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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Green Willow on October 9, 2008, at 13:19:52
Ok, I am deficent in B6 so I am supplementing. I have had insomnia since I have been on it as well as much more talkative than usual. Dosage doesn't seem to matter much, it happens with 100 mg., or 50 mg. or even just 25 mg. I am taking 50 mg. but I am getting really tired of being wound up so tight. Please advise! Thanks, Green Willow
Posted by bleauberry on October 10, 2008, at 15:13:30
In reply to Help! ~ B6 gives me insomnia, posted by Green Willow on October 9, 2008, at 13:19:52
B vitamins can be strong. Many people handle them like candy, others not. I am one who is very sensitive to Bs. My doctor told me of a genetic test that I could choose to do if I wanted that actually pinpoints the genes that are faulty in the B vitamin circuitry. The results help to understand which vitamins to take and which to avoid. You and me and everyone else who pops vitamins or minerals are pretty much guessing. Even if you had a blood test confirming deficient B6, that is only a measure of what is in the blood. It does not tell us what is going on inside cells.
No matter what the supplement is, you kind of have to pay attention to how you react and then adjust accordingly. If 25mg is too much, then take 5mg. Cut pills into custom sized chunks, empty capsule powder into custom sizes into your own empty gel caps. Stay at whatever dose is tolerable for a week or two, or until whenever you feel stable at that dose, and then try increasing it.
If your B6 is really deficient, then many other systems in your body dependent on B6 have already adapted to that. Supplying the needed B6 will cause those maladaptations to reverse, which takes time.
The best I can say is, don't be in a hurry, start at whatever dose you are comfortable with, and try increasing it slowly. All the while, do it in tiny steps. The dosage size of any pill is probably way too much. You'll have to make custom sized doses for yourself.
Posted by Green Willow on October 10, 2008, at 17:54:48
In reply to Re: Help! ~ B6 gives me insomnia » Green Willow, posted by bleauberry on October 10, 2008, at 15:13:30
Bleauberry ~ Thanks for the info. I will try cutting WAY down and see if that helps me at all. Hmmm. . . the genetics test sounds rather interesting. Wonder if it is expensive. GW
> B vitamins can be strong. Many people handle them like candy, others not. I am one who is very sensitive to Bs. My doctor told me of a genetic test that I could choose to do if I wanted that actually pinpoints the genes that are faulty in the B vitamin circuitry. The results help to understand which vitamins to take and which to avoid. You and me and everyone else who pops vitamins or minerals are pretty much guessing. Even if you had a blood test confirming deficient B6, that is only a measure of what is in the blood. It does not tell us what is going on inside cells.
>
> No matter what the supplement is, you kind of have to pay attention to how you react and then adjust accordingly. If 25mg is too much, then take 5mg. Cut pills into custom sized chunks, empty capsule powder into custom sizes into your own empty gel caps. Stay at whatever dose is tolerable for a week or two, or until whenever you feel stable at that dose, and then try increasing it.
>
> If your B6 is really deficient, then many other systems in your body dependent on B6 have already adapted to that. Supplying the needed B6 will cause those maladaptations to reverse, which takes time.
>
> The best I can say is, don't be in a hurry, start at whatever dose you are comfortable with, and try increasing it slowly. All the while, do it in tiny steps. The dosage size of any pill is probably way too much. You'll have to make custom sized doses for yourself.
Posted by JLx on October 12, 2008, at 17:21:07
In reply to Help! ~ B6 gives me insomnia, posted by Green Willow on October 9, 2008, at 13:19:52
Are you taking a B complex too, or just the B-6? I have always heard it's best not to take any B in isolation. If you are, then it may be beneficial to take a low dose complex, or vice versa. If you are taking a complex, which is going to add to the B6 too, then how do you know it's the B-6 that's the one having all the impact?
JL
> Ok, I am deficent in B6 so I am supplementing. I have had insomnia since I have been on it as well as much more talkative than usual. Dosage doesn't seem to matter much, it happens with 100 mg., or 50 mg. or even just 25 mg. I am taking 50 mg. but I am getting really tired of being wound up so tight. Please advise! Thanks, Green Willow
Posted by Green Willow on October 13, 2008, at 18:20:01
In reply to Re: Help! ~ B6 gives me insomnia » Green Willow, posted by JLx on October 12, 2008, at 17:21:07
Not taking B complex, just get the problem when I take B6. B complex totally makes me hyper and there is no hope of sleeping when I take that. The problem started when I began taking B6, and got better about 2 - 3 days after I stopped it. But now that I have resumed the problem is totally back. By the way, I also do take prescription strength folic acid, but I have been on that for several years with no problem, and the current problem is undoubtedly related to the B6. GW
> Are you taking a B complex too, or just the B-6? I have always heard it's best not to take any B in isolation. If you are, then it may be beneficial to take a low dose complex, or vice versa. If you are taking a complex, which is going to add to the B6 too, then how do you know it's the B-6 that's the one having all the impact?
>
> JL
>
>
> > Ok, I am deficent in B6 so I am supplementing. I have had insomnia since I have been on it as well as much more talkative than usual. Dosage doesn't seem to matter much, it happens with 100 mg., or 50 mg. or even just 25 mg. I am taking 50 mg. but I am getting really tired of being wound up so tight. Please advise! Thanks, Green Willow
>
>
Posted by Lao Tzu on October 14, 2008, at 3:39:40
In reply to Re: Help! ~ B6 gives me insomnia » Green Willow, posted by JLx on October 12, 2008, at 17:21:07
I've read that B vitamins usually help with insomnia, but if you are especially sensitive to B6, then taking it in the morning rather than at night might be in order. I have bipolar/schizophrenia and B6 actually helps me a lot, even with insomnia. I take some in the morning and 50mg at bedtime with Niacin, vitamin E, calcium, and a little melatonin. This combination helps me with insomnia. Are you currently taking any prescription medications that might cause your insomnia? I had a similar experience with vitamin B5 causing me to have insomnia, but I couldn't be sure that's exactly what it was. B6 can affect your neurotransmitters, and I agree that you might have to balance it with one or more other B vitamins. Niacin is a good one to take at bedtime. I also agree that taking a B complex may be more helpful because of the balance you're getting of B vitamins. Personally, and this is just me not everyone, I don't like B complexes because I react negatively to the folic acid in them. Some people do well on folic acid, some get worse. In the past, I have had good success with taking a combination of B12, Niacin, and B6 along with magnesium and/or calcium, vitamin C, and if you need it, a little zinc. And as a I said, supplementing with other nutrients at bedtime is important. Niacin, vitamin E, P5P (B6), melatonin, calcium, and an amino acid complex supplement all help me get a good night's rest. In addition, if you have low serotonin and are not taking any prescription antidepressants for sleep, then maybe adding something like 5HTP or L-trytophan at bedtime might help you also. This is just my experience as a schizophrenic/bipolar. I wish you the best in figuring out what will help you with your insomnia.
Posted by Green Willow on October 15, 2008, at 17:30:36
In reply to Re: Help! ~ B6 gives me insomnia, posted by Lao Tzu on October 14, 2008, at 3:39:40
Yipes, Lao Tzu, the insomnia problem is coming directly from the B6. Time after time I experience insomnia with B6 supplementation. What kind of problems do you get from folic acid? I am on prescription folic acid as I need it to offset the side effects from methotrexate, but have never had a problem with folic acid. I do take citalopram for depression. Wondering if I am getting too much seratonin?? I am highly sensitive to things of this nature. Also the form of B6 that I take is HCl. Does that make any difference? Thanks, GW
> I've read that B vitamins usually help with insomnia, but if you are especially sensitive to B6, then taking it in the morning rather than at night might be in order. I have bipolar/schizophrenia and B6 actually helps me a lot, even with insomnia. I take some in the morning and 50mg at bedtime with Niacin, vitamin E, calcium, and a little melatonin. This combination helps me with insomnia. Are you currently taking any prescription medications that might cause your insomnia? I had a similar experience with vitamin B5 causing me to have insomnia, but I couldn't be sure that's exactly what it was. B6 can affect your neurotransmitters, and I agree that you might have to balance it with one or more other B vitamins. Niacin is a good one to take at bedtime. I also agree that taking a B complex may be more helpful because of the balance you're getting of B vitamins. Personally, and this is just me not everyone, I don't like B complexes because I react negatively to the folic acid in them. Some people do well on folic acid, some get worse. In the past, I have had good success with taking a combination of B12, Niacin, and B6 along with magnesium and/or calcium, vitamin C, and if you need it, a little zinc. And as a I said, supplementing with other nutrients at bedtime is important. Niacin, vitamin E, P5P (B6), melatonin, calcium, and an amino acid complex supplement all help me get a good night's rest. In addition, if you have low serotonin and are not taking any prescription antidepressants for sleep, then maybe adding something like 5HTP or L-trytophan at bedtime might help you also. This is just my experience as a schizophrenic/bipolar. I wish you the best in figuring out what will help you with your insomnia.
Posted by susandale on October 24, 2008, at 12:41:04
In reply to Help! ~ B6 gives me insomnia, posted by Green Willow on October 9, 2008, at 13:19:52
Hi,
B6 can help people to remember their dreams, as well as enhance the dream state. Conversely, those w/ a more active memory and active dream states sometimes find themselves wakeful or even w/ nightmares. Esp true for some, only some, of those w/ PTSD and histories w/ difficult memories.
I found the latter to be the case w/ two people in particular: a vietnam vet and a young woman who 'seemed' well integrated, very friendly and 'healthy', but was one of the few people who skipped out on her bill[ I'm a retired chiropractor], made very good excuses[ lied], and was impossible to trace.
So, I learned it is the 'drug 'of choice for some esp w/ Mg for bloating, and premenstrual anxiety/depression, and not so good for others.> Ok, I am deficent in B6 so I am supplementing. I have had insomnia since I have been on it as well as much more talkative than usual. Dosage doesn't seem to matter much, it happens with 100 mg., or 50 mg. or even just 25 mg. I am taking 50 mg. but I am getting really tired of being wound up so tight. Please advise! Thanks, Green Willow
This is the end of the thread.
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