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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 Agomelatinehope on September 22, 2012, at 19:27:03
Hi. I purchased Rhodiola Rosea thinking that it could boost my energy, make more active, pro social and able to focus but it seems my 1st experience hasn't been like that...
I took half pill after lunch (250mg) since I read it was quite powerful and I needed energy for the remaining day. Instead of giving me energy, I was knocked out 30min afterwards. I had to go to sleep for two hours and then I woke up dizzy, tired, and feeling like a Zombie. That lasted for 8-10hours. My day was ruined...
Should I give it another try?
May it be that at first it's sedating but then activating? Should I try with the whole pill (500mg) first thing in the morning?
Thank you in advance
Posted by Tomatheus on September 23, 2012, at 20:16:38
In reply to Rhodiola knocked me out,shoud I give it other try?, posted by Agomelatinehope on September 22, 2012, at 19:27:03
Agomelatinehope,
I may have already said this in another post to you, but I've personally taken two brands of Rhodiola rosea: the Great Earth vitamin stores brand and the Jarrow Formulas brand. The first time I took the Great Earth brand, I didn't notice anything (but I must say that at that point most medications and supplements I was taking were not having any effect on me). The second time I took the Great Earth brand, the effects that I felt were similar to what you described: my fatigue and other "depressive" symptoms became noticeably worse. I didn't stay on the herb for any longer than a day.
After having read some posts on this site from a poster (Bleauberry) who said that he had responded well to the Jarrow Formulas brand after having not responded so well to other brands, I decided to give the Jarrow rhodiola a try. I noticed a pronounced improvement in my energy levels and a reduction in my psychomotor retardation on the first day that I took the Jarrow version of rhodiola, followed by a loss of effectiveness after that point. Even though I didn't respond well to either version of rhodiola in the long run, the fact is that the effects of the two brands that I tried were very different for me. I don't know for sure if staying on the version of rhodiola that you took would ultimately work out for you, but I can say that in my experience the effects of the herb could be felt on day one. Unfortunately for me, the effects did not last for longer than that, but from what I've read, it seems that rhodiola produces positive long-term effects for many people who use it. So, my bottom-line recommendation would be to consider trying another brand of Rhodiola rosea -- the Jarrow Formulas brand would be what I'd recommend if you could get it. It could be that you might feel worse before you feel better if you keep using the brand that you've been using, but I haven't heard of that being the case with anybody who's taken rhodiola.
Anyway, that sums up my response based on my limited experience with Rhodiola rosea. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions about what I've written.
Tomatheus
Posted by Agomelatinehope on September 24, 2012, at 6:42:36
In reply to Re: Rhodiola knocked me out,shoud I give it other try?, posted by Tomatheus on September 23, 2012, at 20:16:38
Thank you for your reply
Today I gave it another chance... And wow, this was unexpected. I feel like I had taken 4 coffees. I've taken the whole capsule (500mg Now Foods brand) on breakfast. Also.. my hands are a bit shaky and I'm sweating for no reason. It's very very activating. It's good to see it's doing something
My own experience so far :
-250 mg = Puts you right to sleep. Extreme sedation
-500 mg= Activating effect in one hour
I must also point out that I'm taking Cymbalta 30mg
Posted by Johnnybaklava on September 24, 2012, at 10:52:57
In reply to Re: Rhodiola knocked me out,shoud I give it other try?, posted by Agomelatinehope on September 24, 2012, at 6:42:36
Hi,
You should be wary of taking herbs such as rhodiola while taking cymbalta. I'm sure it is having some effect on how the herb is affecting you. My experience with rhodiola has always been rather mild. I take the Gaia herbs blend. A doctor once prescribed a formula to calm me and help promote sleep that has tons of rhodiola in it. Apparently, a lot can sedate you while a little can energize (though you seem to have had the opposite effect). I didn't take the formula for very long as, at the time, nothing was really working for me since I was just coming off zoloft and klonopin.
Posted by bleauberry on October 25, 2012, at 19:33:26
In reply to Rhodiola knocked me out,shoud I give it other try?, posted by Agomelatinehope on September 22, 2012, at 19:27:03
The dose was too high. Even though you had already made it smaller, it still wasn't small enough. I take 125mg a day because it helps at that dose, but higher doses have made me tired. The herb works more as a stimulant on the low end of the dose range, and as a relaxant on the higher end. But each person is going to have a different range, and for each person that range will evolve with time. Anyway, your dose was at the top of your range at this point in the game. That's all. Just need a lower dose. And keep in mind rhodiola and its cousins generally take months to reach their full potential so the early days don't mean a thing.
Posted by AlexCanada on January 7, 2013, at 22:41:07
In reply to Re: Rhodiola knocked me out,shoud I give it other try?, posted by Tomatheus on September 23, 2012, at 20:16:38
What time of day did you generally take Rhodiola? Timing can be key to positive response. Suppossedly early afternoons can be positive while morning can potentially be negative etc. I'm sure it's a bit different for everyone.
The time of day I take it and my current sleeping patterns play a role in how rhodiola effects me. It can really reinvigorate me usually in the afternoons if I take a low dose 150mg to 250mg + water. This often means taking it out of capsule. This effect is experienced with Jarrow brand and NOW brand. Jarrow seems more potent, while NOW seems a bit more consistent.
> Agomelatinehope,
>
> I may have already said this in another post to you, but I've personally taken two brands of Rhodiola rosea: the Great Earth vitamin stores brand and the Jarrow Formulas brand. The first time I took the Great Earth brand, I didn't notice anything (but I must say that at that point most medications and supplements I was taking were not having any effect on me). The second time I took the Great Earth brand, the effects that I felt were similar to what you described: my fatigue and other "depressive" symptoms became noticeably worse. I didn't stay on the herb for any longer than a day.
>
> After having read some posts on this site from a poster (Bleauberry) who said that he had responded well to the Jarrow Formulas brand after having not responded so well to other brands, I decided to give the Jarrow rhodiola a try. I noticed a pronounced improvement in my energy levels and a reduction in my psychomotor retardation on the first day that I took the Jarrow version of rhodiola, followed by a loss of effectiveness after that point. Even though I didn't respond well to either version of rhodiola in the long run, the fact is that the effects of the two brands that I tried were very different for me. I don't know for sure if staying on the version of rhodiola that you took would ultimately work out for you, but I can say that in my experience the effects of the herb could be felt on day one. Unfortunately for me, the effects did not last for longer than that, but from what I've read, it seems that rhodiola produces positive long-term effects for many people who use it. So, my bottom-line recommendation would be to consider trying another brand of Rhodiola rosea -- the Jarrow Formulas brand would be what I'd recommend if you could get it. It could be that you might feel worse before you feel better if you keep using the brand that you've been using, but I haven't heard of that being the case with anybody who's taken rhodiola.
>
> Anyway, that sums up my response based on my limited experience with Rhodiola rosea. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions about what I've written.
>
> Tomatheus
Posted by AlexCanada on January 7, 2013, at 22:44:37
In reply to Rhodiola knocked me out,shoud I give it other try?, posted by Agomelatinehope on September 22, 2012, at 19:27:03
The time of day when taken can be very crucial. I notice different effects depending when I take it. Morning dose can cause sedation within me but an afternoon dose usually can cause me to have more energy, bit better cognition, some bit more interest etc. Sometimes late afternoon or mid evening give me that boost instead. Also... I notice sometimes it may initially make me tired for an hour and then positive effects follow afterwards. It at times has been absolutely remarkable for me but also frustrating in it's inconsistency.
Also lower doses are often more stimulating while higher doses can be quite sedating. Generally speaking.
> Hi. I purchased Rhodiola Rosea thinking that it could boost my energy, make more active, pro social and able to focus but it seems my 1st experience hasn't been like that...
>
> I took half pill after lunch (250mg) since I read it was quite powerful and I needed energy for the remaining day. Instead of giving me energy, I was knocked out 30min afterwards. I had to go to sleep for two hours and then I woke up dizzy, tired, and feeling like a Zombie. That lasted for 8-10hours. My day was ruined...
>
> Should I give it another try?
>
> May it be that at first it's sedating but then activating? Should I try with the whole pill (500mg) first thing in the morning?
>
> Thank you in advance
Posted by AlexCanada on January 7, 2013, at 22:47:39
In reply to Re: Rhodiola knocked me out,shoud I give it other try?, posted by Agomelatinehope on September 24, 2012, at 6:42:36
That's pretty remarkable. How has your rhodiola experience been thus far? I'm trying to find some consistency in it but it hasn't been easy.
Does it last for longer than a few weeks? has it built up tolerance?
> Thank you for your reply
>
> Today I gave it another chance... And wow, this was unexpected. I feel like I had taken 4 coffees. I've taken the whole capsule (500mg Now Foods brand) on breakfast. Also.. my hands are a bit shaky and I'm sweating for no reason. It's very very activating. It's good to see it's doing something
>
> My own experience so far :
>
> -250 mg = Puts you right to sleep. Extreme sedation
>
> -500 mg= Activating effect in one hour
>
> I must also point out that I'm taking Cymbalta 30mg
Posted by Tomatheus on January 10, 2013, at 15:45:46
In reply to Re: Rhodiola knocked me out,shoud I give it other try? » Tomatheus, posted by AlexCanada on January 7, 2013, at 22:41:07
Alex,
I don't remember whether I took my Rhodiola rosea in the morning, afternoon, or evening when I took it. Perhaps I'll consider giving the supplement another try with afternoon dosing.
Tomatheus
This is the end of the thread.
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