I would like to suggest the research of Joan Mathews Larson. Her book "Healing Depression Naturally" has been a life saver for me. I have been doing her program for 12 years. I have not been in the hospital since. I had previously had 7 hospitalizations and was headed for ECT and commitment when I found her work, by the grace of some higher power. I should also mention Carl Pfieffer, Hoffer, Braverman and Linus Pauling ...and not to forget Andrew Stoll...so many other people have helped those of us that were at one time hopeless.

Edited by author 11-13-2009 02:22 PM
I can attest to Lithium oratates effectiveness. After 30 years of struggling with this illness, and fearing greatly the eventual kidney shut down and life on dialysis, amongst all the hospitilazations and drug therapies that have not worked, I have had excellent results with the organic form of lithium along with high doses of Omega 3 fatty acids, taurine and tyrosine, high protien diet and excercise. Proper sleep is also critical in mood disorders. I take 6-8 tabs of Monolith a day.

My 14 year old daughter is currently on 600 mgs of Lithium Carbonate for mood stabilization. She has side effects from this and her taking such a potentially toxic drug makes me very nervous. I've done a lot of reading and research on natural alternatives, and found Lithium Orotate as a possible safer alternative for her. I'm pretty convinced this would work well, however I need a little more info on dosages. What would a good dosage amount be for someone age 14 weighing around 100 lbs? Can she go straight from the Lithium Carbonate to the Orotate or does she need to wean or taper off of one or otherwise transition between the meds? Thanks!

I agree w/Jeff that Natural Calm is some good stuff. Thanks for the info.

I can't believe how effective LiOr is for ADD. I'm a former "Ritalin head" and LiOr enabled me to completely stop taking it. I also want to mention Natural Calm and how effective it truley is for a multitude of symptoms.

Edited by author 10-13-2009 09:57 AM
I just hope that whomever is on this site does find some peace b/c having a mental illness isn't easy. I chose the alternative medicine route b/c of side effects of prescription drugs. Thus far ashwagandha (adaptogenic herb) seems to have made the most noticable difference for me. If you care to know I take Organic India ashwagandha from vitacost.com. It probably saved my life b/c I have suicidal tendencies. I have been married for 5 years and our first child is due on 03/17/10 so I'd hate to leave my wife alone.

Hi Everyone, I'd truly appreciate any help on this, but I'm currently on Vyvanse and I'm still at the stage of trying to find th right dose. Well, I found all this informtaion on Lithium Orotate and it effects on ADHD.

My question is could I still take the Vyvanse and take the lithium around that 5PM when I feel the Vyvanse wearing off?

Second quick question I also read about Magnesium Taurate. Can this be supplemented with the Lithium Orotate?

Huge Thanks!

hello -

I need some help with this stuff. I took it for about 6 months and had mixed experiences. Was taking 1 a day, then up to 2, then back down to one. I recently tried coming off all together due to side effects. Basically over the 6 months I gained about 6 pounds, started feeling tired and cold all the time. I take lots of magnesium with it, and eat very well (I eat plenty of whole foods - low carb mostly). I got scared and came off. Now if I try to get back on it, I get extremely irritable, and have insomnia. I can't find anybody else's experiences matching mine - so I was doubting myself. However, I am now back to being extremely anxious during the day which the lithium did sort out eventually. What is going on? Has anybody any advice to give me. I take other supplements including zinc and B vitamins - I know a lot about orthomolecular medicine - have read a lot of books, so I was surprised at my reaction. Now I am out of options as I have tried everything! Please help - thanks.

So can Lithium Orotate be helpful for just plain depression without bipolar? I'm on 10 mg. paxil and plan to go off of it entirely.

I just have a flat feeling overall.

Any comments are helpful.

Thanks! Alayna

janheart, Adaptogens like rhodiola are extremely effective for stress. They create balance in the body which covers just about everything. I take Holy Basil b/c I'm hyperactive and have HBP;the rhodiola is a little too stimulating for me personally (I don't need any more energy). If more ppl only knew about adaptogens. The main ones for stress are Holy Basil, Rhodiola and Ashwagandha. I strongly encourage anyone to try them for if you are stressed or just want to balance your body systems and feel better.

Hi there, I recently met with a Naturopath in the states who recommended Rhodiola 2 per day for energy and Lithium Orotate 20mg for depression and anxiety. I honestly didn't think it would work, as technically both are just supplements and over the counter. Well, 3 days after taking them; the Rhodiola in the morning with breakfast and coffee and then the lithium a bit later 10mg and again 10mg in late afternoon, I cannot believe the energy I have and the calmness after taking the Lithium. I find I enjoy the energy from the Rhodiola so much and get so much done, that I am postponing taking the Lithium to later in the day....because it is very calming and centering. I highly reccommend both these products now for people who are in need of extra get up and go energy and also to ease anxiety and depression. I actually like myself more with these two supplements.....Good luck

www.vitacost.com is the best online site to get your supps imo. I get New Chapter's Every Man (whole food organic multivitamin), Carlson's Very Finest Fish Oil, Advanced Research Lithium Orotate and Natural Calm magnesium from there. Hope this helps anyone looking for high quality supps that actually work for cheap.

Edited by author 08-17-2009 01:42 AM
Update: After stopping the Neuro Natural Serenity I felt worse the next day, so I started up w/ it again & feel better.

I will be adding Natural Calm as soon as it gets here, making my regimen like this: 2-Lithium Orotate, 4-Total Balance Men's (advanced multi-vit), 4-Omega 3/DHA, 6-Neuro Natural Serenity (for depression/ anxiety) & 1-Natural Calm.

I'd like some more info from people on the use of sulbutiamine. As I said in the previous post, I enjoy working out & staying in shape, but the low energy levels, due to depression are both stealing my ability to work out harder & to be a productive person as well. I'd like to hear from some people on their experiences w/ this supplement, as it's supposed to promote energy & mood. Or if someone knows of something better for energy please let me know.

Thanks much

Edited by author 08-16-2009 07:24 PM
Can anyone tell me if 30mg of SAMe will affect someone w/ Bipolar II? I've only just recently read to be cautious w/ this in regards to bipolar disorder. I was recommended a regimen of omega 3/ DHA, total balance men's & neuro natural serenity by a nutritionist on this site: http://www.xtend-life.com/

I've taken the omega 3/ DHA & total balance men's for around 4.5 months & don't see much difference. The total balance has 30mg of SAMe. (It should be noted that I've taken omega 3 fish oil for a number of years off and on before switching to this brand.) Anyways, w/ my next order I added the neuro natural serenity hoping this would be the combination i needed to naturally treat my illness.

I can say after almost 6 weeks, that mostly it has helped me sleep better, but not too sure about much else. What concerns me is that the neuro natural serenity has 250 mg of SAMe & that would make 280 mg total for both. I'm not so great at telling if I'm manic as it's not very common for me, unless drinking or such. Bipolar II is predominatly depression w/ some hypomania. So I'm wondering if it's ok to use SAMe at all? The NNS also has 5HTP in it as well @ 250mg. Just wondering what people think or have experienced?

I do have a messed up sleeping pattern, as I'm unemployed. IE: I sleep from say 4am to 12pm or 6am to 2pm. I find myself sleeping longer than 8 hours at times, but only shorter very rarely. So it's hard to tell if I'm manic or not, but at times I stay up later, but end up passing out eventually.

I've only just started charting my moods about 6 weeks ago & am still learning how to do it accurately, so I am not always sure 'exactly' how I'm feeling at times. I guess that's why I'm asking questions here.

I have started experimenting w/ LiOr now as well & for now, stopped taking the neuro natural serenity. I did one day of 1 LiOr in the morning & one at night & the next day seemed better for me. I skipped the next day & I thought I felt a bit worse than the previous day, so I tried the same again the following day w/ same good result.

I plan to keep taking the omega 3/ DHA, Total Balance Men's & LiOr & see what happens. The total balance has so much other good stuff in it I'd hate to have to stop due to 30mg of SAMe. I don't think I could get all the stuff in it separately for the same price anywhere & honestly I'm not sure it's induced any mania taking both TB & NNS together. Could it be just 'some' BP people have problems w/ SAMe???

I plan on adding a magnesium supplement as well, looking at the natural calm & Advanced Research's magnesium orotate. How many servings is in a bottle of 16oz natural calm? I Can't find this on the site. Does anyone know much about magnesium orotate? It says it absorbs better due to the same reasons LiOr does & I can only assume this is correct as LiOr works. Reason I ask this is I've not seem MgOr talked about at all on this site & it surprises me honestly. I've read on this site: http://www.krispin.com/magnes.html#Formula that I should be taking 945mg of magnesium a day, as per their formula. Is this correct for someone who's BP or is this just for regular people???

One last question. I am wondering if anyone can direct me to a site where I can purchase Avastar's Revyte??? I've read about it earlier in this thread in post #45 & can't find anywhere to buy it, just articles about it. I work out often, but my depression keeps me at such low energy levels at times I can't work out the way I'd like to & this product seems a good fit to help me w/ this.

Thanks much

Edited by author 08-13-2009 05:39 PM
Looking from some advice for bipolar II supplementation regimen. Lithium Orotate along w/ omega 3's & a multi vitamin seems like the way to go?

P.S. Here is a site for a great price on omega 3/ DHA fish oil. It's the best quality/ price I've found & a great company as well.

http://www.xtend-life.com/

~B