![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
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 tcast5000 on August 6, 2013, at 22:11:02
Hi I have Bipolar disorder type 1 and I was wondering what other supplements I can take in a addition to my medication to help keep stable in the long run. Im very worried about the long-term course of this disease as I know that it can accelerate cognitive decline in later stages. I also have insomnia problems that have been constant and I have to take meds for it.
Currently taking:
Lithium 900mg
Saphris 20mg
Seroquel as needed for sleep
Fish oil 1200mg EPA 800 DHA
Zinc 25 mgThanks for your input
Posted by tcast5000 on August 6, 2013, at 22:12:26
Hi I have Bipolar disorder type 1 and I was wondering what other supplements I can take in a addition to my medication to help keep stable in the long run. I have more manic episodes than I do depressive and Im wondering what can help with that. Im very worried about the long-term course of this disease as I know that it can accelerate cognitive decline in later stages. I also have insomnia problems that have been constant and I have to take meds for it.
Currently taking:
Lithium 900mg
Saphris 20mg
Seroquel as needed for sleep
Fish oil 1200mg EPA 800 DHA
Zinc 25 mgThanks for your input
Posted by Tomatheus on August 6, 2013, at 23:39:22
In reply to Bipolar seeking supplements in addition to meds, posted by tcast5000 on August 6, 2013, at 22:11:02
tcast5000,
Hello, and welcome to Psycho-Babble.
As far as I am aware, there is one controlled study showing a supplement called N-acetylcysteine to be an effective treatment for bipolar depression. For more information, see:
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/n-acetylcysteine.htm
I also came across this Web page on PsychCentral that summarizes the potential benefits of dietary supplements in individuals with bipolar disorder:
http://psychcentral.com/lib/nutritional-supplements-for-bipolar-disorder/000887
I personally have not had long-term success with N-acetylcysteine or any of the supplements mentioned in the PsychCentral article, but I have a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, with symptoms of fatigue, hypersomnia, and difficulty concentrating being the most difficult to treat. I might describe the state that I've been in since February 2007 as a mixed state of sorts, with a psychosis with probable mania sort of superimposed over the fatigue and other symptoms that I mentioned in my last sentence. It would be my guess that patients whose symptoms present differently from mine might respond differently to supplements than I have.
What sort of course does your bipolar illness tend to run? Do you think that you need more help treating the manic side of your illness or the depressive side? Do you experience any psychotic features as part of your illness?
T.
Posted by SLS on August 7, 2013, at 6:32:09
In reply to Re: Bipolar seeking supplements in addition to meds, posted by Tomatheus on August 6, 2013, at 23:39:22
I found that NAC made me feel somewhat more depressed. From what I understand, it can take several months for NAC to produce an improvement in depession. Along with its being a precursor of glutathione, it also reduces glutamate overactivity. It does other stuff, too.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3044191/
Have you tried L-methylfolate?
- Scott
Posted by Tomatheus on August 7, 2013, at 13:37:12
In reply to Re: Bipolar seeking supplements in addition to meds, posted by SLS on August 7, 2013, at 6:32:09
Scott,
I of course don't know if the original poster has tried l-methylfolate, but I've taken it. I spent several months taking 800 mcg of the stuff and was unable to keep taking a higher dose of it because of a worsening of one of my psychotic symptoms. But even though I stayed on 800 mcg for several months, I don't think it did any good, except for producing a nice energizing effect on the first day I took it. After I did discontinue the l-methylfolate, I noticed no worsening of any of my symptoms.
T.
Posted by Hugh on August 7, 2013, at 13:56:38
In reply to Bipolar seeking supplements in addition to meds, posted by tcast5000 on August 6, 2013, at 22:11:02
Carnosine might help.
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00177463
This site recommends several things for bipolar, including lecithin and choline. These worsened my depression, but I'm unipolar.
http://digitalnaturopath.com/cond/C412809.html
This supplement was formulated to help bipolar.
http://discovermagazine.com/2005/may/vitamin-cure#.UgKXbne-B-w
http://www.truehope.com/?refer=Y
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Alternative | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.