know if that is correct though.
johnj
Posted by PamS on May 12, 2008, at 19:17:27
In reply to Re: Can fish oil cause anxiety? » SteelyDan, posted by johnj on May 8, 2008, at 10:01:47
I also found that fish oil increased my anxiety, even though it's supposed to do the opposite. After hearing others experienced the same, I stopped taking it.
Posted by JDx on May 14, 2008, at 3:35:15
In reply to Can fish oil cause anxiety?, posted by SteelyDan on May 7, 2008, at 14:44:18
> I want to try fish oil, but i'm concerned that it may cause anxiety. Anyone know it this could be true?
>
> -Danmybe there is wrong ratio between EPA to DHA and that is the reason for your bad response
right ratio is 3:2 or 2:1 for favor of EPA
Posted by saturn on May 19, 2008, at 5:59:37
In reply to Can fish oil cause anxiety?, posted by SteelyDan on May 7, 2008, at 14:44:18
Yes. I've tried many many different dosages and preparations for several periods of time. Most recently I was hopeful that a 7:1 EPA/DHA ratio, taken for over a year, would be beneficial.
Although I suspected the fish oil from the start, I mostly stuck with it believing how good it is general for one's overall mental and physical health (I still do generally believe it is), and that it must be something else.
I cut out aspartame, exercised, etc ad nauseum. It was the fish oil. I won't say my anxiety is 100% gone, but it's significantly better off of fish oil. And to a lesser extent so is my sleep.
Another point is that it never really helped much with ADHD or mood. It also made me borderline hypotensive.
I've been off of fish oil for a week now and doubt I'll ever be going back. Funny because at my suggestion I've got my family taking it now after reading of all its benefits. They seem to do well with it but I doubt I'll ever go back to fish oil. As far as I'm concerned the anxiety it gave me personally outweighs its cardiovascular benefits. Of course, YYMV.
Posted by fayeroe on May 21, 2008, at 17:36:46
In reply to Can fish oil cause anxiety?, posted by SteelyDan on May 7, 2008, at 14:44:18
> I want to try fish oil, but i'm concerned that it may cause anxiety. Anyone know it this could be true?
>
> -Dan
ditto. i wanted to take it for my heart and the anxiety almost drove me to a heart attack. :-)
Posted by nomadjones on May 22, 2008, at 8:47:28
In reply to Re: Can fish oil cause anxiety?, posted by fayeroe on May 21, 2008, at 17:36:46
A very recent fish oil experience has given me insomnia and anxiety.
I just started a fish oil supplement in ratio of 4:1 EPA to DHA on Tuesday (I had taken "normal" fish oil before with a worse ratio that gave me both insomnia and anxiety). I took two capsules for 875mg EPA on Tuesday and had early morning insomnia that night despite starting Lunesta (prescription sleeping pill) at 3mg. Wednesday, I took only one capsule, but still had early morning insomnia last night despite upping the dosage of Lunesta to 4.5mg. Have had anxiety the whole time (beaten down with clonazepam), but then again I always have some background anxiety. I read somewhere that EPA has a half-life of 50 hours.
Does anybody know if the insomnia and anxiety go away over time? How long? Is it dopamine that's causing the problems? Is it worth cutting back the dosage even further to try and reduce the side effects, or do I just lose the benefits at that point?
I'm thinking of quitting the fish oil altogether. It would be unfortunate to have to quit given its many alleged benefits (esp. for depression/mood in my case), but I have to sleep and not worsen my anxiety.
I'm trying to keep up hope that there is a supplement combination out there that will work for my depression and anxiety (been trying a few for the last few years). Currently taking 200mg 5htp, 500mg DLPA, and 600-900mg SJW (along with some other more minor players [e.g., Taurine]). Don't want to have to go back on a prescription AD for various reasons.
Thanks, Nomad
This is the end of the thread.
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