Posted by Larry Hoover on August 13, 2003, at 8:13:20
In reply to Larry H., supplements for soft BP II, posted by BobS. on August 12, 2003, at 19:57:27
> Larry,
> I enjoyed our exchange above (NY Times article) and have read your posts on supplements in the past. So I have a question for you.Question! <salivating>
> After many years and much thought, I believe I have a mild case of bipolar II or atypical depression. Some pdocs believe they are the same.
Frankly, I don't like rigid diagnostic structures, anyway. Using diagnoses can be useful as a sort of "mental shorthand" (it saves a lot of words), but it can also restrict thinking. I like blurry lines, and blends.
> Anyway, my experience with prozac and paxil for 8 years will forever prevent me from taking depakote, et al, so I take 1.5 mg to 2.0 mg Xanax per day.
How so?
> Xanax is a good medication, but it doesn't do the trick completely. So I go up and down.
Too short a half-life?
> What are your thoughts on supplements for BP II and/or atypical depression?
What I'd need to know is what troubles you. In other words, what symptoms do you find problematic?
> BTW, I'm 61 and recently had a massive lower GI bleed due to aspirin use which landed me in semi-intensive care. Aspirin for cholesterol at 325 mg qd on the advice of a doctor.Aspirin for cholesterol? I'm sort of going, "Huh!?"
Aspirin is a great drug, in that we're finding that it has many benefits. However, if it was to be in development as a new drug today, it would never get past animal trials, or maybe Phase 1. The bleeding issue would scuttle it, period.
> I was also taking a CVS dose of fish oil each day. So I am a little leary of omega-3 and it's effect on platelets.
The anti-thrombotic effect of fish oil has been totally taken out of context, IMHO. I have done many, many hours of research, and I have corresponded with experts around the world, and I have come to the conclusion that the "blood-thinning" effects of fish oil are only seen in those people who have omega-3 deficiency (which, by coincidence, happens to be virtually everyone on the planet(exaggeration)). Anyway, your body will only reduce clotting to a healthy level; in other words, most people's blood is too thick (that's why occlusive strokes and coronary blockages are so common). Just do a search on the keyword "hypercoagulability", and you'll see what I mean. The only risk that comes with fish oil is when someone combines it with other blood thinners (which over-ride your body's regulatory controls, e.g. coumadin, or aspirin), and fails to inform his care-givers. Combinations of fish oil with blood thinners can be fatal, but that isn't the fish oil's fault.
The idea that fish oil can cause bleeding problems arises from a gross misinterpretation of evidence collected among Inuit in Greenland, IMHO. Their traditional diets include 12-20 grams per day (or more) of long-chain omega-3s. In that population (in which occlusive strokes and coronary infarct are unknown), the incidence of haemorrhagic stroke was higher than a matched population in Denmark. They blamed that on the fish oil (high correlation). Turns out the Inuit have a genetic defect that is inbred; their cerebral arteries have structural defects that weaken them. By the time they hit about 40 years of age, the arteries can burst, before other things can kill them. If you look at total stroke incidence, combining both occlusive and haemorrhagic strokes, the Inuit are far less likely to die of this than are the Danes. So, even just looking at haemorrhagic stroke doesn't reflect reality, quite apart from the genetic explanation.
Personally, I am not the least bit concerned about bleeding to death because of fish oil.
>I am looking for something to supplement the Xanax for the next 30 years..........
As a starter, try niacinamide. A dose of as little as 100 mg may be effective, but you can go up to 500 mg QID.
> Thanks for your help.
> BobS.My pleasure.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:250389
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030812/msgs/250493.html