Safe Self Medicating

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I am not talking about the drugs and alcohol self medicating- that is not a healthy approach to any treatment. Just want to put that disclaimer out.

I have a ways to go before I will get any type of help because I have to wait until the VA can get my appointments set up for any type of care. I was diagnosed as bipolar a few years ago, and after that Fibromyalgia, and I was on several medications. After suffering a breakdown and leaving my job I was without insurance and totally went off all meds.

I am having difficulty with chronic fatigue and concentration and there are only so many ways to help this on my own. I already do regular exercise and keep my diet healthy. I take some vitamins (well when I remember). I am thinking about starting to use the 5 hour energy stuff or some other type of energy drink that doesn't have the ginseng- those tend to make me go to sleep.

Has anyone self-medicated with things like this for their conditions? I am trying to medicate the mental fog/ concentration problems and fatigue more than anything. I thought nmaybe people with these symptoms may know if this would help.
Thanks in advance!

I'd sure love to know the answer to this aswell. I've tried just about everything bar swimming laps of a pool everyday. I always feel good after having a can of coke but its not exacty the healthiest thing to take.

I found kava good for a little anxiety relief,
and the same plus reducing some muscle soreness/stiffness with Magnesium glycinate.

Unfortunately I never found anything that helped the brain fog, but then I never found any pharmaceuticals that did either. A little caffeine doesn't seem to cause me any serious harm, and is a little helpful. Ginseng & ginko never did anything for me, but YMMV of course. Haven't tried 5-hour energy thing.

Music and lots of it.

Well, the problem with caffeine is that your body will develop a dependence on it. The effect will wear off, you'll end up being more tired if you don't take it, and it might increase anxiety.

Have you tried juice (like orange juice) mixed with some flax seed oil? For whatever reason, it makes my girlfriend and me practically giddy.

I've tried a lot. Best thing is meditation. I always say that. Meditation and exercise. Meditation is the best medication. I want that as a bumper sticker or something. I'd also need a car to put it on.

More on topic; Ginko is supposed to help with focus/memory. Fatigue can be a factor of anxiety, is that perhaps true of you? But you don't want to fall asleep. Hem... I would recommend chamomile, St. John's wort, or perhaps wild lettuce. Energy drinks are a bad idea in general. They tend to rob Peter to pay Paul in order to work.

There are lot's of saint's names in the above paragraph.

How's your diet? Don't underestimate the effects of good/bad nutrition.

I'm gonna butt in with the usual disclaimer here:

The kind of stuff you guys are talking about, like herbs or caffeine or yoga or whatever, is still considered medical treatment. That means that there are risks and side effects to it; and you need to do your homework before you try it. For example, yoga can hurt your joints under certain circumstances; you can be sensitive or allergic to herbal medications; and you can get side effects from just about anything.

Remember: Natural does not equal safe. Nor does the fact that it is sold over the counter mean that you can play around with it to your heart's content without checking into it first. Thoroughly.

Look at both sides rather than just listening to whoever's selling the stuff. Try to find professional investigations (i.e., controlled studies) into the qualities of the substance or therapy you're thinking of trying. Especially check for interactions between current medication and new stuff.

I have been doing yoga for years, so I am OK with that. My joints are not the problem. The fibro is affecting muscles more than anything, although I think I have some arthritis in a couple places. I am able to treat that with some ibuprofen. I already drink coffee a couple times a day, and I drink green tea. There is very little caffeine in green tea. I currently take a b vitamin complex and magnesium. I use light weights for toning and calisthenics alternated with a step-type aerobic program. I actually use my Firm wave step and my own music along with some kick-boxing moves. I used to exclusively kick-box for exercise but when I had a really bad fibro flareup a couple years ago I traded that for lower-impact cardio. I also walk my dog every day and do housework when I have the energy. Walking the dog is really not that much exercise, though.

As for my current diet I eat vegetables, whole wheat, complex carbs and poultry. We had a ham for Easter weekend, but pork is not a common occurrence no matter how good it is, and we dont eat red meat. My mom has blood pressure and cholesterol issues so I have to cook without a lot of fats and salt. We had some easter candy and cookies, though. I don't fry anything. This is how I have eaten for years, too. Since I moved in with my om and started doing all the cooking her cholesterol went from somewhere around 300 to 120, and she lost 30 lbs she had gained from steroids. I know we could cut out more sugar somewhere, but I have a feeling we don't have an overload in that.

Google WIKI BRAIN FOG
aka Cognitive Dysfunction

maybe hypothyroidism or lead poisoning or other things