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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Chris O on December 23, 2015, at 23:50:32
Back in the early 2000s, some of these CES (cranial electrotherapy stimulation) devices were a bit of a rage in the alternative to drugs for anxiety/depression/pain world. I bought one--the Alpha Stim--on the advice of a therapist I had been seeing for many years. The Alpha Stim works by providing mild electrical stimulation to your brain via electrodes attached to your ear lobes. I do feel like this device caused/causes some type of mild antidepressant effect, but I have never gotten any sustained antidepressant build up over time (like I got with SSRIs the first time I used them), or any long-term relief from anxiety or depression. I was wondering if any babblers still present have tried or had success with this or any other CES device. (I also have a CES device from a company called Mind Alive in Canada that incorporates sound (binaural beats) and flashing lights with CES.)
Chris
Posted by Hugh on December 24, 2015, at 9:33:37
In reply to AlphaStim CES device--Anyone have success w/this?, posted by Chris O on December 23, 2015, at 23:50:32
I bought a Sota Bio Tuner (BT7) in 2004. It has three settings -- energizing, relaxing and sleep. The energizing program made me feel anxious. The relaxing and sleep programs made me feel calm, but over a period of a few months, they became less and less effective. My brain became habituated to them. Apparently, habituation is a big problem with CES devices.
I belong to a few of the neurofeedback groups on Yahoo. Some neurofeedback clinicians have tried using Alpha Stim with their patients. The clinicians say that it works for a while, but then their patients become habituated to it. Some of the neurofeedback clinicians who have used Alpha Stim are far more enthusiastic about Nexalin. It appears to be more effective than other forms of CES, and so far habituation hasn't been a problem. The disadvantage with Nexalin is that you can't buy one for personal use. You have to go to Nexalin provider to try it.
Posted by Chris O on December 24, 2015, at 11:40:28
In reply to Re: AlphaStim CES device--Anyone have success w/this?, posted by Hugh on December 24, 2015, at 9:33:37
Fascinating. Thanks for sharing that, Hugh. I suspect that whatever calming effect CES devices have on my anxiety, the effect is quite weak and transient, even without habituation. Moreover, the "research" that is quoted to support CES, (for example, on the Nexalin site), looks incredibly underwhelming and sketchy (almost psuedo-science-y), to put it mildly.
Anyway, I've been Alpha-Stim-ing myself for the past week or so as another trial, and it's been the same as it was ten years ago--not much beyond a weak, short-term relaxing effect. I'm going to give this a month-long trial every day (or several times a day) and see if there is any "build-up" (as others claim).
Have a most excellent and stress-free holiday/winter solstice, Hugh!
Chris
Posted by Hugh on December 25, 2015, at 8:30:35
In reply to Re: AlphaStim CES device--Anyone have success w/this? » Hugh, posted by Chris O on December 24, 2015, at 11:40:28
> Have a most excellent and stress-free holiday/winter solstice, Hugh!
>
> ChrisThe same to you. And good luck with your trial.
Posted by bkva23 on January 7, 2016, at 20:56:07
In reply to AlphaStim CES device--Anyone have success w/this?, posted by Chris O on December 23, 2015, at 23:50:32
Before i painstakling found my correct med combo i tried everything.This included shelling out 800 bucks for the older alpha stim,i hate to be bearer of bad news and trust me i wanted it to work,but the most it did was make me dizzy.
Posted by Chris O on January 7, 2016, at 21:48:56
In reply to Re: AlphaStim CES device--Anyone have success w/this?, posted by bkva23 on January 7, 2016, at 20:56:07
Hey, no bearer of bad news you are. I've just been giving this device (AlphaStim CES) another go, since I have it hanging around my home. It pretty much does nothing beyond mild relaxation, and that only occurs while the device is on me. Other than that, zippo. I've been using it off and on for the last couple of months again, and not much happening for me in terms of anti-anxiety/anti-depressant effect. Thanks for chiming in. I always like to hear all feedback.
Chris
Posted by bkva23 on January 8, 2016, at 12:37:59
In reply to Re: AlphaStim CES device--Anyone have success w/this? » bkva23, posted by Chris O on January 7, 2016, at 21:48:56
The feed back was i felt taken advantage of,the sales person made all these promises and it cost me 800 dollers i dont have.If you read my post the best med combo i can suggest after going natural nutrients and everything under the sun ended up simple,a maoi in case parnate combined with a psycho stimulant in my case ritalin,all but elimnated my suffering.
Posted by Chris O on January 9, 2016, at 9:22:52
In reply to Re: AlphaStim CES device--Anyone have success w/this?, posted by bkva23 on January 8, 2016, at 12:37:59
"...ended up simple,a maoi in case parnate combined with a psycho stimulant in my case ritalin,all but elimnated my suffering."
Thanks for sharing. Is that combination still working for you today? If so, how long have you been taking it? What was the main symptom, or symptoms, you were trying to treat?
Me, I think I'm on the GAD spectrum more than the ADD spectrum. As for MAOIs, I have not tried them. At least three times I got a prescription for Nardil and let it sit on my shelf for several months before eventually giving up on the idea of taking it.
I tried a drug in the amphetamine class--Adderall XR--a couple of months ago for the first time A.though it did relieve some of my anxiety (I was able to talk to others easier/less rumination, self-criticism), Adderall also increased my anxiety at the same time (along with giving me blistering sexual side effects and pretty brutal daily withdrawals).
Chris
Posted by bkva23 on January 9, 2016, at 17:17:11
In reply to Re: AlphaStim CES device--Anyone have success w/this? » bkva23, posted by Chris O on January 9, 2016, at 9:22:52
Most dont agree but i passed on nardil when i heard about the reformulation.Yess it works for me wonderfully i mean great,i take parnate and ritalin.
I take klonopin and gabpentin at night which carry over and i really need an anxiety agent even though i also have gad.Klonopin or any benzo in combo with gabepntin works wonders.Lot of gaba.
This is the end of the thread.
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