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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Arthurgibson on August 5, 2005, at 22:54:44
I notice that a new Danish study has also come to the conclusion that fish oil can cause, rather than cure dangerous heart palpitations.
I think that I might have come up with a reason as to why this happens in a large group of people, perhaps in everyone.
I have noticed in my own experience that when I am on fish oil supplements, adrenaline is more easily produced in my body by caffeine, alcohol withdrawal, (moderate to medium drinking, not excess) stress and other causes. I think that it is the increased levels of adrenaline that is causing the apparent increase in heart irregularities in the study groups.
Increased adrenaline is perhaps a healthy thing in most people. It could help them to succeed at work, or fight in a conflict. But in people with sick hearts, it is almost certainly a bad thing.
But what about people with anxiety; does fish oil make this worse by increasing adrenaline levels?
I find in my own experience that fish oil helps depression (increased adrenaline) but worsens anxiety. Has anyone else noticed this when they take fish oil supplements?
Posted by linkadge on August 5, 2005, at 22:54:44
In reply to Why fish oil causes heart palpitatations, posted by Arthurgibson on August 3, 2005, at 17:28:00
I have had the opposite experience. I have found that since starting the fish oil I don't have as many somatic cardiac complaints as I did prior.
I don't get any chest pains due to stress or exercise.
I do notice that if I take too much, that I do ocasionally get kind of a extra strong thump, but then I just back off the dose a tad.
I have also found that the high EPA compounds don't do this, but the high DHA compounds are responsable.
I ahve also noticed that the fish oil alone, never causes this thump. It seems that when I mix it with other drugs (like SSRIs) thats when I get it.
Just my experiences.
Linkadge
Posted by spriggy on August 6, 2005, at 14:52:03
In reply to Re: Why fish oil causes heart palpitatations, posted by linkadge on August 3, 2005, at 17:58:05
Yes, whie I was on fish oil, I had irregular heart beats ( I had to be placed on 2 24 heart monitors) and also my anxiety went THROUGH the roof.
I would wake up with my chest and/or stomach doing jumping jacks with anxiety. My mind raced like I've never known it before.
I wonder if it just causes a paradoxical reaction for some of us???
Posted by 4WD on August 6, 2005, at 22:04:35
In reply to Re: Why fish oil causes heart palpitatations, posted by spriggy on August 6, 2005, at 14:52:03
> Yes, whie I was on fish oil, I had irregular heart beats ( I had to be placed on 2 24 heart monitors) and also my anxiety went THROUGH the roof.
>
> I would wake up with my chest and/or stomach doing jumping jacks with anxiety. My mind raced like I've never known it before.
>
> I wonder if it just causes a paradoxical reaction for some of us???
>
>
I stopped fish oil about two weeks ago. I haven't noticed a difference in anxiety yet (but it's actually increased because I'm starting Lexapro so that doesn't count).I hadn't noticed it before but the palpitations I was having have definitely stopped. I thought they were just from being on ssris but apparently that wasn't it.
It's definitely possible to have paradoxical reactions to all kinds of stuff. I had a paradoxical reaction to acupuncture which was supposed to lessen my anxiety. Instead for the next three days, I was horrible.
Marsha
Posted by linkadge on August 6, 2005, at 22:36:47
In reply to Re: Why fish oil causes heart palpitatations, posted by 4WD on August 6, 2005, at 22:04:35
Fish oil enhances central cholinergic function. I know that palpatitions can be a result of cholinergic agonists.
Yeah, mind racing is kind of paradoxical. As a mood stabalizer, I know it lies more on the antidepressant side. It gives me anxiety if I take too much.
Linkadge
Posted by ravenstorm on August 23, 2005, at 9:46:24
In reply to I think its due to the enhancement of cholinergic., posted by linkadge on August 6, 2005, at 22:36:47
OK, this is really frustrating. I was thinking about adding fish oil. I have generally been made worse by just about all meds and all supplements since going through paxil withdrawal two years ago. I thought, well fish oil would be really benign. Might not do anything but how could it hurt.
IT CAUSES MORE ANXIETY??? I have never heard this but am very glad to have stumbled across this thread if it is true. However, now if I do get anxious on it, will I really know if its the fish oil, or my anxiety about taking it?
Posted by ravenstorm on August 23, 2005, at 9:47:54
In reply to I think its due to the enhancement of cholinergic., posted by linkadge on August 6, 2005, at 22:36:47
Has fish oil helped or hurt anxiety for you?
Posted by MM on September 5, 2005, at 5:24:00
In reply to Post here if you have had anxiety from fish oil., posted by ravenstorm on August 23, 2005, at 9:47:54
I've had 2 experiences with fish oil (different brands) where I became tearful and emotionally reactive and possibly anxious too; just kind of an all around mess. It's possible that it was just too much "mood stabilizer" for me or something and it brought me into depression. Then again, too much "antidepressant" and I can get more anxiety/mind racing stuff. But yes I had a paradoxal reaction, which I guess isn't uncommon for me, although I might try it again sometime when I'm more stable.
Meg
Posted by MoparFan91 on September 7, 2005, at 21:18:49
In reply to Re: Post here if you have had anxiety from fish oil., posted by MM on September 5, 2005, at 5:24:00
I read some studies that for rapid cycling bipolar, fish oil was no better than placebo!
I have ultra rapid/ultradian (few x day) cycling bipolar disorder, and I took Fish Oil on a few trials. On one of the trials, I took a 5:1 EPA:DHA ratio. On all of the trials, Fish Oil didn't do anything even at a whopping 6g of EPA per day!
I have better luck with Taurine. If fish oil fails, try Taurine instead.
Posted by ravenstorm on September 8, 2005, at 13:51:45
In reply to Re: Post here if you have had anxiety from fish oil., posted by MM on September 5, 2005, at 5:24:00
Thanks, what does taurine do for you? Any side effects?
Posted by LOOPS on September 8, 2005, at 18:55:38
In reply to Re: Post here if you have had anxiety from fish oil., posted by ravenstorm on September 8, 2005, at 13:51:45
Hi -
yes, fish oil has exacerbated anxiety on occasion for me, but no longer. I found balancing EPA with GLA was key - this is to do with eicosanoid balance. Actually recently I have found diet plays a huge role as well in my anxiety - right now I'm low-carbing and that pretty much anihalates my anxiety, even with high dose fish oil, which I'm still taking. I possibly have allergies to many carb foods like wheat and oranges - and I think blood sugar plays a role with anxiety/depression as well.
Loops
Posted by LOOPS on October 3, 2005, at 19:16:09
In reply to Re: Post here if you have had anxiety from fish oi, posted by LOOPS on September 8, 2005, at 18:55:38
Also wanted to add I have read various places saturated fats help the tissues retain and use omega 3s - I haven't seen the studies on this, but it seems strange I seem to be having a better reaction to the fish oil ALONE (have recently ditched my GLA reserving it for PMT) whilst eating a lot of saturated fat (butter/lard/fatty meats/cheese etc).
Now Dr Stoll told us all to reduce other fats to make the fish oil work better but this is not my present experience. Could be my present mood stabilization is in spite of taking fish oil, but this is my second time round the block with low-carbing; the first time I had to quit due to depression. Well I've never felt better right now, and I've maintained a fairly high dose of fish oil. The anxiety I had a problem with has gone.
But ahh - we shall see. I really hope this lasts or it's back to juggling EPA and GLA - and trying out different GLA sources.
It could also be I'm eating more B vitamins from meat and that may be helping, along with blood sugar regulation.
Sorry to waffle on - just ideas in case they are useful!
Loops
Posted by tealady on October 7, 2005, at 12:45:28
In reply to Re: Post here if you have had anxiety from fish oi, posted by LOOPS on October 3, 2005, at 19:16:09
> Also wanted to add I have read various places saturated fats help the tissues retain and use omega 3s - I haven't seen the studies on this, but it seems strange I seem to be having a better reaction to the fish oil ALONE (have recently ditched my GLA reserving it for PMT) whilst eating a lot of saturated fat (butter/lard/fatty meats/cheese etc).
>
> Loops
>
>
butter/lard/fatty meats/cheese .. if the cattle/cows were grass fed ie NOt grain fed and fattened..the way it used to be when they had droving to markets and proabably still is with dairy in countries where they just eat grass in paddocks, then all of these are a good source of omega3 fats.Jan
Posted by thenebbishroute on May 10, 2011, at 9:59:10
In reply to Why fish oil causes heart palpitatations, posted by Arthurgibson on August 5, 2005, at 22:54:44
I have noticed that the fish oil has adverse interactions with other supplements that control hormones, such as fenugreek (used for female health and bloodsugar metabolism) and melatonin (hormone secreted by the pineal gland).
When I take fish oil in combination with any of these supplements, I experience irrational and explosive anger. It becomes difficult for me to socialize or cope with normal stress. The idiosyncrasies of family and friends become infuriating. I become paranoid and distrustful.
It seems fairly obvious that the fish oil is to blame for these symptoms. It has happened to me too many times to rule it out. I have taken it for over a year now, but will be discontinuing use while I experiment with other supplements.
Although I have seen overall positive results with mood enhancement and stabilization, I think it's time to take a break. Approach fish oil with caution.
This is the end of the thread.
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