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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by lizbeth on November 7, 2003, at 15:36:40
Hello,
I am Bipolar II and take Lithium and Prozac (20 mg). I took 3 Omegabrite fish oil capsules (approx. 1000 mg. EPA) five days in a row and found myself getting hypomanic. I stopped, and returned to normal mood. I'm wondering now if I should try substituting the Omegabrite for Prozac, or maybe going down to 10 mg of Prozac. Anything to reduce the dose of Prozac and its side effects while remaining non-depressed would be great! What do you think?
Posted by taylor18 on November 7, 2003, at 16:12:02
In reply to Fish Oil made me hypomanic--stop using Prozac?, posted by lizbeth on November 7, 2003, at 15:36:40
I've heard of a similar experience with Omega-Brite. The ratio of EPA to DHA is too high for bipolar IMO, but excellent, as you've found out, for mood elevation and depression.
You want to try 5 times the normal dosage of supercritical DHA by New Chapter, and take modest amounts of another fish oil supplement, Eskimo 3, for the EPA.
Posted by Ed O`Flaherty on November 8, 2003, at 11:54:27
In reply to Re: Fish Oil made me hypomanic--stop using Prozac?, posted by taylor18 on November 7, 2003, at 16:12:02
According to William Walsh Ph.D.,the well-known researcher in Pfeiffer Center in Chicago -www.hriptc.org),DHA has an antimanic effect and so is helpful in bipolar.The EPA is well-established now an an antidepressant.The concentration of DHA is low in Omegabrite-perhaps not enough DHA in fact.
Posted by lizbeth on November 9, 2003, at 10:36:56
In reply to Re: Fish Oil made me hypomanic--stop using Prozac?, posted by Ed O`Flaherty on November 8, 2003, at 11:54:27
Thanks so much Ed and Taylor--very helpful information. I will definitely try just adding the DHA to help with overall bipolar management.
I guess what's piqued my curiosity is how the Omegabrite acted truly like an antidepressant, and whether I could substitute it for my Prozac 20mg altogether. I've discovered over nearly 3 years of bipolar II management (and 7 of "atypical depression") that I definitely need an antidepressant in addition to a mood stabilizer (900 mg Lithobid). Prozac has been the winner--tried Effexor, Wellbutrin, Zoloft. Of course, there's side effects I don't like, and I guess I'd like to take an AD where there's the bonus of helping my heart, skin, etc. Too risky? Maybe the Unipolar folks who've replaced their AD with fish oil may have tips.
Thanks all--stay healthy!
Lizbeth
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