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Your Depression and Bipolar Disorder Source Knowledge is Necessity Is there a more natural way to treat the chemical storm taking place in your brain? It all depends. "Within two weeks, his mood and emotional control improved drastically." Main articles page. Go here. More Lifestyle-Alternative Articles Surviving Your Antidepressants
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More Supplements Posts Terry (Feb 8, 2002): Where is the IND for the E.M. Power+. Which departments or research committees at McLean's hospital knew about Popper's use of this unapproved nutritional concoction. Psychiatrists have no right to experiment on their patients without the written approval of their IRB. If McManamy had any brains left in his head, he would have had the answers to those questions. So, McMan, where's the answer? McMan (Feb 8): At the same time Terry posted this, he also sent me this email: "Can you please tell me why you hyped
the E.M. Power+ Do you have any idea of the controversy about this
unapproved treatment? Do you know that there is no approval to market,
sell, or research this in Canada? Did you even ask? Without having seen his original post, I replied to Terry's letter as follows: "Your loaded query, Terry, contains two inaccuracies: This brings us to Terry's post: Note his only recourse to dispute Dr Popper's clinical experience with the supplement is to bring up some totally irrelevant independent review board procedures, which he entirely misrepresents. Of course a psychiatrist in his own practice can recommend a novel treatment - many of our own pdocs are encouraging us to try omega-3. Then he goes into personal attack mode: "If McManamy had any brains left in his head ..." I suppose by saying this, we are supposed to rule out the 19 out of 22 successes Dr Popper had with the supplement. To restate: I'm not a promoter of the supplement, but I do firmly believe in the dissemination of all relevant information. It will take hard science to support or refute the pilot study and Dr Popper's clinical experiences. The skeptics movement, unfortunately, declines to employ the very hard science they claim to serve. Ron Manser (Feb 14, 2002): I applaud your
language skills evidenced with your combatant, Terry Polevoy from
Kitchener, Ontario. Michael (Feb 27, 2002): Ron Manser........are you referring to Steve Van Andel of Amway??? Anonymous (April 11, 2002): I have suffered from relentless bipolar disorder for 20 years. Three months ago, I took matters into my own hands. I felt there was a connection between supplements, candida and brain disorders. I started doing a lot of research, lined the kitchen table with vitamin supplements, and cut all yeast, cheese and gluten from my diet. Two months ago, I discovered Synergy and ordered two bottles. The price was $68 per bottle of 120 capsules. I was to take eight capsules per day, and email a status report each day to Synergy. I remained on my medication, but frankly noticed absolutely no improvement. In my opinion, the dosage amounts are far below those recommended in Hoffer's and others' studies to do any good. Also, because the capsules are pre-formulated, you would get toxic amounts of some vitamins such as A, if you were to load up to beneficial amounts of the B complex vitamins and C. For the past two weeks, I have been seeing an orthomolecular psychiatrist. He cautions that he may be able to reduce my medication, but I will probably have to remain on some of it. In exchange for the possibility of this partial reduction, I have given up all caffeine, smoking, processed foods of any kind and am on a very strict food program to identify food allergies. While I am skeptical of the integrity of the orthomolecular psychiatrist I work with (he has no knowledge of nicotine addiction, which is strange since the majority of psychiatric patients are nicotine-addicted, and claims to know Hoffer although Hoffer says he has never heard of him) I am out of choices. Most conventional psychiatrists won't even listen to the notion of using supplements; they will change meds but not reduce them. The particular orthomolecular psychiatrist I am working with wants me to take his formulas, so the Synergy blend is out even if it were effective for me. It's difficult enough to fight against the chemical conspiracy in our own brains. We also face the prejudices of traditional medicine and the greed of alternative practitioners. Hoochi (Jan 31, 2003): Hi all , I was just
wondering if anyone has tried the true hope program, using there "EM
Power" supplement? I have been using it for about 6 months now and have
found a huge change in my mood swings. The most significant difference has
been the effect its had on my family, they noticed the change within 3-4
weeks of my starting the supplement. I would be really interested to hear
other peoples experiences with "EM Power". The only huge downside is the
cost, even though True Hope is supposed to be a non profit organisation. Squiggles (Feb 7, 2003): As a Canadian i am
delighted to see the story of Margot Kidder here. I know that Leonard
Cohen also took medication McMan (Feb 7): Hi, Squiggles. I recently added a CD section to my website, which involved tracking down various composers and performers, and found this article in the Guardian on Leonard Cohen you might enjoy. Re doctors and especially psychiatrists, either they don't know about making right lifestyle choices and alternative treatments or they feel that their patients won't follow their advice. At any rate, it is the pharmaceutical industry that drives much of the med school curriculum and virtually all of continuing education. I was at last year's American Psychiatric Association annual meeting, and of the hundreds of sessions and posters, I can't recall one on natural treatments, though there were a few on the spiritual side of the equation. The drug companies were out in force in the exhibit hall, but only one natural supplement producer, if my memory serves me correctly, and that was OmegaBrite. Believe me, psychiatry has a long way to go. Elizabeth (Feb 11): have a friend who I
went to school with who is severely Bipolar. She was hospitalized for
mania about twice a year and could not work for 6 years since it
surfaced. She would fly into rages and destroyed her own car over trivial
things. She spent money with wild abandon, had affairs and kept taking off
on trips she couldn't afford. Wandered the streets of Toronto psychotic
and homicidal. Thanks to the synergy program she is off Ontario
Disability, working full time teaching and lost 60 pounds. She is
completely medication free for two years now and is no longer seeing a
psychiatrist. Ruby (Feb 12, 2003): I am very interested in empowerplus as an alternative treatment for bipolar illness. Found out about empower+ on discovery health TV program "incurable Illness?" Did anyone else watch and /or does anyone have any personal knowledge or experience with the product? Squiggles (Feb 18, 2003): I just read your response to my post about Leonard Cohen. Thanks. Actually, I used to listen to him when I was in high school but my boyfriend who was very cynical really hated his style, so I had to switch to Donovan and other mellow stuff. Laura (Feb 21, 2003): My son has been taking empowerplus for three weeks. He was diagnosed with bipolar when he was 6. He is now almost ten and has been on so many drugs and not enjoyed stability for more than a few months at a time. We are hopeful My son is halfway off of his meds already and doing very well. As with every med change he was getting a little worse at first, however now he is doing really well. His teachers has commented on his schoolwork being better. I am very hopeful that this works. I just started today taking it for my bipolar. Wish me luck! Jacqueline (March 9, 2003): My head is
spinning from all the information I've gathered regarding the nutritional
supplement Empower Plus. I have recently begun taking this nutritional
supplement in the hope that I might effect some positive change in my
current health status. I suffer from Fibromyalgia, and having suffered
with this debilitating condition for over 10 years I have come to
understand that this is a fight in which I must take control. Doctors
have been unable to help, and most are ill-informed about the disease.
The skeptics are readily available to ensure your defeat, and society
doesn't want to know you exist as long as there is an economy to protect.
When you're fighting Fibromyalgia, the enemy is not just in your body.
The enemy is everywhere, and consequently you have to use extreme caution
in dispensing trust. It is a difficult battle in that you not only fight
the illness, but you must fight the misinformed, the skeptics, the
profiteers, and once in a while, even your own self doubt. Particularly confusing is the Randomized Control Study submitted by Bonnie Kaplan. Within the same study seem to exist conflicting and questionable results with what appears an unreasonable conclusion given the results. On one hand the report states that there were 34 dropouts due primarily to gastrointestinal complaints such as loose stools and diarrhea, and that no significant group differences emerged at any time during the study. No mention is made as to whether the factor of diarrhea was considered in rendering the results from that group invalid due to the loss of the nutritional supplement lost in the process. Then on the other hand the report states that the number of tender points for patients in the active group decreased significantly more than the number for those in the placebo group between 6 and 9 months. That would to this unscientific mind indicate a positive result. Yet the study concludes that the results argue against nutritional deficiencies being a primary or important cause of FM. Is there any question as to why my head is spinning? I have only just begun the Empower program, and I suppose that all I can do is to try. But there is one side effect that is never mentioned in any of the studies or website, and it is an effect from which I fear suffering. It is the effect of having been kicked one too many times. Each individual has his or her own limit, and I fear that if I'm kicked by this nutritional program, I will have reached mine. McMan (March 9): Hi, Jacqueline. I'm unaware of the Kaplan study you are referring to. The one that was published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry was open label with only three drop-outs. Rita (March 27, 2003): I am Colombian. I
have been reading every post about EM Power and bipolar disorder. There
are too much to read. McMan (March 9, 2003): Hi, Rita. You can enquire on their website here. Linda (April 6, 2003): Dear friends, I was
diagnosed bipolar in 1985 and because of deeply rooted beliefs in natural
treatments I would take lithium for a couple years and go off it and onto
acupuncture, diet changes, I walk a couple miles a day, protect my sleep by doing nothing after 8 p.m. and journal each morning. I also work as a health practitioner. I am very interested in finding research grants that would fund a study on Vitamin C & bipolar disorder. Thank you so much for your visionary website. Meredith (June 10, 2003): I have been taking the Truehope program for 6 months now and can find nothing to fault with it. My only problem is my government preventing me access to the supplement that I pay for in Canada. I'm not sure if your readers are aware that up here in Canada, our Health Care System is denying us the right to import Empowerplus as of May 30th, 2003. People are getting sick again, and the Governments solution is to go back on Psychotropic meds. Sorry but I won't go down that road again!!! My daughter finally has a happy, normal mother. I won't put her or her father through an unnecessary hell!! Since taking the supplement I have come out of my comatosed state of numbness and started to enjoy life. Being bipolar isn't a disability anymore for me. I am a whole, functioning individual, who laughs, loves and lives to the fullest. It bothers me that people like Polvoy have the gall to say that this is a hoax! I'm living proof that there is hope out there for people with our disorder. I hope that people will just give this supplement a try (commit to three months) and see some improvement in their life. I know I did and I wouldn't go back. Getting back to the Health Canada Issue, any individuals out there that are taking this product and feel as passionately as I do about it, needs to contact their MP, MLA, Prime Minister, Minister of Health, Canadian Human Rights Commission, and any other body of government that may be able to help, before this wonderful supplement is lost to Canadians and we all start draining the health care system or resort to worse tactics. McMan (June 10): Hi, Meredith. The pinheads at Health Canada should be administered a serotonin-depletion serum, then have their agony telecast on CBC. I know that Truehope is suing Health Canada and doing everything in their power to get you your supplements. Hang in there. Anonymous (Aug 2, 2003): Hi, I am newly
diagnosed with bipolar II and I am in my 40's, and now don't really know
who I am. I thought I understood myself pretty well, but now am curious
who is the real Clare? Martin (Aug 6, 2003): Amen to that McMan. God Bless those who are willing to fight and challenge those of our peers who want to take away any kind of hope for us and our families. A movement has begun, and the other side will fight back to repress the truth to which we are entitled as humans. As stated by Abraham Lincoln...." he who will not stand and fight for his rights, does not deserve them." Vitamins not being allowed for the treatment of health conditions in Canada? Why are they so concerned with simple vitamins and yet they allow the market to become flooded by dangerous side affect riddled drugs which work far and few between? To date in the USA and Canada, within the last 15 years only ONE confirmed case of death was noted by the US surgeon generals office and Stats Canada from the usage of vitamins. ONE CASE! Yet last year alone in the USA, the US Surgeon General claims that an estimated 140,000 thousand people died from taking medications as prescribed by there doctor. Anonymous (Aug 29, 2003): My neighbor is bi-polar and became toxic on lithium. She had been taking aspirin every day which she later found out suppressed the lithium. This was caught before the tardive dyskinesia became irreversible. She is now seeing a naturopath who is detoxing her and supplying her with liquid homeopathic meds for bi-polar. Brenda (Dec 3, 2003): Hi, I've been reading all the posts sent in by readers on your web site, everyone is so great about sharing information about what works for them. My husband has Bipolar disorder, and we have been down a long road with it. For over twenty years we have fought and tried not to give up hope. We live in Southwest Missouri, and there is absolutely no one who practices nutritional healing. But I did catch the show on the Discovery Health Channel "Impossible Cure?" back in Aug. Without hesitation I ordered the supplement EmPower Plus. He has been taking it for 3 months, and there has been an improvement in mood especially. He still has an energy problem, not highly motivated. He also takes 3 fish oil capsules with the supplement ( the folks at Truehope said that would be helpful ). I have read many articles on the web about the Omega 3 fatty acids being helpful to bipolars, but it's confusing to figure out how much they should be getting to do them any good. The capsules he takes are 850mg of natural fish oil with a 240mg EPA / 200mg DHA ratio. Things have definitely improved since the starting of this, and no medication is being used. Denisk (March 13, 2004): I live in Australia and want to use EM Power to help with depression and social phobia but, I can't buy it here. Is there any way I can get a list of ingredients to combine myself. Maybe the free trade agreement between U.S. and Australia may enable me to get the supplement . However, I want to try it now. McMan (March 13): Hi, Denisk. Here you go:
Gordie (April 2, 2004): I am a BPII . It is fascinating to me to find so many affected w/mood disorder and depression, whom, like myself, search so hard for alternatives to psycho-meds and the array of side-dishes that come w/these treatments (more often than not). I have tried about the lot of 'em and there's always some trade-off for another. I'm wondering if you've heard about/of SerenityNow (a pure mineral form of lithium), which claims to be safe, non-tox, w/no sides. I have not yet been on lithium, but heard the stories and concerns there too...yet, I've also read more than once, that lithium (if tolerated), is the only truely effective "known" treatment of BP...that product sounds/seems worth trying out, but I would like to know if anyone as a "professional", knows of it, or has heard of this??? thanks Leslie (April 9, 2004): I have been
diagnosed with Bipolar II disorder. I don't question the diagnosis, I
question whether western doctors know what the #@$% they are doing. After
doctors destroyed my health and nearly killed me with "antidepressants"
and "mood stabilizers" (I had 100-pound weight gain, irregular heart beat,
severe liver abnormalities, chronic kidney infections, "medication"-
induced mania that caused major problems in my life, and finally I
collapsed in a department store) I turned to alternative medicines. To
top that off, western doctors put me on Fen-Phen to cure the obesity that
they themselves induced, and gave me antibiotics for the chronic
infections, until I am now resistant to virtually all antibiotics. Anonymizer (May 9, 2004): For those of you who want to know everything that might help go to Terry Polevoy's masterpiece at http://www.healthwatcher.net. If pretend "doctor" Polevoy, purveyor of acne "remedies", which is not a form of "medicine", doesn't like it, it probably works. McMan (May 9, 2004): Hi, Anonymizer. A dermatologist does have an MD, so Terry Polevoy is a real doctor. But an MD is no protection against being a jerk. Dr Polevoy, however, is neither a psychiatrist nor a mental health professional.
Jan (June 6, 2004): I have BP disorder x 7.5
years. I hate lithium. Laura (June 25, 2004): My sister was diagnosed with bipolar with psychosis in 1994. Dr Dommisse had just moved to town so my father took her to him and he specializes in nutritional therapy with only meds that are absolutely necessary. He included fish oil in the regimen. I have to say that my sister did very well as long as she followed the program. (She would get tired of the quantities of pills she was to take.) If a person is committed to the natural way and has money for the bills, Dr. Dommisse consults with patients by phone (and mail?). He also included protocols on his website. http://www.johndommissemd.com/index.html
Betsy (Sept 8, 2004): I recently started taking
EMPowerPlus vitamins, which I learned about by trawling the web for
alternative bipolar disorder meds. I was skeptical, but I think they've done
great things for me: while meds (Lamictal) blunted my symptoms so that I
could deal with them - in itself a great blessing - the vitamins seem to
"soothe" my brain somehow, and make me just feel normal (normal! wow!!!!!)
Usually, for example, in the summer I get into a hypomanic state and become
very sleepless and irritable, but this summer I'm just centered and peaceful
- except for two days when I was away and forgot my vitamins, and then I was
irritable again!
Katrina ( )ct 22, 2004): Thank you very much for providing people
with an alternative to drugs and advising them about the importance of
nutritional supplements. Your article was very good. However, I would love
to see a section in it about a nutritional supplement called glyconutrients.
If you have not heard of them you really need to research this.
Glyconutrients are critical for cell-to-cell communication by providing us
with eight necessary carbohydrates critical for celluar communication.
Studies show our diet only provides us with 2 of the necessary 8.
Glyconutrients have an enomorous amount of third party scientific validation
and is included in \"Harpers Biochemistry\" doctors textbook and MIT (Massicuttes
Institute of Technology) is the largest technology institute in the world
and in their Technology Review in Feb 2003 said \"it was one of 10 emerging
technologies that will change the world\"...just to name two. You must
research this and include it in your website. If you already know about it -
why isn\'t it included??? If you would like to provide a link in your
website my website is Thanks very much for allowing viewer comments. Yours faithfully Katrina Latham. Email me at klatham@tsn.cc or visit website www.glycoscience.orgErica (Dec 23, 2004): Like most people suffering with bipolar disorder I took Lithium. It worked for a while and then failed to provide relief. I tried MANY other mood stabilizers and medications. I would have had to drop out of university because of medication side effects (mental fog, depression, insomnia) had I not come across a vitamin supplement called EMPower. It's the only thing that's worked for my depression. I didn't have a huge problem with mania, but I had four episodes in the past. My moods are totally stable with the supplements. I totally recommend it, but you have to make a few changes when you take the supplement. For one, you can't smoke cigarettes, and you can't drink alcohol. Also, you can't have caffeine within one hour of taking the supplements. The restrictions are well worth the pay off. It is no exaggeration to say that I would be dead without this supplement. Julia 2/24: EMPower worked for me. In order for me to explain how it worked, allow me to first provide a little backgroune information on myself. I have a long history of Bipolar (type 1) disorder that datesback to December of 1987. So, I can tell lots of interesting but ultimately sad stories about the time I thought I was the second coming of Christ or the day I walked nude on a public beach at 10:00 am. With that being said, despite my medical condition, I have wanted to have a family for a long time. My concern was how to go about safely having a baby without having a manic or depressive episode. At any rate, in March of last year, all of my dreams came true at once. I married my precious husband Gerard and discovered that I was pregnant. Shortly after discovering my pregnancy, I discovered that the medication I was on would cause birth defects and Lithium had not worked for me in the past so I had no choice but to quit taking my medication. My shrink was positively convinced that I would have a manic episode within a year and that vitamin supplements would not work for me. With nothing much to lose (but also needing a lot of vitamins to support a growing fetus), I decided to try True Hope's EMPower but because I had heard some bad press on it, I decided to employ an MFCC Therapist to monitor my progress on the supplements (so that if a hypomanic or manic episode were to begin, she 'd know it before I would and we could take appropriate actions). Long story short, March 1st of 2005 will mark 1 year without medications. On October 20th, I gave birth to a happy and healthy baby boy who I now breastfeed. I suffered no post-partum depression, and continue to do well on the supplements. Eldras 5/3/05: I use megadoses of vit + minerals (lef.org stuff) about 60 a day of various things. a lot of it is for life extension, but there is tons of anecdotal evidence and a couple of research papers showing that Vit c up to 20,000mg and vit B3 (niacin) and EFA Essential fatty acids have a very positive effect on bipolar and on psychosis. I don't see how bipolar is anything other than DNA failure and to compensate for protein manufacture we have to supplement. Great site. most impressive. Thanks Anonymous 4/15/06: Entertaining discussion with Terry Polevoy somehow validates his existence and opinion. Polevoy has fallen out of favor with consumers, regulators and his own medical community. A number of Quackwatch complaints to regulators in healthcare and media have been considered frivolous and vexatious. McMan 4/15: Terry Polevoy portrays himself in the media as the target of lunatics and fanatics. Guess that makes me and various regulators lunatics. Guess that also makes a large number of MDs who have worked with their patients on supplements etc lunatics. Lifestyle-Alternative All articles Post your opinion here. |
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