Recently I promised you I would post a list of the supplements I take.
At night I make up a cocktail of supplements in two little little sherbet bowls one for myself and one for my husband. I think hubby feels loved when I tell him, “Take your supplements.
Here it is:
5-HTP 50-100 mg
EPA/DHA (fish oil or omega 3 fatty acid)
Vitamin B-6 100 mg
Vitamin B-12 lozenge 100 mcg
Vitamin C 500 – 2,000 mg
Vitamin E 400 ui
Multi-Vitamin/Multi-Mineral
Magnesium 400-800 mg
L-Glutamine 500 mg
Taurine 500 mg
GABA 500 mg (as needed for anxiety up to three a day. We take one per night.)
N-Acetyl Cysteine 900 mg
Melatonin 3 mg (or Sleep Essentials as needed)
I just placed an order with Swanson Health Products.
This is just what I am currently taking. I am not saying that you should or should not take what I take. I just thought you might be curious. I have been stable and pharmaceutical-free for two years now. At my worst point in my mental health journey I took a cocktail of pharmaceuticals. In the past eight years I have been prescribed and took: Depakote, Klonipin, Imipramine, Valium, Neurontin, Risperidal, Zyprexa. During the past 20 years, I have taken other pharmecuticals for mental health that are not listed above.
If you have questions about withdrawing from psych drugs or are just curious I recommend Duane Sherry’s Discover and Recover blog and Gianna Kali’s Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal and Recovery—a journey.
A good internet support group is a yahoo group Safe Harbor2.
I also recommend Mindfreedom.org and SSRI Research.
If you have questions about my routine and why or why I am not I am using certain supplements, I welcome and value you comments and/or emails.
14 comments
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May 14, 2008 at 11:57 pm
giannakali
Looks like a very good regime…
May 15, 2008 at 4:40 am
naturalgal
Thanks for your comment Gianna.
I appreciate it.
May 15, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Bipolar Wellnes Writer
I must tell you that I’m delighted you’re having success with this. I’ve been to a doctor of naturopathy and a holistic psychiatrist, and took tons of different supplements, amino acids, vitamins, etc. and nothing worked for me. How did you come up with this regime? I wonder why natural supplements work for some people and don’t for others. I guess it’s just our internal wiring!
Susan
May 15, 2008 at 10:42 pm
naturalgal
Hello Susan,
These supplements were actually “prescribed” to me by a M.D. I literally looked at the sheet he had for me and typed it into the computer.
Maybe I should write a post on how I found him.
Naturalgal
May 16, 2008 at 3:04 am
Bipolar Welllness Writer
I think that’s helpful. I’m also interested in whether you started taking everything at once or it was introduced in stages. And what books you’ve read on this topic that have been helpful!
Susan
May 18, 2008 at 5:21 am
Kerri-Jo
what a great blog – thanks! I am searching for answers and really appreciate your comments. Boy would I like to find a holistic psychiatrist!! I think I will embark on a search as you have done. I want a second opinion. I am going to change my diet and start taking supplements as well. Thanks for listing yours!
May 18, 2008 at 8:46 am
naturalgal
Thanks Kerri-Jo,
Just keep searching. You will find someone.
June 5, 2008 at 11:50 am
petegman99
Saw your post on the yahoo ssrisex group. B6 and 5-HTP are a bad combo.
The B6 converts 5-HTP to serotonin before it reaches the brain which apparently can cause heart damage with long term use. Google it…
June 6, 2008 at 10:51 am
naturalgal
Hi Petegman,
Thank you for this information. I will, indeed, google this.
Naturalgal
July 18, 2008 at 6:14 am
manicmusings
I’m curious if you’ve ever tried super B complex or B-50? I used to take the B vitamins individually, but now I found that B-50 helps me so much more. It has all the B vitamins and in a higher mg in capsules. It is very good for anyone dealing with stress or anxiety.
July 18, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Naturalgal
I have a B-50, but I am not sure if that is what you are talking about. Some times we take them in the morning instead at bedtime because they can be energizing, but I haven’t noticed a huge difference. I just know that I am doing better and I am very stable. My husband is doing very well too.
July 27, 2008 at 8:44 am
Garden Lettuce « Naturalgal’s Weblog
[...] Started taking supplements [...]
October 23, 2009 at 5:41 am
Larry
This page leaves me hanging on weather to take B-6 and 5-HTp together. There’s lots on the internet saying not to. So, I will take the B-6 in the mornings and the rest at night. Dr. khols’s videos on utube are great.
October 31, 2009 at 11:17 pm
NG
Larry,
I am not a doctor so you need to ask someone who is, but I have heard that you take Htp at night and the B’s in the morning