Medication Update
Throughout the year of 2009 I took several different vitamins and supplements. I began taking many of them during Spring, when the sun was coming out more often. Because of the timing I was never sure if it was the sun or the medications that were making me feel better.
I was taking the following daily to help with depression:
Vitamin C- 1000 mg
Vitamin D- 1000 iu
Fish Oil- 2000 mg
The sun has now hidden itself away until next year, and so I hesitantly decided to do an experiment. I am still taking 15mg daily of Paxil, but as of 3 weeks ago I have stopped taking everything else. Tareak and I haven’t noticed any changes in mood or behavior. As much as I’d like to think they were helping, it seems as though they weren’t doing much.
About three months ago I started taking 2000 mg daily of N-acetylcysteine, for trichotillomania. Unfortunately I didn’t notice any changes or improvements in my trichotillomania. I was very hopeful that it would be the breakthrough I needed, but considering there is no cure for trichotillomania to date, I’m not surprised that it didn’t help.
I plan to start seeing a counselor early next year and may try switching to or adding Wellbutrin. My depression is currently under control, but I still feel like I am just “surviving”, and not really living.
Laura | Dec 19, 2009 | Reply
Hello;
I may be able to shed some light on one of the comments you made. N-acetyl-cysteine has received some attention lately for treating trichotillomania. As you mention, this may not work for everyone. However, I am happy to explain what it is that N-acetyl-cysteine or NAC does.
I am a glutathione educator. Glutathione is a beneficial protein in your body that is AN IDEA- “AN”tioxidant, “I”mmune System Optimizer, “D”etoxifier, “E”nergy Restorer, and “A”ntiaging protein.
NAC has been used for years in an emergency setting for acetaminophen overdose, because it detoxifies the liver very quickly and saves the person’s life. The way it works is by raising glutathione. Glutathione detoxifies the liver from the toxic metabolites of acetaminophen, and the person lives.
More recently, NAC has been sold as an over the counter drug for daily usage to raise glutathione levels. More studies are under way to determine the safety of long term chronic usage. It does have potentially toxic side effects, short half life, and is not recommended for everyone.
The most thoroughly studied ways of raising glutathione are with NAC and bonded cysteine. ( See Wiki page on glutathione under “supplementation.)
If you would like to learn more about how raising glutathione can help with your depression, please don’t hesitate to contact me on my website.
I wish you all the best in your journey to find great health. I would love to see you go from surviving to really living!
Good Health To You,
Laura