To Defend Ones Honor!

I’m at Biggby Coffee, which recently had to change its name from Beaner’s Coffee, because Beaner is apparently a racist term. I completely blame my old roommate for this. She (being from California) was so excited by the name that she took a picture to send to her friends. I am imagining that picture traveling throughout all of California until it hit someone who would be upset.

Someone whispered into Biggby’s ear and wanting to avoid legal action the company changed its name. The problem is I liked the name Beaner’s much better then Biggby, and why should the racism of California effect was all? Yes, there are a lot of Mexicans in your state, get over it. Oh, and while I’m at it I could say something to Europe, but that doesn’t impact the name of my coffee shop. Europe, so what if your ‘modern’ world is taken over by Islam. Kidding. It’s been your fear for so long, and it hasn’t happened yet.

Will I every really have a relationship? I want to send out the warning to everyone. This guy was flirting with me, because I was doing the lip thing (I rub my upper lip over my nose when my nose is uncomfortable.) So the guy across from me thinks I am flirting with him. (Really I need to stop doing the lip thing.) He starts flirting with me. So after a while I decide to tell (on my computer screen ) that I have Schizoaffective Bipolar disorder, (Why can’t I stop doing the lip thing.) and I am really paranoid and I am taking medication. He says, “Schizoaffective Bipolar is in a different font then the rest. (I always look it up because it is hard to spell.) You are a liar. I wonder what medication they have for that?” He always shows up at the same time on the same day, so I am thinking next week to bring my box of Zyprexa Zydis, and discretely put it by me. Maybe I will bring all my medication and take it early. Because how dare he say I, “I” am lying about my illness. You try to spell Schizoaffective Bipolar.

So I will have to wait a weak, and carry my medication along with me. Then he will see. HA. I will have the last laugh.

I cannot believe I didn’t notice the font thing. I am an artist!

I was so caught up and showing this dude who was clearly flirting with me to make me uncomfortable, come on he just kept on staring right at me and licking his lips. I guess he figured that because I didn’t leave when he winked at me I was fine with him flirting with me. I wasn’t going to leave my comfortable seat! Maybe he was trying to get me to leave.

So it is settled. Next week, I bring all my medications. I line them out and say, “I normally don’t take these until night, but if you want me to I will take them now.” Sting. Or should I be discrete?

Anyway, I set myself up something to look forward to, and with minimal cost to myself. What do I care if some dude thinks I am a liar? All I care about is my honor, which I am getting a chance to prove. I think Zyprexa will do it.

Evolve

I am guessing this is nothing new, but I do not watch T.V.

Every time that I go into the Modern Language Building I am confronted with a Trojan condoms ad. In it are a number of pigs in a bar while there are two human females that are being hit on by pigs, but they are annoyed. At the bar is a couple of a human male and female happy to be together. On the ad it says EVOLVE.

In case you don’t get it is implying that those who use condoms have evolved above those who do not, and that those who do not are pigs.

It makes me think of all those cultures where for reasons, social or religious the use of condoms is frowned upon. Say the Catholic Church where it is believed that sex is a scared act between males and females, and having sex for any reason other then to have children is wrong. I think I remember hearing something about how this is something that raises us up above the level of animals.

Who is Trojan to say that all these cultures (social or religious) are pigs?

For the Evolve website look here
For the video of the ad look here

What a damn jolly good idea.

If what ‘Alternative Medicine,’ says about anticonvulsants (ie Lamicatal) reducing folic acid and vitamin B12 is true (at least in some cases), and folic acid/vitamin B12 are essential fighting depression then Lamicatal could end up being a deadly medication indeed.

That is unless we are talking about First generation anticonvulsants, in which case I think Lamicatal is a new generation, and might not have this problem. It could, however, pop up in curtain individuals. Oh… this is ridiculous. Look at me. I am a cat. I’m not a pDoc, and that is why you should talk to them first.

I am done looking up stuff for the day. I feel like dancing… in the rain, can I have a volunteer? Just keep right on dancing. What a damn jolly good idea. It’s a jollication (had to look up this word) as a matter of fact…guess song.

It’s been in my head for a long time. Ever since I stopped reading for a class, and took a shower so long ago. Something about the water in the shower must have raised it from the subconscious of my mind.

I keep on having to shift around because my back gets sore. I’ll do so horribly at an office job, but I can stay in one place at a table longer then in my lazy boy chair.

Even if I do have more energy, and I wouldn’t have made it this far into the day without my vitamins sleepiness is creeping up behind me. “FIGHT IT. Get out your… lightsavor, which is conveniently hidden in your cell phone. Yes, that thing that pulls up now enter the secret code. Whisper WHISPER whisper. There I think you are ready. Now call the pizza place and order a Mountain Dew. Don’t listen to your doctor about no caffeine after noon, it is not afternoon right now the sun is down. Sure get a pizza to go along with it.”

“No, I am not having caffeine after 12 pm.”

“It is after 12 pm all the time. Do you mean to have caffeine never?”

“I can have it in the morning.”

“But that will be after 12 pm today, and the day before that all the way up to the beginning.”

“Oh I’m not talking to you anymore.”

“You don’t even know who I am. You don’t know the sound of my voice or the sweet softness of my smile. Your glasses are falling down.”

Folic acid and vitamin B12 - not pseudoscience

Here is a abstract from google scholar, just so you know that it isn't just Pseudoscience I'm talking about. But really who in there right mind would ever think that a person on a website surrounded by cat pictures would not know the difference between science and
pseudoscience.

"Journal of Psychopharmacology, Vol. 19, No. 1, 59-65 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/0269881105048899
© 2005 British Association for Psychopharmacology

Treatment of depression: time to consider folic acid and vitamin B12

Alec Coppen

MRC Neuropsychiatric Research Laboratory, Epsom, Surrey, UK, acoppen@globalnet.co.uk

Christina Bolander-Gouaille

Pharmacist, Helsingborg, Sweden

We review the findings in major depression of a low plasma and particularly red cell folate, but also of low vitamin B12 status. Both low folate and low vitamin B12 status have been found in studies of depressive patients, and an association between depression and low levels of the two vitamins is found in studies of the general population. Low plasma or serum folate has also been found in patients with recurrent mood disorders treated by lithium. A link between depression and low folate has similalrly been found in patients with alcoholism. It is interesting to note that Hong Kong and Taiwan populations with traditional Chinese diets (rich in folate), including patients with major depression, have high serum folate concentrations. However, these countries have very low life time rates of major depression. Low folate levels are furthermore linked to a poor response to antidepressants, and treatment with folic acid is shown to improve response to antidepressants. A recent study also suggests that high vitamin B12 status may be associated with better treatment outcome. Folate and vitamin B12 are major determinants of one-carbon metabolism, in which S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) is formed. SAM donates methyl groups that are crucial for neurological function. Increased plasma homocysteine is a functional marker of both folate and vitamin B12 deficiency. Increased homocysteine levels are found in depressive patients. In a large population study from Norway increased plasma homocysteine was associated with increased risk of depression but not anxiety. There is now substantial evidence of a common decrease in serum/red blood cell folate, serum vitamin B12 and an increase in plasma homocysteine in depression. Furthermore, the MTHFR C677T polymorphism that impairs the homocysteine metabolism is shown to be overrepresented among depressive patients, which strengthens the association. On the basis of current data, we suggest that oral doses of both folic acid (800 µg daily) and vitamin B12 (1 mg daily) should be tried to improve treatment outcome in depression.

Key Words: cobalamin • depression • diet • folate • folic acid • homocysteine • one carbon-metabolism • S-adenosylmethionine • vitamin B12"

Source at <http://jop.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/19/1/59>

SSRI's (ie some antidepressants like Zoloft) and calcium

"Update (12/08/07): One of our friends, Dr Robert Rowan sent us a recent newsletter (Second Opinion) of a new study that shows SSRIs (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) inhibit the absorption of calcium into your bones. He says: "Researchers found that daily use of SSRIs can cause a 4% reduction in bone mineral density in your hips. The lower spine lost 2.4% of bone density." Additionally, SSRIs can lower your blood pressure which can result in falling; a perfect prescription for broken bones." -International Wellness Directory

If this is true do you think Zoloft could be the reason my nails got weaker, and my teeth are now sensitive to cold? I thought that was a weight loss medication. Anyway. All I have to say is, "If you are on a SSRI look out for your calcium."

Consluting you doctor

"Excellent post! However, I would recommend that before anyone runs out and buys bottles and bottles of vitamins, that s/he consult with a doctor. The reason being, if you are taking more than one medication, some vitamins and minerals can interfere with the absorption of the drugs.

Vitamins/minerals aren't candy and they can affect your system in surprising ways, especially if you are taking 'mega' doses. please be careful and consult a professional if you have any questions!

Overall, vitamins and minerals can be excellent supplements to one's overall diet and exercise program.

Great post, Kelly!" -Mary at RXList

The post she is taking about is here. I know, sadly she was not talking to me. I would have liked to have had an excellent post, but woe is me. Alas, all I post about is cats... not really, but dance dance dance.

Read this if you are taking an Anticonvulsant (ie Lamicatal)

"Folic acid

Several studies have shown that multiple anticonvulsant therapy reduces blood levels of folic acid and dramatically increases homocysteine levels.12, 13, 14 Homocysteine, a potential marker for folic acid deficiency, is a compound used experimentally to induce seizures and is associated with atherosclerosis. Carbamazepine alone has also been shown to reduce blood levels of folic acid.15

One preliminary study showed that pregnant women who use anticonvulsant drugs without folic acid supplementation have an increased risk of having a child with birth defects, such as heart defects, cleft lip and palate, neural tube defects, and skeletal abnormalities. However, supplementation with folic acid greatly reduces the risk.16 Consequently, some healthcare practitioners recommend that women taking multiple anticonvulsant drugs supplement with 5 mg of folic acid daily, for three months prior to conception and during the first trimester, to prevent folic acid deficiency-induced birth defects.17 Other practitioners suggest that 1 mg or less of folic acid each day is sufficient to prevent deficiency during pregnancy.18

One well-controlled study showed that adding folic acid to multiple anticonvulsant therapy resulted in reduced seizure frequency.19 In addition, three infants with seizures who were unresponsive to medication experienced immediate relief following supplementation with the active form of folic acid.20

Despite the apparent beneficial effects, some studies have indicated that as little as 0.8 mg of folic acid taken daily can increase the frequency and/or severity of seizures.21, 22, 23, 24 However, a recent controlled study showed that both healthy and epileptic women taking less than 1 mg of folic acid per day had no increased risk for seizures.25 Until more is known about the risks and benefits of folic acid, individuals taking multiple anticonvulsant drugs should consult with their healthcare practitioner before supplementing with folic acid. In addition, pregnant women or women who might become pregnant while taking anticonvulsant drugs should discuss folic acid supplementation with their practitioner."

-Alternative Medicine

What if this deficiency (in some cases) was the result of only one anticonvulsant, or an interaction with a drug outside of the realm of anticonvulsants? Shouldn't we know this? There is more!


"Vitamin B12

Anemia is an uncommon side effect experienced by people taking anticonvulsant drugs. Though many researches believe that low blood levels of folic acid are involved, the effects might be caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency. Deficiencies of folic acid and vitamin B12 can lead to nerve and mental problems. One study revealed that individuals on long-term anticonvulsant therapy, despite having no laboratory signs of anemia, had dramatically lower levels of vitamin B12 in their cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that bathes the brain) when compared with people who were not taking seizure medications. Improvement in mental status and nerve function was observed in a majority of symptomatic individuals after taking 30 mcg of vitamin B12 daily for a few days.²⁸ Another study found that long-term anticonvulsant therapy had no effect on blood levels of vitamin B12.²⁹ The results of these two studies indicate that people taking anticonvulsant drugs might experience side effects of vitamin B12 deficiency, and that the deficiency is not easily detected by the usual blood tests. Therefore, individuals taking anticonvulsant drugs for several months or years might prevent nerve and mental problems by supplementing with vitamin B12."


-Alternative Medicine

I don't know if you believe in Alternative Medicine, but we take Fish Oil don't we. If you are on Lamicatal why not try B12 and Folic Acid for a few days and (or a week) see if you feel better.

I'm not going to go into every vitamin in Jones 24c that could be making me feel better, but I think that this is the most extreme. Either way pick up a bottle of 24c berry pomegranate, and write down the vitamins an minerals and try to aim for these (if the bottle works). Slowly (if you keep on checking the labels of things) you will figure out what makes you happy!

Wow!

Today is a day to read. Read a million times and forget about the world. Or would be if at least if I loved what I was reading, but no it is hours of not fun reading. I remember when I spent all Friday reading on the floor or in the chair of my dorm room. You know I have energy today, but my eyes, say no. No you do not. In no way am I manic, but I woke up a few times last night. It wasn’t endless sleep. There I rubbed my eye, my complaining eye.

My head is not tired, but my nose, and eyes are. By noses I mean the area in between my eyes. When I am back to normal sleeping, how will I every convince them that I don’t need more then 8-10 hours of sleep every night?

It is a strange in between I am feeling. As if the part of me I cannot control cannot decide if it wants to be sleepy or rested. Though I am happy. I chug my 24c wondering what in it exactly made things so different, and also wonder if I will make it tomorrow as well. Can 500% vitamin C. 500% B12, 25% Chromium and so forth really. Really? Or is it just a spike in energy? A lift from a strange medicated depression like tiredness to normal? ha ha hah hah

I just looked at the Pepsi bottle. It makes a point to say, “Contains No Juice.” What juice would…oh yeah it is a Wild Cherry Pepsi. I guess it makes sense then, and isn’t really funny. I would have to check a normal bottle to see if it says the same. Mountain Dew (Contains No Juice.) Oh, my. I’m really waking up now.

I don’t know what is in this stuff, but it sure makes me giddy. la la la la

Okay I’m calm, and don’t worry, my thoughts are not racing. With how much calming medication I am on, I better well be calm.

How much Vitamin C is too much? Upper Level 2000 mg. If you are looking into increasing your Vitamin C read this page. The Daily Value (the thing on the labels) is 60 mg. So I’d say it would be hard to overdose, but read the page anyway.

If you are looking into Vitamin B12 read this page.

I say, try them both! How can it hurt?

None of them seem to have a direct impact on sleepiness, but if they impact depression it is the same.

Vitamins

"Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) - this vitamin is being preliminarily examined for beneficial effects in manic-depressive patients. Vitamin C helps to clear Vanadium from the body, a trace mineral that is sometimes abnormally high in bipolar patients. The research studies on this topic (see below) also showed that patient symptoms improved with a reduced-Vanadium diet. The Yale-New Haven Health Complementary Medicine website recommends that: "until more is known, people with bipolar illness should avoid supplements containing vanadium and consider supplementing with vitamin C."

Vitamin B Complex - some studies have indicated that deficiencies in Vitamins B1 (thiamin), B2, B6, and B12 can contribute to depression. There has also been preliminary evidence to show that supplements of B-vitamin complexes (in general, these B vitamins are taken together) improves symptoms in depressed subjects."

-Bipolar Focus

Energy - Vitamin Therapy -

It is one of those mornings when for some reason I have the normally longed for word. ENERGY! Something is beginning to tell me that my problem isn’t a sleep disorder, or medication, but a major vitamin disorder. Why? I regained my energy after having a vitamin drink last night, and I don’t think it was the Wendy’s. What vitamin could I be lacking? Something that doesn’t appear on the physical tests because I just had one.

In reality I have no reason why I got a ‘normal’ amount of sleep last night, and still have energy in the morning. I am, however, very relieved. Even if it is just for a while, here I am. La la la la.

What has changed? Between yesterday and today?

Maybe my medication draws out a curtain vitamin from my system, so that I need more of it then the normal person? It isn’t the weight loss medication, except that makes my nails weak.

Luckily this new drink at the Copy Shop (where I used to work) has calcium in it as well. Zones 24c. The Copy Shop switch to it because Coca-Cola bought out Vitamin Water. Coca-Cola is evil. Just thought you would like to know.

If the problem with my system is vitamins or minerals, it is something that can be fixed. Fish oil for my brain, and all that other stuff for my brain as well. No wonder I was chugging down Fruit Juice before I was told I had high blood sugar.

Looking online on the subject at hand I came across an apparently not widespread concept Vitamin Therapy. Am I about to start to dance with vitamins, and such and such. The balance of not too much, but enough to make you feel better.

In my studio, no, by my studio are a number of others and one is filled with pictures of the poverty in Africa. A cheery subject to left ones head and see. I have been thinking about that Free Rice website where ten grains of rice are donated for every vocabulary question that a person gets right. Pouring out my rice to cook I thought, “Ten grains is so little. Just look at it. I could use the time playing that game to really work towards the problem.”

The solution is not to donate rice, but to provide the support needed to allow the farmer to grow more rice. This is not how rice is grown (I think), but giving a loan for a better plow, or giving the goats to provide food.

I remember one time when I was in Mass/Service (Church) and we watched a video on donating to the Rice Bowl, and there was a paper of how much money donated what kind of animal. We were watching the video on a big screen T.V., and I whispered to my sister, “I wonder how many goats that cost.”

I went to a…what is it called again…oh I forget. It was one of those shops where you buy almost directly from artists/craftsmen in the third world. Some shops are more direct then others.

So I went there, and I wanted the gloves and winter hats, because they were awesome, but I am a poor college student so I did not get them. That is about the end of my story. Wonderful wasn’t it?

La la la

I’ve been looking
through my past…
I’ve been looking
for material.
Something
to add a little more
to a detailed picture.

And in the end
all I do
is sleep some more,
or
wish I was
something else
that my brain didn’t
feel this way,
all the time.

Yet it passes,
and moments

what am I thinking
I will never win
this contest
with my sister.

a contest on sleep hygiene.

if only it were well-power,
that if I just forced
myself to get up
everything would be fine.

If only
I just
gave myself
a little more time
to sleep.

If only
I factored in
a few more hours,
two, my sister says
no difference…
still tired.

I would very much like
to throw
in the towel today,
and
sleep,

I tired everyday.
I’ve said this many, many times.

I waited on the last
medication
combination,
hoping
not wanting to give up
now I’ve waited too long.

That’s it!
I’m getting chocolate!

Last day Spring Break

What will I write on this lovely winter day with the melting snow? Well this post isn’t going to write itself. For a second when I opened a word document I just stared at it wondering what was wrong with it? Why weren’t there any words going across the screen, and then I remembered that you have to write the words in order to get them to show up. Until the day when documents write themselves, we will be forced to do the dirty work of typing.

I have read, for a long time now. Tomorrow Spring Break is over, and I will be back in the game. Get your head in the game. Oh, High School Musical! Could they sing those words just one more time? This time unlike the hundreds of other times they had to say it. It’s not like I go around watching Disney made for TV movies. I just have connections to some cool people who happen to love High School Musical.

The other day, I ended up at the movies, and the soonest movie on the list was, The Spiderwick Chronicles. So that is what my brother and me watched. When asked if he like it my brother said, “It’s a movie.” We came to the conclusion that we had not just ruined one book, but every single chronicle. When asked if he thought he would like the books my brother said, “Its good enough to get a movie made out of it.” Overall though, I think it was more fun, and healthier, then if we went to Barnes and Noble (I am drawn to the Starbucks their and the vast offering of sweets that you cannot find in a normal Starbucks.)

I am in a contest with my sister on who can last longer keeping an early bird schedule. My sister concluded that due to my medications I now should aim for 10 hours of sleep, so I would go to bed at 10 pm, and wake up at 8 am. She needing only 8 hours of sleep will also be going to bed at 10 pm, but waking up at 6 am. So far we have both lost the first day, so we canceled each other out. If I win my sister is going to get me a slice of that Godiva Double Chocolate Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake. If I lose I have to make my sister something in clay.

I somehow think that I am at a disadvantage being that I am sleepy most of the time. I guess I have to learn how to face it. It makes me so mad. I got a good number of hours of sleep last night, not too much or too little, and yet I feel like I need to sleep. Not that I want to sleep. And for seconds or minutes it lifts and I feel normal. Getting up usually activates my mind, but even working out I get sleepy.

“Why are you smiling?” my brother asks me. “Because I had caffeine today.”

Now I stare at my floor. I touched up a rough draft, but it is just a draft. I couldn’t work on it anymore. My mind would not get into that mode. It is a draft after all. So I read for a number of hours and here I am now, bubbling away. Talking to air.

People on the level of Lamictal I am on sometimes complain about a dull feeling in their brain. I complained when I was on a smaller dose. My brain seems so quiet, yet here I am talking, so something must be going on. I talk, and smile. I am happy and yet I am tired. Everyone’s brain is like a fingerprint, unique like strips on a tiger. My brain, or body is tired. Do I stop breathing at night?

I am told that no good comes from knowing one has a sleep disorder. Oxygen tanks that make the person so uncomfortable that they cannot sleep, and if you are lucky (if the solution is that simple) nose surgery. Otherwise all you get is advice. Get well, be healthy, try to keep healthy hours no good. I’ve slept two days in a row! True, I was making up for days when I was forced to keep normal, or slightly more normal sleeping hours. The 30 hours on Christmas doesn’t count because I had to get up for the opening of presents.

How am I going to do this? How am I going to get sleepiness out of my life? I don’t see my pDoc for another two weeks. (She went on vacation and was booked up when she came back.) I feel like I have been up studying (when in fact I was looking up stuff on Zoloft).