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Re: Benzos and other stuff » cache-monkey

Posted by barbaracat on March 19, 2005, at 16:22:36

In reply to Re: Benzos and other stuff » barbaracat, posted by cache-monkey on March 19, 2005, at 13:29:43

>
> Hmm. So this [Himalayan salt] is different than NaCl? I'll check out the website.

**The website describes it well. It is NaCl but because it's source is a millions year old ocean salt bed, it has most of the minerals our bodies require in a crystalline form that is bioavailable. Many mineral salts besides simple Sodium. Some claims are made for the energetic properties as well. Also, the mine is very deep in the mountain and has never been exposed to any of the pollutants that are present in most other salts that are collected above ground. This goes for Celtic Sea Salt which is far less superior, in my opinion. The Himalayan has a fantastic taste and texture, almost 'sparkly'. I guess you can tell I love the stuff.

>>Dehydration is definitely a concern for me. (Even as a child, I would dehydrate very easily.) Are there other sources of electrolytes that you might recommend? E.g. is it possible to go into a GNC and buy some sort of electrolyte powder or pill?

**The electrolytes we need are:

sodium (Na+)
potassium (K+)
chloride (Cl-)
calcium (Ca2+)
magnesium (Mg2+)
bicarbonate (HCO3-)
phosphate (PO42-)
sulfate (SO42-)

The only one not prevalent in the salt is bicarbonate, but that's where the baking soda comes in. So, a great electrolyte drink would be to make up a sole which is a saturated solution of the Himalayan salt (you order the large crystals and simply put a bunch in a jar and add water until the crystals no longer dissolve. This is a 28% saturated solution that is basically the reconstituted original seawater.) One teaspoon of this sole and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in a quart of diluted juice is vastly superior to any sports drink out there. I like cranberry juice and dilute it 1/2 and 1/2 with water, it masks the baking soda somewhat. It doesn't hurt to supplement with extra minerals, but get them in an ionic form for assimilation. A few grains of this salt in drinking water allows it to filter through cell membranes easier. You can drink plenty of water, but if you're 'osmotically challenged', it has a hard time getting into the cells.

If you want a something premixed, a product called 'Hydralyte' is great. You can order it at www.gookinaid.com. I think the Fruit Punch tastes the best. It's a great site that explains all about the horrors of dehydration. Something we Lithium users have to take seriously. By all means, stay away from those crappy commercial sports drinks. No good. It's amazing they get away with that marketing bullsh*t.
>
> In fact the ride up Li has (knock wood) been remarkable smooth. Hopefully the dose increase (which should get me to therapeutic levels) will be alright.

**Well, good. Hopefully you're one of the lucky ones that can benefit from lithium, as I do. I've found it very smooth and calming. It's a very interesting drug. Do a Google search on neuroprotective+lithium or neurogenesis+lithium and you'll be pleased at how good it actually is for the brain. Life extention folks use it for anti-aging.
>
>
> Yeah, I know what you mean about keeping the hypomania. I've been feeling a little "flat" on the lithium and think this is partially due to losing the hypomanic edge. My pdoc is adamant about getting into the therapeutic range, though, and I figure I'll give it a try for a little while.

**That therapeutic window is getting lower all the time. Used to be in times of old that at least 1400-1800mg was the starting dose producing dull drooling zombies with kidney problems. Now, they're looking at more like 900-1200 as the average max to produce enough of a therapeutic benefit without the high dose problems.

My pdoc was frustrated with my refusal to ramp up to the therapeutic window, but I didn't like how I felt at those doses and figured it was my body, not his. He finally came around to being OK with it.

Between 600 and 900mg is my therapeutic dose, no matter what the 'window' dictates. But I'm also taking a small dose of an AD which keeps the depression demon at bay. Lithium will augment most antidepressants, so I think the combo is working synergistically. I don't know if a higher dose of Lithium would provide more AD benefits or not for me.

Like I mentioned, managing my anxiety and making sure my metabolic systems are in balance seems to be the key. Lithium keeps me from the extremes of up and down. Some existential angst keeps me honest, I welcome productive hypomanias and I certainly don't want to flatline. Those therapeutic ranges are based on an average control population and everyone's chemistry is different. You have to play with it until you know what's right for you.
>
Have you used Xanax XR? If so, I'm wondering if you found that once-daily dosing was enough or whether you had to supplement with a little IR toward the end of the day.

**I recently had a sample pack of it and liked it very much. My doctor didn't want to prescribe it just yet because I had a big Klonopin prescription filled and I think she'd feel more comfortable waiting. They're like that. Once a day worked fine for me, but I don't usually take benzos on a daily schedule, just as needed. But if I need another later on in the day, then why suffer?
>
**Are you taking fish oil, BTW? I don't think we've talked about that, but it's a big piece in my recovery. It seems to be so important to cellular health in general. The one I take is Carlson's Fish Oil, 2 Tbl a day. I get it from www.iherb.com. Pills aren't such a good idea because you have to take a handful to get the optimal amount (9-12G) and the oil is frequently rancid in pills. The Carlson's is lemon flavored and actually tasty. I'll tell you, though, all this mixing potions and stuff takes time. And money.

Well, this has been a nice way to spend a lovely rainy day in Oregon. I love the rain, luckily. So do those big fir trees outside my window. It's helped me to put my regimen down on paper and appreciate everything this wild journey has taught me. - Barbara


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poster:barbaracat thread:470912
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050317/msgs/472887.html