Supplements

[Allanque]

I finally got around to picking up a multi-vitamin. Woohoo!!!

I've also started taking magnesium (400 mg once a day) and fish oil capsules (EPA: 180 mg, DHA: 120 mg, 2 in the morning, 2 in the evening).

Does this sound like a reasonable start?

Does anyone know of a company that sells larger magnesium pills so I don't have to take 4 to get the 400 mg? I'm still taking Focalin (20 mg per day) and Celexa (20 mg per day). I don't want to have the take the sheer number of pills that I'm taking right now (4 Focalin (5mg), 1 Celexa, 4 magnesium, 2 fish oil, 1 vitamin, 1 BC - 13 pills if I'm adding correctly).

[catatonic]

Allanque -
Sounds like a really good start. On the magnesium, I use Ultra-Mag by Source Naturals, which provides 400mg in a single capsule. Added benefit is the magnesium is in a variety of forms (magnesium gluconate, magnesium taurate, magnesium oxide, etc) which increases the chances of successful bioavailability. Being a cheapskate, I purchase this online at www.herbaladvisor.com where 240 tabs (about an 8-month supply at 1-a-day) cost a mere $15.

The only thing I would suggest at this point is that you add a vitamin E capsule of at least 100 IU. Your body requires vitamin E in order to metabolize the fish oil.

And check your multi to make sure it contains trace elements (copper, zinc, manganese). If not, when you use it up, replace it with one that does contain these.

In general, it takes a number of weeks for supplementation to show dramatic effects. For us it was 6 weeks. Researchers have concluded it requires 10-12 weeks to correct a fatty acid deficiency. You may notice that you will improve and then begin to show an increase in hyperactivity. I've heard of this from a number of people who hypothesize it's because the ritalin (or focalin) is now acting on them as it would a "normal" person. Can't say if this is a universal experience or not, but it is something to watch for.