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Posted 5/24/2011 11:53 AM (GMT 0)
It is amazing how much better I feel when I can actually get some consistant sleep!

As always, check with your Dr. before you add anything to your regiment but;  I have been taking Niacin 100-300 mg everynight before bedtime and have slept 7-8 hours straight through.  I do not wake up groggy or hung over feeling.  Hoping this last, have not slept like this in a few years.  I take regular old niacin, inexpensive, drug store brand at that.  I have yet to get the warm niacin flush.

Keeping my fingers crossed. tongue

Gem

Posted 5/24/2011 12:13 PM (GMT 0)
wow gem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! super cool. i have slept better in the last few days myself, tonight??????? and it is getting late!!!!! still those chaotic and ridiculous cycling dreams, but sleep all in the same. real pleased for ya. cool bananas :-) jamie

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Posted 5/24/2011 12:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Jamie and so very happy you are doing better!

Gem

Posted 5/24/2011 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hello GEM!

Glad to hear it!  I too got a full nights sleep and it has helped wonders!!! i am back at work and feel so energized and ready to face the day!! Wonderful news!! Best of luck!

Posted 5/24/2011 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Ang,

I should have added that I also take a B-complex formula during the day.  B's have to work as a team, not as effective if take alone.  My Dr.'s recommendation was to take the B-complex  than add extra Niacin.  It makes me feel so calm.  Some people think vitamins are a waste of money, but I have had wonderful results and have spent far less money than on traditional methods in the past.

Good day to all!

Gem

Posted 5/24/2011 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
Gem,

I am new here, but am so glad you are sleeping better. Will have to look into Niacin myself. I just started taking Saphris to help deep depression. I think I saw a few years back that you took it as well. Are you still taking it and getting results? So glad you respond to vitamins. They really can help so much!
Posted 5/24/2011 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Hi,

I think Saphris was one of the last drugs I was on, it was new, I had tried everything else. In the beginning it worked very well but the longer I took it the further removed from reality I became. I hit two cars in one week, not good. I am probably the worse person you can ask about meds, I had horrible adverse reactions to each and everyone. I do not take meds at all now. I "maintain" with a very good diet (no caffeine, sugar, white bread, alcohol, processed foods or restaurant food), regular exercise routine and vitamin therapy. No longer bothered by depression, anxiety much better without caffeine, energy level pretty good through walking/exercise/vitamins.

I hope it works for you, from what I understand it has a very low side effect profile which is always good!


Gem
Posted 5/25/2011 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Gem!

Yes, it came out recently. I really like your way of maintaining this illness. I had gotten down to only taking Lithium a year and a half ago and went off all together, but got hypo mania last fall and started a major depression which has been going on since February. I am hoping the Saphris will get me out of the depression and then just go back to healthy living and Lithium. I'm curious what other vitamins you take besides the Niacin and vitamin B.
Posted 5/25/2011 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
It took a while of trial/error to get to this point. June 15th I have been off all meds one year. I take 1,000 mg. Vitamin C , 100 mg, B-Complex, 400 iu natural Vitamin E - three times a day. I take 100-300 mg Niacin before bed. It sounds like a lot, but I just take it after every meal. I still have some slight hypomania, nothing like it was, when I get like that I take Valerian Root and drink herbal tea. It works for me.

Hope you have had a great day Hi.

Gem
Posted 5/26/2011 7:51 AM (GMT 0)
tea with lemon is helping me. probably aiding in detoxification. jamie
Posted 5/26/2011 11:48 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, lemon water is most excellant.  the herbal tea I drink is lemon with soy lecithin.  It is so calming and good for you.  i think you are right Jamie, it does seem to have detoxing effects, which is good for all!

Gem

Posted 5/26/2011 12:09 PM (GMT 0)
cheers 4 that gem. i feel it is very cleansing. jamie
Posted 5/26/2011 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
hi Gem

I was wondering what herbal tea you would recommend?  From time to time i need a little calming down..especially at night.  Thanks!

Posted 5/26/2011 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hummmmmmm, take your pick!  Most commercial brands that you get at the grocery store are OK.  Sometimes I think just drinking something warm is relaxing in itself.  I think the last brand I purchased was Bigelow (something like that).  Many flavors depending on your taste, just always read the label.  My husband calls me an expert label reader.  Usually the fewer ingrediants the better.  That goes for everything!

Gem

Posted 5/26/2011 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
I will check it out when I get home!  Thanks for your input.  It is always exciting when someone finds their path to wellness.

Gem

Posted 5/27/2011 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your list of vitamins. I am amazed at how you really tow the line with your mental health. If you have any advice there I would love it. I am so trying, but I still eat junk I shouldn't and drink occasionally. I feel pretty good about my health, but boy would I love to totally get rid of the sugar and alcohol Anyway, kudos to you and thanks for the advice you give!:)
Posted 5/27/2011 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
PS The Saphris is giving me great relief from this horrible depression...YEAH!! I am a very low dose girl so I have only been taking 1/8 of a 5 mg pill a night. I am going to go out and buy Niacin this weekend because my sleep has been horrible and I hate taking sleep meds. I'll let you know.
Posted 5/27/2011 10:30 AM (GMT 0)
tryptophan or whatever it is called is also good... it is also in warm milk (yes, it has to be heated for the trypto to be activated). It can be bought in tablet form too. Valian tea, chamomile tea, passionflower, are all good relaxants. Apparently herbal teas go straight through the gut wall and are absorbed quicker too. I'm on a new antidepressant - it's called agomelatine in australia - it's good for reducing insomnia. Both that and Efexor works by having another dose (in line with my pdocs instructions) to get me back to sleep with early morning wake ups. (Because I'm on such a low dose doubling my dose ends up to be like 1/4 of the minimum dose lol). I also find just 1/4 restavit (an OTC) helps when nothing else does the trick. Also body scan meditation can help racing-thought related insomnia and progressive body relaxation can help with stress-related insomnia. I find good sleep hygiene helps too. I make sure i take my meds at 9pm at night and am asleep by 10pm. While I know it is a bit old fogey for someone under 40, I also know my mental health demands it. Unless I'm really unwell/exhausted, I will try to avoid day sleeps. Gawwd, I didn't know I had so much to say about insomnia. Somebody stop me! lol... oh, I forgot strenuous exercise... I'll stop now, I promise tongue So glad you have found what works for you Gem... I might give Niacin a whirl too one day... the only natural therapy I take mega amounts of Omega-3 in the hope of some mood stabilisation.

Post Edited (living well) : 5/27/2011 4:34:43 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/27/2011 12:07 PM (GMT 0)
Being on prescription meds please check to make sure the Niacin will not interact.  That said, it has not been easy giving up junk food/sugar.  if I get desperate for something sweet I swollow a tablespoon of honey, sugar craving is then satisfied.  When I am really stressed I dream of a icy cold coke and cheetos.  Meds did not work for me so I had to find others ways to manage.  It took working with my Dr. (he said I was one of five people in his practice that could not tolerate meds/made condition worse and it happens, so what), researching alternative methods (ruling out false claims/snakeoil) and willpower.  I am truly lucky that I have responded so well to the "program" I am on, I do not know where I would be had it not worked or I had not been lucky enough to stumble on the right regiment for me.  And yes, it is pure luck.

I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day week-end.  I am sure I will blow my diet this week-end but that is OK. turn I am on vacation as of 5p.m. today, not to return until June 6th!  Oh happy day............

Gem

Posted 5/29/2011 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
Gem,
I hope you have a wonderful vacation. I just read that taking honey helps to diminish the sweet cravings and I am having success with it too. So glad that you have found your way to really good mental health. You have encouraged me to do as much naturally to help myself because even though I can tolerate drugs, when I get in a major depression it takes forever for them to work. I really like the idea of getting myself healthier so I don't get the major depression. Started to meditate again and use breathing techniques, just need to work on the sweet cravings and the occasional drinking. Neither ever makes me feel good the next day. One would think at 48 I would have a clue. :)
Posted 5/29/2011 9:06 AM (GMT 0)
I guess age is irrelavant, I just turned 53. I wish sometimes it had not taken me so long but I guess things happen when they are meant to. People do not believe me when I tell them my age, that is a big reward in it self.

Vacation - yes, a wonderful thing even if you do stay home.

Best piece of advice I can give anyone with mood disorders - stay away from the alcohol. I really think it makes things worse, especially the next day.

Thanks for your sweet reply!

Gem
Posted 5/29/2011 9:06 AM (GMT 0)
Linda, you aren't beating up on yourself again are you? ((Geeze, girl, what am I going to do with you...)) You are doing FANTASTIC! Give yourself some credit!! x


.... We posted at the same time Gem, Happy Hols to you too!

Post Edited (living well) : 5/29/2011 3:09:38 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/31/2011 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
LW,

Thank you for keeping me in line. I have been told on more than one occasion that I am way too hard on myself. I am doing so much better and have to stop being so hard on myself along with being healthier. Gem, you are right on about the alcohol. Sugar has the same effect so I'll just work on those. Had a very nice weekend with the family and just so happy the the deep depression is gone and I can enjoy life and even laugh again!
Posted 5/31/2011 6:38 AM (GMT 0)
I only know from experience... I get that feedback all the time! But it's still fun picking on you for it lol :P
Posted 6/2/2011 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
Oh, don't worry LW, I'll keep you in line as well!:) I keep working on healing myself and have even started to meditate and do some yoga again. Yes, everything is in it's time. Gem, I am pretty psyched that I'm not called Grandma with my twin 7 year old girls.lol I'm just a good work in progress....:)
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