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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by morgan miller on February 8, 2011, at 1:38:07
I really think I'm noticing an impact from Glisodin, which I started taking about 3 days ago. It may actually be enhancing the effect of Lexapro, which I started 5 weeks ago. It is the only supplement I know of that is capable of increasing levels of superoxide dismutase and in turn increasing levels of catalase and glutation peridoxase. These are all very important antioxidant enzymes that scavenge free radicals. They can have an impact on energy levels. Some people take glisodin after they have been exposed to radiation as it may alleviate the impact of radiation on the body and mind.
Some antidepressants likely raise levels of these antioxidant enzymes(including lexapro), so taking something like glisodin should be done with some caution I guess. One concern over glisodin is the upregulation of production of these critical enzymes to the point where the body's natural production is downregulated over time. I'm not too concerned about this as I've taking so much sh*t(medication) that has likely both raised and lowered these enzymes over time that I really can't worry about how a simple supplement might have an impact. This is just my feeling on it.
So I'm thinking that glisodin might be enhancing and helping to balance(at least for the time being) the antioxidant enzyme levels also increased by Lexapro(escitalopram). It has been hypothesized that drugs like Lexapro and their positive impact on antioxidant levels may play a role in the therapeutic effects of some antidepressants. Who knows.
I think I will be taking glisodin 6 days a week for a few weeks then go down to 3 to 4 days a week to hopefully avoid totally throwing off my body's natural homeostasis.
Morgan
Posted by morgan miller on February 8, 2011, at 2:56:50
In reply to Glisodin, posted by morgan miller on February 8, 2011, at 1:38:07
Note to everyone: I take a fair amount of supplements and seem to notice a response to many things I've tried for the first few days. Also I'm only 5 weeks into Lexapro, so I know Lexapro kicking in more is making me feel and function better. So, there are good reasons to believe glisodin is not doing a dang thang.
Posted by Tomatheus on February 8, 2011, at 22:51:06
In reply to Glisodin, posted by morgan miller on February 8, 2011, at 1:38:07
Morgan,
Thank you for your post and for the information on glisodin. I've read online that goji berries, which were just mentioned on this board in a previous thread, can also increase superoxide dismutase levels, although I haven't been able to find a scientific study that backs up this claim. Today happens to be my first day on goji berry extract, and I must say that I like the results that I've noticed so far: increased energy, less anxiety, and better cognition. Of course, time will tell how long I'll keep feeling the benefits of the goji berry extract that I'm taking. It is not unusual for me to respond favorably to a supplement initially only to lose my response a few days or a week later. So, if the goji berry extract doesn't keep working for me, I may very well try glisodin next to see if that approach to raising superoxide dismutase levels has longer-lasting results.
Whether or not the results that you've been noticing are from the glisodin that you're taking, I wish you luck with your treatment. Hopefully with the glisodin being part of your treatment plan, you'll get the relief that you need.
Tomatheus
Posted by morgan miller on February 8, 2011, at 23:02:39
In reply to Re: Glisodin, posted by Tomatheus on February 8, 2011, at 22:51:06
Thanks Thomatheus..I do think glisodin would be more effective than goji berry extract. I love goji berries and just started eating them again so maybe that is helping as well. I also incorporate wheat grass into my smoothies, which has catalase, SOD, and glutathione peroxidase as well.
I believe the combination of both my supplements and making myself exercise intensely have really been giving my Lexapro treatment a kick start. Now that I think of it, I believe being in great shape and working out religiously in the past always helped me to have positive experiences with my medications. I've never experienced the "poop out" phenomenon and I think it is because during some more rough times on my medication I just kept going and kept working out, eating well, and taking fish oil. I could be wrong though.
How are you doing these days? Are you taking any medication?
Morgan
Posted by Tomatheus on February 9, 2011, at 0:18:35
In reply to Re: Glisodin » Tomatheus, posted by morgan miller on February 8, 2011, at 23:02:39
Morgan,
It's great to hear that the supplements that you're taking and the exercise that you're doing seem to be complementing the Lexapro that you've been taking. It sounds like you're doing a good job of tackling your disorder and its symptoms from as many angles as possible, and I hope that you continue to see results.
I haven't been doing all that well as of late. I've certainly felt better, but then again, I've also felt much worse. Until today, I had been having more problems with energy and cognition than usual. My cognition has been particularly bothersome, and I think it may have become worse since I tried taking clonazepam back in December.
However, I do think that the goji berry extract that I'm taking has definitely helped with both my anergic depression and my cognitive impairment, much like two supplements that I took recently (creatine and cayenne) did. The problem that I had, however, with both creatine and cayenne is that the supplements stopped working for me after a week. The benefits that I'm getting from goji berry extract are very reminiscent of those that I got from taking creatine and cayenne, which makes me concerned that I also won't continue to respond to the goji berry extract. As I said, I guess time will tell how long the extract will continue to work for me.
As far as medications go, I'm still taking 5 mg of Abilify and 2.25 mg of Hydergine. I may eventually stop the Hydergine because I don't think that it's doing much for my depressive symptoms, but for now, I'm keeping it on board because it seems to help a little. I'm basically at a point with my medications where I've tried everything that I want to try, and I'm a bit reluctant to try more medications. A lot of this reluctance stems from my recent experience with clonazepam, which as I mentioned, left me feeling worse cognitively, and also temporarily disrupted my circadian rhythms and led me to start compulsively tapping my foot in certain situations. And, as I've mentioned before, the fact that my cognitive impairment and psychosis began after I tried taking aminoguanidine doesn't make me any more eager to try new medications, either. I think that if a new medication came along that was both innovative and promising in terms of its ability to treat either my depressive or cognitive symptoms, then I would probably try it. What I really don't want to do is try more medications that are pharmacologically similar to those that made my symptoms worse or are not likely to do anything for my most troubling symptoms.
Anyway, thanks for asking the questions that you asked me. I'm sorry that my responses couldn't have been more positive. I am hopeful that I will at least be able to find a little bit more relief than what I've been experiencing with either goji berry extract or glisodin. I also recently ordered some cordyceps, which I know is something that you've had good results with, so I've still got some good supplements left in my arsenal.
Tomatheus
Posted by morgan miller on February 9, 2011, at 0:55:19
In reply to Re: Glisodin » morgan miller, posted by Tomatheus on February 9, 2011, at 0:18:35
Hey Thomatheus,
Sorry to hear you are sort of going through a roller coaster ride of struggling with things.
I'm wondering if some of the things you've tried such as creatine would still help you in some way if you continued to take them despite not having the response you initially had. Creatine is good for the brain anyway so maybe it's worth keeping on board. It would be especially good for those that are not eating meat.
I really hope Cordyceps helps you and continues to help you. There are so many things we can try it's just a matter of continuing to try them and hope we find the few that consistently help.
Cycling supplements may be a good idea for you given your experiences.
Fish oil does not really give me the boost it gave me in the past but I take it anyway because there are so many benefits. I do think that it helps the most as an adjunct when a medication is working. Most supplements on their own are just not enough to give me the relief I need. I don't even notice their effects as much when meds aren't hooking me up(as I said already with the fish oil, it's getting late).
Keeping doing the goji berries even if the effect dies off some or alot! They are good for you and you never know, the effect may jsst come back at times.
Peace,
Morgan
Posted by Tomatheus on February 9, 2011, at 22:57:11
In reply to Re: Glisodin, posted by morgan miller on February 9, 2011, at 0:55:19
Morgan,
Thank you for your message. I think that cycling my supplements is a good idea, and that's something that I'm definitely going to look into doing if I don't get good long-term results from goji berry extract, glisodin, and/or cordyceps.
Two days into my trial with goji berry extract, I'm already noticing that my energy level isn't as high as it was yesterday, but I'm still doing better than usual cognitively. I do plan to do as you said by sticking with the extract, at least for now.
Thanks again,
Tomatheus
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