Posted by Larry Hoover on August 22, 2004, at 10:12:59
In reply to Re: immune system/ depression » Larry Hoover, posted by Emme on August 19, 2004, at 11:19:44
> 'Lo again.
G'day, eh? That's Canadian.
> > If you didn't have a similar anxiety attack after the drug was withdrawn, then I'd agree with you 100%. In the early days of interferon treatment, attitudes were such that adverse effects were ignored or trivialized. Kind of like the early days of Prozac.
>
> I'd had anxiety attacks in the past. But it had been a few years since I'd had one, and the one I had on interferon was horrendous. I didn't have more of them after the interferon. Although I wasn't sure at the time, ain't no doubt in my mind that it was the drug.You're the expert on you. Don't let anyone take that away from you.
> > Bipolarish? Interesting "outside the DSM" conceptualization, going on here:
>
> Yes, I found that site helpful after my pdoc looked at me and said "...I think you're bipolar." The descriptions on that site describe a lot of me. Repeated AD poopouts. Sometimes my depression is sluggish/can't move, sometimes very anxious. Major sleep disturbances. Sometimes my nerves were utterly raw/bristly. My thoughts don't race sequentially in the way doctors ask. I've had times where a number of negative thoughts were swishing around in my head simultaneously competing with each other so that my mind felt chaotic rather than "fast" per se. One 4 -day definite hypomanic episode . I think a fair assessment would be mostly major depression with some bipolarity.I think the whole construct of mood disorders could do with a little less construct.
> > > > > I know fish oil does this.
> > Or eat fish.
>
> I've been a vegetarian for a long time. This is inconsistent with using fish oil I know, but desperate situations.... Fact is, I generally don't like fish. Most of it tastes *bad* to me.Maybe you're not getting fresh fish? Really fresh fish doesn't smell fishy, period. And there are some really mild white fish to consider (colour does correlate to flavour). Sauces and herbs/spices might help, too.
> But I understand flax seed is a less efficient way to get omega-3.
Yes, it is (less efficient). Do you do eggs? Eggs can be a substantial source of long-chain omega-3s, if the eggs are free range, or they have flaxseed-supplemented chow (you get the benefit of the chicken's pre-processing of the alpha-linolenic acid, and the tendency to concentrate EPA and DHA in the yolk). Unless you use the algae-based DHA supplement called Neuromins, I don't know a really effective way around the fish bit. I also have some reservations about the completeness of Neuromins, as it has no appreciable amounts of EPA.
> > > > You might want to consider ginkgo biloba. It downregulates a number of genes which are implicated in inflammatory reactions.
> > >
> > > I can try that. Are there any side effects or medication interactions to worry about? Will it make me very smart? :)
> >
> > It will make you smart, like me.
>
> Ooh, gettin' a big head now are we? :)
> What dosage do you find helpful?
>
> EmmeGetting cheeky, is all.
100-200 mg per day, at 24% ginkolides.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:375393
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040815/msgs/380791.html