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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by nolvas on March 19, 2006, at 15:46:25
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with other alternatives?, posted by linkadge on March 19, 2006, at 15:10:08
Vitamin C (2,500 mg per day) lowers the production of Cortisol and Corticosterone by the Adrenal Glands during periods of Stress.
Sounds good to me. Did you take as much as 2.5 grams? Or did you find a different dosage was better?
Posted by christinav on March 19, 2006, at 16:02:52
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with other alternatives?, posted by nolvas on March 19, 2006, at 15:46:25
i Cant take vitamin c.......bladder disease and i cant seem to take b vitamins becuse they make my anxiety worse.
christina
Posted by christinav on March 19, 2006, at 16:04:40
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with other alternatives?, posted by linkadge on March 19, 2006, at 15:10:08
I cant take vitamin c because of bladder disease. also i have anxiety all day long. I dont think vitamin c will take care of the lump in my throat, weight in my chest and the level of feeling not breathing.
Posted by christinav on March 19, 2006, at 16:06:07
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with other alternatives?, posted by nolvas on March 19, 2006, at 13:08:59
I will look into everything but the b-6. i used to take brewers yeast (b-vitamins) and it made my anxiety much worse and i was only take two pills instead of the 6 recommended.
Posted by nolvas on March 19, 2006, at 16:50:08
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with other alternatives?, posted by christinav on March 19, 2006, at 16:06:07
B6 and B3 are in GABA Relaxer. B6 and B3 are needed in Serotonin synthesis, and are essential to supplement with Tryptophan I would say if you want the best effect.
If I take a B complex that makes me feel more anxious. However taking B vitamins not as part of a B complex is fine for me. Brewers Yeast is really just a low potency B complex.
Posted by christinav on March 19, 2006, at 20:16:37
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with other alternatives?, posted by nolvas on March 19, 2006, at 16:50:08
Ok trying not to be stupid here. so what your saying is i should try to take only b6 and b3?
Posted by nolvas on March 20, 2006, at 5:15:52
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with other alternatives?, posted by christinav on March 19, 2006, at 20:16:37
Taking B6 and B3 with Tryptophan helps Serotonin synthesis. GABA Relaxer contains effective amounts of B3 and B6.
If I take all the vitamin B's together in a complex then I feel more anxious. I don't know why, I have read about this happening to other people as well.
B6 is specifically needed for Serotonin synthesis and if you don't get enough B3 then the body uses Trytophan to make B3 (niacin) at an alarmingly high ratio.
The Niacinamide in GABA Relaxer is a form of Vitamin B-3 and it is important in the production of certain brain chemicals. In large doses, it has a calming effect.
So to answer your question I don't take a B complex I take specific vitamin B's to help with the relief of anxiety and those specific ones are found in GABA Relaxer.
Posted by christinav on March 20, 2006, at 7:36:21
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with other alternatives?, posted by nolvas on March 20, 2006, at 5:15:52
Questions? how do you know all this and also do you take prescriptions for anxiety?
Posted by verne on March 20, 2006, at 7:40:58
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with other alternatives?, posted by nolvas on March 20, 2006, at 5:15:52
I'm still looking but have found varying success with tryptophan, niacinamide, magnesium citrate, and the herb Feverfew.
I use Nature's Way Feverfew premium extract (purple label) with 0.7% parthenolide. Although it is primarily used for migraines and pain relief, there are reports that it helps with anxiety and panic attacks. I always feel calmer and better able to concentrate.
Magnesium usually works too. I mix the citrate powder into water or juice throughout the day.
I haven't taken niacinamide long enough to know but have heard it works great if you take high enough doses spread throughout the day. I think it has to be at least 1,500 mgs per day split into 3-4 doses per day. Caps work better than tablets.
With me, most B vitamins are a crapshoot. Folic acid, B-12, and B-6 give me the heebie jeebies. B-12 especially. A good B complex though will usually calm me.
Tryptothan seems to work most of the time. I'm still experimenting with it. Gaba gives me the shakes, as does many herbs and supplements that are supposed to be calming. 5-HTP and S-ame make me climb the walls.
Valerian root and passion flower will make my heart pound and amp my body up. Kava kava agitates. Bacopa, Gotu Kola, melatonin, and taurine make me shake long time. I've forgotten most of them and would have to do some deep spelunking in the back of the cupboard to find past experiments gone bad.
Ashwagandha may hold some promise for anxiety relief. The jury is still out in my case but it seems to help most of the time. I think you have to take a hefty dose for at least 3-4 weeks to begin to see optimal results. Jarrow has the most potent formula at iherb.com
Verne
Posted by christinav on March 20, 2006, at 8:20:10
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with other alternatives?, posted by verne on March 20, 2006, at 7:40:58
Its funny cause i cant take brewers yeast which is b vitamins (complex). another poster said that b6 and b3 work best for her. have you ever tried prescription drugs?
Posted by verne on March 20, 2006, at 8:27:20
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with other alternatives?, posted by christinav on March 20, 2006, at 8:20:10
I've taken a wide assortment of prescription drugs like valium, librium, ativan, and xanax. My problem now is that I can't find a doctor willing to prescribe them.
I prefer valium. Short-acting ativan was nothing but trouble for me. I took it "as needed" but after awhile, I needed more and more, and couldn't go 6 hours without it. I had to rehab off ativan twice.
Librium is long-acting and not as flashy but a far smoother ride. But all of these can become habit forming. Not so much psychologically addictive but the body will develop a dependency.
Verne
Posted by christinav on March 20, 2006, at 8:40:58
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with other alternatives?, posted by verne on March 20, 2006, at 8:27:20
I am on klonopin and started out at .5 three times a day that was two weeks ago now i am up to 1mg a day and it doesnt seem to last long at all. I keep hearing others say vallium is really good.
Posted by nolvas on March 20, 2006, at 16:31:10
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with other alternatives?, posted by christinav on March 20, 2006, at 8:40:58
Valium (Diazepam) is very protent for treating anxiety, it's one of the longest acting benzodiazepine drugs.
http://www.benzo.org.uk/ashvtaper.htm
Benzodiazepine drugs work extremely well for treating anxiety, but they have some serious complications to consider such as torelance where the current dosage becomes ineffective and the dosage level needs to be raised and physical and psychological dependence, where trying to stop the usage of the drug is extremely difficult due to severe rebound anxiety and other side effects.
Having said that they can be used sensibly to treat anxiety disorders. Doctors here in the UK won't prescribe me benzodiazepine drugs. In the past I have used them on a need to use basis and there's a lot of evidence that people with panic disorder such as myself never get addicted to these type of drugs due to the intermittent way they use them.
So to summarise benzo drugs work well to treat anxiety, should you take them? Well that's not for me to say but for a medical practitioner to advise you.
I don't know of any alternative treatment that is as potent as benzodiazepine drugs. If there is I haven't tried it yet.
Now to keep this thread on topic (alternative treatments ) as interesting as it is :) I need to mention that I take GABA Relaxer because in theory the ingredients increase either the effectivness or amount of GABA in the brain. So they work on the same receptors as the Benzodiazepine drugs. There's one study I've seen where it was shown that panic disorder patients have 22% less GABA in the brain.
There's plenty of alternative anxiolytic treatments where one of their methods or sole method of action is to increase GABA levels or effectivness. Anxiety being as complicated as it is though isn't as simple as a problem with GABA. The neurotrasmitters in Serotonin and Norepinephrine are also implicated. In fact I'm gonna stop there coz I'm no expert at all better to read this instead of me waffling on > :)
http://www.queendom.com/articles/mentalhealth/pd.html
Posted by ClearSkies on March 21, 2006, at 8:34:30
In reply to Treating anxiety with other alternatives?, posted by christinav on March 19, 2006, at 10:31:27
Hello, I have had good results with MaxSed, made by Phytotherapy Research Labs. My chiropractor recommended it to me. The label says it contains Passion Flower, Valerian, and California Poppy. It works in about 10 minutes for me, for other people it may take longer.
ClearSkies
Posted by Declan on March 21, 2006, at 15:51:11
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with other alternatives? » christinav, posted by ClearSkies on March 21, 2006, at 8:34:30
I like scullcap (scutellaria laterifolia, I think). It seems to be OK for people who are depressed. You have to get the whole herb, or a liquid extract. The tablets with it in are mauinly combinations, here at least.
Declan
Posted by LOOPS on March 25, 2006, at 9:01:10
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with other alternatives?, posted by Declan on March 21, 2006, at 15:51:11
Hi -
I have big ongoing problems with anxiety too. Right now I find the following most effective:
magnesium (glycinate at night, other form in day)
calcium (from dolomite - needs to balance magnesium - I never go above 1:1 Ca:Mg).I actually find too much magnesium makes me edgy, but once balanced with some calcium it's fine.
Holy Basil - see the other thread on this. I like how it makes me calmer but not sleepy.
At night - very strong valerian root extract, plus several passiflora pills. I take more than the recommended amount to get a stronger effect. I can also take valerian in the day and it doesn't make me sleepy, but seems to help with sleep at night. NOTE - I HAVE had a bad reaction to valerian when I was on st johns wort - it made me more agitated. Also, when I started taking it for sleep recently, it gave me horrid nightmares. This has gone now, and finally I am sleeping without meds.
Ginseng - a good brand balances me overall, a cheap brand either does nothing or makes me edgy.
Taurine - 1g every morning, to offset too much glycine in the magnesium glycinate.
Low-dose multi that has co-enzymes of the B vits, and not in big quantities (I have the same problem with large doses of B vits making my anxiety worse).
You might also want to look into taking fish oil WITH a GLA supplement like evening primrose oil or borage oil etc. I had some really good results with these - these days I just take the fish oil as I started getting side effects from too much GLA (depression, lack of motivation). However I still think it is the ratio that matters.
Loops
Posted by LynneDa on April 24, 2006, at 15:18:40
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with other alternatives?, posted by LOOPS on March 25, 2006, at 9:01:10
Hi, just chiming in here to ask a question.
Anyone heard of Tao of Life at dragonherbs.com? A friend of mine uses it and has been able to get off of ADs. It's an herbal supplement and includes theanine plus herbs considered to be adaptogens.
I'm also wondering if you all think a combination product is better/worse/same than taking the herbs/minerals/amino acids individually?
Thanks for any input!! I am really determined to find a natural route to get rid of my depression vs. anti-depressants.
~ Lynne
Posted by LOOPS on April 25, 2006, at 16:47:59
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with ... theanine?, posted by LynneDa on April 24, 2006, at 15:18:40
Yes!! I have used Tao of Life once before - at the time I thought it was great - it really worked for me for anxiety and the adaptogens really help with depression. Unfortunately it was really expensive to get shipped here so I didn't buy any more after the first bottle. Anyway that was before I learned all about different vitamins and minerals. The dragonherbs are very high quality but very expensive. I found Imperial Elixir ginsengs to be very high quality as well. I don't take theanine any more, but I do take ginseng. I find magnesium and thiamin (B1) more useful in treating anxiety and depression these days.
Loops
Posted by christinav on April 25, 2006, at 18:52:37
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with ... theanine?, posted by LOOPS on April 25, 2006, at 16:47:59
I thought ginseng gave energy doesnt that defeat the purpose of having anxiety and a racing heart or am i mixing ginseng up with something else?christina
> Yes!! I have used Tao of Life once before - at the time I thought it was great - it really worked for me for anxiety and the adaptogens really help with depression. Unfortunately it was really expensive to get shipped here so I didn't buy any more after the first bottle. Anyway that was before I learned all about different vitamins and minerals. The dragonherbs are very high quality but very expensive. I found Imperial Elixir ginsengs to be very high quality as well. I don't take theanine any more, but I do take ginseng. I find magnesium and thiamin (B1) more useful in treating anxiety and depression these days.
>
> Loops
Posted by LynneDa on April 25, 2006, at 20:11:38
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with ... theanine?, posted by LOOPS on April 25, 2006, at 16:47:59
Thank you! I'm so glad to hear you've tried them and think they are good quality! I do intend to give it a try. I am learning about herbs, supplements, amino acids, etc., and am really interested in seeing what might work. Thanks again!
~ Lynne
***********************************> Yes!! I have used Tao of Life once before - at the time I thought it was great - it really worked for me for anxiety and the adaptogens really help with depression. Unfortunately it was really expensive to get shipped here so I didn't buy any more after the first bottle. Anyway that was before I learned all about different vitamins and minerals. The dragonherbs are very high quality but very expensive. I found Imperial Elixir ginsengs to be very high quality as well. I don't take theanine any more, but I do take ginseng. I find magnesium and thiamin (B1) more useful in treating anxiety and depression these days.
>
> Loops
Posted by LOOPS on April 26, 2006, at 8:59:43
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with ... theanine? » LOOPS, posted by LynneDa on April 25, 2006, at 20:11:38
well it depends on the quality with ginseng (IME), and even on the type of ginseng. I found the best type for anxiety is a very strong extract of Siberian Ginseng. The effect is odd to describe - it is calming yet one feels 'better' whilst taking it and 'stronger' if that makes any sense. Most herbs seem to have one effect or one direction (i.e. calming or energizing but usually not both).
The only time I got a 'buzzy' effect was from a gnc extract of red panax ginseng. I wasn't impressed with this one. Ginseng should never make you feel jittery, and there shouldn't be a 'come-down' either - but there was with this one.
The most relaxed I've ever seen people on ginseng was at a party I had - I boiled up some red kirin ginseng roots when people wanted something to give them more energy. They all became very calm and relaxed instead! Apparently the water extract is very calming - I didn't know that at the time.
If you want some good info on ginseng read all the bumpf on dragonherbs.com. Now I know they sell stuff, but you don't have to buy theirs.
I must add that when I am consistent in taking ginseng (whatever type) my sleep improves a lot. Ginseng is supposed to balance energy in the body - I think it does. I it certainly seems more balancing than say St Johns Wort or Ginkgo biloba which seem more one-directional in their effect.
Best places I found -
ancient-way.com (get the cheap bulk siberian ginseng extract)
imperial elixir ginseng(I think the site is ginseng-company.com - but you can get it anywhere - I get mine from betterlife.com)
dragonherbs.com (but very expensive)There is also Reishi to try, which is very calming , but again, unfortunately it is useless unless you get good quality stuff. I found the Plum Flower powder extract in the tubs quite strong.
Loops
Posted by Marty on February 10, 2008, at 13:35:05
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with other alternatives?, posted by linkadge on March 19, 2006, at 15:10:08
> I've tried a lot of supplement and have found that time release vitamin C helps me the most.
>
> Linkadge-- Hi Link. What it the effect of time released Vit-C ? How many mg per day ? and when in the day do you take it ?
Thanks!
/\/\arty
Posted by Newbee on March 13, 2008, at 19:56:22
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with other alternatives? » linkadge, posted by Marty on February 10, 2008, at 13:35:05
Is Tryptophan the same as L_Tryptophan (5-HTP)?
Posted by Loops on March 14, 2008, at 8:32:18
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with other alternatives?, posted by Newbee on March 13, 2008, at 19:56:22
no 5htp is completely different to tryptophan. Tryptophan is the amino acid that is found in food (protein) - the raw material that serotonin is made from in the brain. 5-htp is a metabolite of tryptophan that is made in the brain afterwards (I think that is right anyway - someone correct me if I am wrong). With tryptophan the brain has control over how much 5htp is made and when, where as 5htp crosses straight over the blood brain barrier and hopefully is turned into serotonin.
I didn't like 5htp it made me depressed after awhile. Tryptophan was much better. However I found eventually eating more protein and thus getting more tryptophan (in balance with the other amino acids) was preferable. It is better for using on a short time-scale for acute symptoms (for me anyway).
Some people find 5htp to be a near miracle though and stay on it. I guess that would be if your symptoms are mainly serotonin-based.
Loops
Posted by DG77 on March 14, 2008, at 15:13:47
In reply to Re: Treating anxiety with other alternatives?, posted by Loops on March 14, 2008, at 8:32:18
Hi Loops,
I have the same experience with tryptophan as you. It definitely helps my mood if I take it sporadically. But if I take it on a regular basis, the antidepressant effect diminishes or even disappears. Your mention of the people that stay on 5htp has me wondering if it might be more likely to work over the long term than tryptophan?
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