[still_crazy]

Seriously. I'm all about massive doses of supplements (Orthomolecular). The "alternative" health people use Orthomolecular to reduce adverse effects from psych drugs. Thanks to the supplements, I tolerate 20mgs/Abilify w/o any EPS, 0 TD, etc.

But...just about -any- prescription (or OTC, or street) drug can cause deficiencies. I'm now on Lamictal. Lamictal is already improving my mood and agitation levels, -but- it can deplete b-vitamins, D3, and E. Some long term studies have found a higher rate of osteoporosis in people on continued treatment w/ anti-seizure drugs.

So...consider this a hippy PSA: if you're on long term drug treatment, try to find out what's being depleted by the meds, and think about supplementing. No sense sacrificing physical health for mental stability, after all.

[Moreta]

I tried taking vitamin D for 7 months. It was horrible. Made me so sick. I'm not going to take any supplements for a long time.

[still_crazy]

yeah, some people get upset stomach and such. I've mostly had good times w/ my vitamins, except getting the vitamin C dose up to where it is now (20 grams/day) took a long time and wasn't always fun.

[UpDownAround]

WebMD - Experts: Don't Waste Your Money on Multivitamins

B12 and D do seem to have some benefit in particular circumstances, but most vitamins and supplements have little or no real medical science behind them.

I'll ask, but will likely only take them if pdoc or pharmacist says it would make a big difference. I do take a multivitamin.

There was a time when I was taking handfuls of supplements like B- Complex, fish oil, multivitamin, and 3 supplements to help with Lithium-related side effects (like hair loss). I also took a truck load of psych meds, plus a beta blocker and Synthroid. The supplements seemed like a waste. I took that huge truck load for well over a year, so I gave them a fair shot. Taking so many pills each day became psychologically distressing. I had to cut down. I wasn't going to go off my prescribed meds so I eliminated all but the multivitamin. That was a relief, and miraculously my Lithium hair loss eased AFTER stopping the stupid supplements. Coincidence? I don't know.

A pdoc once tested one of my vitamin levels to be sure a deficiency wasn't adding to depression fatigue. My level was normal. I would think that if certain psych meds were that notorious for causing deficiencies that doctors would mention it. Perhaps not.

[bizi]

i take many vitamins!
bizi

[pirilin]

There was a time, when I was a health freak that took 67 pills a day.
Vitamin C and Lecithin by the spoonful.
One day, I got tired of taking the stuff. I feel the same now as then.

[salsharia]

I take lots of vitamins to improve my energy levels which now that I’m hypomanic and I have lots of energy I have to really try to keep onto of the regimen. I line up what Vitamins i take in order on my counter and use a rock to track what I have taken through out the day, moving the rock to the next vitamin until I have taken it. Sounds silly but it works for me!