I have been dealing with depression and anxiety issues for some time, at times I believe it is Bipolar disorder, however my psychologist feels otherwise. I have tried most ssri's and am currently on welbutrin 200mg 2x/day, I have also tried xanax and am currently using clonazepam (klonipin) up to 6 mg/day. I also "suffer" from insomnia as well and believe this is a major contributing factor to my depression, ie I dont sleep well I have a bad day, so I also take 25-50 mg Trazodone before bed often with grogginess in the morn and this factors into my fatigue feeling.

Through work with my psychologist and therapy we feel that these drugs are no longer the answer and at this point it is as if the welbutrin really isnt working anyway how he put it was, its not a "magic" cure all and the results youve attained so far are about all you will get with this medication (which isnt much).

My anxiety on the otherhand has gotten out of hand as a result of using the antianxiety meds, to the point that I "dream" up the symptoms just to pop a pill. I am currently tapering off both meds over the next 3 weeks (slowly) and being closely monitered by my therapists.

I noticed in another post that you recommended the following stack for an individual with a similar situation:

L-Huperzine A 100 mcg
Vincamine or Vinpocetine 20 mg
5-HTP 100-200 mg
Inositol 12-18 Grams
Acetyl-L-Carnitine 750-1,500 mg
L-Theanine 200-500 mg
An excellent Multivitamin and Mineral formula

(when should each of these be taken and and with or without food)

I am also interested in some mood elivating nootropics or at least Piracetam for memory and brain plasticity

I wanted to point out however that I often suffer from fatigue subsequently I pound several "energy drinks" per day as well as coffee.., I have heard that ssri's often create this but would also like your idea on adding some neurotransmitter stims (natual and legal of course) such as:

l-tyosine (what dose and when?)
I am taking a triple ginseng fromula as well (it contains american, chinese and siberian in it with about 40 mg guarana)
high dose B complex (B-12 possibly in high dose?)
Sublutiamine (not currently taking but can if it does help with energy, also what dose, etc)
Any other suggestions you may find relevant and safe

I also wanted to let you know that I exercise regularly at varying intensities several (5 days per week) and eat a very clean diet mostly natural foods fruits ,veggies, non-processed meats and grains, etc, and pleanty of omega 3's around 20G/Day

any other suggestions?

I did order some stablon (was that a Bad idea?)

I know this is extrememly long winded but felt the need to lay it all out there. I dont want to do drugs anymore (BTW I do not drink or use illicit drugs, occasional MJ though), I want a natural and safe solution to my problem and am willing to do what is necessary to change this. This is affecting my relationships, my self confidence and my overall health. I am trying to lead a very spiritual life (I am practicing zen and the drugs are preventing me from discovering who I really am)

C'mon folks I look around and see LM answering others threads and my own sits here for several days with over 40 views and no replies. Have I done something wrong? When I feel I am able to contribute I will but at this point I am in need of all of your help and advice.

Sorry mate, don't know anything about this : (

Ha ha! I just posted a reply to another poster with a similar problem to yours explaining that LM might have missed his post by mistake. So, the same goes to you. Or better yet, like I told the other fella, PM him with a link to your post.

1. You need to get an accurate diagnosis.
2. I would try to get off clonazepam and Trazodone. Perhaps 1-2 grams of Theanine.
3. You have to be careful when increasing dopamine or serotonin if you truly have bipolar as it may worse it.
4. You may want to slowly 1 by 1 add nootropics to carefully review it's effects on you for at least 2 weeks if not a month before adding another one.

yeah I caught that, I need to be more patient...thats part of my issues Ha!

thanks for your reply it has been narrowed down to a depression with anxiety, not bipolar...I am going to order the theanine and start that however I did also start stablon today...not sure if I want to continue though, dont want to trade one drug for another.

So far Ive been off the Klonipin, trazodone and welbutrin for a week (about) and have been taking l-theanine and stablon...So far so good, I did notice that taking stablon with coffee in the am gives me pretty bad anxiety, so Ive laid off the caffeine which is a good thing...

I feel more energy on the stablon and overall my feeling of wellbeing has increased to a certian degree...I have got some more time to see how it is going to work out for me, one week is a very short time...

Im taking 12.5 mg x 3/day...the theanine as necessary, usually about 500mg/day throughout...seems to work pretty well...

Im thinking about adding in the others
L-Huperzine A 100 mcg
Vinpocetine 20 mg
5-HTP 100-200 mg
Inositol 12-18 Grams
Acetyl-L-Carnitine 750-1,500 mg

any suggestions? Contraindications, etc?

I would add vinpocetine of the above items.

Thanks LifeMirage...That will be the next addition...after how many weeks shoudl one begin to add others?

Ideally a month if not 1-2 week min.