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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by orthomole on June 5, 2010, at 21:14:33
A week and a half ago I started megadosing with high EPA/DHA fish oil (9-16 g / day) and l-tyrosine (4.5 g / day, which I have since discontinued due to lack of perceived effect) in addition to my base regimen of 200 mg lamotrigine, 1.5 g niacin t.i.d., 1 g vitamin C t.i.d., 50 mg P-5-P, 50 mg zinc picolinate, B complex, 2 mg copper, garlic and probiotics and started feeling better immediately.
I stopped pacing endlessly around my parents' house begging them to get me a gun so I could kill myself. I started working on my computer, reading a book (Linus Pauling's "How to Live Longer and Feel Better") and doing productive things like cutting the grass and cooking dinner.
This lasted a few days and I slipped back into feeling terrible. For the next week I felt terrible until today when my dad talked me into taking 2 mg lorazepam as I was once again pacing around and begging to be killed. I calmed down and was able to have a very productive and enjoyable day with my family. We had a picnic and I cleared and burned some brush I'd been meaning to. I smoked half a pack of cigarettes and talked on the phone with some friends I hadn't in a while.
It is now 10 p.m. and I have just taken another 1 mg lorazepam. I have a tentative appointment with my orthomolecular NP for the week after next. I am continuing to look for orthomolecular solutions to my feeling terribly, including ordering some 400 mg SAMe from Amazon.
Posted by Lao Tzu on June 9, 2010, at 10:04:31
In reply to Update, posted by orthomole on June 5, 2010, at 21:14:33
Lorazepam always made me feel so much better, especially when you add it to a little Provigil for energy if you have energy problems. The combination is good. Unfortunately, it isn't wise to take Lorazepam everyday for an extended period of time. I found this out. I took it for two years straight everyday, and eventually, its feel-good effects lessened quite a bit after the two years, and then I found myself self-administering larger doses to get the same effect. But you can take it for awhile as needed until you find some meds or supplements that help you. I also found that using L-glutamine with lorazepam was very helpful as well, as some people may not like using Provigil because of its stimulant properties. I think adding Provigil is only good if you have low energy. May not be good by itself if you have an anxiety disorder, but I did find the combination of lorazepam and Provigil very helpful and also lorazepam and L-glutamine. I'm sorry your new regimen from the NP didn't work out for you. Maybe the Sam-e will help?? Keep trying and hang in there!!
Posted by Lao Tzu on June 9, 2010, at 10:26:40
In reply to Update, posted by orthomole on June 5, 2010, at 21:14:33
I also wanted to add that even though I find vitamin supplements indispensible for mood and depression, some people absolutely need some kind of medication to control their depression in addition to vitamins. I go to an excellent psychiatrist, and he gives me a combination of zoloft, lamictal, and risperdal which helps a lot. I was also taking Provigil for energy, but I had to drop that one because my insurance won't pay for it. Instead, I rely on supplements to improve my energy levels and coffee, too. If you are bipolar, Risperdal or Abilify may help the depression in addition to lamictal and a good antidepressant. The one thing I found out is that if you do try an antipsychotic, take it at bedtime, not in the morning. Taking it at bedtime may help with sleep as well. I wish you all the luck in the world. Something will help you. I am bipolar/schizophrenic, and if I can get back my health, I'm sure you can as well. I don't jump up and down everyday, but I'm not suicidal. I've been rather successful over the years in combining vitamin supplements with medication, but it took time to figure out what nutrients were the most helpful and worked the best with the medication. You'll figure it out. Don't give up. I went through hell, but I'm finally stable enough to live a decent life.
Posted by Lao Tzu on June 11, 2010, at 10:03:53
In reply to Update, posted by orthomole on June 5, 2010, at 21:14:33
How have you been feeling? I didn't mean to sound preachy in my last post. I'm just giving my experience because I've been suffering from bipolar disorder for over 17 years, with the prominent symptoms of depression and anxiety. The medication, I believe, has helped to the degree that I don't feel suicidal, and that is important. I do believe that naturopathic medicine has a definite impact on depression as I'm finding out using some herbs lately. And the vitamins are absolutely essential, but I think that I wouldn't be where I am today if I didn't take the necessary medication for my worst symptoms. The medication stabilizes, but it doesn't address all issues of depression and anxiety. Nutrition has a definite place, I'm convinced now. Still, I think I have a ways to go in determining the optimum nutritional regimen as there are so many different supplements out there that do so many different things to your body. I always say it is about balance, and finding that balance can be a daunting task. I haven't met any doctor so far that combines naturopathic medicine with conventional medicine probably because it wouldn't give a predictable response in everybody. It is a very subjective experience I'm finding out. I just keep researching and keep trying things, but I'm cautious in trying herbs that may interact with the psychotropic meds. To me, herbs are very powerful substances and I have tried ones that I absolutely do not like. Hope you're feeling better, and like I said I apologize if I was sounding preachy in my last post. I just try to keep an open mind about all my options.
This is the end of the thread.
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