Re: New Member; Really Need Help

[Guest guest]

A couple comments, not necessarily related to mercury. If you truly

have PTSD, a couple things might help. First, find someone who does

EMDR if you haven't tried it already. I haven't had PTSD, but I have

gone through some traumatic situations and it really helps a lot. My

therapist that I went to said he has seen it cure PTSD, when nothing

else will. Also, if you have a history of trauma, you are likely to

actually have low cortisol levels. Trauma beats down on the adrenals

and tends to have the effect of lowering your stress threshold. Before

you try any chelation, I'd have your adrenal function tested so you

know if you need to go on low dose cortisol while chelating.

Personally, I'd have both the " traditional " workup of AM/PM cortisol

blood draw and low dose (1ug) ACTH stim test and also a diagnos-techs

saliva adrenal panel. The blood tests any normal Dr. can order, you

might have trouble finding someone who does the saliva tests, but more

holistic people often do them... Or you can order it yourself from

DirectLabs.

I recently started low dose HC and although it didn't " cure " me, it

definitely helps.

HTH

>

> I now have in my possession Andy's book via my local library, but I

> admit that (perhaps in the midst of my mercury problems and many

> other situational ones) I am having some difficulty ascertaining

> immediate answers to my questions. Andy says that you don't have to

> read the book in any particular order, and I'm not, but I find myself

> a bit confused on a few things. The problem here is that I need to

> do something ASAP. Quite frankly, I am in peril.

>

> I had my amalgams out approximately one year ago. I am still having

> problems, nonetheless, so I am assuming I still have mercury in my

> brain. I do have in my possession a recent post of Andy's addressing

> some of the problems I am experiencing, such as crying, inability to

> cope, etc. He wrote an excellent post that addresses GABA,

> serotonin, etc.

>

> I do feel that removal of amalgams helped me substantially, and that

> a great deal of what I am going through is normal in response to

> unusually traumatic events and too many years of abnormal stress (15).

>

> In any event, I shamefully admit I have been scared to do chelation,

> and this is primarily why I still have not performed what I know is

> vital to my own health and survival. I am afraid I might get worse

> than I already am (physically or emotionally), and that I might not

> perform the protocol properly - - consequently, causing myself more

> problems than I am already dealing with.

>

> Since I have now had to seek professional help and cannot cope, is

> there anyone out there who might be kind and compassionate enough to

> answer these questions in an attempt to make this a bit easier on

> me? Some days, I think it is inevitable that I will not " make it. "

> That is how bad it is, and I am sorry to have to admit this.

>

> 1. Is there a child's dose of chelation I can start with due to the

> fact that I feel I have a sensitive system in general, and especially

> right now since I have had two major surgeries in the last seven

> months, the most recent one being in March? I think I am dealing

> with lowered T3 and increased cortisol as it is, due to surgery, and

> I fear that chelation might actually make me worse for a while. Is

> this fear I have unfounded?

>

> 2. I am still trying to get through the book, but because of the

> suicidal ideations I am going through (no doubt probably mercury-

> related in some way), I am finding it hard to create a synopsis for

> myself to follow. Can anyone recommend some pages in the book I

> might want to concentrate on? What about any files that help to

> synopsize what I want to watch out for to minimize my fear of

> chelation?

>

> 3. Do I need to accept that I will definitely get worse? In other

> words, for instance, when some people do bodily detoxification aside

> from mercury (i.e., liver or gallbladder cleanse, for example), there

> is something called a " health crisis " that a person can experience.

> This means you can get any of a long list of reactions (e.g., eczema,

> rashes, etc.) because of the detoxification process. Am I correct in

> thinking that I very well could go through some pretty rough times in

> doing this? And if so, are the first months the worst? Perhaps it

> is different for everyone, I realize. I am not working right now

> after this last surgery, so it might be a good time for me to tackle

> this.

>

> 4. I had a hair mercury test which came back within normal range,

> but now I have heard that this is not quite so reliable. Should I

> assume I need to chelate simply based on the fact that I had eight

> small fillings in my mouth, whereupon the largest one gave

> off " moderate " vapor according to the dentist?

>

> I felt a little " flippy " right after removal, but eventually felt

> better (maybe in a matter of weeks). I do feel that my suicidal

> ideations commenced at the point of amalgam installation, at

> approximately age 10 or earlier.

>

> For this reason, I have been going through this my whole life and I

> am 43 . . . nevermind having truly traumatic reasons to feel this

> way. I have now been diagnosed with PTSD. I've reached my bottom,

> and have to consider the possibility that mercury remaining in my

> brain is not helping matters. I cannot go on this way and have to

> get over my fear of chelation.

>

> Thank you in advance, and I apologize for my honesty and feelings of

> disorganization at the moment . . .

>

> Diane

>

[Guest guest]

Diane:

Hold on and read the book and take notes in a notebook esp to

the areas that apply to you. Yes I do believe that mercury in the

brain might be causing or at least making things worst for you.

Please read the section under the file on progress. Go very slow and

tell yourself that its the mercury that is making things feel so bad

rt now but that things can get better. Also take herbs, vitamins,

food that help your progress including at this time antidepressants,

anti anxiety meds to ride the waves for now. I myself have not

started chelating yet due to fear like yourself but in you read most

of the postings here, so many apply to what is going on with my own

health that I assume that its mercury and other heavy metals that

are the cause. Also pay attn to your diet and consume clean water,

clean foods as much as possible, Dont rule out allergies. I wish you

better health. Dont give up.

Vivian

>

> I now have in my possession Andy's book via my local library, but I

> admit that (perhaps in the midst of my mercury problems and many

> other situational ones) I am having some difficulty ascertaining

> immediate answers to my questions. Andy says that you don't have

to

> read the book in any particular order, and I'm not, but I find

myself

> a bit confused on a few things. The problem here is that I need to

> do something ASAP. Quite frankly, I am in peril.

>

> I had my amalgams out approximately one year ago. I am still

having

> problems, nonetheless, so I am assuming I still have mercury in my

> brain. I do have in my possession a recent post of Andy's

addressing

> some of the problems I am experiencing, such as crying, inability

to

> cope, etc. He wrote an excellent post that addresses GABA,

> serotonin, etc.

>

> I do feel that removal of amalgams helped me substantially, and

that

> a great deal of what I am going through is normal in response to

> unusually traumatic events and too many years of abnormal stress

(15).

>

> In any event, I shamefully admit I have been scared to do

chelation,

> and this is primarily why I still have not performed what I know is

> vital to my own health and survival. I am afraid I might get worse

> than I already am (physically or emotionally), and that I might not

> perform the protocol properly - - consequently, causing myself more

> problems than I am already dealing with.

>

> Since I have now had to seek professional help and cannot cope, is

> there anyone out there who might be kind and compassionate enough

to

> answer these questions in an attempt to make this a bit easier on

> me? Some days, I think it is inevitable that I will not " make

it. "

> That is how bad it is, and I am sorry to have to admit this.

>

> 1. Is there a child's dose of chelation I can start with due to

the

> fact that I feel I have a sensitive system in general, and

especially

> right now since I have had two major surgeries in the last seven

> months, the most recent one being in March? I think I am dealing

> with lowered T3 and increased cortisol as it is, due to surgery,

and

> I fear that chelation might actually make me worse for a while. Is

> this fear I have unfounded?

>

> 2. I am still trying to get through the book, but because of the

> suicidal ideations I am going through (no doubt probably mercury-

> related in some way), I am finding it hard to create a synopsis for

> myself to follow. Can anyone recommend some pages in the book I

> might want to concentrate on? What about any files that help to

> synopsize what I want to watch out for to minimize my fear of

> chelation?

>

> 3. Do I need to accept that I will definitely get worse? In other

> words, for instance, when some people do bodily detoxification

aside

> from mercury (i.e., liver or gallbladder cleanse, for example),

there

> is something called a " health crisis " that a person can

experience.

> This means you can get any of a long list of reactions (e.g.,

eczema,

> rashes, etc.) because of the detoxification process. Am I correct

in

> thinking that I very well could go through some pretty rough times

in

> doing this? And if so, are the first months the worst? Perhaps it

> is different for everyone, I realize. I am not working right now

> after this last surgery, so it might be a good time for me to

tackle

> this.

>

> 4. I had a hair mercury test which came back within normal range,

> but now I have heard that this is not quite so reliable. Should I

> assume I need to chelate simply based on the fact that I had eight

> small fillings in my mouth, whereupon the largest one gave

> off " moderate " vapor according to the dentist?

>

> I felt a little " flippy " right after removal, but eventually felt

> better (maybe in a matter of weeks). I do feel that my suicidal

> ideations commenced at the point of amalgam installation, at

> approximately age 10 or earlier.

>

> For this reason, I have been going through this my whole life and I

> am 43 . . . nevermind having truly traumatic reasons to feel this

> way. I have now been diagnosed with PTSD. I've reached my bottom,

> and have to consider the possibility that mercury remaining in my

> brain is not helping matters. I cannot go on this way and have to

> get over my fear of chelation.

>

> Thank you in advance, and I apologize for my honesty and feelings

of

> disorganization at the moment . . .

>

> Diane

>

[Guest guest]

>

> I now have in my possession Andy's book via my local library, but I

> admit that (perhaps in the midst of my mercury problems and many

> other situational ones) I am having some difficulty ascertaining

> immediate answers to my questions. Andy says that you don't have to

> read the book in any particular order, and I'm not, but I find myself

> a bit confused on a few things. The problem here is that I need to

> do something ASAP. Quite frankly, I am in peril.

>

> I had my amalgams out approximately one year ago. I am still having

> problems, nonetheless, so I am assuming I still have mercury in my

> brain. I do have in my possession a recent post of Andy's addressing

> some of the problems I am experiencing, such as crying, inability to

> cope, etc. He wrote an excellent post that addresses GABA,

> serotonin, etc.

Adrenal support is also very important.

> I do feel that removal of amalgams helped me substantially, and that

> a great deal of what I am going through is normal in response to

> unusually traumatic events and too many years of abnormal stress (15).

>

> In any event, I shamefully admit I have been scared to do chelation,

> and this is primarily why I still have not performed what I know is

> vital to my own health and survival. I am afraid I might get worse

> than I already am (physically or emotionally), and that I might not

> perform the protocol properly - - consequently, causing myself more

> problems than I am already dealing with.

>

> Since I have now had to seek professional help and cannot cope, is

> there anyone out there who might be kind and compassionate enough to

> answer these questions in an attempt to make this a bit easier on

> me? Some days, I think it is inevitable that I will not " make it. "

> That is how bad it is, and I am sorry to have to admit this.

>

> 1. Is there a child's dose of chelation I can start with due to the

> fact that I feel I have a sensitive system in general, and especially

> right now since I have had two major surgeries in the last seven

> months, the most recent one being in March? I think I am dealing

> with lowered T3 and increased cortisol as it is, due to surgery, and

> I fear that chelation might actually make me worse for a while. Is

> this fear I have unfounded?

You can use as small a dose as you want, as long as you take

it at the appropriate half-life, day and night, for 3 days or

more, and at least as many days off.

> 2. I am still trying to get through the book, but because of the

> suicidal ideations I am going through (no doubt probably mercury-

> related in some way), I am finding it hard to create a synopsis for

> myself to follow. Can anyone recommend some pages in the book I

> might want to concentrate on? What about any files that help to

> synopsize what I want to watch out for to minimize my fear of

> chelation?

p. 118-121 on adrenal insufficiency

p. 133-138 on what to take for various symptoms and problems

(with reference to the summary table and descriptions that follow)

Focus on what are the most significant problems, probably the

ones that are most interfering with taking care of yourself.

Also, begin reading the information in the files and links,

especially TK's general suggestions for chelation and

Moria's information.

> 3. Do I need to accept that I will definitely get worse? In other

> words, for instance, when some people do bodily detoxification aside

> from mercury (i.e., liver or gallbladder cleanse, for example), there

> is something called a " health crisis " that a person can experience.

> This means you can get any of a long list of reactions (e.g., eczema,

> rashes, etc.) because of the detoxification process. Am I correct in

> thinking that I very well could go through some pretty rough times in

> doing this? And if so, are the first months the worst? Perhaps it

> is different for everyone, I realize. I am not working right now

> after this last surgery, so it might be a good time for me to tackle

> this.

You do not want to have a " crisis " . You want to keep the dose

low enough to prevent this.

However, you do have to remember that your existing symptoms and

problems are not going to disappear overnight. Until chelation

does its job, you may need to treat (or tolerate) your existing

symptoms and you may have ups and downs and changes in those

symptoms.

> 4. I had a hair mercury test which came back within normal range,

> but now I have heard that this is not quite so reliable. Should I

> assume I need to chelate simply based on the fact that I had eight

> small fillings in my mouth, whereupon the largest one gave

> off " moderate " vapor according to the dentist?

Mercury does not always appear on a hair test. If you have a DDI

Hair Elements test (or a few other labs) you can apply the counting

rules to check for mercury toxicity.

> I felt a little " flippy " right after removal, but eventually felt

> better (maybe in a matter of weeks). I do feel that my suicidal

> ideations commenced at the point of amalgam installation, at

> approximately age 10 or earlier.

> For this reason, I have been going through this my whole life and I

> am 43 . . . nevermind having truly traumatic reasons to feel this

> way. I have now been diagnosed with PTSD. I've reached my bottom,

> and have to consider the possibility that mercury remaining in my

> brain is not helping matters. I cannot go on this way and have to

> get over my fear of chelation.

Addressing adrenal issues and anxiety can help a lot.

It is hard for everyone in the beginning. You need to take your

time and get comfortable with the protocol. Lots of folks here

can help you understand it all and get started.

--

> Thank you in advance, and I apologize for my honesty and feelings of

> disorganization at the moment . . .

>

> Diane

>

[Guest guest]

>

>Some days, I think it is inevitable that I will not " make it. "

Diane,

I have felt this way too. I think it is an effect of crashing

adrenals. Once I started taking Cortef (which is rx, Isocort is a

weaker product OTC) that feeling completely went away, along with the

feelings of resignation and overall doom.

>I think I am dealing

> with lowered T3 and increased cortisol as it is, due to surgery, and

> I fear that chelation might actually make me worse for a while. Is

> this fear I have unfounded?

No, it isn't. I would suggest getting your thyroid and adrenals

supported adequately before starting chelation, because chelation is

going to stress them further. Do you have a doctor who will prescribe

Armour thyroid and Cortef? (They aren't always easy to find.)

>

> 2. I am still trying to get through the book, but because of the

> suicidal ideations I am going through (no doubt probably mercury-

> related in some way), I am finding it hard to create a synopsis for

> myself to follow.

It sounds like you need to focus on the part you talked about earlier

in your post, about GABA and serotonin, etc. Andy wrote a great post

matching up emotional symptoms and supplement, but I need to hunt for

it. I'll post it when I find it.

> 3. Do I need to accept that I will definitely get worse?

No! It's difficult to predict. Generally speaking, the more toxic a

person is, the more side effects they have to deal with when

chelating. This is managed by using a very low dose and working to get

the supportive supplements right. The most likely place for trouble is

adrenals and thyroid, which is why it's important to work on that

first if you already know there's trouble.

> Am I correct in

> thinking that I very well could go through some pretty rough times in

> doing this?

Not at all necessarily. For many rounds, my symptoms were only

fatigue, and anxiety if the dose was too high. Lately I've been having

some digestive trouble and food intolerances cropping up. I've

chelated nearly 70 rounds over a few years. The idea is to have side

effects that are *manageable.

> 4. I had a hair mercury test which came back within normal range,

> but now I have heard that this is not quite so reliable.

Was it a DDI test? Yu can post it here if you want, several listmates

are quite good at getting information from tests.

I cannot go on this way and have to

> get over my fear of chelation.

Sorry you're feeling so crummy. I think you've come to the right place

though!

Nell

[Guest guest]

--- Dear Dianne

I just want you know that I really feel for you and understand how

difficult this must be for you.

I am in a similar situation and have just taken the first step to rid

myself of this mercury. I am taking just 6mgs of DMSA per dose because

my adrenals can not handle any more than that, and yet they are well

supported as I am on prednisolone. I was really nervous of taking that

step too.

Hopefully some of the more experienced here can help you. You have

made such a big step by getting the book and by joining a group such

as this.

You have to take very, very small steps.

There is a very good article on the diferent types of depression in

the files here and what you can take to help. I would personally start

there as you are feeling so rotten.

Try to be brave! People here understand what you are going through.

Best wishes

In frequent-dose-chelation , " heyitsme_di "

wrote:

>

> I now have in my possession Andy's book via my local library, but I

> admit that (perhaps in the midst of my mercury problems and many

> other situational ones) I am having some difficulty ascertaining

> immediate answers to my questions. Andy says that you don't have to

> read the book in any particular order, and I'm not, but I find myself

> a bit confused on a few things. The problem here is that I need to

> do something ASAP. Quite frankly, I am in peril.

>

> I had my amalgams out approximately one year ago. I am still having

> problems, nonetheless, so I am assuming I still have mercury in my

> brain. I do have in my possession a recent post of Andy's addressing

> some of the problems I am experiencing, such as crying, inability to

> cope, etc. He wrote an excellent post that addresses GABA,

> serotonin, etc.

>

> I do feel that removal of amalgams helped me substantially, and that

> a great deal of what I am going through is normal in response to

> unusually traumatic events and too many years of abnormal stress (15).

>

> In any event, I shamefully admit I have been scared to do chelation,

> and this is primarily why I still have not performed what I know is

> vital to my own health and survival. I am afraid I might get worse

> than I already am (physically or emotionally), and that I might not

> perform the protocol properly - - consequently, causing myself more

> problems than I am already dealing with.

>

> Since I have now had to seek professional help and cannot cope, is

> there anyone out there who might be kind and compassionate enough to

> answer these questions in an attempt to make this a bit easier on

> me? Some days, I think it is inevitable that I will not " make it. "

> That is how bad it is, and I am sorry to have to admit this.

>

> 1. Is there a child's dose of chelation I can start with due to the

> fact that I feel I have a sensitive system in general, and especially

> right now since I have had two major surgeries in the last seven

> months, the most recent one being in March? I think I am dealing

> with lowered T3 and increased cortisol as it is, due to surgery, and

> I fear that chelation might actually make me worse for a while. Is

> this fear I have unfounded?

>

> 2. I am still trying to get through the book, but because of the

> suicidal ideations I am going through (no doubt probably mercury-

> related in some way), I am finding it hard to create a synopsis for

> myself to follow. Can anyone recommend some pages in the book I

> might want to concentrate on? What about any files that help to

> synopsize what I want to watch out for to minimize my fear of

> chelation?

>

> 3. Do I need to accept that I will definitely get worse? In other

> words, for instance, when some people do bodily detoxification aside

> from mercury (i.e., liver or gallbladder cleanse, for example), there

> is something called a " health crisis " that a person can experience.

> This means you can get any of a long list of reactions (e.g., eczema,

> rashes, etc.) because of the detoxification process. Am I correct in

> thinking that I very well could go through some pretty rough times in

> doing this? And if so, are the first months the worst? Perhaps it

> is different for everyone, I realize. I am not working right now

> after this last surgery, so it might be a good time for me to tackle

> this.

>

> 4. I had a hair mercury test which came back within normal range,

> but now I have heard that this is not quite so reliable. Should I

> assume I need to chelate simply based on the fact that I had eight

> small fillings in my mouth, whereupon the largest one gave

> off " moderate " vapor according to the dentist?

>

> I felt a little " flippy " right after removal, but eventually felt

> better (maybe in a matter of weeks). I do feel that my suicidal

> ideations commenced at the point of amalgam installation, at

> approximately age 10 or earlier.

>

> For this reason, I have been going through this my whole life and I

> am 43 . . . nevermind having truly traumatic reasons to feel this

> way. I have now been diagnosed with PTSD. I've reached my bottom,

> and have to consider the possibility that mercury remaining in my

> brain is not helping matters. I cannot go on this way and have to

> get over my fear of chelation.

>

> Thank you in advance, and I apologize for my honesty and feelings of

> disorganization at the moment . . .

>

> Diane

>

[Guest guest]

eI already sent t to Diane, but here it is again (BELOW) for

eveyrbody else.

Also, I am glad you guys are all picking up on the adrenal stuff. I

have known Diane for some time now, and everything I know about her

screams adrenals to me. Still, some months ago, before having a

surgery, they made her go off thyroid and the low dose cortisone

(that she had jsut recently started taking) for a month before hand

and then tested her after that duration. When the blood draw came

back, it said she was NOT low and that they could go on with the

surgery now. Personally, I dont' trust that when her symptoms appear

so strong, at least form what I cna tell. Do others agree with my

suspicians? ...or not?? Just trying to be helpful, as I know she has

struggled so long and hard......

Okay here is the paper:

~Inga

--------------

What to do about depression

There are several kinds of depression, and also anxiety and fear and

apprehension which often come along with them.

The only one size fits all remedy is omega 3 oils. Good for all of

it, takes

several weeks to help.

Anxiety, fear, apprehension = low GABA problems.

Obsessive, compulsive, thinking about bad things, can't let things

go, dream of

being run over on the freeway and things like that, think of hurting

yourself, lots of

psychic distress and suffering = low serotonin problems.

Hopeless helpless crying depression = problems in the limbic system.

No motivation, no energy, don't enjoy anything, sit around like a

bump on a log,

unaroused, unaware, but mood OK (you don't feel DEPRESSED, you just

don't feel

much at all) = low histamine depression.

Poor mood, attention deficit, emotionally flat, not much drive or

focus =

catecholamine depression.

Catecholamines are chemical compounds derived from the amino acid

tyrosine. Some of them are biogenic amines. Catecholamines are water

soluble and are 50% bound to plasma proteins, so they circulate in

the bloodstream. The most abundant catecholamines are epinephrine

(adrenaline), norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and dopamine.

Catecholamines as hormones are released by the adrenal glands in

situations of stress such as psychological stress or low blood sugar

levels[1].

If you have GABA and serotonin problems you have adrenal problems

causing both

of them. In this case you START with adrenal support, like adrenal

cortex extract,

licorice, etc. Often DHEA, 7 keto DHEA and pregnenolone may help -

these should NEVER

EVER EVER EVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES be used in children or

adolescents. Sometimes hydrocortisone itself may be needed, this must

be used with care and sensibly. THEN when that is working worry

about the rest.

Magnesium and taurine often help with spacey almost disoriented

anxiety and

distress. These usually go along with a high heart rate and not

sweating much. Take them

several times a day for best effect, magnesium in forms OTHER than

oxide or carbonate or

hydroxide, if you use too much it is laxative. Most people tolerate

somewhere

between 100-200 mg per serving of magnesium. 500-1000 mg of Taurine

at a time is about right.

Serotoninergic depression = use Inositol, 1-3 tsp a day as needed. If

that

isn't enough,

add tryptophan or 5 HTP. If that still doesn't do it, consider asking

doctor

for an SSRI if

you are not chemically sensitive. If you are chemically sensitive or

if you

can't take

codeine you are very unlikely to be able to tolerate SSRI's. In this

case add

adrenal support

whether or not you think you need it.

For GABA problems, try GABA (duh - it doesn't work for everyone

though and has

to be

taken several times a day), theanine, eating protein at every meal,

adrenal

support and if

that isn't enough ask your doctor about anxiolytics. If the doc is

reasonable

they'll offer

you BuSpar and a valium like drug (a benzodiazepine) for a month or

two until

the BuSpar

starts working. BuSpar does not always work, you have to see if it is

good for

you or not.

Ativan and Xanax seem to be fairly well tolerated. If you need round

the clock

coverage

then Klonopin is a good choice - also this is good if you have MS or

mood

instability.

Some over the counter anxiolytics are Kava Kava and chamomile. Do

note that all

anxiolytics are also sedatives.

For limbic problems make sure you have enough thyroid and sex

hormones, try B-12

and

folic acid in large amounts ONLY if you are not prone to agitation, the

nutritional

supplement forskolin 10-30 mg 1-3 times a day, maybe try dl-

phenylalanine 500 mg

3-4

times a day (if you have a lot of pain or malaise this is good), l-

tyrosine 1-3

grams, or the

prescription drug selegiline 5-10 mg a day. All the stimulant

medications work

excellently

for this but mostly it is not lawful to prescribe them for this purpose.

If you have low histamine depression, IF YOU ARE NOT ALLERGIC AND

HAVE NO

INFLAMMATORY PROBLEM, try l-histidine 1-3 grams a day. If you are

allergic this

will

make your allergies dramatically worse and you must NOT do it. In

that case,

take a lot of

nonsedating antihistamines and other allergy medications, for example

Allegra

(fexofenadine) and Singulair or Accolate and Nasalchrom as this may

let your

body tolerate

more histamine. AVOID all medications that have antihistaminic side

effects and

all

antihistamines that get into the brain (which is all the over the

counter ones).

For catecholamine depression try l-tyrosine 500-3000 mg a day, and

forskolin

10-30 mg

1-3 times a day.

If you have a lot of fear or apprehension sometimes beta blockers or

the alpha

agonist clonidine or guanfacine will releive that. These also lower

blood pressure. If

your blood pressure is already low you have adrenal problems and need

to take more adrenal support before considering these.

If your mood is bouncing all over the place, you may have mood

instability and

need something for mood stabilization. Most doctors do not know that

a lot of these

medications work well at lower than normal doses but with much less

side effects

- the first thing to do if you may need them and aren't in such bad

shape you need a

lot right away to keep yourself out of trouble is to try 1/4 or 1/2

of the usual amount

and see how you do. Most of the choices are Rx, GABA being the most

notable OTC choice.

GABA has to be taken several times a day. the Atkins diet also helps

with this.

If your mood is bouncing and the period is days or longer, it can be

you are

reacting to dietary issues you haven't figured out yet, or you are

chemically sensitive. In

these cases all of the above won't help much until you avoid the

offending foods or

chemicals, then you may not need much help.

As a rule, if you really hate the mood stabilizers and don't want to

take them

because of

how " flat " they make you feel, you truly do need them and it is

crucial to take

them.

If you find yourself changing your program around a lot because of

what is

happening to

you and are never sure what is going on, try adrenal support,

anxiolytics,

identifying food

and chemical sensitivities, and if those don't resolve it, then try mood

stabilizers.

Most MD doctors just hand out SSRI's for everyone no matter what kind of

depression they

have. This is not useful. FInd one who will at least try some

different stuff.

If one or two

SSRI's didn't work, don't bother trying any more. Try different kinds of

agents. If the

doctor doesn't want to do that, go find a real doctor instead.

Andy

Okay...here is the recent article by Andy:

> It sounds like you need to focus on the part you talked about earlier

> in your post, about GABA and serotonin, etc. Andy wrote a great post

> matching up emotional symptoms and supplement, but I need to hunt for

> it. I'll post it when I find it.