15 replies to this topic

[YoungSchizo]

Hey guys,

 

As some of you already know I suffer from schizophrenia, although my diagnoses is schizophrenia. Because I became a "specialist" in controlling my positive symptoms over the course of 15 years I barely suffer from schizophrenia but because my diagnoses is schizophrenia (and not depression) I do not get any help/treatment in maintaining my depression, other than shoving down a antidepressant.

 

Due to the fact that my diagnoses is schizophrenia they do not bother helping me in psychological problems in controlling my depression because it might trigger someone with schizophrenia according to the guidelines. I'm pretty much sick of my psychiatrists giving me appointments, not to help me out in my depression but just because I'm pretty much "normal" and fun to talk with, therefore I have fired 4 of them over the past 2 years. And I'm sick of talking to nurses that are nowhere near qualified as psychologists to help people with depression, they're like adult baby-sitters that think they're relevant, which in my experience are too incompetent in helping me with issues. 

 

I did some digging and I'm fairly sure that I suffer from clinical depression (the melancholic type). You take away what makes me melancholic, you take away my depression. But it's easier said than done, there are 4 things that makes me depressed. Having no intimate relationship (I do however have a long distant relationship which is hard to maintain but it's to personal and complicated to write down here), unable to work-out intensively (because I have a Patulous Eustachian Tube in my inner ear which in the EU is no known treatment for), antipsychotic induced negative symptoms and the last is that my 2 out of 3 psychossises started due to a real conspiracy against me, (which I get recognition for by psychologists but I'm unable to share it with the world because I have no money to hire a interviewer to share it with the world.)

 

Anyway because it's me against the world and the world of psychiatry I'm looking for other (self)treatments, right now I'm still self-medicating with alcohol because I get no other help than antidepressants and/or I do not get psychological help but I want to try other things that compensate me chemically. I'm sure I can be high on life some day but for the time being I'm just looking to compensate myself chemically (sounds junkie I know so don't come up with street drugs haha).

[ibtisam_midlet]

what's the medications you are taking now?

Edited by ibtisam_midlet, 01 February 2020 - 01:19 PM.

[DaveX]

Antidepressant imitators: For example, St. John's Wort.

 

I would recommend just getting your brain in order and making it more effective or just more comfortable to live in. A combination of Uridine (sublingually), high-density Omega 3 (EPA/DHA) is bound to have some noticeable effects. I think Uridine is much more effective than Citicoline, for example, and doesn't just mostly get turned into acetylcholine or muscarinic stimulation like Alpha-GPC, which is good for memory and stuff but might be beside the point here. You could still try Citicoline as a milder, more expensive middle-of the road approach, if you find Uridine (sublingually) too stimulating. Omega 3 is frankly not particularly strong, but it seems to enhance the effectiveness of Uridine (as studies usually confirm). Omega 3 is also part of an approach to enhance general well-being by reducing inflammatory processes (newer theories of depression - and anything else - go in that direction anyway).

It might also help to take traditional anti-histamines, if you have the slightest bit of alltergic issues, they can also be felt in the brain and contribute to confusion. Melatonin should help a better sleep and I think also has anti-histaminic properties in the brain. Apigenin/Chamomille would be similar, and it has anti-K-opioid receptor properties, because K-opioid receptors enhance discomfort.

 

Regarding lack of physical energy, I think L-Carnitine is always very effective. Zinc can be calming and re-energize you a bit. Theanine should also generally feel good and calming with more clarity. Acetylcysteine can have properties of all of the above and is generally a healthy adjunct (except within several hours after alcohol).

 

I'm just making some suggestions, maybe you like something or it gives you ideas.

Edited by DaveX, 01 February 2020 - 02:52 PM.

[YoungSchizo]

what's the medications you are taking now?

 

I'm taking:

Lurasidone 37/74mg

Clonazepam 1mg

Parnate 20mg

Temazepam 20/40mg

 

 

Antidepressant imitators: For example, St. John's Wort.

 

I would recommend just getting your brain in order and making it more effective or just more comfortable to live in. A combination of Uridine (sublingually), high-density Omega 3 (EPA/DHA) is bound to have some noticeable effects. I think Uridine is much more effective than Citicoline, for example, and doesn't just mostly get turned into acetylcholine or muscarinic stimulation like Alpha-GPC, which is good for memory and stuff but might be beside the point here. You could still try Citicoline as a milder, more expensive middle-of the road approach, if you find Uridine (sublingually) too stimulating. Omega 3 is frankly not particularly strong, but it seems to enhance the effectiveness of Uridine (as studies usually confirm). Omega 3 is also part of an approach to enhance general well-being by reducing inflammatory processes (newer theories of depression - and anything else - go in that direction anyway).

It might also help to take traditional anti-histamines, if you have the slightest bit of alltergic issues, they can also be felt in the brain and contribute to confusion. Melatonin should help a better sleep and I think also has anti-histaminic properties in the brain. Apigenin/Chamomille would be similar, and it has anti-K-opioid receptor properties, because K-opioid receptors enhance discomfort.

 

Regarding lack of physical energy, I think L-Carnitine is always very effective. Zinc can be calming and re-energize you a bit. Theanine should also generally feel good and calming with more clarity. Acetylcysteine can have properties of all of the above and is generally a healthy adjunct (except within several hours after alcohol).

 

I'm just making some suggestions, maybe you like something or it gives you ideas.

 

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

St. John Worth - I tried once and I felt psychotic, never tried it again after.

Uridine/Citicoline and/or Uridine + Omega 3 - Never tried Citicoline/Uridine, only high dosage Omega 3 felt no effect at all.

Anti-histamines - Tried Cyproheptadine, Diphenhydramine, Promethazine and Certrizine (I do have a dust allergy but it barely bothers me, if at all. And I tried them all for insomnia but they didn't help at all. The only anti-histamine that worked for me was Mirtazapine but it has an interaction with Lurasidone and therefore I'm unable to take it and use alcohol + temazepam for insomnia).

Melantonin - Is really a weird supplement for me, in the Netherlands only the strength up to 3mg is allowed. It does nothing for my insomnia, however I feel motivated/stimulated/talkative the next day but at the same time my eye-lids are very heavy and I feel a bit "buzzed" in my brain.

Apigenin/Chamomille - Never tried, will have a look into it

L-Carnitine/Zinc/Acetylcysteine - Tried them all but I particularly liked Zinc because of the healing and relaxing effects on my muscles and brain. (Although I have depression and no motivation at all to do intensive work-outs, I would always go and literally work-off the mental stress of daily life and depression but the problem in my middle-ear is unfortunately physical. That's actually how I started with alcohol because I could not have intense work-outs anymore. I could only do low intensity cardio, it's okay to lose weight with low intensity but it's nowhere near enough to fight off depression and reach the level of physical fitness I'm used to).

[DaveX]

Omega 3 is very different from Uridine, but they work in conjunction, so that if one takes Uridine, it is stronger to combine it with Omega 3. Uridine has a calming GABA-(like)-effect but is also strongly focusing, and it increases dopamine receptor turnover and generally recovery in the brain. However for the latter it partly needs Omega 3 fatty acids (though normal healthy diet might suffice).

At the very beginning it had actually increased my anger at times, due to the focusing-effect and perhaps dopamine receptor turnover beginning, but later on I didn't experience that again, but just overall focus and comfort getting better from it.

 

However I think I haven't really put enough focus on depression or melancholy, but Uridine can be a bit gloomy on its own at times (as indicated by initial anger), and since I mentioned dopamine: Jiaogulan extract (70:1 or so from some UK ebay seller) I experienced as actually having a dopamine-increasing effect, without the effect wearing off immediately or it causing a crash. And Glycine mildly increases NMDA and dopamine firing, I think.

To avoid the previous effect of Uridine, Citicoline might be a better choice after all. Although combining it with Omega 3 should contribute to Uridine increasing overall dopamine function, the combination has definitely less risk of being gloomy.

See here, for example: https://www.ncbi.nlm...les/PMC2592845/

Edited by DaveX, 01 February 2020 - 05:13 PM.

[ibtisam_midlet]

I'm taking:
Lurasidone 37/74mg
Clonazepam 1mg
Parnate 20mg
Temazepam 20/40mg

Okay it's so clear now

Look at me, Lurasidone is the cause of your depression, I don't mean you don't have pre-existing depression, but she are the cause of must of it now, it's a atypical well-known side effect of dopamine 2 antagonists
I have tierd respiridon before she put me in insanely place in this world, it's depressed me more then any withdrawal symptom I've had in my life even with low doses
And tolerance is so slow for this.

Most drugs provide their antidepressant effect by downstream activity on dopaminagic pathways blocking the D2 will prevent clonazepam for providing it's effect even if she are a benzo, and the same for parnate

I'm not just who faced this, I can give a source for other stories about that just PM me.

The problem now is that you are Schizophrenic, you can't stop this drug but you can switch to clozapine or something like that, she are effective antipsychotic that doesn't block D2 receptors but she have some physical side effects which made him the last choice for doctors. I think low dose from it will solve your problem.

[YoungSchizo]

I doubt Lurasidone is mainly the cause of depression, I am sure though it affects my negative symptoms in a very negative way (which is somewhat similarly as mood but at the same time not)

I do not agree about Parnate and Clonazepam. Parnate pulled me out of suicidal ideation and Clonazepam still works like a charm.

Switch to Clozapine?! Never!

[Blu]

Which non-pharma treatments have you used? Psychotherapy, neurofeedback, mindfulness?...

[YoungSchizo]

Which non-pharma treatments have you used? Psychotherapy, neurofeedback, mindfulness?...

Non.. I've pushing them for the last 2 years for non-pharma therapies/trainings, weirdly they treat me like I do not need them. Aside psychotherapy they probably won't give me any help because my diagnoses is "in the way"..

[Perunyol]

@YoungSchizo

 

Hi.

 

Have you tried the Carnivore Diet ?

 

I ask because there is very strong anecdotal evidence that in some cases depression has an autoimmune root cause. And the most extreme elimination diet is the Carnivore diet.

 

Since this is my first post I cannot insert links but you can find many success stories in www.meatrx.com or simply googling for depression+autoimmune or depression+carnivore.

 

Two of the most salient examples are Jordan Peterson and his daughter Mikhaila Peterson, who both put their depression in remission through the Carnivore Diet.

 

If I were you I would try it for a month. The worst that can happen is that you lose a few kilos.

 

Saludos,

 

S.

[YoungSchizo]

@YoungSchizo

 

Hi.

 

Have you tried the Carnivore Diet ?

 

I ask because there is very strong anecdotal evidence that in some cases depression has an autoimmune root cause. And the most extreme elimination diet is the Carnivore diet.

 

Since this is my first post I cannot insert links but you can find many success stories in www.meatrx.com or simply googling for depression+autoimmune or depression+carnivore.

 

Two of the most salient examples are Jordan Peterson and his daughter Mikhaila Peterson, who both put their depression in remission through the Carnivore Diet.

 

If I were you I would try it for a month. The worst that can happen is that you lose a few kilos.

 

Saludos,

 

S.

 

How to follow the Carnivore Diet

Following the diet involves eliminating all plant foods from your diet and exclusively eating meat, fish, eggs, and small amounts of low-lactose dairy products.

Foods to eat include beef, chicken, pork, lamb, turkey, organ meats, salmon, sardines, white fish, and small amounts of heavy cream and hard cheese. Butter, lard, and bone marrow are also allowed.

Proponents of the diet emphasize eating fatty cuts of meat to reach your daily energy needs.

The Carnivore Diet encourages drinking water and bone broth but discourages drinking tea, coffee, and other drinks made from plants.

It provides no specific guidelines regarding calorie intake, serving sizes, or how many meals or snacks to eat per day. Most proponents of the diet suggest eating as often as you desire.

 

 

LOL, to be honest this sounds exactly like the diet I would gladly like to follow!! Years ago when I lived on my own this 'Carnivore diet' already was some sort of diet I'd followed (more the ketogenic type though) but it was rather that I felt great back then because I lived alone and life was different back then.

I could follow it again because I'm looking for my own house to live alone again because living with family which I barely have emotional connection with is also a big factor that contributes to my depressive episodes.

[YoungSchizo]

The last two weeks or so I started with CBD oil, in the past I had no success with it because it was years ago and you could not get it in regular drugstores, only trash/snake-oil from the black market. I've also tried quite a few (high potency/high %) CBD oils in the past from a specialized UK based CBD store but also with no success.

Two weeks ago I just bought from a regular drugstore because it was 2 for the price of 1 and I must say, the past week I noticed quite some changes in my depression, my mood is really lifted with only CBD oil of 5%.

 

I think I will keep following this path for now, I also bought some CBD strains which are delivered today, one with 7% and one with 4.8% CBD 0.3% THC, going to try it very soon. I tried 7 strains or so in the past but with very mixed results. I'm also interested in CBD hemp hashish, never tried that before but I am going to try it within 1-2 months.

[YoungSchizo]

Nevermind the strains.. Tried 4 / 4.8 / 7 / 7.12 / 9 / 22 / 24% CBD strains so far, non are really worth relaxing me or the money in the long run.

I'm still gonna try CBD hashish though, let's see what I experience on it.

 

Don't know about you guys, I would say, give (in case necessary multiple) CBD oils a chance if you have depression, for me I finally found one which works very subtle and effective without feeling "uncomfortable/drugged". 

[poonja]

You might want to check out a post here in mental illness concerning a new substance known as j147.  Thee poster indicated that he too had suffered from  significant depression for years.  Within four days after beginning j147, his depression lifted and has remained depression free ever since.  

[CWF1986]

You take Parnate.  Beware of serotonin syndrome!  The combo of st john's wort and parnate could cause this.

 

I know nortriptyline and desipramine can safely be combined w/ parnate but I have no idea how that would interact w/ your other meds and schizophrenia.  It's just food for thought.  Nortriptyline is typically more calming whereas desipramine is activating.  

[YoungSchizo]

You take Parnate.  Beware of serotonin syndrome!  The combo of st john's wort and parnate could cause this.

 

I know nortriptyline and desipramine can safely be combined w/ parnate but I have no idea how that would interact w/ your other meds and schizophrenia.  It's just food for thought.  Nortriptyline is typically more calming whereas desipramine is activating.  

 

Thanks for your concern and advice! I've been up to 60mg Parnate for a few days but couldn't tolerate it due to exacerbation of psychotic symptoms. However 40mg I can tolerate but I never had the cheese effect or the so called serotonin syndrome with anything used in conjunction. I react very different than most people on these types of drugs, for example; the guideline for Lurasidone is that it should be taken with food or it won't absorb or it'll most likely upset your stomach, never had it.

 

If I ever decide to stop alcohol I will most likely hop onto and try the combo Brexpiprazole (as an antipsychotic) + Mirtazapine (for sleep) + Parnate + Clonazepam. Afaik Mirtazapine is also save with Parnate but I have no idea if it can be combined and be effective with Brex.

 

(Never tried Nort and Desi is unavailable in the Netherlands.)