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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dr. Bob on June 1, 2004, at 2:28:17
In reply to Veterans please read! Hope with DHEA!, posted by Maximus on May 30, 2004, at 13:10:55
Posted by Maximus on May 30, 2004, at 13:10:55
> First of all, this is a serious post. There's no bouffonery in my post. I just have the good intention to help you. And thanks for your indulgence, because english is not my native language.
>
> Okay, here's a quick recap of my condition. I'm bp II. I'm on Lamictal 300 mg, Effexor 150 mg, Rivotril 0.5 mg (clonazepam) as needed and Synthroid 100 to 112 mcg.
>
> 2 months ago, my pdoc added Ritalin to my cocktail. It worked great for 2 weeks then stopped working... Sounds familiar;-) I'm fighting depression, anxiety, lethargia and occasionally (but rarely) hypomania. 15 years of battle and resignation.
>
> Anyway, 1 month ago i've taken a look on pro-hormones, precisely DHEA. I'm Canadian and this stuff isn't available here. So i ordered it via the internet.
>
> To make a long story short, the DHEA has not only WIPED OUT my symptoms but it has also virtually cured me from other health problems, such as allergies, hypothyroidism (although i'm still taking Synthroid), and CFS. It has also improved a LOT my libido, my stamina and MEMORY.
>
> I'm taking a small dose, 50 mg a day. I don't want to take the risk of taking a higher dose (such as 200-500 mg) and mess around my neuroendocrine system.
>
> As you already know, DHEA is (dehydroepiandrosterone) a natural pro-hormone produced from cholesterol by the adrenal glands. DHEA is chemically similar to testosterone and estrogen and is easily converted into those hormones.
>
> What happens when you're depressed and anxious? First your adrenals pump a lot of cortisol to quickly fix the problem (fatigue from depression or exercices, anxiety, etc.). But with us who can not resolve those issues (lack of better terms) completely (brain related, along other things), we become sick, weak, depressed or worsening symptoms of a preexistent mental illness.
>
> DHEA is the most natural (with of course the natural feedback loop) anti cortisol than our body can secreted. Strangely enough, even for those who have addison's disease (lack of cortisol), the DHEA is helpful.
>
> By no means DHEA is a miracle drug. Of course, for the record, DHEA has no anti-psychotic nor anti-manic properties. However, DHEA helps to restore the brain and keep balanced our body. It helps greatly the depression and anxiety.
>
> I've tried Fish Oil (i continue to take it, thought), SAME, St-john's wort, multivitamins and minerals, lecithin and NADH. They all helped a little, fish oil the most. But for me and a lot of *virtual* friends, DHEA is a step farther in the right direction.
>
> Finally, i would not recommend (although i'm not a doctor, my wife is) taking DHEA to young adults, see 22-24 years. I suggest you to try it, in small doses, with a medical supervision and/or a lot of reading/knowledge.
>
> Comments or questions are welcome.
Posted by RedHeadRed on June 1, 2004, at 12:31:36
In reply to Veterans please read! Hope with DHEA! « Maximus, posted by Dr. Bob on June 1, 2004, at 2:28:17
Do you know if DHEA has any documented adverse interactions with birth control pills?
..just curious because I'd love to try it.. but I don't want babies. :)
Posted by Maximus on June 1, 2004, at 19:35:17
In reply to Re: Veterans please read! Hope with DHEA!, posted by RedHeadRed on June 1, 2004, at 12:31:36
> Do you know if DHEA has any documented adverse interactions with birth control pills?
No interactions at all.
Posted by Charm on June 2, 2004, at 12:39:20
In reply to Veterans please read! Hope with DHEA! « Maximus, posted by Dr. Bob on June 1, 2004, at 2:28:17
Hello and thank you for all of the information. Could you please tell me how long you took the DHEA before you noticed a difference in the way you felt? Was it a gradual effect or did it pretty much happen all at once after you had taken it a certain period of time?
Thanks!
Charm
Posted by Maximus on June 2, 2004, at 13:19:43
In reply to Re: Veterans please read! Hope with DHEA!, posted by Charm on June 2, 2004, at 12:39:20
> Hello and thank you for all of the information. Could you please tell me how long you took the DHEA before you noticed a difference in the way you felt? Was it a gradual effect or did it pretty much happen all at once after you had taken it a certain period of time?
Hi Charm,
One important thing. You have to take the *Micronized* form of DHEA. Because a *non-micronized* DHEA will substantially raise your testosterone and/or estradiol levels which is not always desirable.
So to make a long story short, during the first days of treatment i've begun to respond to DHEA. After two weeks i was able to feel the way i am now. I'm taking now a small dose, 25 mg of micronized DHEA.
Hope this helps.
Posted by buddhi on July 24, 2005, at 15:08:09
In reply to Veterans please read! Hope with DHEA!, posted by Maximus on May 30, 2004, at 13:10:55
> ***Note*** to Dr. Bob: i'm posting here because i'm also talking about traditional medicine (antidepressants, etc.) Thanks.
>
> First of all, this is a serious post. There's no bouffonery in my post. I just have the good intention to help you. And thanks for your indulgence, because english is not my native language.
>
> Okay, here's a quick recap of my condition. I'm bp II. I'm on Lamictal 300 mg, Effexor 150 mg, Rivotril 0.5 mg (clonazepam) as needed and Synthroid 100 to 112 mcg.
>
> 2 months ago, my pdoc added Ritalin to my cocktail. It worked great for 2 weeks then stopped working... Sounds familiar;-) I'm fighting depression, anxiety, lethargia and occasionally (but rarely) hypomania. 15 years of battle and resignation.
>
> Anyway, 1 month ago i've taken a look on pro-hormones, precisely DHEA. I'm Canadian and this stuff isn't available here. So i ordered it via the internet.
>
> To make a long story short, the DHEA has not only WIPED OUT my symptoms but it has also virtually cured me from other health problems, such as allergies, hypothyroidism (although i'm still taking Synthroid), and CFS. It has also improved a LOT my libido, my stamina and MEMORY.
>
> I'm taking a small dose, 50 mg a day. I don't want to take the risk of taking a higher dose (such as 200-500 mg) and mess around my neuroendocrine system.
>
> As you already know, DHEA is (dehydroepiandrosterone) a natural pro-hormone produced from cholesterol by the adrenal glands. DHEA is chemically similar to testosterone and estrogen and is easily converted into those hormones.
>
> What happens when you're depressed and anxious? First your adrenals pump a lot of cortisol to quickly fix the problem (fatigue from depression or exercices, anxiety, etc.). But with us who can not resolve those issues (lack of better terms) completely (brain related, along other things), we become sick, weak, depressed or worsening symptoms of a preexistent mental illness.
>
> DHEA is the most natural (with of course the natural feedback loop) anti cortisol than our body can secreted. Strangely enough, even for those who have addison's disease (lack of cortisol), the DHEA is helpful.
>
> By no means DHEA is a miracle drug. Of course, for the record, DHEA has no anti-psychotic nor anti-manic properties. However, DHEA helps to restore the brain and keep balanced our body. It helps greatly the depression and anxiety.
>
> I've tried Fish Oil (i continue to take it, thought), SAME, St-john's wort, multivitamins and minerals, lecithin and NADH. They all helped a little, fish oil the most. But for me and a lot of *virtual* friends, DHEA is a step farther in the right direction.
>
> Finally, i would not recommend (although i'm not a doctor, my wife is) taking DHEA to young adults, see 22-24 years. I suggest you to try it, in small doses, with a medical supervision and/or a lot of reading/knowledge.
>
> Comments or questions are welcome.Question for you what brand of dhea are you taking? capsules or tablets???? thanks so much buddhi
Posted by Maximus on July 24, 2005, at 15:08:09
In reply to Re:question about dhea brand? » Maximus, posted by buddhi on July 22, 2005, at 11:44:04
> Question for you what brand of dhea are you taking? capsules or tablets???? thanks so much buddhi
It has been a while since i took this stuff. Right now i don't remember. But i will search. Bye.
Posted by buddhi on July 24, 2005, at 15:08:09
In reply to Re:question about dhea brand? » buddhi, posted by Maximus on July 22, 2005, at 11:54:09
> > Question for you what brand of dhea are you taking? capsules or tablets???? thanks so much buddhi
>
> It has been a while since i took this stuff. Right now i don't remember. But i will search. Bye.
>
> thank you for writing back so fast if you remember at anytime write back or email me amy@pause.com
>
>
Posted by buddhi on July 30, 2005, at 11:44:13
In reply to Re:question about dhea brand? » buddhi, posted by Maximus on July 22, 2005, at 11:54:09
> > Question for you what brand of dhea are you taking? capsules or tablets???? thanks so much buddhi
>
> It has been a while since i took this stuff. Right now i don't remember. But i will search. Bye.
>
>
> thanks for writing back!!!! buddhi
>
Posted by Iansf on August 6, 2005, at 17:29:10
In reply to Re: Veterans please read! Hope with DHEA! » Charm, posted by Maximus on June 2, 2004, at 13:19:43
> One important thing. You have to take the *Micronized* form of DHEA. Because a *non-micronized* DHEA will substantially raise your testosterone and/or estradiol levels which is not always desirable.
>
The risk appears not so much to be DHEA's conversion to testosterone as testosterone's breakdown to dihydrotestosterone. According to the latest research, it is high levels of dihydrotestosterone that feeds - and perhaps causes - prostate cancer. There are a number of substances that inhibit testosterone breakdown, including zinc and saw palmetto. Also anything that lowers prolactin levels will inhibit testosterone breakdown. Even with micronized DHEA, which I've not heard of before, it might be wise, especially for men, to add a supplement that blocks creation of dihydrotestosterone. (Please note: dehydrotestosterone and dihydrotestosterone are two different animals; it is, or appears to be, the latter that is problematic.)
Posted by jrbecker on August 10, 2005, at 16:52:27
In reply to Re: Veterans please read! Hope with DHEA!, posted by Iansf on August 6, 2005, at 17:29:10
I have used both DHEA and Pregnenolone over the years with both success as well as bothersome side effects. A few caveats from my own personal experience:
-most DHEA store brands are sold in high dosage forms (10, 25, 50mg). A fairly formative source for DHEA supplementation on mood is Ray Sahelian, MD (http://www.raysahelian.com). He recommends a MAX dose of 5 mg daily. And even less should be used for those that aren't approaching their geriatric years.
-Start low, go slow. DHEA and its metabolites (i.e., testosterone, estrogen) take weeks to build up in your system. Your initial dose may prove to be too high.
- be cautious if you are bipolar I/II/Cyclothymic/Atypical Depressive. Steroidal supplementation can make you prone to irritability, dysphoria, and cycling. I frequently experience irritability and sometimes dysphoria on anything more than a consistent regimen of 1 mg daily. Of course, everything is subjective.
-be cautious if you are on any type of MAO-I, SNRI (effexor, cymbalta), alpha-2 antagonist (remeron), or any other med with noradrenergic mechanism of action. The synergistic effect on heart rate can be quite overstimualting.
JB
This is the end of the thread.
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