Posted by Marc Boucher on November 22, 2005, at 12:38:53
In reply to Re: Dr. Braverman » Marc Boucher, posted by JLx on November 22, 2005, at 9:02:05
> I hope someone else chimes in on this thread for you.
**Me too, as I trust this forum is a great place, with plenty of different experiences using supplements for specific psychological welfare.**
> I think magnesium may have helped you simply because it is involved in so many metabolic processes -- over 300. Specifically magnesium is needed to produce serotonin.**Indeed Mg is involved in a lot of enzymatic reactions--I've seen it tied (as mentioned in Dr. Braverman's book (The edge effect) to serotonin. I've also bumped into some study on Pubmed that linked to to Dopamine, Norepinephrne, serotonin ; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=2880351&query_hl=2
> Magnesium helped my depression about 50-70%, which is no small thing. It completely relieved suicidal ideation, for instance. It also helped my dry skin, insomnia, and feet cramps. It also contributed to straightening out thyroid function and it also works with DHEA.**I'm glad to hear that, as suicidal ideation is serious--you must feel like so much better now...the difference must be like night and day. It's uplifting to hear success stories.**
>
> Magnesium aspartate is said to be contraindicated for depression, per George Eby's site, "Rapid Recovery From Depression Using Magnesium Treatment", http://www.coldcure.com/html/dep.html which is where I got the idea to supplement magnesium. (This board was not in existence then.)**Thanks for this interesting link--I wasn't aware of it, and I'll definately have a look at this site.**
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> The reason mg aspartate is not advised is because it's excitable to the brain, but perhaps in your case it was effective for just that reason. I know I took a magnesium potassium aspartate combo many years ago and it was one of the few supplements I tried that made a definite impression -- I felt terrible! I had no idea why back then.**Again, this is very interesting to know. I'd heard about it, but it'd slipped my mind since then.**
> > *Honestly I don't know, but I'm not sure he'll keep me on it, as he ordered DHEA to be re-tested, but meanwhile he said to take it. At times, it appears that one can derive benefits from a given substance, even though there's no real physiological ned for it. But I'd prefer not to take DHEA if my levels are already high.*
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> Yeah, I don't blame you. I'm a woman, and too much DHEA gives me acne. It may also have contributed to some permanent hair loss according to Dr. Ray Sahelian's site and comments. http://www.raysahelian.com/dhea.html**A friend of mine is an endocrinologist, with whom I've discussed my health issues for some time now, and his views on HRT is : only take HRT if your levels of a given hormone are below healthy range. Too much of a good thing is just like not enough.**
> > Those formulas AND medications? You'll have no idea what, if anything, works or doesn't work.
> >
> > *that's why I'm trying one substance at a time--this I hadn't mention in my first posting.*
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> Ah, ok. Well, I'd certainly try the natural supplements first. I guess I can say that here, on the Alternative board. :) I don't take any meds any more and regret that I ever did as they didn't help and may have hurt.**I approve of the above comments--I find (but I could be mistaken) that once one starts on AD, it's pretty much a naever ending roller coaster, in that after some time, some AD lose their effectiveness, so one has to swtich to yet another AD, and often deal with the unpleasant withdrawal side effects. No doubt that some AD are needed depending on the specific psychologial issue at hand, but I too would stear clear of any of those in the event more natural treatments does it. Needless to say that AD medications being one of the most prescribed drugs at doctors office make for very large income to pharmaceutical companies, but again, some people really need those, so we can wrap up by saying that they're great nonetheless in some cases where more natural means fail to produce any results.**
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> > But you quit taking them? Have you tried magnesium glycinate or magnesium taurate before bed?
> >
> > *I did, cause I first wanted to know *why* they were helping me so much--I know it will sound weird, but that's the truth. The one Mg that is have is pyrrolidone carboxylate/aspartate. However Mg taurate would likely be much better for sleep, as taurine helps Mg's absorption.*
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> Taurine is also calming/modulating to neurotransmitters. For the most relaxation, mg glycinate is better, in my experience. I also take some extra glycine with it to sleep.**I'm glad to learn that--I took note of that.**
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> > You've taken SSRIs before and they helped?
> >
> > *I cannot say as I haven't tried any SSRI's yet, but I have some Paxil at home and it wass prescribed to me by Braverman.*
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> I suggest you read up on it before you give it a whirl. You'll find a lot of info on the regular PB board.**I'll sure do so--If I can avoid taking it or any other AD for that matter, I will, unless my life becomes unmanageable forcing me to get on it.**
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> > In general, what did you think of Dr. Braverman?
> > *So far, i think highly of him, but cannot say in any definate way until I have proof that his protocol works fine, but so far so good.*
>
> Definitely keep us posted! I have not read his book yet, but have seen it mentioned several times here. As far as I can recall, you are the only one to post here to be actually treated by him.**About his book, I'd recommend it, however for those like me who wish to get deeper understanding of the workings of varous neurotransmitters, you're going to be disapointed--the book aims at mass audience, and uses simplifications of complex mechanism. Still the book really is a good read, I sure don't regret I bought it. I also have Healing anxiety and depression by Dr. Daniel Amen, which I like too. I'm planning to get that other book by Daniel Amen, that deals with ADD/ADHD specifically in order to educate myself more on what I've had--knowledge is power !**
IMPORTANT : something that I've noticed makes a remarkable difference in my ADHD symptoms is AOR'S Pronogenol-2, which contains grape seed extracts, grape skin extract, trans-resveratrol--it doesn't have to be AOR's, but since it is the one I take, I wanted to give an accurate description of what helps. It definately calms down the hyperactivity--I'm much more focused, centered, composed--it's a relief. Usually I feel pressure within to move, speak, etc...but on it, those symptoms simply go away. I also noticed that among the things that Dr. Braverman prescribed to me for my dysthymia and ADHD that vitamin E calms me down to some extent too (I use Total E from AOR). Vitamin D3 as well makes some difference on my mood--IIRC vitamin D is connected to serotonin through melatonin, but I'm saying this from memory only. It cost me close to 6000 to meet with Braverman, but so far, I think it was a good move, as I can see the diagnosis is accurate. My mother the other day after I questioned her about my early childhood days, told me that most teachers would call up my parents for meeting, cause they said I was incapable of finishing off anything that I would start doing, and was some procrastinator. I know I've been this way, but didn't recall that it was the same during childhood. It clearly points out ADD, in that it usually starts in childhood, and if IIRC roughly 75% of those children continue to have it into adulthood.**
**JLx: have you found other supplements to be quite worth the money in your depression ?**
Kind regards
Marc
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> JL
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poster:Marc Boucher
thread:580925
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20051025/msgs/581245.html