Merkan

So i have been eating a low carb diet for some time now. I believe its 5 years (time flies). Recently though, i have starting to eat a cold potato every night before sleep. The reason is why there is a lot of tryptophan in meet and the dairy product, it does not get transported to the brain without starch.

Potato is rich in 5-htp and consists of starch so for someone who hase been eating nothing from the starch-family, a potato is a relative big amount of 5-htp added. It feels like a pill really.

Anyway, i started the low carb diet because i read that is was good for people with epilepsia. It helped me out a lot with my symptoms, My idea is that not enough 5-htp entered the damaged receptors (as well as the healty ones) that the symptoms greatly decreased in strength. Going ful ketogenic, meaning not even eating veggies gave me almost full relief, of course side by side with the meds. But my theory of not using 5-htp for fuel but instead using ketones greatly bypassed the damaged "whatever-i-is" mechanism. Most of us cannot tolerate SSRI so if you found it difficult to accept or comprehend what i am talking about that might get you an idea.

So the potato then, why take it when it increases your visual symptoms? Well, it greatly reduces my dp/dr. And its kinda sad because it makes me feel that i am missing something, a very important neurotransmitter to feel whole. At the same time my visuals are kinda bad and I relapsed for the first time in about 7 years.

I went on a spree of cough syrup, N2O, and a fentanyl drug. Basically because i "forgot" the feeling of being ill. And this sorta scares me. While the nitrous oxide might not be the worst it is a dissociative and an extensive use might well....I dont know. And whats next, ketamine? I mean, when the dpr/dr goes away I am still the popp-whatever animal in my person. At the same time i feel more alive sober. I am not afraid of the drugs but I am afraid that I will sometime in the moment take the "bad" drug and put myself in limbo for good. Its really disturbing, the Merkan without 5-htp with low carb and meds is a functional guy. The Merkan with 5--htp is impulsive but more alive but probably a hasard to himself.

I am just writing my thoughts but any advice would be appriciated. Well, except dont do drugs, I now that. Now that but one of these two persons has a future. Which one to pursue isnt the easiest.

I felt a big difference the first three days. Already feels like its leveling out. The Idea of trying to lower the Keppra came out of the blue the other day, obviously an effect from not being scared of a transient flare-up.

One curious factor about thiamine cocarboxylase since it is a vitamin instead of a medication, is the dosing. With meds (Klonopin, Keppra, Sinemet, etc), one can take too much or too little. But with thiamine you just take some to replete and wait for any effects. Once you get past a few mgs/day, it won't matter. The more deficient/depleted, the more rapidly one would notice effects. Its been 7 weeks now for me and don't notice anything when taking or skipping a dose ... but notice that overall feel substantially better, though not 'cured'.

Merkan,

You could try some 'regular' thiamine and see if you benefit (typically thiamine mononitrate is what is added to food and in supplements). I tried this the 2nd day (100mg mononitrate) and felt nothing, yet took 3mg cocarboxylase a couple hours later and felt it in within the hour. This is suggestive of a metabolic conversion problem as opposed to an absorption or malnutrition issue.

At some point you will not notice whether you take it, but will see overall changes in the weeks to come. It will be interesting to see how (or if) you change your medication levels.

Do you notice any difference since the first day? You've only been taking it 6 days so far.

Are you retaining benefits?

Are you gaining additional benefits?

Waiting for the b1 now from iherb. Same stuff but without the extra B-vitamines. Will probably arrive next week

Nice with another success story . Sinemet tha teak deal. All talk about Keppra makes me wanna go on a small trial to cut My dose in half and see what it does.

Visual field test.

Significant loss of periphial vision in the top of the field. Do not have the data, might be able to retrive it.

Buth this link can only be ship in US dont findt to a reseller in europe

Try iherb, they sold me the one i got with other B-vitamines in it. Not sure if they sell the other one with only cocarboxylase. I live in Sweden where most companies stop orders with the slightest doubt due to the harsh laws when it comes to medicines and "exotic" supplements

This is the one: http://www.sourcenaturals.com/products/GP1327

I Will try to order the one you linked to, just to make an A/B test. Perhaps the one i use is better due to the amount of other B-vitamines. But just to see if there is a different

Thanks for the clarity ... thought you did better with them

55. So Sinemet actually helps you ... how much do you take? Haven't tried topamax. Unusual antiseizure med.

Maybe sleep with eyes open?

This is the one thought you were taking http://www.sourcenaturals.com/products/GP1314

Can you post a like to your actual product?

Welin actually it contains B-6 10mg and B-12 860mcg and other stuff as well. Are we looking at different products? Sorry i am on the Phone so wanna keep it short.

Do not be afraid to take 3 pills per day, which is the 'normal' adult dose according to the mfg. Note that Merkan is trying a much higher dose. I've been working in the range of 2 to 10 pills per day with 3 being most typical now that a few weeks have gone by. [ Please don't feel this is pressure to take more, it is just reassurance ]

Unlike the product I've been using, the Source Natural product you are taking does not contain any B vitamins other than thiamine.

Ingredients: Thiamin (from 25 mg cocarboxylase [Coenzymated]) - 16 mg

Other Ingredients: glucitol, mannose (reduced), sodium citrate, natural peppermint flavor, and magnesium stearate.

So this is a good confirmation that that product can be used instead of the Bio-3B-G ... and that thiamine cocarboxylase is indeed the 'med' involved. [ I still favor Bio-3B-G because of lower dose and mix with the other Bs to maintain 'balance' (and the inclusion of Biotin which is implicated in some thiamine disorders). But it is very good news so that people outside the USA can still find TC if they can't get Bio-3B-G ]

Merkan's comment may answer this. I too feel benefit though have been cautious to say so since I've discontinued a med that specifically helps that ... and am missing not taking it, though with only half the problems from its absence when not taking thiamine cocarboxylase. (sorry for the run-on sentence)

Amazing that such a simple nutrient can be like a med when it has been missing or otherwise genetically compromised!

In addition to helping DR/DP, your vision should be sharper with better depth perception and 'connection' with the world around you. Also, lighting not so dim (without Sinemet) or not so bright (with Sinemet). Just as connection to the world improved, some connection to your inside world may increase.

You will probably find that you need to adjust your meds. Perhaps decreasing Sinemet and Keppra. But proceed carefully as you are particularly sensitive to meds among HPPDers

There are 3 areas known to be affected by thiamine deficiency that directly relate to HPPD:

1 ... Dopamine processing (as discussed earlier in the thread)

2 ... Acetylcholine metabolism (alluded to as early as 1929 but here is a more recent text: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-4159.2010.06919.x/epdf See Fig 6)

3 ... GABA synthesis (See: http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FCJN%2FCJN20_S3%2FS0317167100048630a.pdf&code=33de6c0ce6281afcbcc11dafcdd37ae9 )

On #2, while one cannot be dogmatic, there seems to be connection with both DR and VS to acetylcholine. Keppra has been popular on the forum and works with acetylcholine (being a Racetam - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racetam )

On #3, while not a cure, many have used benzodiazepines to manage their HPPD (particularly Klonopin). Benzodiazepines target a particular class of GABA receptors. Whether GABA function is specifically altered by HPPD or GABA meds simply help compensate for dysregulations from HPPD simply isn't known at this time. But with thiamine deficiency, GABA levels are lower.

As a 4th point - and an absolute major one - thiamine is critical for glucose processing. Not the eating of sugar, but the energy production the fuels life in all cells. When you read about ATP, whether weight lifting or otherwise, this is where thiamine comes in.

HPPD may, at least partly, be from mitochondrial problems - essentially a mitochondrial disorder at the core. MDs are discussed with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and other 'energy' disorders. Mitochondria are the 'energy powerhouse' in cells. And thiamine metabolism problems are a class of MDs. Many HPPDers report problems with fatigue even after 'conquering' anxiety, depression and other things that are known to cause fatigue.

Another factor is that mitochondrial membranes are particularly sensitive to chemical damage, and when the membrane becomes 'leaky', efficiency drops (energy production drops).

Lastly (will it ever end), mitochondrial energy problems could explain the diverse symptoms reported by HPPDers. HPPD is a list of symptoms with most reporting a subset from this list and others reporting additional, non-HPPD symptoms - often involving pain, peripheral nerves and/or autonomic nervous system regulation.

So we go circle and circle over possible clues implicating thiamine metabolism being related to HPPD susceptibility and/or symptomology.

For the record, i will probably start taking half the dose i am on now. 25mg is a lot

Possible, though Sinemet was also a fail and even illicit dopamine drugs like cocaine have very little to no effect, I think it is more likely that my receptors are screwed (I think the same with serotonin too).

My energy levels are pretty normal, never been a big issue for me.

Anyway, good to see it helping others.

Jay, i believe your report is helpful even for you. I have the opposite problem, i cant take anything dopaminergic without getting a huge respons. Ive stoped drinking caffein for this reason. Smoking puts me in limbo etc. I am not sure i would even dare to try cocaine in My state due to the huge impact it would have. Not a violent person but wouldnt take the rusk of going berzerk.

It say something about the disorder, doesnt it? Its been proven that CB induced HPPD differ from LSD if i remember correctly. There must be an answer to where that difference comes from. Genetics? Man i need to do that test which i never take the time to do.

I also found it interesting that you still see paterns with closed eyes. I only got that when i started anti depressant and at My onset nine years ago. Also when i started Keppra i had paterns all over my visual field. First when i started clonazepam it subsided while on Keppra. All these things could be clues to the stuff that Visual talade about. Some things might be still working in your CNS that i dont and vice versa

1 pill, that would be 25mg.

Disclaimer: I have never taken vitamine B for Keppra side fx that is sometimes recommended. Since there is bit of different vitamines like b6 and b12 in the complex, I have to be open to the fact that the change could be due to a relief from Keppra side effects. However, the positive effects are pretty much the same as visual listed. I'll let this play out for some time but it was a really special feeling to wake up this morning. Clear and sharp.

I didnt really believe in this but what a dp/dr killer. Not as profound as the first Sinemet pill i took but there is definititely a lot of warmth to it. It does something to my vision, not sure what but more focused. More clear in My thoughts aswell

Yes! Got mail today. Gonna get it tomorrow at the post office. Since we are so similar Visual, it will be interesting to see if i gain the effect at the 15 minute mark. Of course, knowing that placebo might be an issue but it will be interesting to see if it kicks. The only thing that we have had different reactions to is gabapentin that just does not work for me, aggrevates symptom.

Even if this works fine, i'll go for the Celebrex cox-2 inhibitor. I've talked to researchers who said this could really be benefitial. I dont know, theory vs. the outcome. Anyway. Guinea pig mode on once again. First up is the more simple thiamine cocarb..

You could get used to it or just call the police if its illegal where you live. I always get anxiety from 2nd hand weed smoke but most when i cant get away from the situation directly. Wouldnt wanna go to Jamaica really

Got the natural brand fr.o.m. IHerb. I had an account there and i do not know when that happened

Anyway, used the premium shipping but still 1-3 weeks so have to wait for it. Worth it because what works for visual usually works for me

Cocarboxylase form does not exist in My country. Looked everywhere and only find mononitrate and hydrochloride. Bio brand does not ship to sweden from amazon. Have to dig deeper i guess if cocarboxylase is the one to look for.

I'll try that. As long as its something that does not require to change my routine i am on it. Hope its available over disk here.

I an on pretty muck the same as visual, tried the same stuff etc. I do however use clonazepam. Hate that i need it. I also use a lot of supplements like fish oil, magnesium, vitamin D and a low carb diet.

Keppra 750

Sinemet 25/100

Clonazepam 0.5 mg

10.00 1 1/2 clonazepam, 1/2 Sinemet, 1 Keppra

14.00 1 1/2 clonazepam, 1/2 Sinemet

18:00 1/2 Sinemet

22.00 1 1/2 clonazepam, 1/2 Sinemet, 1 Keppra

Would love to have the courage to get rid off the clonazepam and see what happens

As always, magnesium citrate should be tried by anyone. Love it, 250mg morning/night. I have ADD and that dose has been used in treatment of adhd. It could be that the calming effect of the ADD improves My visuals but it really is a significant change to the better.

Alcohol makes me worse but somehow i am less vulnurable during the summer so at ocassions i do it. Opiates i used to but nah, aint worth the backlash. 

When i am studying i cant do shi*t, need to have my mind clear. Its hard when you do all the philosophy every day to never get a chance to relax. However, i am one of the sharpest minds in every class.

Oh, forgot i used to do coke. Not sure i would dare to it post my worsening in -08. Would probably get all wired and paranoid.

Acutally MAPS support psychedelics. Yes there is a reseach dept. but its goal is to endorse the use of psychedelics theurapeutical.

I had magnesium glycinate in early July, I got all messed up but since it happened to be the days after I took a bunch of diphenhydramine, I think I was actually a diphenhydramine hangover not the pills making me that way

Anti-histamines does not work at all for me. Its poison but i cannot say for sure. Anyway, i have recently started taking the magnesium at the morning instead of the night and it makes my day much better. I am more functional on every level. I must say though that every time i start with something i get a slight reaction that passes before it gets better.,

I am not sure about this one but i got really sick and i never take pain killers due to the strange nature of this dissease. Anyway i remember that ibuprofen was something i took once when i was food pisoned and it did not aggrevate my symptoms So anyway, now i needed to take it for a couple of days and feeling very comfy. I have been pretty much symptom free with my other meds but i went on the y-tube and started looking for some old videos that i do not longer watch since they contain visual similar to does when you trip. I could enjoy those videos and they didnt bother me. Some music sounds clearer and more pleasent...as it used to be. I have some kinda feeling going on, even more reality way of feeling. Relate to past dates when my HPPD was really severe etc.

I know this has been mentioned before but never read those posts. I find this really interesting anyway. I know you are not supposed to pop Ibuprofen like that but i am going to research this for a couple of weeks on the recommenden of-the shelf- dose.

Feel free to write thoughts/experiences.

Nm

Just wanna say im still here. Wow, i am all caught up with studies at the university. Forgot i had this stuff. Anyway, everyone should try magnecium citrate. Start with like 200 mg morning/night. You might need to go to the bathroom in a hury the first days but it will fade. Of course i have other meds but i think some might benefit from this, especially if you got some add/adhd stuff going or just anx/depression