16 replies to this topic

[jimena]

I recently joined this forum, and have been reading as much as I can to learn about nootropics.
I have fibromyalgia, and although the supplements I take have helped the pain and fatigue a lot, I still have problems with "brainfog" e.g., I find my self putting the laundry soap in the fridge, asking my daughter to put the dirty dishes in the washing machine instead of the dishwasher, etc. I also find that I have a lot less motivation than I used to have, before the fibromyalgia took hold.
I´ve started taking vinpocetine, and it seemed to be working, but recently I haven´t been sleeping properly (I´m taking Flexeril at night). I´m wondering if somehow the Vinpocetine has anything to do with it. During the night I feel sort of half-asleep but really alert- it´s strange. Then in the morning, I´ve got circles under my eyes, and I´m foggier than ever. Two nights ago I added 50 mg. of 5HTP at bedtime (after reading that it was safe to combine it with the Flexeril). It didn´t seem to make any difference. This morning I took the 20 mg. AM and 20 mg PM dose of Vinpocetine together, instead of taking the evening dose later, to see if that might make a difference.
I´m also hoping there is something else that might help me focus and maybe help my (lack of ) motivation. I read that Deprenyl is good, but we live in Spain, and it doesn´t look like I can get it here.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Elizabeth

[john e]

The intelligence community working with the science community will be working on AI wireless brainwave technology to solve any physical and brain/mental disorders.
~John

[FunkOdyssey]

I'll try to be a little more constructive and suggest you check out Galantamine for that purpose.

[notshorty]

Start with the basics - are you getting enough Magnesium? It sounds overly simplistic, but start taking Epsom Salt baths 2 or 3 times a week. (do some Google-ing on the topic if you want more background info).

Are you post-menopausal? Estrogen levels have an impact on fibromyalgia, although I haven't done enough reading to recommend anything specific.

Nootropics are great, but without tackling some of the causes of your condition (or at least what science currently THINKS are the most likely causes) you'll just be covering symptoms. Not necessarily a bad thing, but you'll just be wasting time on your quest for relief...

NS

[xanadu]

The trouble is that many things that help with motivation also take away sleep. Deprenyl for example can do that. ALCAR is great for energy and motivation but it tends to make it hard for me to sleep. Most people it doesn't bother so you might check it out. It's cheap and you can get some ala to go with it and that helps too.

[kevink]

Have you read the LEF Fibromyalgia protocol?

http://www.lef.org/p...prtcl-050.shtml

[jimena]

I'll try to be a little more constructive and suggest you check out Galantamine for that purpose.

Thanks, I´ll see if I can get it here in Europe.

[jimena]

Start with the basics - are you getting enough Magnesium? It sounds overly simplistic, but start taking Epsom Salt baths 2 or 3 times a week. (do some Google-ing on the topic if you want more background info).

Are you post-menopausal? Estrogen levels have an impact on fibromyalgia, although I haven't done enough reading to recommend anything specific.

Nootropics are great, but without tackling some of the causes of your condition (or at least what science currently THINKS are the most likely causes) you'll just be covering symptoms. Not necessarily a bad thing, but you'll just be wasting time on your quest for relief...

NS

I take a Mag supplement and Malic Acid, but I´ll try the Epsom Salt baths- I think I´ve seen it at the local pharmacy.
I´m what they call peri-menopausal...I took Vitex and then Black Cohosh for awhile, and felt so much better without the hot flashes and stuff. When I ran out I stupidly didn´t buy anymore. I´m ordering more TODAY.
As for the causes of the fibromyalgia: Before we moved back to Spain, while we were still living in the States, I worked in hospitals (bad idea), and I was on my local fire/ambulance dept. I was already showing symptoms of fibromyalgia, but did my best to ignore them (worse idea). I finally got too sick to go on fire/ambulance calls, and had to quit my hospital work. By the time I found a doctor who knew what to look for, we were soon leaving for Spain, and the upshot of that was that I never got a chance to have any tests run. What we figured was that the stress of work and the toxic environment ( we didn´t always wear our air tanks on fire calls) had been too much for my body. My doctor gave me the titles of some books by an environmental specialist, Dr. Sherry Rogers, and then we moved to Spain.
Over here fibromyalgia and its possible etiologies are barely talked about, which is unfortunate because a lot of people are showing symptoms. So here I am, really happy to be living here again, but having to deal with the fibro pretty much on my own.
Thanks for your suggestions, and as I said, I´ll definitely look into them.
Cheers,
Elizabeth

[liorrh]

I would add some chelators as well, especialy SAM-E, slenium and NAC.. there has been a proven link WRT to fibromyalgia.
A high dose fish oil will also benefit you(high quality fish oil, that is)

[jimena]

The trouble is that many things that help with motivation also take away sleep. Deprenyl for example can do that. ALCAR is great for energy and motivation but it tends to make it hard for me to sleep. Most people it doesn't bother so you might check it out. It's cheap and you can get some ala to go with it and that helps too.

I´ll look them up,
Thanks

[jimena]

Have you read the LEF Fibromyalgia protocol?

http://www.lef.org/p...prtcl-050.shtml

I haven´t been on their website since that was printed. Thanks!

[jimena]

I would add some chelators as well, especialy SAM-E, slenium and NAC.. there has been a proven link WRT to fibromyalgia.
A high dose fish oil will also benefit you(high quality fish oil, that is)

Was the "link WRT fibromyalgia" you were referring to about detoxing?
I do take NAC, and we also have an infrared sauna to help detox...I haven´t been very good about using it this past summer, ´though- what with the heat and all. I have started using it again, now that the weather´s gotten a lot cooler.
I will order some good fish oil- so far haven´t tried that out.
Thanks for the suggestions,
Elizabeth

[dimjimm]

Hi Jimena

I was about to suggest high cortisol as the source of your problems, but...

IIRC, because of the fibro, you are likely to be LOW in cortisol, right?

Luckily rasining cortisol is not so bad,
-moderate alcohol before bed time
-moderate exercise before bed time ( preferably before the booze [wis] )

Supplements
-licorice root extract
-rhodiola or ginseng

[notshorty]

I take a Mag supplement and Malic Acid, but I´ll try the Epsom Salt baths- I think I´ve seen it at the local pharmacy.

Cool. Let me know how it works out for you.

I was looking into oral Mg supplements for myself, but I'm already taking so many different things by mouth I was concerned with getting enough, or blocking absorption of other things. Then I found out that you can absorb Mg just fine through the skin, and as long as your kidneys are relatively healthy you'll just urinate any excess.

I've just been soaking my feet b/c I only have a shower here, and it's also a really nice way to relax and help ensure a good night's sleep (which is always welcome).

NS

Edited by notshorty, 11 December 2005 - 07:01 PM.

[liorrh]

there is a very distinct link between free radiclas, inflammation, HPA axis and fibro.
I have posted also on Avant some studies WRT that. its helped me trouimendesly to take all above supps, except selenium which I had trouble to source but I know I should take.

[jimena]

Thanks to all for your thoughts and suggestions.
Tommorrow´s a busy day but I plan to do more research this weekend.
Again, many thanks & best wishes to all,
Elizabeth

[hazar]

Dear Xanadu

Sorry for the repetitive posts as i have never joined a health forum before and and it was my first time here so i felt that i had some good websites at hand and other stuff to share that may be of use to every one in some way. so i relentlessly posted that info on as many topic as seemed fit to me. I assure you that my intention is always pure and self less. I didn't know that people here are already very positively aggressive about sharing ideas and information. I feel really bad now that i have disturbed you with my repetitive posts and hope that i will be very careful in the future.
Have a great day!

Hazar