Posted by MoparFan91 on December 8, 2005, at 22:58:13
I have Bipolar-NOS ultra-rapid/ultradian cycling, OCD, social phobia, and possible aspergers syndrome.
I've been taking Country Life Omega 3 Mood Formula for about 2.5 months. This type of Fish Oil has an EPA:DHA ratio of almost 7:1. For every 2 capsules, you get 1,000mg of EPA and 150mg of DHA. Each bottle I was buying had 90 caps in it.
I was taking 6 caps per day, in 3 divided doses, so each bottle lasted me 2 weeks. This type of fish oil was a bit on the pricey side for the amt I was taking as it was ~$60 per month (30 a bottle). Now, fortunately, my sis works at the store we buy it from, and she gets a good discount.The amount I've been taking is a total of 3,000mg of EPA and 450mg of DHA, all in 3 divided doses.
Anyway, I have been appearing to have a few problems with this type of concentrated EPA formula.
I've been getting what seems to be some hypomanic symptoms, though, I haven't been getting into what would be called outright (hypo)mania. Also, it seems to have been sparking off some OCD behaviors. Anyway...:These symptoms/syndrome have mainly only been showing up in my car/driving. All of these, which I recently found, seems to have coincided with starting the EPA rich formula.
*Driving a bit too fast.
-One night I went almost 120 MPH down the interstate w/ a friend because I had to get her home quick, and I was real sleepy and wanted to try to get home asap. anyway, backed off when I saw some cars (thinking one was the Po-Po).
-Another night, went about 100 MPH on a curvy 2-lane road because someone wanted to challenge me. I passed a truck w/horse trailer quickly by manually downshifting to "2" and the car behind me apparently thought about how fast my car was and wanted to pass him as well and ride on my butt. So, I sped up and faster I went he sped up stayed right on my tail still. So, I went 100 MPH on a road with curves and he followed me at same speed. I Almost ran off the road crossing oncoming lane, though, on a sharp curve (tires chattered/skidded) but my good brakes stopped it from happening. I WAS REAL LUCKY. Just a block down, and 18-wheeler was coming in the oncoming lane.
-Driving 70 MPH in business zones sometimes
-Driving too fast for conditions (75-80 in 60 zones on rainiest days)*I have been shifting my automatic transmission like a manual transmission. New OCD thing!!!
-At a stop, flicking the shifter to "1", and then manually shifting from "1" to "2" to "D" (DRIVE, aka 3rd Gear). In this way, maxing out the engine rpm's in each gear and shifting at close to redline and holding gears at real high speeds.
-winding out my car to see what it can do.
-One night, on the Interstate, I was doing 60 MPH. I wanted to get on the exit ramp, but I was about to run out of time. I needed to get to the right lane, but the car was trying to pass me. So, I manually shift to "2" and quickly speed up to 70 MPH in 2nd gear and quickly pass that car. After this, I butt in between that car and an SUV. The car I passed flahes his H-Beams but didn't know why. I got to end of ramp and found it was a Chevy Camaro Z-28!!! The man in it has a pissed off look in his face and started cursing at me. I just gave him a funny glare and went on my marry way. He was probably thinking about how fast my car was.Overall, basically, driving my car like a Dodge Viper (it's a '91 Plymouth Sundance RS w/ mods).
Despite this, noone in my family has noticed any differences in the way I've been acting from being on that concentrated EPA formula.
Besides the driving thing, I've had some quick talking like I say things quick, fast. Also, I was talk compulsively sometimes. And for the OCD thing, I would constantly talk to others about shifting automatic transmissions all the time. That thing would stay on my mind a lot.
What's going on?
Is it possible for highly concentrated EPA Omega Formulas to spark off hypomania?
To be safe, I stopped this type of formula and went back to the regular 3:2 EPA:DHA ratio formula at 5g EPA/DHA combined.
Now, mental anxiety has hit me with a ton of bricks, and when depression cycle hits, I'm left more depressed than ever. Also, the mental anxiety that comes with the depression causes my mind to skip, too, meaning it takes my focus off of what I'm doing at work and stuff.
On a note, I've been taking Omega 3's of every kind with the Medications Lamictal, Topamax, and Lexapro.
Lamictal 400mg - 200mg 2xday
Topamax 300mg - 100mg 3xday
Lexapro 10mg 1xday (just increased due to the OCD flare ups)
Since the addition of Topamax (and possibly more recent Lamictal increase), I've been doing better than ever. The Lamictal and Topamax don't really help the depression much, though, but they work wonders for Mixed States, suicidal states, and physical anxiety.That's why I've been taking the Omega 3 and giving different formulations trials.
So, given my experience, what would be the best EPA/DHA ratio for me?
poster:MoparFan91
thread:587133
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20051208/msgs/587133.html