Posted by karaS on September 25, 2004, at 20:08:39
In reply to Re: Looking for answers - Rosavin (Rhodiola rosea) » karaS, posted by jujube on September 24, 2004, at 7:33:43
> > > Has anybody tried Rosavin (Rhodiola rosea) with a SSRI? Is it safe to combine the two? Is it really effective? I have read a lot of good things about Rhodiola, would like to try it with the SSRI I am on. Anything anyone can tell me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.
> >
> >
> > I don't know much about combining it with an SSRI. Dr. Richard Brown has a book out now on Rhodiola and you may be able to find articles on line useing his name in the search. He probably would mention whether they can be combined.
> >
> > I tried Rhodiola but was very disappointed. It made me really groggy and brain-dead. It was so hard to concentrate after about 3 or 4 days on it. I think that might have to do with hypersensitive dopamine (and norepinephrine?) autoreceptors on my part though. (I respond to most stimulants with sleepiness and grogginess.)
> >
> > It's like a lot of other things - some people have had amazing experiences with it and others haven't.
> >
> > Good luck!
> >
> > -K
>
> Thanks for the response. I hope you don't mind if I ask you a couple of more questions (I have noticed in reviewing the threads on the Alternatives board that you are quite knowledgeable about alternative/natural approaches).
>
> Ccurrently I only use B-Complex (100 mg daily), magnesium (250 mg, twice daily), vitamin C (500 mg, twice daily), Nu-Greens and MACA (just added this to try and combat the horrible side effects I am having from my first (and yes, my only) Depo Provera shot. I am just recovering my iron deficincy that left me exhausted and apathetic. I find that when I recover from a physical illness, I seem to end up being very anxious and apprehensive (thank God I only get really sick about once every 7 or 8 years or so). Anyways, are there any supplements that you would recommend (i.e. amino acids or an amino blend) to help me get back on my feet and to particularly address the lack of motivation and anxiety (I did try L-Tyrosine, but after two weeks, I felt like I was going to spin out of control - a little too wired, even when I reduced the dose)? Thanks and sorry for the long message.
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> TamaraHi Tamara,
Hmmmm, that's a tough one! Often the things that help with motivation are the stimulating ones that can provoke anxiety. You will probably need to take different things to address both the motivation and the anxiety problems.
I think there are several people who know a lot more than I do about alternative treatments but I have been looking into it a lot lately. Anyway, these other people may help to add more information or clarification.
One thing that is supposed to be helpful for anxiety while being energizing and helping with concentration is Picamilon. Have you tried that yet? (There is a product called Phenibut which may also fit the bill. I don't know much about this one though.) Picamilon is probably not something you could take all of the time. I think you have to take breaks from it or it stops working for you.
I am still trying to find things that are motivating for me. Low dose selegiline with l-phenylalanine (or DLPA) is helpful for many people though it does increase anxiety. Did you read Nemesis' thread above about selegiline? I believe he or she took it despite the anxiety issue and may be treating the anxiety separately.
Have you tried Siberian Gingseng for overall health and energy?
What about SAM-e or TMG with B12? These can also be quite energizing and anti-depressant?
Enada NADH is also fairly dopaminergic and therefore, motivating. It's also expensive and you can't take it all of the time because it can stop working as well. According to Larry, NADH is synergistic with TMG.
You have to be careful with many of these stimulating things because, aside from the anxiety provoking potential, too much of them can cause irritability.
One thing that I have read in a couple of places that is supposed to be quite motivating is the nootropic Pramiracetam. That's just about impossible to find right now though there is a legal supplements site in the States that may be offering it soon.
It might be worth looking into l-theanine, taurine, GABA and Valerian for anti-anxiety.Of course there is no guarantee that any particular supplement will work for any particular person. But you can do some more research and experiment with them yourself.
I feel a bit reticent to give advice since I haven't solved my own problem with motivation yet but at least I could mention some avenues worth exploring.
Take care,
Kara
P.S. Yours wasn't a long message at all!
poster:karaS
thread:394344
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040901/msgs/395036.html