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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 August 2, 2007, at 23:56:23
OK. So I'm returning to "real life," but I'm still anxious and moody, so I'm trying to put together a nutrient program. I'm new to the alternative thing, but I'm intrigued by the orthomolecular approach. So..here are my ideas... 1) I tend to be anxious, bordering upon agitated; its the root of a lot of my problems. I respond well (for a while) to benzos, then not so much..so I'm thinking niacinamide. I was thinking of pushing up to the schizophrenia-level dosages (3-9 grams daily), plus vitamin c in equal amounts.
2) Taurine. Its good for moodiness, and I'm guessing anxiety, too. Plus it can reduce blood pressure, and my anxiety often=heightened blood pressure. I was thinking 3 grams or so daily to start out with, then taper down to 1 gram daily. Can I do taurine just 1x daily? Empty or full stomach?
3) A sedative. Occasionally, I need one. I was thinking melatonin, higher dose (I respond well to 10mgs/night), but I don't know. I was also thinking about 5-HTP, but..melatonin is cheaper and doesn't have the gastro side effects.Basically, my goal is to reduce my anxiety levels...A LOT--hence my inclination to use anti-psychotic level niacinamide dosages.
After that's done, I may need to tweak some to get the attention issues under control,but..i feel as if those might be caused by/exacerbated by anxiety, so I figure treat that first, then work on the attention probs, if they're still a problem.
Advice?
Posted by linkadge on August 3, 2007, at 16:42:25
In reply to suggestions? trying to be build program..., posted by med_empowered on August 2, 2007, at 23:56:23
Just some thoughts.
>I respond well (for a while) to benzos, then not >so much..so I'm thinking niacinamide. I was >thinking of pushing up to the schizophrenia->level dosages (3-9 grams daily), plus vitamin c >in equal amounts.
I think the vitamin C / Nicain combination is good. Some tend to mix some zinc into the mix too, which I find helps.
>2) Taurine. Its good for moodiness, and I'm >guessing anxiety, too. Plus it can reduce blood >pressure, and my anxiety often=heightened blood >pressure. I was thinking 3 grams or so daily to >start out with, then taper down to 1 gram daily. >Can I do taurine just 1x daily? Empty or full >stomach?
Taurine is good, I find a gram or so helps the most. I have found though it can interact with high doses of vitamin C. I personally would take them at the same time.
>3) A sedative. Occasionally, I need one. I was >thinking melatonin, higher dose (I respond well >to 10mgs/night), but I don't know. I was also >thinking about 5-HTP, but..melatonin is cheaper >and doesn't have the gastro side effects.Melatonin can be good. Some people like time released version better. Unfortunately, melatonin usually isn't a "more is better" type of supplement. You may want to watch the megadosing to avoid some possable long term issues.
Melatonin as a supplement can also supress growth hormone excretion. This can make you feel a little weak & innefectual the next day. Melatonin can have potent anti-manic effects. Sometimes using it once or twice a week is enough to get the circadian rhythem under controll.
** If you are going to take a serotonin enhancing supplement (5-htp or Niacine) in addition to melatonin, you will probably want to take them 12 hours appart. If you take a serotonin enhancing supplement right before bed, and then take melatonin you can get some interaction. Serotonin will initially supress melatonin excretion, but enhance its production if taken early enough.You may also want to experiement with ginger root (I have found to be very helpful) Its related to turmeric and is an exceptional antioxidant in addition to being a good agent for anxiety. It is also a bit of an antidepressant.
>Basically, my goal is to reduce my anxiety >levels...A LOT--hence my inclination to use anti->psychotic level niacinamide dosages.
There are a lot of good supplements for anxiety.
Relora, Rhodilla, Theanine, Taurine, Zinc, magnesium, b6, valerian, gotu-kola, ginger root, hops, passion flower, SJW, GABA (helps some), 5-htp, skullcap, kava, chamomile, etc.
Although, I thing it is best to keep things as simple as possable. A number of herbal anxiety treatments are weak/moderate MAOI's or reuptake inhibitors. Somtimes there is interaction with precursors like 5-htp, or niacine.
I think niacin is a good place to start. You may want to start lower, and build up. There is a small risk of liver issues with megadosing for too long.
Somtimes a cycle of certain meds can work well too. I may use taurine for anxiety for 5 days, and then switch to say passionflower.
Linkadge
Posted by med_empowered on August 3, 2007, at 22:40:48
In reply to Re: suggestions? trying to be build program..., posted by linkadge on August 3, 2007, at 16:42:25
I know natural stuff tends to take longer, but I have about 1 month before school. Anything that can knock down the anxiety in that amount of time?
I was thinking about getting an EMSAM prescription and trying the EMSAM+l-phenylanamine (probably misspelled) combo. That's energizing; would it be good for anxiety, you think?
Posted by Sigismund on August 4, 2007, at 18:24:16
In reply to anything fast acting?, posted by med_empowered on August 3, 2007, at 22:40:48
Hello
>was thinking about getting an EMSAM prescription and trying the EMSAM+l-phenylanamine (probably misspelled) combo. That's energizing; would it be good for anxiety, you think?
No, not likely, but possible.
What about Seroctin?
Skullcap and vervain are OK.
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulae, which generally rely mainly on zizyphus are OK too.
Posted by LlurpsieNoodle on August 8, 2007, at 8:02:42
In reply to Re: anything fast acting? » med_empowered, posted by Sigismund on August 4, 2007, at 18:24:16
> Hello
>
> >was thinking about getting an EMSAM prescription and trying the EMSAM+l-phenylanamine (probably misspelled) combo. That's energizing; would it be good for anxiety, you think?
>
> No, not likely, but possible.
>
> What about Seroctin?
>
> Skullcap and vervain are OK.
>
> Traditional Chinese Medicine formulae, which generally rely mainly on zizyphus are OK too.
>
>
I couldn't choke down a cup of skullcap tea. I tried 3 times. Usually I like my medicinal herbs in a teacup, but this one. ugh. From time to time I drink a tea that has catnip (don't laugh!) chamomile, peppermint and valerian in it. Good sleep can be very energizing.-Ll
Posted by LlurpsieNoodle on August 8, 2007, at 8:05:37
In reply to anything fast acting?, posted by med_empowered on August 3, 2007, at 22:40:48
I don't know how fast-acting it would be but maybe a combination of Mg ++ (epsom salts = cheap) absorbed in the bathtub in the evening.
And green or oolong tea which is mildly stimulating but also calming. Don't neglect the mindful experience of drinking a cup of tea. That will help with anxiety in the short run too. High quality loose tea is the best. let them steep for a while until the leaves unfold and the tea is light green/brown.
-Ll
Posted by Sigismund on August 9, 2007, at 4:28:44
In reply to Re: anything fast acting? » med_empowered, posted by LlurpsieNoodle on August 8, 2007, at 8:05:37
But not skullcap. It's a challenge, I know.
This is the end of the thread.
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