Posted by nomadjones on May 22, 2008, at 8:47:28
In reply to Re: Can fish oil cause anxiety?, posted by fayeroe on May 21, 2008, at 17:36:46
A very recent fish oil experience has given me insomnia and anxiety.
I just started a fish oil supplement in ratio of 4:1 EPA to DHA on Tuesday (I had taken "normal" fish oil before with a worse ratio that gave me both insomnia and anxiety). I took two capsules for 875mg EPA on Tuesday and had early morning insomnia that night despite starting Lunesta (prescription sleeping pill) at 3mg. Wednesday, I took only one capsule, but still had early morning insomnia last night despite upping the dosage of Lunesta to 4.5mg. Have had anxiety the whole time (beaten down with clonazepam), but then again I always have some background anxiety. I read somewhere that EPA has a half-life of 50 hours.
Does anybody know if the insomnia and anxiety go away over time? How long? Is it dopamine that's causing the problems? Is it worth cutting back the dosage even further to try and reduce the side effects, or do I just lose the benefits at that point?
I'm thinking of quitting the fish oil altogether. It would be unfortunate to have to quit given its many alleged benefits (esp. for depression/mood in my case), but I have to sleep and not worsen my anxiety.
I'm trying to keep up hope that there is a supplement combination out there that will work for my depression and anxiety (been trying a few for the last few years). Currently taking 200mg 5htp, 500mg DLPA, and 600-900mg SJW (along with some other more minor players [e.g., Taurine]). Don't want to have to go back on a prescription AD for various reasons.
Thanks, Nomad
poster:nomadjones
thread:827768
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20080326/msgs/830460.html