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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by David Smith on February 25, 2003, at 23:43:18
I tried ginger for a week (3 time a day)
and it was very effective as a mood stabilizer.
Unfortunately when I am on mood stabilizers
I tend to become depressed and this time was no different.
Still, it was an interesting experiment.
Thanks to everyone who responded to the thread.
dave
Posted by IsoM on February 26, 2003, at 0:16:43
In reply to Ginger followup, posted by David Smith on February 25, 2003, at 23:43:18
Thanks, David. Forgive me for asking if you mentioned it before but are you bipolar? I'm curious about trying it though I'm not bipolar. But with my ADD, while my moods aren't up & down, I wouldn't mind being more 'even feeling'. My moods are fairly stead but my energy & enthusiasm varies wildly.
Posted by David Smith on February 26, 2003, at 1:11:54
In reply to Re: Ginger followup » David Smith, posted by IsoM on February 26, 2003, at 0:16:43
Sorry. I guess I did leave out that info.
I guess I am still embarrassed when admitting my
"condition."
My pdoc says I am bipolar2 (whatever that means).
I have rapid cycling (sometimes within a day)
with persistent depression. The depression began in my youth.
So even though hypomania is mostly unenjoyable,
the depression is worse.Like many people here I have tried most of the
major drugs with mixed results.
I have been medication free for 9 months and
have finally realized that for whatever reason I do need help.
I guess the ginger was my last hope.My major concerns are:
1) Am I taking the easy way out since
I haven't seen a nutritionist?
AND2) Am I still suffering from withdrawal
symptoms even though I haven't been on
meds for a while?I really feel the long term effects of these meds
are dangerous but at the same time I cannot
envision going on like this. Ironically , therapy
has been the most effective treatment
but finding a good therapist can be daunting.Thanks for your interest.
Posted by David Smith on February 26, 2003, at 1:20:34
In reply to Re: Ginger followup » David Smith, posted by IsoM on February 26, 2003, at 0:16:43
> Thanks, David. Forgive me for asking if you mentioned it before but are you bipolar? I'm curious about trying it though I'm not bipolar. But with my ADD, while my moods aren't up & down, I wouldn't mind being more 'even feeling'. My moods are fairly stead but my energy & enthusiasm varies wildly.
I would definitely give the ginger a try.
The worst side effect was that I became
a bit too focused!
Posted by IsoM on February 27, 2003, at 0:51:03
In reply to Re: Ginger followup and by the way... » IsoM, posted by David Smith on February 26, 2003, at 1:20:34
I will try to give ginger a trial. I'm just so forgetful. I tend to remember things at the most imopportune times - & always when I'm unable to do anything about them. After days of forgetting something (day after day), I'll finally get the memory pathway worn into my brain sufficiently to do it. I'll keep you updated on my ginger trial once I remember to take it regularly. I could use some help with focus!
I read up more on the properties of ginger & will have to keep an eye on its anticoagulant properties as I don't need that. I already bruise too easily.
Posted by David Smith on February 27, 2003, at 22:11:06
In reply to Re: Ginger followup and by the way... » David Smith, posted by IsoM on February 27, 2003, at 0:51:03
Wow! I did not know about
the anti-coagulant properties.
And I feel better when I take asprin
so maybe there is some connection there.This just goes to illustrate
that we all need to do our own
research even when someone else's experience
is valid. I am glad you are so thorough.
That is the last time I will give biological advice.
:-)dave
Posted by Alara on March 1, 2003, at 3:08:58
In reply to Ginger followup, posted by David Smith on February 25, 2003, at 23:43:18
David, this is very interesting. To my knowledge, I am not bipolar, but I'm wondering if it could help with PMS!! At certain times of the month, a more stable mood would be a Godsend..
Has anybody used ginger for this purpose?
Posted by David Smith on March 2, 2003, at 2:33:36
In reply to Can ginger prevent PMS?, posted by Alara on March 1, 2003, at 3:08:58
> David, this is very interesting. To my knowledge, I am not bipolar, but I'm wondering if it could help with PMS!! At certain times of the month, a more stable mood would be a Godsend..
> Has anybody used ginger for this purpose?Dear Alara,
Thank you for responding to the thread.
I did research at www.google.com on the subject
and was quite startled by the number of symptoms
women suffer during PMS.
No wonder you would like to prevent it altogther!
If there is any substance which prevents PMS
it is most likely not beneficial toward one's longterm health.
Having said that, here is a quote
from a web page I perused:"In many of the Eastern medical traditions
ginger is valued as a woman's root,
its antispasmodic properties relax menstral cramps,
PMS, and menopause-related indigestion."Apparently ginger is useful for many maladies.
Here are a few sites that I liked:http://www.geocities.com/homeworkat52/pms.html
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/bookshelf/Books/23/37.cfm
http://www.bnatural.com/women/home.htm
I learned something as a result of your query.
THANK YOU.dave
Posted by Jaynee on March 2, 2003, at 14:05:14
In reply to Re: Can ginger prevent PMS?, posted by David Smith on March 2, 2003, at 2:33:36
I have tried just about every "natural" rememdy for PMS. Cal/Mag for months, did nothing. Loads of B vitamins, multi-vitamins, nothing. Evening Primerose, made me very, very angry. Flaxseed oil, subtle changes. Black Cohosh, nothing to noticeable, etc, etc,. The only "natural" thing that helped me was running 30 minutes at least 4 to 5 times a week. Even that didn't get rid of all the symptoms.
The only thing that works for me is Celexa. It is a god send. When I am on it, I don't even bother to keep track of my cycle, because it is a none issue. I plan on staying on the AD for a long long time.
I would try ginger if I wasn't on Celexa, but I have tried ginger before, not for PMS though, and I just can't stand the taste, and it keeps coming back up on me. There is something about ginger, that my body doesn't like. Sort of like me and soy beans, lethal.
Good luck with the natural remedies, I hope you do better than I did.
Posted by David Smith on March 2, 2003, at 22:23:00
In reply to Re: Can ginger prevent PMS?, posted by Jaynee on March 2, 2003, at 14:05:14
This is an interesting story.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A30745-2003Mar2.html
Posted by Jaynee on March 3, 2003, at 11:16:19
In reply to Re: Can ginger prevent PMS? - Alara, posted by David Smith on March 2, 2003, at 22:23:00
I had my tubes tide so I wouldn't have to take the pill. I won't use it, but I think it might have some appeal for my daughter down the road, only because she is a serious athlete and for that reason alone she would be interested in it.
I personally have mixed feelings, I don't believe the pill is as harmless as they say it is. I never had PMS until I started using the pill. If Celexa didn't work for me, I would probably consider taking Seasonale, but not until I exhausted all other options.
Thanks again.
Posted by Ed O`Flaherty on March 3, 2003, at 14:12:41
In reply to Re: Can ginger prevent PMS?, posted by David Smith on March 2, 2003, at 2:33:36
I do not think that ginger has much of an effect on PMT.Treatment would normally involve the contraceptive pill,Vit B6 and evening primrose oil and perhaps an SSRI.A natural treatment that is known to work for this as well as many psychiatric conditions is omega-3 fish oil.Have a look at www.omega3.20megsfree.com.
Posted by Alara on March 6, 2003, at 2:00:29
In reply to Re: Can ginger prevent PMS?, posted by Ed O`Flaherty on March 3, 2003, at 14:12:41
> Thanks so much for clearing that up. I must say that I didn't have a problem with PMS until after I came off the pill (around October last year). I have also been forgetting to take my vit B complex lately..Therein could lie the answer...
To throw a spanner in the works, I'm also coming off Xanax!
Might try cooking with ginger more often just to see if it makes a little bit of difference...You never know.
This is the end of the thread.
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