![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jay on May 9, 2005, at 22:34:38
I've experienced the havoc flax Seed oil can cause in mixed BP states, and it is *very* uncomfortable.
Many don't know about this...I will put up the references if needed...but it is widely known.Jay
Posted by Nettie on May 10, 2005, at 16:19:49
In reply to Flax Seed contraindicated in BPolar, posted by jay on May 9, 2005, at 22:34:38
Sorry to hear that. Do you know if it would help depression? Given up on ADs as they are not helping (now trying to come off, which is another story!) and disillusioned with doctor so am looking for *anything* which is worth a try which won't make me sicker or mess me up more. Looking at flaxseed oil as I'm a veggie.
Posted by JLx on May 10, 2005, at 21:50:21
In reply to Re: Flax Seed contraindicated in BPolar, posted by Nettie on May 10, 2005, at 16:19:49
> Sorry to hear that. Do you know if it would help depression? Given up on ADs as they are not helping (now trying to come off, which is another story!) and disillusioned with doctor so am looking for *anything* which is worth a try which won't make me sicker or mess me up more. Looking at flaxseed oil as I'm a veggie.
Hi Nettie,
There are dozens of threads on fish oil if you do a search of this board. Many good posts are written by Larry Hoover, and here's one where he compares flaxseed to fish oil:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20031003/msgs/270167.html
Re the other thread about anxiety, you won't know if it increases your anxiety or not until you try it. But if it does, there may be something else you can take that alleviates that. Sometimes things don't work as they should or may have an inadvertent affect like that if you are lacking something else needed by your body/brain. Magnesium is important, for example, or B vitamins, Vit C, etc. Sometimes folks have come on this board and said one particular thing solved their problems, but I think for most of us it's a little bit of this and that in a holistic effort.
You may also need to experimment with different brands, different amounts and perhaps even different ratios of EPA to DHA if you try fish oil.
I used to take ADs (for unipolar depression) hated the side effects and concluded after trying a half dozen or so that they didn't work anyway. I stumbled across magnesium as the key supplement I needed, and now experiment with other things as well. I think fish oil is important but I'm not convinced I have hit on the optimal amount or kind yet. I tried a Max-DHA and thought it didn't feel very good, but not in a way I could put my finger on exactly. Now I'm about to try a higher EPA to DHA ratio type.
Overall though, I believe it helps. Once I read about how the brain needs and uses essential fatty acids, I decided to take some fish oil even if I can't say for sure that it does something specific. It's just good nutrition. I recommend, btw, Andrew Stoll's book, "The Omega-3 Connection" and also a newer and more comprehensive discussion, Patrick Holford's "Optimum Nutrition for the Mind".
I still have my ups and downs but in general, my worst day now is still better than my best day used to be on meds so the extra work reading up on things, experimenting and figuring out what works is well worth it.
JL
Posted by Nettie on May 14, 2005, at 16:18:11
In reply to Flaxseed or fish oil? » Nettie, posted by JLx on May 10, 2005, at 21:50:21
Thanks for your help. I am a bit out of my depth here! Looks like I need to do some more systematic research. I am probably deficient in loads of things as I haven't been eating properly - what with the depression and the AD side effects. Will work on it. Thanks.
Posted by Larry Hoover on May 15, 2005, at 12:39:13
In reply to Flaxseed or fish oil? » Nettie, posted by JLx on May 10, 2005, at 21:50:21
> I still have my ups and downs but in general, my worst day now is still better than my best day used to be on meds so the extra work reading up on things, experimenting and figuring out what works is well worth it.
>
> JLI am thrilled to read testimonials like this.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Lar
Posted by Larry Hoover on May 15, 2005, at 12:42:00
In reply to Re: Flaxseed or fish oil? » JLx, posted by Nettie on May 14, 2005, at 16:18:11
> Thanks for your help. I am a bit out of my depth here! Looks like I need to do some more systematic research. I am probably deficient in loads of things as I haven't been eating properly - what with the depression and the AD side effects. Will work on it. Thanks.
I just want to offer my brain, free of charge. It's not as available these days as it once was (my work is sometimes all I have time for), but I love to answer questions. It doesn't matter what they are.....don't feel like you have to train yourself to join in discussions. We'll all happily share in our own understanding of how things work. Okay? Welcome to the Altered Babblers.
Lar
Posted by JLx on May 23, 2005, at 11:16:57
In reply to Re: That is SO cool! » JLx, posted by Larry Hoover on May 15, 2005, at 12:39:13
> > I still have my ups and downs but in general, my worst day now is still better than my best day used to be on meds so the extra work reading up on things, experimenting and figuring out what works is well worth it.
> >
> > JL
>
> I am thrilled to read testimonials like this.
>
> Thanks for sharing your experience.
>
> Lar
>I think I used to talk myself into thinking the meds worked sometimes just because I was so desperate otherwise and at least they were selling "hope". Depression for me was always characterized by a lot of suicidal ideation and feelings of despair. I don't get that any more since I've been taking magnesium. It's been two years now and I can notice a direct cause and effect, so as long as I have a mg supply, I feel confident that I will avoid those former depths. This is an enormous blessing that I often forget to count in the tweaking and seeking of an even better feeling and greater level of functioning.
Human nature - always wanting more, right? :)
JL
Posted by JLx on May 23, 2005, at 11:18:18
In reply to Re: Hey Nettie, posted by Larry Hoover on May 15, 2005, at 12:42:00
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Alternative | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.