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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by med_empowered on July 9, 2005, at 21:15:48
hey everyone! OK, so here's my story: I have bipolar disorder, plus some other stuff. The bipolar has variously been diagnosed as type II, type I, NOS, and, once, I was misdiagnosed as having schizophrenia during an episode of psychotic depression. My big problems are: anxiety at all mood levels (normal, elevated, depressed, etc.), depression with overeating, oversleeping, and daytime fatigue; insomia at times; and a problem (more pronounced lately) with ANGER and hostility. What do I do? I've done LOTS of meds with mixed results--basically, I've decided that I'd like to try something besides conventional treatments for a while. Mood-stabilizers tend to leave me feeling stupid and slow; since I have anxiety and insomnia, docs tend to load up on benzos and sleeping pills with me, which makes me feel even worse long term. Stimulants tend to exacerbate my anxiety...basically, I guess I'd say I'm looking for methods that will work with my brain, not AGAINST it. The bipolar+pot thing interests me, but I have some problems: for one, thanks to the anxiety, smoking pot can be either really fun or really, really, un-fun for me. Either way, though, after I smoke I usually feel much better for a couple days. I'm also interested in herbs...I used to take Kava Kava. I've tried valerian...didnt really like it...but I'm interested in Passion Flower, gingko/ginseng, gotu Kola, st. john's wort, and anything else that might work. I've tried 5-HTP, which was OK, but Id like more complete anxiety/depression/rage relief....has SAM-e worked for anyone? Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I look forward to your responses/comments/suggestions. Thanks again.
Posted by ed_uk on July 10, 2005, at 8:12:45
In reply to Bipolar: please help, posted by med_empowered on July 9, 2005, at 21:15:48
Hi Med,
Larry Hoover has posted a lot about niacinamide and taurine. Could be of interest :-)
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by KaraS on July 10, 2005, at 19:40:18
In reply to Bipolar: please help, posted by med_empowered on July 9, 2005, at 21:15:48
I don't know if this would be of any help to you, it's Margot Kidder's regimen for controlling her bipolarity naturally. You might remember that she was in a really bad way there for a while but seems to be doing much better now.
http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/aminobipolar.htm
Posted by linkadge on July 10, 2005, at 20:18:55
In reply to Re: Bipolar: please help » med_empowered, posted by KaraS on July 10, 2005, at 19:40:18
I would agree with her about taurine, but gaba has no effect on me.
Linkadge
Posted by Declan on July 12, 2005, at 6:09:51
In reply to Bipolar: please help, posted by med_empowered on July 9, 2005, at 21:15:48
SAMe can cause mania in some, so they say. Like you imply pot is really good for rage.
Herbs......skullcap and zizyphus are pretty nontoxic sedatives. Theanine is excellent and expensive (in the doses I need). Withania is calming, I like it. Wolfberries maybe, I like them too. And a few drinks. That's how I try to enjoy my pot.
Declan
Posted by ravenstorm on July 21, 2005, at 21:24:53
In reply to Re: Bipolar: please help, posted by Declan on July 12, 2005, at 6:09:51
Glutamine, sam-e and st. John's wort can all cause mania.
Posted by Declan on July 25, 2005, at 16:53:29
In reply to Re: Bipolar: please help, posted by ravenstorm on July 21, 2005, at 21:24:53
Hello Ravenstorm
Yeah, I'd be very careful with glutamine, that is I avoid it. Is it NMDA toxicity? Or something. Maybe I've got that, I dunno. No problem that I noticed with SAMe or inositol. I could notice a lift with SAMe though, so I can imagine how mania could result from it.
Declan
This is the end of the thread.
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