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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jamal Spelling on September 9, 2007, at 8:34:26
These last few days, bright light hurts mine eyes. I saw mention somewhere that SJW can cause one to become photosensitive, to the point where it may even predispose you to cataracts. So I'll finish my month's supply, but probably won't carry on with it. This is of course one of the benefits of prescription medicine: side-effects are precisely measured and quantified, whereas with alternative supplements, you have to navigate according to word-of-mouth and anecdote. Still, I am benefitting tremendously from my methylation formula: SAMe 200 mg/day, TMG 500 mg/day, folic acid from different supplements, and truckloads of B12 (I'm talking here something like 5000% of the RDA).
Jamal
Posted by circusboy on September 10, 2007, at 11:09:07
In reply to St John's Wort making me photosensitive, posted by Jamal Spelling on September 9, 2007, at 8:34:26
> This is of course one of the benefits of prescription medicine: side-effects are precisely measured and quantified, whereas with alternative supplements, you have to navigate according to >word-of-mouth and anecdote.
Mostly agree... but for me, for right now, since my depression/etc. symptoms are fairly mild at the moment, the freedom to *stop taking* a supplement if the side effects are bad (without irritating a doctor) are worth it. Also, I've found the actual side-effects of psychiatric drugs -- especially the *psychological* side effects -- are poorly and incompletely described. Even many of the side-effects that *are* identified stay in research papers at the margins and never make it across practicing pdocs' desks. For instance, I had an otherwise-competent psychiatrist tell me that Lamictal didn't have any cognitive side effects, even after I described what it was doing to me... and even though you could find plenty of evidence with a quick PubMed search.
>Still, I am benefitting tremendously from my methylation formula: SAMe 200 mg/day, TMG 500 mg/day, folic acid from different supplements, and truckloads of B12 (I'm talking here something like 5000% of the RDA).
>Hey, that's great news. Are you finding any personality blunting effects with that combo? As I described before, SAM-e (and to a lesser extent TMG) made me much more hard-working and motivated, but at the same time less creative and social. I wish I could find a balance...
My current cocktail, working reasonably well (daily unless otherwise specified):
1 good-quality multi
400 mcg folic acid
450 - 900 mg EPA +
300 - 600 mg DHA (same fish oil supplement)
50 - 100 mg alpha lipoic acid
~1200 mg inositol (before bed)
1 B12 lozenge (forget size, 2x / week)... and the occasional Gotu Kola (calming/stabilizing) and Mg-glycinate pill. Also experimenting with Yerba Mate.
The LA (alpha lipoic acid) was a good recent addition. I know the lit says LA + ALC (acetyl-l-carnitine) is an even more potent combo, but ALC pushes me toward depression. Too bad, 'cause it was very good for energy/concentration.
-cb
Posted by Jamal Spelling on September 10, 2007, at 13:54:09
In reply to Re: St John's Wort making me photosensitive » Jamal Spelling, posted by circusboy on September 10, 2007, at 11:09:07
Hi circusboy
> > This is of course one of the benefits of prescription medicine: side-effects are precisely measured and quantified, whereas with alternative supplements, you have to navigate according to >word-of-mouth and anecdote.
>
> Mostly agree... but for me, for right now, since my depression/etc. symptoms are fairly mild at the moment, the freedom to *stop taking* a supplement if the side effects are bad (without irritating a doctor) are worth it.Also nice is being able to use what you want, when you want, without having to first get a prescription from your doctor. But it sucks that you have to pay for it yourself. Some of these supplements are seriously expensive!
> >Still, I am benefitting tremendously from my methylation formula: SAMe 200 mg/day, TMG 500 mg/day, folic acid from different supplements, and truckloads of B12 (I'm talking here something like 5000% of the RDA).
> >
>
> Hey, that's great news. Are you finding any personality blunting effects with that combo? As I described before, SAM-e (and to a lesser extent TMG) made me much more hard-working and motivated, but at the same time less creative and social. I wish I could find a balance...I am more motivated and driven. I feel like I have greater clarity of reasoning, without necessarily being any smarter. My energy levels are the same. I don't think my creativity has been altered either way. I think my social skills have improved somewhat. For example, I usually get heart palpitations when phoning strangers. These last few days, I have made phone calls to strangers and stayed reasonably relaxed.
Jamal
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