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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by papillon2 on January 31, 2012, at 23:19:14
Hi guys,
My psychiatrist refuses to prescribe anything other than anti-psychotics for anxiety so I am looking into the supplement route. If there is something that will also help with my brain that would be brilliant as my thinking skills and memory are shot by depression.
I already do therapy/CBT/DBT but this is a constant unnerving feeling that is really uncomfortable and distressing. I'm crawling out of my skin. I can't THINK my way out of it, just try to freaking put up with it without doing anything stupid and I'm sick of it. </rant>
Any suggestions? It's important that whatever I take does not mess with the following meds:
- Nortriptyline 100mg
- Lamictal 200mg
- Yaz (Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol)
- Aspirin 100mgI currently take the following supplements:
- Vitamin B Complex (B1 50mg, B2 30mg, Nicotinamide 100mg, B5 45.8mg, B6 50mg, B12 50µg, Biotin 50µg, Choline bitartrate 50mg, Inositol 50mg, Folic acid 300µg)
- Fish Oil capsules, combined daily intake of EPA 703.4mg and DHA 496.6mg
- Vitamin D 1000IU
- Calcium 600mg (also containing Cholecalciferol 10mcg (400IU Vit D3), Magnesium 50mg, Zinc 7.5mg, Copper 1mg, Manganese 1.8mg)Thank you for reading.
Papillon
Posted by sigismund on February 1, 2012, at 1:13:23
In reply to Supplements for Anxiety, Brain Function, posted by papillon2 on January 31, 2012, at 23:19:14
> I'm crawling out of my skin
You are fairly sure that Lamictal and nortriptylline do not contribute to this?
I am taking what follows, but have no idea about the interaction thing.....
And for anxiety there are herbs. Metagenics makes this
http://www.wavehealth.com.au/process/shop/productView.html?itemId=49861
which I have tried and it is available in Australia. Don't know about interactions.
Posted by papillon2 on February 1, 2012, at 4:42:58
In reply to Re: Supplements for Anxiety, Brain Function » papillon2, posted by sigismund on February 1, 2012, at 1:13:23
> You are fairly sure that Lamictal and nortriptylline do not contribute to this?
It is entirely possible, but I think it's more like my depression masks underlying anxiety... I should mention that this degree of anxiety is not entirely constant, it's more in waves of varying intensity.
Thank you very much for the links.
Posted by bleauberry on February 7, 2012, at 17:05:51
In reply to Supplements for Anxiety, Brain Function, posted by papillon2 on January 31, 2012, at 23:19:14
Those are good supplements you are taking, but very low doses. For example in cases of anxiety, the niacin should be niacinamide....not nitotinamide and not niacin. It is specific for GABA receptors and anxiety, but the dose is much much higher regardless of which version of niacin you take. Folic acid at 300....recent medical studies are using doses in the 2000 to 5000 range. Yeah, you heard me right. I take 800 every time I eat. If you have ever had a blood test to see if you are deficient in vitamin D, and you were, 1000 per day is not going to help much. Ten times that much will.
Ok, on to supplements for anxiety:
Lemon Balm
Skullcap
Passionflower
Valerian Root
GABA
Glycine
Rhodiola RoseaConsidering your meds, I would favor rhodiola because it is specific for both depression and anxiety and blends well with most meds for most people.
The herbs above are usually combined, 2 or 3 at a time, after singular trials to see how each feels on its own. The synergistic action of multiple plants works much better than just one. GABA and glycine happen to go well with magnesium and you already have that on board.
> Hi guys,
>
> My psychiatrist refuses to prescribe anything other than anti-psychotics for anxiety so I am looking into the supplement route. If there is something that will also help with my brain that would be brilliant as my thinking skills and memory are shot by depression.
>
> I already do therapy/CBT/DBT but this is a constant unnerving feeling that is really uncomfortable and distressing. I'm crawling out of my skin. I can't THINK my way out of it, just try to freaking put up with it without doing anything stupid and I'm sick of it. </rant>
>
> Any suggestions? It's important that whatever I take does not mess with the following meds:
> - Nortriptyline 100mg
> - Lamictal 200mg
> - Yaz (Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol)
> - Aspirin 100mg
>
> I currently take the following supplements:
> - Vitamin B Complex (B1 50mg, B2 30mg, Nicotinamide 100mg, B5 45.8mg, B6 50mg, B12 50µg, Biotin 50µg, Choline bitartrate 50mg, Inositol 50mg, Folic acid 300µg)
> - Fish Oil capsules, combined daily intake of EPA 703.4mg and DHA 496.6mg
> - Vitamin D 1000IU
> - Calcium 600mg (also containing Cholecalciferol 10mcg (400IU Vit D3), Magnesium 50mg, Zinc 7.5mg, Copper 1mg, Manganese 1.8mg)
>
> Thank you for reading.
> Papillon
Posted by Mogger on March 1, 2012, at 23:27:38
In reply to Supplements for Anxiety, Brain Function, posted by papillon2 on January 31, 2012, at 23:19:14
Your inositol dose seems very low so that could be beneficial to raise it in my book as it has been helpful to me at 18 grams a day.
Posted by Lao Tzu on March 10, 2012, at 13:51:51
In reply to Supplements for Anxiety, Brain Function, posted by papillon2 on January 31, 2012, at 23:19:14
250mg per day of sustained-release Niacin is very helpful for anxiety. Most drug stores carry it. I did very well on it for a long time, but have since dropped it from my regimen as my anxiety is no longer as severe. Most people here recommend the niacinamide form instead of Niacin. In my opinion, the Niacin always worked better for me, but you may find otherwise. Give both a try if you like.
Lao
Posted by mogger on March 10, 2012, at 20:08:10
In reply to Re: Supplements for Anxiety, Brain Function, posted by Lao Tzu on March 10, 2012, at 13:51:51
Good to hear Lao. Can Niacin be added to a prescription regime or would it have interactions? I shall google Niacin to see how it works. Great input.
Joseph
Posted by Lao Tzu on March 11, 2012, at 11:54:12
In reply to Re: Supplements for Anxiety, Brain Function, posted by mogger on March 10, 2012, at 20:08:10
Personally, I asked the same question: Are there any interactions between Niacin and a prescription regimen? Honestly, I still haven't found an answer to that one, and I have searched it. In the past, I used 250mg of sustained-release Niacin for a long time without any problems with my medication. Bottom Line: It relieves anxiety and to some degree helps depression. I think at that low dose you shouldn't have any problems, but because it affects tryptophan metabolism I would be wary using megadoses if you are already taking prescription antidepressants, or at least, ask your doctor before taking large amounts. At one point, I tried 750mg of Niacin while on antidepressants, and I can say that it might have an additive sedating effect if you are already using tranquilizers. So that might not be good, but I don't think Niacin would pose any great risks to your health. I tell people to try just 250mg per day and see how that feels. I did get some benefits from it. Some brands use 500mg per tablet, but I found this was excessive for my needs. Personally, in my case, I didn't gain any great benefits from using the niacinamide form. It actually made me feel worse, but I realize that everybody reacts differently to different forms of Niacin. I like plain 'ol Niacin, which you can get in any drugstore. Look for the 250mg sustained-release, and be careful not to megadose on it. It can have side effects at high doses.
Lao
Posted by mogger on March 11, 2012, at 13:33:40
In reply to Re: Supplements for Anxiety, Brain Function, posted by Lao Tzu on March 11, 2012, at 11:54:12
Thanks Lao!
Joseph
Posted by Paso Mom on October 22, 2012, at 11:37:50
In reply to Re: Supplements for Anxiety, Brain Function, posted by Lao Tzu on March 10, 2012, at 13:51:51
Hi-
I have depression and anxiety and I do best on Effexor extended release. When the patent on the brand expired there was only one generic mfgr. and of course I was moved onto that. For whatever reason, it just didn't work like the brand so I'm back on the brand. I'm interested in the Niacin, or anything safe that could help reduce the anxiety level in my son, and the resulting depression that goes with it. He's an awesome, kind and smart kid, and it kills me to see him torture himself. However, I know our brains aren't fully 'baked' until age 18 so I don't think medicating a brain before it is 'done' is a good idea - I mean who really knows these meds effect the remaining brain development. The pediatric shrinks we've seen are satisfied RX'ing a book for my son and I to use and work on. Because of my own issues, my energy level, ability to remember to set time asside, and chronic poor time management skills has failed us both in maximizing the use of the book. In short, he really needs someone who already knows what they are doing and already has themselves (as least mostly) together, as opposed to me, feeling my way through the dark, and trying to fix myself at the same time. ok, I guess that wasn't really short, but you get what I'm saying. Anyway, maybe Niacin could help my son w/his anxiety, even a little, without causing harm, until I can get/afford a more healthy solution? Anyone know what a safe dose of Niacin would be for an 11 year-old who is about 65-ish pounds? I'm kind of solo on this one as my husband works out of town during the week and also doesn't think my son's problem is impactful enough to warrant assistance. !> 250mg per day of sustained-release Niacin is very helpful for anxiety. Most drug stores carry it. I did very well on it for a long time, but have since dropped it from my regimen as my anxiety is no longer as severe. Most people here recommend the niacinamide form instead of Niacin. In my opinion, the Niacin always worked better for me, but you may find otherwise. Give both a try if you like.
>
> Lao
Posted by mogger on October 22, 2012, at 13:12:44
In reply to Re: Supplements for Anxiety, Brain Function, posted by Paso Mom on October 22, 2012, at 11:37:50
I am sorry to hear that your child is suffering. I have found 18 grams no mg's of Myo-Inositol is extremely helpful for anxiety. It is essentially vitamin B8. He would take 3 tablespoons a day. It tastes like sure so it is quite palatable. Jarrow makes a tasty bottle that is isolated from rice. Also, N-Acetyl Cysteine is very good for anxiety for me. 2400mg a day, 1200 x 2 daily. Swanson Vitamins has a very fairly priced NAC. Takes 9 weeks for NAC to really kick in so you must be patient. It is an amino acid. These are both safe supplements. Hang in there.
Mogger
Posted by papillon2 on October 22, 2012, at 16:52:09
In reply to Re: Supplements for Anxiety, Brain Function, posted by Paso Mom on October 22, 2012, at 11:37:50
I think I would have benefited greatly from a course of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy when I was a kid. It would be important to find someone who specializes in doing this form of evidence-based psychotherapy with children.
Posted by Lao Tzu on November 27, 2012, at 12:09:21
In reply to Re: Supplements for Anxiety, Brain Function, posted by Paso Mom on October 22, 2012, at 11:37:50
Supplementing with niacin is interesting in that it relieves the burden of tryptophan to make niacin in the body. When you have less tryptophan, you have a lower level of serotonin, which is implicated in anxiety and depressive symptoms. My experience with niacin is one of a more calmer state of being rather than being energized. As far as what dosage to use, I really don't know for a child. You could try lower doses such as 250mg or 500mg and see how he reacts to that. However, if he is taking medication I would discuss the Niacin with the doctor to see if it is okay to supplement niacin while on medication, especially psychotropic medications. Children tend to metabolize substances differently, so it is important to talk with your doctor because children usually can only tolerate smaller dosages than adults, so that is a very important point to bring up with your doctor. Will niacin help? It should, but still get the doctor's okay before you try it. You don't want to give a child a substance he either doesn't need or can't tolerate well. I would say, err on the side of caution. Children are very resilient. Sometimes, therapy is all that is required for some people with anxiety disorders. In others, there is a biological component.
Lao
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