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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by chiLLi on November 14, 2011, at 19:29:22
I have been diagnosed with clinical depression and bi-polar, following a number of sucide attempts in 2009 (with suffocation and trashbags - the dumbest thing I could have done), leaving me with what I believe to be a form of brain damage. I was hospitalized (psych ward) and prescribed Invega 6mg, Cymbalta 20mg, and Lithium 600 mg, all of which has worked like a charm for the past two years. The only problem I was having was with my (short term) memory, so I wanted something to help with that (I was already taking Fish oil and DHA). After much research (and without consulting my pyschiatrist -- another stupid decision), I settled on the Jarrow Neuro-Optimizer, because of the good reviews I'd read online, and the store clerk said it wouldn't interfere with my meds because it was made of amino acids, not herbs. After 6 days on it, I noticed I seemed to be losing fat/glycogen and muscle (I did not want to). Also I felt very apathetic, and empty. I began to seclude myself in my room, under the covers most of the time. I stopped going to class (I haven't been in a week). I have stopped being social. I also haven't been eating much, I don't feel like cooking --it seems too overwhelming. I talked to my psychiatrist about the problem, and we have an emergency appointment tomorrow, but she mentioned she is thinking about "stopping everything altogether" (my meds). The meds are my only means of functioning, and I was actually in a positive mood on the Cymbalta, and felt social. I have read that there is a terrible withdrawal period from Cymbalta, and I also dont think there exists any medication that would work better for me. But I must say it doesn't seem to be working now. Also, my psych doesn't believe that the supplement caused any interaction, that I just have a case of seasonal depression. My psychiatrist seems to be a minimalist, and would err on the side of too little medication rather than too much.
It's a long shot, but has anyone ever taken supplements that have interfered with your psych meds? Did things get better, and after how long? Did you have to change medications?The ingredients in the Neuro-Optimizer:
Ingredient Amount
Cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine 300mg
Phosphatidylserine (PS) 100mg
Acetyl L-Carnitine 500mg
L-Glutamine 500mg
Alpha Lipoic Acid 50mg
Taurine 500mg
Phosphatidylcholine 135mgI know that these ingredients act on the neurotransmitters in the brain. I wish I had just left it alone. My memory seems even worse now, after stopping the supplement - I last took it on Nov. 6, 2011.
Posted by Christ_empowered on November 14, 2011, at 19:48:30
In reply to --::[ Neuro-Optimizer + my psych meds = DISASTER., posted by chiLLi on November 14, 2011, at 19:29:22
I'm sorry. That's a really rough situation. The brain seems to have an ability to bounce back from a lot of abuse, or at least the mind does. If it makes you feel better, I have LOTS of brain damage--childhood head injuries, a blow to the head during a botched mugging (for some reason, dude was carrying a pipe, which he used to smash my head), and of course, "medication" induced brain damage. My shrink at the mental hospital I was thrown into a couple years ago said I have some sort of "transcendent intelligence." I looked it up, and the brain (or..something) can transcend damage to the organ itself. Also, people with certain kind of brain damage sometimes become more spiritual. Its strange.
So, OK, enough about me. My point is, if I can take a lickin' and keep on tickin', then I'm sure you can, too. I seriously doubt I'm all that special. Just give it some time and be patient with yourself.
Don't worry too much about having messed with your brain with this supplement. I mean, I take loads of supplements (Orthomolecular protocol--its helped me a lot), so I see where you're coming from. This particular product just isn't for you. Maybe you should work with your shrink and do a temporary medication adjustment to smooth things over for a little while. I have no idea *what* you could change, but I mean, a shrink is a doctor, so they probably have some ideas. Maybe Provigil?
Good luck!
Posted by Phidippus on November 15, 2011, at 20:42:11
In reply to --::[ Neuro-Optimizer + my psych meds = DISASTER., posted by chiLLi on November 14, 2011, at 19:29:22
Nothing in the supplement would impact you in any sort of long term fashion.
Have you actually been diagnosed with brain damage?
Eric
Posted by chiLLi on November 15, 2011, at 21:21:43
In reply to Re: --::[ Neuro-Optimizer + my psych meds = DISASTER., posted by Christ_empowered on November 14, 2011, at 19:48:30
Thank you for your response -- It is very encouraging, although I am sorry you had to experience those injuries. I do hope my mind can bounce back and be at least like it was before I took the supplements. (I should have been satisfied with what I had..) I did talk to my psych today, and she wants to give it a chance to 'clear up' before adjusting any medication... So I guess all I can do is be patient..
Thank you again.
Posted by chiLLi on November 15, 2011, at 21:47:11
In reply to Re: --::[ Neuro-Optimizer + my psych meds = DISASTER. » chiLLi, posted by Phidippus on November 15, 2011, at 20:42:11
I hope you are right, that the supplement's effects are not long term. I have read reviews of people who had stopped taking it for several months, then realized that they 'needed' it again. I wonder if it was affecting them for that long, and for how long did they take it before. I took it for 6 days, at full dosage (4 capsules a day).
I have not been officially diagnosed with any brain damage, but after my attempt, I had trouble with my memory -- short and long term, (especially with learning new information, as I've read that suffocation damages cells in the hippocampus, among other regions). I lost the ability to read, as I couldn't comprehend the meaning of groups of words (I ended up having to drop out of college). I was confused by music and noise, and I also became catatonic, among other problems. Most of these problems have been resolved, though.
Posted by Phidippus on November 16, 2011, at 20:38:58
In reply to Re: --::[ Neuro-Optimizer + my psych meds = DISASTER. » Phidippus, posted by chiLLi on November 15, 2011, at 21:47:11
These mental problems could well have been symptoms of depression, especially catatonia. I've become so depressed I lost the ability to speak.
Eric
This is the end of the thread.
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