Posted by Lao Tzu on September 2, 2008, at 5:13:44
It's almost Fall, and yet again, I'm changing my supplement regimen somewhat. I am bipolar and my mood seems to change with the seasons and with changes in temperature. During the hot summer months, I've had good positive results with Borage oil, fish oil, vitamin C, and vitamin B1 (thiamine). Now that the weather is a little cooler, I've noticed that I can add vitamin B6, niacinamide (form of B3), and some calcium. These three all seem to have a mood stabilizing effect for me. With niacinamide, I've noticed that I have to increase the dosage slowly over time instead of taking a large dose to begin with. I started on 31.5mg of niacinamide and now I can tolerate about 95mg of niacinamide. If you start on the niacinamide, I would try very low dosages to start and then increase to see what you can tolerate. Most niacinamide comes in 250mg pills, but I cut these pills with a pill cutter, first 31.5mg to start, then 63mg after awhile, and now 94.5mg. With calcium, I also started low, first 150mg and now I'm up to 300mg. Too much calcium can make some people feel too sedated, especially when you're taking niacinamide with it. So it's a matter of finding the right balance for you by adjusting the dosages. Here's what I've been doing:
Morning:1 Borage oil capsule 1,300mg (Source Naturals Brand from House of Nutrition online)
Niacinamide (not regular Niacin. I only take regular Niacin sustained release at bedtime)
Calcium
500mg vitamin CEarly Afternoon:
1,000-1,500mg of fish oil (2-3 capsules of Eskimo-3 brand fish oil)
50mg of P-5-P (activated form of vitamin B6)
100mg of Vitamin B1(thiamine) for energyLate Afternoon:
another 100mg of vitamin B1 for energy
optional 100IU vitamin EBedtime:
250 mg of Niacin (sustained release capsules)
25-50mg of P-5-P
200IU of vitamin E
.75mg of melatonin (1/4 of a 3mg tablet)Note: I've only been able to find P-5-P and niacinamide in vitamin shops or online. Also, I've only been able to find vitamin E in 100IU and 200IU dosages in vitamin shops or online.
I hope this information is helpful to some of you bipolars out there, especially if you have low mood and depression most of the time. This is just what I do because it is helpful. Don't know if everyone would benefit, but I'm just putting this info. out there if you're desperate to try something. Also, a good prescription mood stabilizer like Lamictal helps me too. If you have really bad mood swings, a prescription medication might be necessary, such as Lamictal, Depakote, lithium, etc. etc.
poster:Lao Tzu
thread:849845
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20080612/msgs/849845.html