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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 Michael Bell on March 22, 2003, at 10:39:31
Live from the front lines of the battle with Social Phobia -
Great progress has been made. Went from profound social phobia to no longer having any physical symptoms of anxiety. I mean zilch! However, the thought patterns associated with social phobia are still there to some degree. It's weird - my brain will say, so and so is judging/watching me, but there are no anxiety responses as a result of these thoughts. This was not unexpected, b/c it probably takes much time and effort to reverse negative thought patterns that we've used for years. But at least the discomfort is gone.
Picamilon is the reason for the lack of anxiety. It's been a godsend. In addition to killing the anxiety, I am SO much less sensitive to rejection that it's ridiculous. Picamilon is GABA bonded to niacin, which lets the GABA go straight through the blood brain barrier.It is the only drug I take, and the effects are consistent with the theory of social phobia I posted a while back.
My SP theory is that GABA disfunction is the primary cause of SP, since the four most effective drugs for SP (Nardil, Klonopin, GHB and alcohol) drastically increase GABA function.
But I also said that I believe there is a problem with dopamine transmission (not overall dopamine levels - in fact, I think levels may be too high). The Picamilon took care of my anxiety, but I don't feel motivated to really engage in social activities. So I'm going to augment with a drug that aids dopamine transmission in order to kick the motivation/pleasure/reward cycle into gear.
So the combo will be... Picamilon + Amilsupride (low dose)
What do you think?
Posted by falconman on March 22, 2003, at 11:00:47
In reply to Almost there..., posted by Michael Bell on March 22, 2003, at 10:39:31
Hi,
and thanks for all the updates.I envy your success with picamilon. I have been taking it for 2 weeks now at 300mg/day, and the SP hasn't changed at all. Infact recently i've been more scared and shakey socially then I've been for a while. I conclude that this supplement doesn't evan touch my anxiety problem. This seems strange as other GABA drugs can really help. eg Klonopin.
I had high hopes for this supplement-hey ho!!
take care
Falcon
Posted by daizy on March 22, 2003, at 11:38:13
In reply to Almost there..., posted by Michael Bell on March 22, 2003, at 10:39:31
> Live from the front lines of the battle with Social Phobia -
>
> Great progress has been made. Went from profound social phobia to no longer having any physical symptoms of anxiety. I mean zilch! However, the thought patterns associated with social phobia are still there to some degree. It's weird - my brain will say, so and so is judging/watching me, but there are no anxiety responses as a result of these thoughts. This was not unexpected, b/c it probably takes much time and effort to reverse negative thought patterns that we've used for years. But at least the discomfort is gone.
>
> Picamilon is the reason for the lack of anxiety. It's been a godsend. In addition to killing the anxiety, I am SO much less sensitive to rejection that it's ridiculous. Picamilon is GABA bonded to niacin, which lets the GABA go straight through the blood brain barrier.It is the only drug I take, and the effects are consistent with the theory of social phobia I posted a while back.
>
> My SP theory is that GABA disfunction is the primary cause of SP, since the four most effective drugs for SP (Nardil, Klonopin, GHB and alcohol) drastically increase GABA function.
>
> But I also said that I believe there is a problem with dopamine transmission (not overall dopamine levels - in fact, I think levels may be too high). The Picamilon took care of my anxiety, but I don't feel motivated to really engage in social activities. So I'm going to augment with a drug that aids dopamine transmission in order to kick the motivation/pleasure/reward cycle into gear.
>
> So the combo will be... Picamilon + Amilsupride (low dose)
>
> What do you think?Great news Michael....... at what dose are you taking? It seems strange that it has worked for you and not for falconman... I wonder why? Sounds to me like you have reached the stage where adding something to get the dopamine going is needed! Keep us updated pls!
Posted by Michael Bell on March 22, 2003, at 12:45:15
In reply to Re: Almost there..., posted by falconman on March 22, 2003, at 11:00:47
> Hi,
> and thanks for all the updates.
>
> I envy your success with picamilon. I have been taking it for 2 weeks now at 300mg/day, and the SP hasn't changed at all. Infact recently i've been more scared and shakey socially then I've been for a while. I conclude that this supplement doesn't evan touch my anxiety problem. This seems strange as other GABA drugs can really help. eg Klonopin.
> I had high hopes for this supplement-hey ho!!
> take care
> Falcon
Falcon,Many of the descriptions I have read say this is a very potent drug. It shoots GABA straight to the brain. I think 300 mg a day is too high of a dose, and I say this from experience. All of the sites say to take 150 mg/day (50 mg in 3 doses) for anxiety. Doses above that cause STIMULATION, which believe me is not the effect that you want if you have primary social phobia.
In my experience - I started out taking 100mg or 200 mg a day. I liked the effects, so I figured 300 mg a day would be better. Wrong! I was extremely wired and woke up one morning with a terrible case of GABA-induced anxiety. I felt extremely weak, had some tingling in the extremities, and the very thought of stepping foot outside seemed overwhelming. In my worst days of SP, I don't think I've ever felt as bad as I felt that day. Basically, I was extremely overstimulated. !!!Remember, GABA has both inhibitory and excitatory functions!!! You may be thinking, how much difference could 150mg a day make with respect to psychological effects, but most drugs have very different effects at different levels.
I have not yet been able to find a site that sells pills smaller than 100 mg. Therefore right now I take 100 mg a day, and that is perfect for me. No sedation, no hyperstimulation, no anxiety. Anything above that is too much - I get overstimulated, then very fatigued. Also, for about 7-10 days after starting this supplement, I had anxiety for about 1 hr after each dose, then I kicked in with a vengeance and I felt great. Now there is very little fluctuation and absolutely no anxiety. I've been on it for about a month, and all's well.
I'll continue to update every 2 weeks and report any changes.
Good luck!
Posted by Michael Bell on March 22, 2003, at 12:51:20
In reply to Re: Almost there..., posted by daizy on March 22, 2003, at 11:38:13
Daizy,
I wrote to falcon letting him know that dosing is extremely important with this med, in my experience. Above 100 mg a day, the effects are detrimental to me, and I get GABA-induced anxiety. Also, the effects are cumulative - therefore even though the acute feelings supposedly last no more than six hours after each dose, the level of GABA continues to build. Extra GABA that isn't destroyed or used is taken up by the brain for later use. My opinion is that falcon's dose is too high. Then again, we all have different chemistries, so who knows?
My dose is: 100 mg/day in the mornings.
Posted by Michael Bell on March 22, 2003, at 12:55:37
In reply to Re: Almost there..., posted by falconman on March 22, 2003, at 11:00:47
> Hi,
> and thanks for all the updates.
>
> I envy your success with picamilon. I have been taking it for 2 weeks now at 300mg/day, and the SP hasn't changed at all. Infact recently i've been more scared and shakey socially then I've been for a while. I conclude that this supplement doesn't evan touch my anxiety problem. This seems strange as other GABA drugs can really help. eg Klonopin.
> I had high hopes for this supplement-hey ho!!
> take care
> Falcon
Also, what other meds/supplements, if any, are you taking?
Posted by falconman on March 22, 2003, at 17:47:43
In reply to Re: also... » falconman, posted by Michael Bell on March 22, 2003, at 12:55:37
Hi michael,
thanks for taking the time out to write such an informitive response. However I don't feel over stimulated/activated on the 300mg picamilon, it just seems to do nothing. Regardless of this i'll take your advice and try 100mg daily.
thanks again
Falcon
This is the end of the thread.
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