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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 madhatter on March 24, 2007, at 17:19:38
I'm looking for info on short term use of anything to prevent a manic episode at the point where sleep starts to go out.
I am managing bipolar 1 without meds.
I am on a gluten free diet, and restrict sugar, caffiene as much as possible. I take a multivitamin and mineral supplement (double daily dose), goji juice, and spirulina, and fish oil regularly. Also using a whey based protein supplement daily for balanced aminos.
I have been experimenting with individual aminos- tyrosene when lethargic is good but tends to make me have trouble sleeping so I use it only occasionally. Have found taurine helps with anxiety but not sleep used alone. Have been unable to try tryptophan or 5htp due to difficulty obtaining it here in Australia.
I am on the waiting list to see a doctor who is into this stuff but my appointment is not till end of July.
I'm thinking of trying magnesium, niacinamide and taurine combo at night to see if it helps.
Would welcome advice from anyone who has had success with restoring sleep within the first couple of days of it starting to go out, or who has prevented a manic episode by intervening at the early warning stages, or who has a good understanding of the use of supplements for bipolar.
I have a supply of psych meds which I can use as a last resort. No previously prescribed psych meds have prevented breakthrough manias and I will use zyprexa short term if needed.
Thanx people
Posted by linkadge on March 24, 2007, at 20:23:07
In reply to Supplements and tips for stopping a manic episode?, posted by madhatter on March 24, 2007, at 17:19:38
Hey, I'm in a similar situation. But I am not sure if what I have is mania or simply the lack of option about getting certain tasks done.
Anyhow, taurine and magnesium can sometimes help, sometimes best in combination. I find it is best to take them earlier in the day if possable to bring yourself down.
Vitamin C, too can sometimes help for bipolar.
Sometimes melatonin helps, but not always.Suprisingly, I have also found that ginger root helps. It is a mild sedative, but it can be a very grounding herb. I think it is worth a try.
Valerin can somtimes help too. It supposedly has agonist binding at adenosine receptors which inhibits catacholine release (opposite to adenosine inhibiting coffee).
One last thing that I really recomend trying is Niacin. Try ~100mg at bedtime, or a few hours before. It feels a lot like depakote (if you have ever tried that)
But, to be more specific, I'd say that magnesium is probably the best antimanic supplemement. Not always stabilizing though, since it can bring you down.
Just my experiences.
Linkadge
Posted by madhatter on March 24, 2007, at 21:11:24
In reply to Re: Supplements and tips for stopping a manic episode?, posted by linkadge on March 24, 2007, at 20:23:07
Hi linkadge,
Thanks for your reply.
I have magnesium and taurine and niacin, but good to know the dosages that have helped you.Will get a supply of melatonin and ginger root.
I've been a bit inconsistant with my experiments re recording time of day etc and was having trouble distinguishing what is doing what.
I don't really expect stabilisation, my own experience is that I'm better off trying to manage the symptoms I am having at the time.Whatever imbalances my crazy brain has, i am convinced they vary at different times in the cycle.
For now I will increase niacin too 100mg and take some more magnesium. I was on sodium valporate (close to depacote) for a couple of years but have had a couple of breakthrough episodes on it so don't use it for maintenence.
I'm not too worried about the depressive side as I've found tyrosene to correct it fairly quickly but need to be careful it doesn't switch me to mania(and the diet and fish oil has generally relieved them to some extent as a baseline)
Thanx
Posted by foreigner on March 25, 2007, at 1:58:25
In reply to Re: Supplements and tips for stopping a manic episode?, posted by linkadge on March 24, 2007, at 20:23:07
Try glycine. It is very grounding.
Posted by linkadge on March 25, 2007, at 16:48:06
In reply to Re: Supplements and tips for stopping a manic episode?, posted by madhatter on March 24, 2007, at 21:11:24
I may be in the same boat too. I am doing a lot of tinkering with various supplements just to try and get in the zone, so to speak.
I have taken lithium, valproate, tegretol, and trileptal as well as AP's in the past, but to put it bluntly they all suck. I don't want to feel like that. I think they all go way overkill into depression.
There is a more normal me out there.
I usually take magnesium 50mg at a time. I usually don't need more than 150-250mg.
Niacin, I take 100mg at a time.
With taurine, I find too much can leave me feeling a little depleated, hard to describe.
I try to take around 250-500mg.
Taurine can be good for rapid cycling.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on March 25, 2007, at 16:48:47
In reply to Re: Supplements and tips for stopping a manic episode?, posted by foreigner on March 25, 2007, at 1:58:25
I wanted to try glycine but I could not find it anywhere locally.
Is it like taurine?
Linkdge
Posted by madhatter on March 25, 2007, at 17:08:55
In reply to Re: Supplements and tips for stopping a manic episode?, posted by foreigner on March 25, 2007, at 1:58:25
Thanks foreigner,
Didn't know about glycine. have just done some reading about it and it sounds like a good one to know about. Well definate get hold of some.
Decided to do some long walking yesterday to use up the energy, upped the magnesium and taurine, and am much more grounded today. think I'm doing OK for the moment.
I am trying to have a few things around to play with rather than freaking out and reaching for the zyprexa. Havn't had to yet.
thanks again guys
Posted by foreigner on March 27, 2007, at 9:15:20
In reply to Re: Supplements and tips for stopping a manic episode? » foreigner, posted by linkadge on March 25, 2007, at 16:48:47
> I wanted to try glycine but I could not find it anywhere locally.
>
> Is it like taurine?
>
> Linkdge
No It wasn't like taurine for me. Taurine made me irritable(not much) but glycine was calming and grounding. Of course these are my experiences.
Posted by nolvas on March 27, 2007, at 18:25:59
In reply to Re: Supplements and tips for stopping a manic episode?, posted by foreigner on March 27, 2007, at 9:15:20
I saw this thread and was going to mention Glycine as well. I can recommend two places to obtain the bulk powder cheaply, they are >
www.jomarlabs.com and www.bulknutrition.com
I don't know the dosage for mania to be honest, but 2 grams taken sublingually is useful to start with. Up to 20 grams can be taken if one is experiencing high anxiety and panic. Don't take my word for it though please research online and start with the lowest dosage. Too much Glycine has been known to cause nausea, and everyone reacts differently.
This is the end of the thread.
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