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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mogger on October 6, 2008, at 20:16:11
hello,
my doctor talked about taking lovaza (prescription strength fish oil formerly omacor) to help with depression, ocd. I would greatly appreciate if any one has had any positive experience with omeg 3's or lovaza to be precise? Many thanks,
mogger
Posted by Phillipa on October 6, 2008, at 20:34:27
In reply to experiences on omega 3, anxiety, ocd?, posted by mogger on October 6, 2008, at 20:16:11
Prescription fish oil now wow. Didn't know that. Phillipa
Posted by desolationrower on October 6, 2008, at 20:50:30
In reply to Re: experiences on omega 3, anxiety, ocd? » mogger, posted by Phillipa on October 6, 2008, at 20:34:27
Seems like it would be hard to 'notice' changes caused by fishoil. It takes months to get significant amounts of omega-3 integrated into cell membranes especially for the average person who has been severally deficient for most of their life. Not like most pharmaceuticals that show effects within weeks.
-d/r
Posted by Phillipa on October 6, 2008, at 21:17:55
In reply to experiences on omega 3, anxiety, ocd?, posted by mogger on October 6, 2008, at 20:16:11
website says used to lower extremly high triglycerides? Phillipa
Posted by greywolf on October 6, 2008, at 21:27:04
In reply to experiences on omega 3, anxiety, ocd?, posted by mogger on October 6, 2008, at 20:16:11
I would be careful about using fish oil as a primary treatment for anxiety and OCD. Can't hurt much as an augmenter, but I've never heard of a psy doc using fish oil as primary therapy.
Greywolf
Posted by mogger on October 6, 2008, at 21:36:29
In reply to Re: experiences on omega 3, anxiety, ocd?, posted by greywolf on October 6, 2008, at 21:27:04
thanks everyone for your input!
mogger
Posted by Midnightblue on October 6, 2008, at 23:09:39
In reply to experiences on omega 3, anxiety, ocd?, posted by mogger on October 6, 2008, at 20:16:11
I used Omega 3 for depression and it did help quite a bit. It was a higher dose of a non-prescription one.
MB
Posted by tealady on October 7, 2008, at 4:43:58
In reply to Re: experiences on omega 3, anxiety, ocd?, posted by desolationrower on October 6, 2008, at 20:50:30
> Seems like it would be hard to 'notice' changes caused by fishoil. It takes months to get significant amounts of omega-3 integrated into cell membranes especially for the average person who has been severally deficient for most of their life. Not like most pharmaceuticals that show effects within weeks.
> -d/r
I think studies show changes within the first week.. but they are at the most tiny. Cell membranes in all animal specied(including human) are regulated within fairly narrow bands anyway). In long lived birds the fat cells are more omega3 but the cell membranes are still mostly omega6,.. and really folks this IS what ya want believe it or not! Omega6's dont oxidise like omega3's.. leading to prolonged life. Long lived species have higher omega6 cell membranes ..this lowers oxidation levels and lets us have the longer life span. Maybe our cell membranes are higher in omega6's than 150 years ago (and I dont know if anyone tested that one..as how do you get a 150 yr old cell membrane?.. but anyhow..even if they are..so our are life spans maybe..OTOH maybe we just didnt get so many killed in wars, disease outbreaks like flu epidemics, plagues etc)
The point I guess I'm tyring to make is, I doubt its the small change in cell membranes that counts.. it may make a difference with other things in the blood (like that suggestion of lowering triglycerides if true..I know its supposedly good for those with heart problems, and it does seem to help some with depression/anxiety, I'm sure its good for many things..I just don't think its likely via changes to cell membranes?
Of course I always stand corrected:-)(and welcome it)
PS I have found some people reported lessened athletic performance when taking fish oil, they could no longer get the same speed or endurance and began losing races they previously won.. this would be consistent with the increased oxidation perhaps? Reversed on discontinuation on fish oil < well within a couple of months gradual improvement. And that was only 3 caps a day!
Posted by Extreme on October 7, 2008, at 9:07:19
In reply to Re: experiences on omega 3, anxiety, ocd?, posted by tealady on October 7, 2008, at 4:43:58
Would like to just comment shortly. I tried a supplement including EPA DHA and GLA (just read about them and didnt understand a damn thing execpt that they exist in fish and is somewhat related to omega-stuff). This was supposed be really good stuff all these "fish-oils" and its a really big hit in sweden. One hour after ingesting them with food (following instructions) my body temperature obviously dropped rapidly (It became really COLD!!!) and I became very sleepy for some hours. This happened every time so I had to stop taking them. Since then I have dropped the idea of fish-oils.
If someone else had some similar experience.. do tell. My life is full of such strange reactions both to natural supplements and medicines...
Posted by rskontos on October 7, 2008, at 14:51:16
In reply to Re: experiences on omega 3, anxiety, ocd?, posted by Extreme on October 7, 2008, at 9:07:19
Extreme, when you are trying to take Omega 3 for depression you want to try to take one without GLA which is Omega 6 which can lower the effects of Omega 3. We get usually more Omega 6 in our diet. Here is a quote:
The average North American diet provides more than 10 times the necessary amount of linoleic acid and tends to have too much omega-6 fatty acids compared to omega-3 fatty acids, another important class of EFAs. In fact, for optimum health, the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids should be between 1:1 and 4:1. The typical North American and Israeli diets are usually in the range of 11:1 to 30:1. This imbalance contributes to the development of long-term diseases such as heart disease, cancer, asthma, arthritis, and depression as well as, possibly, increased risk of infection.
That is maybe what caused your reaction. You have too much of a good thing. You might retry with one that doesn't have all the Omega's, just 3.
In Europe, Omega 3 is used alone a great deal more for depression. But the dosage is high. More like 3000-4000 mg. I read. I know of many people the use of Omega 3 has helped alot.
rsk
Posted by Extreme on October 7, 2008, at 15:31:26
In reply to Re: experiences on omega 3, anxiety, ocd?, posted by rskontos on October 7, 2008, at 14:51:16
Thanks for the info, rskontos! If I ever consider trying the fish-oils again I'll keep that info in mind.
How I would give SO much to have a COMPLETE view (like on the computer screen... hehe) of what actually goes on in the body and brain!
Posted by mogger on October 7, 2008, at 16:11:54
In reply to Re: experiences on omega 3, anxiety, ocd?, posted by Extreme on October 7, 2008, at 15:31:26
you have sold me on omega 3's! I can't buy this stuff fast enough! Many thanks for your replies,
mogger :)
Posted by rskontos on October 8, 2008, at 14:16:53
In reply to Re: experiences on omega 3, anxiety, ocd?, posted by mogger on October 7, 2008, at 16:11:54
Good Luck Mogger but don't start at that high of a dosage, you need to titrate up to a dosage that will work for you. Start at say 1000 or 500 mg. and do that for several days to make sure you don't have any side effects. Most people don't if you have a good quality omega three. If the omega 3 makes you blurp an unpleasant taste, freeze it. It will not harm it and your digestive juices will thaw it quickly enough. And take it with food as it will help the absorption of the omega 3.
good luck
rsk
Walgreens has a fairly good one. Online try Nordic Naturals. Walgreen's is cheaper though.
Posted by rskontos on October 8, 2008, at 14:18:03
In reply to Re: experiences on omega 3, anxiety, ocd?, posted by Extreme on October 7, 2008, at 15:31:26
Extreme,
you are welcome. Yes we might really be surprised by all that knowledge though. You'd be surprised by what all I have found out researching my own issues.
rsk
Posted by mogger on October 8, 2008, at 15:31:04
In reply to Re: experiences on omega 3, anxiety, ocd? » mogger, posted by rskontos on October 8, 2008, at 14:16:53
thanks rskontos,
what are the side effects of omega 3s at high doses? I will do as you say!
mogger
Posted by Extreme on October 8, 2008, at 15:47:31
In reply to Re: experiences on omega 3, anxiety, ocd? » Extreme, posted by rskontos on October 8, 2008, at 14:18:03
> You'd be surprised by what all I have found out researching my own issues.
Yea, dito.. I'm thinking of starting a thread about strange reactions (to drugs/medicines) in general to speculate over just what kind of things that would explain them.
Posted by rskontos on October 10, 2008, at 13:00:57
In reply to Re: experiences on omega 3, anxiety, ocd? » rskontos, posted by mogger on October 8, 2008, at 15:31:04
Extreme,
the most I could find is that at extreme dosage side effects could be is nose bleeding and excessive bleeding from wounds or cuts or not clotting very well. Not much else. I just meant to make sure you did not get any that were in connection with your individual system. Each of us react different to different things including supplements. So that is why I suggested to start slowly. You can increase every 3-4 days as long as you don't see any side effects. Like I said in Europe they have used Omega 3 for depression longer than in the States favorably.
rsk
Posted by rskontos on October 10, 2008, at 13:01:52
In reply to Re: experiences on omega 3, anxiety, ocd?, posted by Extreme on October 8, 2008, at 15:47:31
Yep, and nope I would not be surprised at all.
rsk
Posted by rskontos on October 10, 2008, at 13:03:46
In reply to Re: experiences on omega 3, anxiety, ocd?, posted by Extreme on October 8, 2008, at 15:47:31
Magnesium, is suppose to help with anxiety. It calms the central nervous system. It helps you sleep. Magnesium has no side effects. If it makes for loose stools that will diminish over time, few days. It is a very necessary nutrient. Take around 500- 1000 mg.
rsk
Posted by utopizen on October 13, 2008, at 21:58:09
In reply to Re: experiences on omega 3, anxiety, ocd? » Extreme, posted by rskontos on October 10, 2008, at 13:01:52
http://www.minami-nutrition.us/omega3/efp.php
This site explains the process by which Minami extracts their omega-3 fatty acids formulation.
It says it's $55 for EPA... that might be correct, but, I thought it was $45 last time I went to Whole Foods to get it... it's unfortunate they don't try to truly live up to their "pharmaceutical grade" status by marketing it to doctors in the form of free samples... it's expensive, and I can't afford it... but I buy it anyway.
It makes a difference. I'm in remission, and back when I wasn't, I was downing CVS brand junk omega-3's, 12 at a time each morning.
EPA, not DHA, is only thing that matters... DHA is made by your body naturally... EPA not as much. The studies typically use this brand, perhaps because it's donated by the company, or it's simply more convenient to give patients one capsule instead of 6-12...
It's about $10 more than a co-pay for me for an antidepressant. Which I have yet to have to take again. So yeah, it's worth it. I would prefer it if they didn't exploit my knowledge of them by making it so expensive, but, oh well... =/
You can get it for like $36 online at certain places... I'm just lazy, and get it at Whole Foods.
Posted by Phillipa on October 14, 2008, at 19:13:52
In reply to Re: experiences on omega 3, anxiety, ocd? » rskontos, posted by utopizen on October 13, 2008, at 21:58:09
Oh wow long time no see so glad you're in remission. May I ask what put you into remission? That is so wonderful to hear and now will definited get the EPA. So no idea where to get the brand you buy online. And the Brand is whole foods? Be well and looking forward to your response. Love Phillipa
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