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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 30, 2004, at 23:06:51
In reply to Re: L-Glutamine for Panic Attacks., posted by Lindalooshka on April 30, 2004, at 15:20:01
> Hi,
>
> Does anyone know if this Amino Acid, L-Glutamine...substantially eases the physical symptoms of panic attacks? I have been living with panic/agoraphobia for way too many yrs., have tried SO many recovery routes, and am now looking for a natural alternative...to correct the brain chemistry that is effected with panic disorder. So, anything about L-Glutamine, OR about something called Amoryn? I am told Amoryn is MORE helpful than the other. Thank's so much for your replies! All the best, Linda
Posted by Ron Jones on May 1, 2004, at 14:33:40
In reply to Re: L-Glutamine for Panic Attacks. « Lindalooshka, posted by Dr. Bob on April 30, 2004, at 23:06:51
I am light years better with fish oil and soy lecithin.The problem is in the right amygdala.I have agoraphobia.
Posted by BarbaraCat on May 12, 2004, at 23:00:28
In reply to Re: L-Glutamine for Panic Attacks., posted by Ron Jones on May 1, 2004, at 14:33:40
> I am light years better with fish oil and soy lecithin.The problem is in the right amygdala.I have agoraphobia.
**Hey, let's talk amygdalas. My theory is the little buggers are responsible for all my anxiety woes. Do you have any other info on fish oil/lecithin re amygdalas specifically? I personally like phosphatidyl choline better than lecithin - stronger, more calming.
Posted by LOOPS on May 13, 2004, at 9:47:33
In reply to Amygdala » Ron Jones, posted by BarbaraCat on May 12, 2004, at 23:00:28
> > I am light years better with fish oil and soy lecithin.The problem is in the right amygdala.I have agoraphobia.
>
> **Hey, let's talk amygdalas. My theory is the little buggers are responsible for all my anxiety woes. Do you have any other info on fish oil/lecithin re amygdalas specifically? I personally like phosphatidyl choline better than lecithin - stronger, more calming.
>
>Hi -can someone please explain this thing about amygdalas and anxiety, and why fish oil and inositol / lecithin works? Is the amygdala the only part of the brain involved, or the most important?
Thanks
Loops
Posted by BarbaraCat on May 13, 2004, at 18:38:58
In reply to Re: Amygdala » BarbaraCat, posted by LOOPS on May 13, 2004, at 9:47:33
> Hi -can someone please explain this thing about amygdalas and anxiety, and why fish oil and inositol / lecithin works? Is the amygdala the only part of the brain involved, or the most important?
>
**Hi Loops, there are some in-depth links at the end of this, but in brief, the amygdala is only one part of the limbic system, the brain's emotional center, but it's a big player. The amygdala seems to be involved in remembering past traumas, probably for survival reasons. It has a strong one-way communication to the brain's reasoning centers, i.e., images of fear and danger are transmitted very easily and viscerally to the higher cortex. Unfortunately, the amygdala does not understand the higher cortex's rational messages back to it (no, silly, there is no sabre-tooth tiger chasing us), but these soothing messages could be recognized by other physiologic systems, i.e., the autonomic nervous system. In mood disorders there seems to be structural changes in these brain centers and if the amygdala is not functioning optimally it can get stuck in an atrophied fear loop and if the frontal cortex is not functioning properly, the soothing messages don't get manufactured.As far as fish oil, I'd guess that since it has a healing role in neuron/cell membrane functioning it might help repair some of this damage. The neurons are able to do their work better because fish oil, among other things, makes the cell membrane more pliable and healthy and allows the receptors to 'float' more smoothly within the membrane. Inositol seems to increase the efficiency of the 'second messenger system' within the neuron's nucleus and help with the genetic processing inside the cell.
These nutrients have a healing effect within the cell itself rather than addressing only the neuro-chemicals, as do SSRI's. Anything that helps the neurons get healthy and function better is going to help the entire brain work better. Sigh, can't wait.
Here's a good article on the amygdala:
http://www.designandcopy.ca/lifeline/backissues/5-2.html
This website requires a one-time free registration but it's a pretty good website and this is a good article:
http://www.the-scientist.com/yr2001/oct/research2_011001.html
Posted by LOOPS on May 14, 2004, at 14:04:46
In reply to Re: Amygdala » LOOPS, posted by BarbaraCat on May 13, 2004, at 18:38:58
Posted by BarbaraCat on May 14, 2004, at 18:12:55
In reply to What are you taking at the moment then? (nm), posted by LOOPS on May 14, 2004, at 14:04:46
Carlson's The Very Finest Fish Oil (dumb name!) 1T/day and 1T Jarrow myo-inositol and about 10G Vitamin C, which helps with alot of things, and a supergreens powder, probiotics, enzymes and psyllium for digestion, among other nutritionals. I try to do as much with diet and liquid/powder things that I can mix in with a smoothie cause too many pills feel too intense for me.
Meditation and stretching help alot, especially if I can get into the habit of doing it daily. Whatever works for stress reduction is going to be good for those little amygdala almonds. More and more I'm just trying to get real healthy and let Mother Nature be my doctor.
Posted by LOOPS on May 14, 2004, at 19:15:25
In reply to Re: What are you taking at the moment then? » LOOPS, posted by BarbaraCat on May 14, 2004, at 18:12:55
> Carlson's The Very Finest Fish Oil (dumb name!) 1T/day and 1T Jarrow myo-inositol and about 10G Vitamin C, which helps with alot of things, and a supergreens powder, probiotics, enzymes and psyllium for digestion, among other nutritionals. I try to do as much with diet and liquid/powder things that I can mix in with a smoothie cause too many pills feel too intense for me.
>
> Meditation and stretching help alot, especially if I can get into the habit of doing it daily. Whatever works for stress reduction is going to be good for those little amygdala almonds. More and more I'm just trying to get real healthy and let Mother Nature be my doctor.
I totally agree with the vitamin C - I didn't realize before I *really* upped my dosage that it could have quite an effect on stress and nervousness. The first time I did this was by accident - was out to a party and was feeling a bit of a cold coming on. I crunched away at about 3g of vitamin C in one go. Half an hour later I suddenly realized a was more relaxed and 'with it'. As I wasn't expecting this effect (and this is before I had anything to drink) it was quite surprising.Since then I consume around 3g of vitamin C a day (would take more but I already have to swallow so many pills)- it's cheap so it's worth it.
I would like to leave my well-being to mother nature, but as I haven't been very kind to myself in the past, I think she is pissed off with me right now! I still have a nicotine and alchohol problem (more the nicotine these days), and due to my bulimia (which, hurrah, has gone into total 'remission' over the past 3 or 4 months), I figure my bod is still pretty depleted of vitamins/minerals/bad absorption etc.
Oh crikey, and yes, all those pills are a real drag to take, but at least I know I'm getting somewhere now instead of just hoping for the best and soldiering on.
Good for you for managing not to take so much stuff! It must be quite something knowing you can change things using your mind.
Loops
Posted by BarbaraCat on May 16, 2004, at 18:01:17
In reply to Re: What are you taking at the moment then? » BarbaraCat, posted by LOOPS on May 14, 2004, at 19:15:25
Hi Loops,
If you're into Vit C you'll enjoy this website:www.doctoryourself.com
It's a cool site. He recommends high dose Vit C for everything.
As far as using my mind to wean myself into wellness, I'll tell you, it's been a long hard haul and it's only since getting off meds that my mind is starting to work again, although I still have gruesome days. If there was a med that worked I'd be first in line. I wish I knew how to do it using mind power alone but I don't and need all the help I can get, but learned the hard way that unhealthy sources aren't the way for me. It took a few major health crises in the past 5 years to really get it that there are better and more simple ways to feel good and its up to me to do or die.
I also abused my bod in the daze of my wild and crazy hippy youth and then drinking a tad too much chardonnay until just a few years ago. I've always eaten healthy and been into adequate exercise and pretty good health, but my body quit being so forgiving when I reached my late 40's and the form it took was severe fibromyalgia. I'd always had awful mood swings but when my body fell apart I got the message loud and clear. So now I'm trying to regain the good graces of Mom Nature and she's being a very good Mom. But jeez, sometimes I just wanna- zone out and do some substance to huge excess just to FEEL BETTER NOW!! I'm having one of those days today but suspect it's because we went to a wedding yesterday and yep, I did some abusing. You take care. - BarbaraCat
This is the end of the thread.
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