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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 Lao Tzu on April 30, 2012, at 8:08:33
Over the years, I've been able to carefully include vitamins with my meds because the meds alone did not address the depression fully, unfortunately. But I must stress, it is the BALANCE of vitamins that is key. Too little and no real effect. Too much and possible disturbance of mood, not to mention side effects when combined with medication. I always suggest trying small doses of B vitamins to start, say 50mg of B6 for example. Or 50mg of B2 as an example. Everybody's nutritional needs are different. That is why taking vitamins is not an exact science. One regimen doesn't fit everybody. It actually took me years of experimentation to find the right nutrients and the correct dosages that made me feel better. Another recommendation is to purchase some orthomolecular books from Amazon. There are quite a few and they may lead you in the right direction. Yet, it still is a matter of trial and error for any given individual. Here are some of the vitamins that have helped me over the years, including certain B vitamins, fatty acids, and amino acids, as well as antioxidant vitamins.
B6, B1, B2, B12
Niacinamide or Niacin---- For some people, not everybody.
Vitamins C and E
GABA and/or Taurine
fish oil---highly recommended
Borage or evening primrose oil
selenium
magnesium
multivitamin--highly recommendedI don't want to include dosages because the dosages I take are rather small, probably because I also take a lot of medication and this makes a difference. The best thing to do is ask a doctor about taking some vitamins if you are already using medication. Certain vitamins, if taken at high dosages may give you side effects if you are already using antidepressants, so be careful!!
Definitely, a multivitamin is good, some fish oil, and perhaps a B-complex 50 vitamin. Again, though, with the B vitamins you may have to tailor dosages to fit YOU. Sometimes, 50mg of a particular B vitamin is not sufficient. You may need 100mg of a particular B vitamin. Caution: If you are already using prescription antidepressants, watch your dosages of B6 and Niacin, since they both affect serotonin levels. A little goes a long way with certain vitamins. Good luck!!Lao
Posted by Christ_empowered on April 30, 2012, at 13:44:21
In reply to Depression Vitamins in addition to meds, posted by Lao Tzu on April 30, 2012, at 8:08:33
I like your approach to your meds+supplements. I'm down to just Abilify (high dose though--30mgs/day) plus loads of supplements. That works for me because I had serious oxidative stress going on before I became crazy, during my madness, and in the aftermath. So, for me, loading up on antioxidants and b-vitamins and select botanicals is really a good idea. For someone like you, who seems to be more concerned with the psychiatric than overall physical effects because of your own unique needs, a more cautious approach is probably wise.
Posted by Lao Tzu on May 1, 2012, at 12:11:05
In reply to good approach, posted by Christ_empowered on April 30, 2012, at 13:44:21
The mood disorder and depression have always been the primary concerns for me. As far as the pyschosis, that is pretty much under control with Risperdal. I haven't had a psychotic episode in 7 years, so I am ecstatic about that. Owing that people with mental illness tend to have poor diets, it makes sense to take natural nutrients that our bodies use all the time to function normally. I've been trying to improve my diet, but at times, I fall back into my old habits of eating greasy, fast food and sugary beverages. I think the supplements have made me feel healthier overall. I just want to feel okay, you know, from one day to the next. I think my vitamin regimen has helped me achieve this to a large degree; however, my energy level could be improved, but it is better than it was a few years ago. I actually move around more than I used to and I don't spend as much time lying in bed as I used to. I think the best thing you can do is use supplements as a complement to medication. I believe you, too, have succeeded in this respect. How long did it take you to determine what supplements you needed and also the optimum dosages? It took me a few years to get it down right, and that's with using information from the Internet to get some ideas of how I could naturally deal with mood disorders. So thanks for your post and "hats off" to you for succeeding with your supplements.
Lao
Posted by Christ_empowered on May 1, 2012, at 13:51:03
In reply to Re: good approach, posted by Lao Tzu on May 1, 2012, at 12:11:05
I hit the supplements hard, armed with info about Orthomolecular Treatment. Luckily, it worked, and then my supplement line up grew as I added inexpensive supplements for this and that. The core line up only took a couple months to straighten out.
Posted by BetweenDreams81 on May 2, 2012, at 17:40:04
In reply to Depression Vitamins in addition to meds, posted by Lao Tzu on April 30, 2012, at 8:08:33
What are some good online resources for orthomolecular?? I am very interested in this. I'm trying to battle the lithium blahs and find empathy again. And happiness...is that possible?...it seeems ever so elusive these days...
Posted by Christ_empowered on May 2, 2012, at 20:05:46
In reply to Re: Depression Vitamins in addition to meds, posted by BetweenDreams81 on May 2, 2012, at 17:40:04
I don't know that Orthomolecular Medicine will make you happy, but it may very well tame your more severe mood problems and help med(s) work better, at lower doses, and with fewer side effects.
www.doctoryourself.com
That site goes into the orthomolecular approach to a number of health concerns. I will tell you that Orthomolecular hasn't eliminated my need for meds--I still take 30mgs Abilify daily. However, I tolerate the Abilify incredibly well now, whereas before I had twitches and dysphoria. I also often need a 2nd medication to even out my mood, usually a low-dose anticonvulsant. I take the until things have been better for a while.
For Bipolar I w/Psychotic Features, 1-2 meds is pretty respectable, and I owe this improvement to Orthomolecular Medicine.
Posted by BetweenDreams81 on May 3, 2012, at 11:27:56
In reply to Re: Depression Vitamins in addition to meds, posted by Christ_empowered on May 2, 2012, at 20:05:46
Thanks for the link! I'm going to look into it and see what I can find that could apply well.
It does sound like a very good accomplishment to be on just 2 meds...What vitamins/botanicals do you take?
Posted by Christ_empowered on May 3, 2012, at 23:59:41
In reply to Re: Depression Vitamins in addition to meds » Christ_empowered, posted by BetweenDreams81 on May 3, 2012, at 11:27:56
OK...here's my line-up...
Vitamin C---10grams
Vitamin E---1600 IU
Selenium---400 micrograms
B-100----1 daily
niacinamide---3 grams
Vitamin D----4,000 IU
Beta Carotene---25,000 IU
Taurine---2 grams
Green tea extract---2 gramsPlus some random other supplements (astaxanthin, low-dose soy isoflavones) for non-psychiatric stuff.
Posted by Lao Tzu on May 21, 2012, at 6:01:35
In reply to Depression Vitamins in addition to meds, posted by Lao Tzu on April 30, 2012, at 8:08:33
Noticed that some vitamins are good to take at bedtime, thereby producing a good result as far as depression for the following day. Ones that I take at bedtime are vitamin E, vitamins B1 and B2, GABA, magnesium, a multivitamin, and selenium. By taking them at bedtime, you're giving your body plenty of good nutrients to use as you rest because some of them are sedating, and it might work better to take them at bedtime. More stimulating vitamins can be taken during the daytime hours. I know I mentioned a multivitamin at bedtime. This is kind of counterintuitive. It's probably best for most people to take a multivitamin in the morning, but I never said that I was a conventional person. Personally, I think certain nutrients are indeed better if taken at nighttime as opposed to taking everything at once in the morning. This has been my experience.
Lao
This is the end of the thread.
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