Completely eliminated my severe anxiety symptoms with three supplements!

[xrayspex]

Someone else I know contacted Swanson, and was told this:


So it seems that Swanson's N-acetyl-glucosamine product is derived from fermented yeast, not shellfish, but that they don't feel confident enough to guarantee it is shellfish-free. Oddly enough, on their glucosamine product, they do specifically say it is shellfish-free.

would that kind of yeast be bad if one was trying to minimize candida?

 

[xrayspex]

I believe that the human being is a very robust creature, both mentally and physically, and does not normally succumb to disease, to stressors or to mild bodily abuse (like drinking too much, or "burning the candle at both ends"). Millions of years of evolution — working on the principle of surival of the fittest — has made us very tough, and has given us the best of genes.

This is the precise argument put forward by evolutionary biologist Paul W. Ewald: he says that most common diseases will not turn out to have genetic causes, and are not due to some inherent weakness in the human being. Ewald explains that any disease-causing gene that reduces survival (and reproduction) will eliminate itself over a number of generations. So chronic diseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, anxiety disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, schizophrenia, clinical depression, etc cannot be primarily genetic, according to the logic of evolutionary biology.

So if it is not genes and not inherent weakness, what causes these diseases then?

Well, once you catch a few pathogens, these are the one thing that can destroy the normal health and harmony of your body, because pathogens too have been harnessing the immense power of evolution — but in this case, for the purposes of their own survival, not yours. Their survival is your downfall. So once you start accumulating a few pathogens in your body, it becomes a battle, and this is where disease begins.

One day , the human race will wake up to the fact that it has been pathogens all along that have messed things up for us. And then, once the penny drops, and we have our "ah-ha" moment, we will finally do something about it.

But until that day, not only will pathogens will continue to win, but we will also have to put up with all these unscientific psychogenic theories put forward by Wessely school psychologists and the like.

sort of like this is what I think : https://www.uow.edu.au/~bmartin/dissent/documents/AIDS/Curtis92.html

Its an article that was in Rolling Stone in 1992 and made an impression that stayed with me, you can really go down a rabbit hole with this stuff

 

[Hip]

would that kind of yeast be bad if one was trying to minimize candida?

The yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is actually an immune booster; I am not sure of its effect on Candida. I just found it caused me to become depressed. Some people do have problems with this yeast.

sort of like this is what I think : https://www.uow.edu.au/~bmartin/dissent/documents/AIDS/Curtis92.html

An act of God or an act of man? Man can't even begin to compete with Mother Nature in terms of creating the most awful diseases!

 

[xrayspex]

The yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is actually an immune booster; I am not sure of its effect on Candida. I just found it caused me to become depressed. Some people do have problems with this yeast.





An act of God or an act of man? Man can't even begin to compete with Mother Nature in terms of creating the most awful diseases!

no doubt, but some men have sure done a bang up job of trying to compete.................

and the saccharomyces c......I see like s boulaardi sort of thing, I have taken that as probiotic before, not sure if I like it or not....keeping getting drawn back to cvs imitation of culturelle for some reason, like that one

 

[xrayspex]

What do you think of NAC? I have read many things online about it helping with anxiety along with many health benefits.

I got debilitating headaches when tried NAC.....its on my permanently banned list, at the time I was on yahoo experiemental forum and learned there that could be a sign of having Cpn chlamydia pneumonia and would need to do Stratton protocol which sounded like a nightmare to figure out and treat so I just left that alone

 

[xrayspex]

Hi all, Particularly Hip for starting this very informative thread.

I just joined up as I wanted to share my experience and seek some advice.
To be honest I haven't read through everything yet but I will as I always research these things thoroughly.
So first I will start with a quick history... (I'm in Australia)
As a child I suffered from ADD (or ADHD as the distinction wasn't really made back then here).
I was successfully treated with Ritalin from about age 7 to 14. My parents recount that it was like having a different child in the house.

I suppose around 13yrs I began feeling it was changing me or was old enough to understand and control myself better so started rejecting the medicine. I think I didn't want to be different than the other kids or something so by 14 I made a stand and flatly refused to take it anymore...

Fortunately I have a very high IQ so I was able to cruise through high school and University quite literally never studying, often refusing to even open a book and simply sleeping in class. I moved into my chosen career and basically relied on my intelligence, rather than knowledge, to essentially "wing-it". I was successful but began realizing that I was likely still suffering from ADD as an adult and falling well short of my potential. I tried a few times to get a diagnosis (by specialists I should add) and was turned away, quite aggressively. (I recently got hold of some of the reports sent to my GP from two of those "Specialists" one that stated I was seeking "Drugs" and another that stated in bold underlined letters that I DEFINITELY DID NOT HAVE ADD.)
I turned to Marijuana to self medicate as it was the only way I could concentrate on anything.

Moving on a few years when I was 27 I suffered my first Panic Attack. Things continued to get worse and developed into debilitating GAD with agoraphobia. I was hospitalized and given Lorazepam, I got many second opinions and saw many specialists. I was given anti-depressants a few times which just made things worse and eventually just ended up on Lorazepam for the last 9 horrible years.

I recently had my first child and decided it was time to finally get free of this horrible drug (which no doctor ever properly warned me about). In my research I discovered that many adult ADD & ADHD sufferers are commonly misdiagnosed with depression and anxiety. I saw a specialist who was excellent and immediately diagnosed me with acute ADD and prescribed Dexamphetamine.

I took my first dose, 10mg, and as it took effect I fell into a deep and peaceful sleep in the middle of the day! Clearly I had found the answer and things continued to get better and my mind clearer over the coming weeks. I still do not like the idea of taking chemicals to function but it has been life changing. I still need more time to access however it is pretty clear given how my mind and body has reacted (i.e. calming and focused) that my brain chemistry is different and at the very least i am on the right path.

Over the years i have experimented with traditional treatments, primarily Herbal medicines. I have become quite knowledgeable in the area and helped others but have not had much success myself. I have an extremely high tolerance to most substances, perhaps due to my different brain chemistry??? However i was unaware that some of the substances listed here have anti-anxiety effects!

But now to my current predicament which is withdrawing from the Lorazepam, I am doing a Lorazepam-Diazepam swap and taper schedule, I am already weeks ahead but obviously suffering severe withdrawals (those familiar with benzo withdrawls will know the long and terrible list, so far i have experienced everything on the list except, seizures and death). Suffice to say things aren't great right now but I am really positive that i am finally going to get free. I also feel having the ADD meds is keeping me balanced and focused enough to get through it. (For those interested I have gone from 10mg of Lorazepam daily to 3mg and so far only needed 5mg of Diazapam to sleep at night, filed with the worst nightmares imaginable but still sleep. I have done this in just over 3 weeks)

I saw the chemist today and she recommended NAG to help with the withdrawals. I had never heard of it and hence I found this forum and here I am.

Two important things to note, first is that I too suffer from really bad sinuses, something I had never related to the anxiety before but will be investigating further.

Second thing is that all along, and still, I have a feeling of weakness, like low blood sugar and/or low blood pressure, if I don't eat enough. This triggers severe anxiety, if I eat something sweet or a solid meal the anxiety quickly subsides? I present most of the symptoms of being diabetic although i am not. Again this has been thoroughly tested and i am was repeatedly fobbed-off by multiple doctors. The diagnosis i have always been given is that anxiety manifests itself in physical forms and this is basically 'all in my head'... Though i myself know 100% that there is a direct correlation between this low blood sugar feeling (which clearly comes first) and anxiety. Interestingly a few years back my father began experiencing a similar thing, he gets shakey, feels faint/dizzy and nauseas. He normally pops a couple of jelly beans or eats a meal and comes good right away. He has also done numerous tests with no result. (It is worth noting that neither of us had discussed this with each other until i adked him what was wrong one day and he explained exactly what i experience, except he gets nauseas and i get anxious). He never had this problem until he was around 60yrs old but perhaps it is something genetic/hereditary?

I have run out of time now... That is my story to this point, I thought it was important to share, if even one person can benefit from it. My experience with Dr's has been fairly negative, they are quick to dish out dangerous and addictive prescriptions and if your condition isn't textbook they try to make it so, or have very little room to think outside the box. That said some have been exceptionally caring and helpful. Always seek a second opinion and always question and do your own research.

My initial question is combining NAG with the Dexamphetamines. From what I gather it is probably not a good idea, or moreover perhaps not necessary as they are kind of doing the same thing right? I need to do more research but can anyone comment?

Anyone else here experienced or heard of a similar situation to mine?

Thanks guys, I'll be back soon.

Edit - I just took a moment to edit this slightly and thought i should add another comment. I have tried other forums on this topic before and got helpful tips like "maybe you should exersise and eat healthy instead of popping drugs".
Whilst i have a high tolerance to medicine/drugs i am very sensitive to chemicals and preservatives in food, probably to do with the ADD. If I did drink red cordial i would be bouncing off the walls!

I am extremely fit and healthy.

I do not eat any types of junk food and avoid ALL chemicals as much as possible.

I drink no coffee or caffine except green tea.

I do not drink alcohol or take drugs.

Hi--I have had similar relationship to sugar as what you describe--it got more noticeable after I got CFS and other health issues---I felt like sugar was medicinal in certain way. I have couple theories. One is I have been diagnosed with hypoglycemia, significantly, and my blood sugar is incredibly sensitive changes easily, so sugar quick fix. But it can backfire later with hypoglycemia, but then I would just eat more doesnt always work as well later in the day. I also eat a lot of healthy stuff. 2ndly I suspect I have some form of porphyria and carbs are like medicine for that. If I dont have certain amount of carbs I get sick, like strept throat sick when I was young adult, it effects my immune system, Atkins diet very bad for me. 3rdly its probably a way to try to get energy quick if mitochondria problem. I also have detox and absorption issues so feel rotten too often and sugar sort of medicinal distraction, dont know chemical explanation. I usually went for quality sugar like organic chocolate etc However recently I am having to leave sugar alone as my dental issues are causing me to get in pain from it and its almost like an alcoholic at the end of their progression, what used to make you feel good now makes you feel bad. The pain got bad enough I have left it alone lately except for honey or maple syrup in smoothies, sometimes I try to have chocolate bar made with stevia or cocoa in smoothie but cocoa can cause pain if have tinch too much now, think there is excitotoxcity going on. this could change to where I can tolerate it again later but so far I dont mind changing my diet, sort of hit a bottom to where pain motivates me to change---not saying sugar bad but dental problems cause a big ow for me ...........and I brush and floss so genetics perhaps

 

[xrayspex]

@Hip

Do you have any experiences or views about the Activated Charcoal supplement?

I was reading through its reviews on WebMD and saw benefits like heavy metal detox, food poisioning alleviation, cure for indigestion, flatulence & gas, and management for IBS. In effect, activated charcoal seems like a kind of rigorous "mop up" for the system.

I have some concerns: Is it safe for occasional use (say once a weekend)? Given its high absorbency rate, will it end up absorbing minerals from the blood stream, causing nutritional or electrolyte imbalances? I haven't tried it yet but this supplement does seem both intriguing and a little alarming at the same time.

Overall, I am curious about the possibility of activated charcoal for gut/intestinal health (in addition to the supplements already listed in the beginning of this thread). If indeed there is a connection then perhaps there might a larger connection to the anxiety problem as well.

Any views? Thanks.

charcoal is awesome for me, I take it more days than not, a physician gave me my first charcoal which was chewable in the 1970s, that was awesome btw,black teeth momentarily, used it for hangovers and gut hurting back then (naughty college time) but since then have used it regularly since CFS (old now) really helps me neutralize toxins that are making me feel nauseated etc

you should take it at different time than meds or nutrition if possible as it could neutralize their aid and drink lots of water. its good for reflux and I think if ate something that flares MAST could help reduce that

 

[nandixon]

The supplement 7,8-DHF (7,8-dihydroxyflavone) acts like a potent BDNF, so this may be useful.

Has anyone out there tried 7,8-DHF? It's potentially able to activate the mTORC1 pathway and so might possibly be useful as a treatment for ME/CFS under my model. (Potential problems with eventual down-regulation of the TrkB receptor, aside.)

 

[Hip]

Has anyone out there tried 7,8-DHF?

I've tried 7,8-DHF: at lower doses of around 5 mg sublingual it may have had some benefits (possibly sharpened my vision), but when I tried higher doses of 10 mg it tended to cause increased brain fog. But I have only take 7,8-DHF on a few occasions; I have not tested it extensively.

 

[nandixon]

@Hip, Thanks. I've got a feeling it's one of those things that looks good in animal models but doesn't translate very well to humans.

 

[jack blogs]

How long did you try each supplement for before you decided how effective it was for you?

did any supplements seem to work particularly quicker than others?

 

[Hip]

How long did you try each supplement for before you decided how effective it was for you?

did any supplements seem to work particularly quicker than others?

Usually a few years of usage and testing. Most kick in within an hour or so.

 

[jack blogs]

Usually a few years of usage and testing. Most kick in within an hour or so.

Thanks Hip, ive started Tumeric today, ill give it another day and then ill add in the flax seed oil and then 2 days later the NAG as an experiment.

Did anxiety ever feel like your brain is exploding? as if something rather chaotic and powerful is going wrong?. I had migraines as a kid, and although its not a migraine or a headache my anxiety is firing out of my brain rather than out of my body.

Hope you dont mind me nagging, its just that when you said it got so bad that you would curl up and pray - in a twisted way it actually gave me hope that I may have a chance to find something that will stop this chaos in my mind.

I constantly question wether its even possible anyone else in the world suffers THIS bad.
Its not even possible to explain this hell. Anxiety seems to underplay this hell that i am living in.

Im not pacing around, shaking or sweating, nothing like that. Im just sat in my computer chair, if anyone saw me theyd think i was fine yet im in so much mental pain that ive been considering suicide to escape (i wont do it)

I imagine I dont look anxious but the mental suffering is 10 on a scale of 1-10, its excruciating, the force exploding in my brain is violent!

 

[Hip]

Did anxiety ever feel like your brain is exploding?

I am not sure what you mean by "exploding"? There is no physical sensation in my brain or head during periods of extreme anxiety, apart from a mild sense of inflammation in my nose and sinuses; everything occurs in the mind.

 

[Hip]

With respect to the NAG: I ordered some of the non-shellfish (I hope) from Swanson. Do you recommend starting with a whole capsule or trying to divide it up at first? I'm horribly sensitive to meds and supps and feeling so miserable with the anxiety that I'm nervous about trying anything new.

I am reply to you post on this thread, where it is more appropriate:

If you are sensitive, then you might want to start at lower doses. I have not heard of anyone who got a negative reaction just after taking NAG.

 

[MeSci]

I am reply to you post on this thread, where it is more appropriate:

If you are sensitive, then you might want to start at lower doses. I have not heard of anyone who got a negative reaction just after taking NAG.

I had to stop NAG. I think it made my poo very smelly, but it seemed to do something else as well - can't remember what!

 

[Hip]

but it seemed to do something else as well - can't remember what!

Worsen your memory perhaps?!!

 

[MeSci]

Worsen your memory perhaps?!!

No, that happened relatively recently - about a year ago. Devastating. Unless it comes back, that's a lot of my hopes for the future gone.

 

[Hip]

I wasn't being serious, @MeSci, just making a joke.

 

[MeSci]

I wasn't being serious, @MeSci, just making a joke.

I realise that, and was trying to point out that it wasn't funny.