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I was really nervous to have to tell my doctor that I had decided to take the Truehope product EMPowerplus. I was pretty sure he was going to either laugh or chastise me out of his office. My anxiety about it was so bad that I didn’t want to mention it at all. Of course, that would have been a poor decision. Allowing anxiety to override your logic is never the right call.
So I told him and surprisingly, he was nonplussed. He just sort of said, “Alright then.”
As it turned out, my doctor knew all about EMPowerplus. He had communicated with the company and had their literature, discontinuation schedules and other information. He’d seen videos and documentaries and was very well-versed in the supplement. I was pretty thankful that I didn’t have to be a part of that education process.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that he would recommend EMPowerplus. I asked him outright whether he would and he said, “No.” This isn’t surprising as if he did recommend it, I’m sure he would have done so with me before now.
He also said this, which I consider to be both interesting and important:
Now, the patients he has seen had bipolar I and not bipolar II (like I have) so he and I agree that my risk of becoming manic or psychotic is minimal. Nevertheless, you’ll note that immediately after starting EMPowerplus I did experience a rapid cycle.
He also said that he does believe in certain nutrient supplementation in psychiatric disorders, he just doesn’t think that the EMPowerplus supplement is special, worth the money or necessarily effective. Part of this opinion is due to the small amounts of many of the nutrients in the supplement. Now, if Truehope were to respond to this I suspect they would say that their blend is critical due to balance. If my doctor were to respond to this, I suspect he would be less generous.
Also, my doctor was very clear in stating that the active effects of EMPowerplus may be due to ingredients not listed or ingredient amounts that are not listed. (Due to the pathetic labelling laws of supplements in the United States, there are many things Truehope doesn’t have to disclose.) Herbs, for example, could be in there and some herbs (like St. John’s wort) are known to produce mania in some people with bipolar disorder.
So, what I think he’s saying is not that it does nothing, but it doesn’t necessarily correct a psychiatric disorder. In my opinion, if the supplement did induce a rapid cycle and giddiness with only half a dose, it seems like taking large amounts could, indeed, be very dangerous to one’s mental state. My doctor confirmed this suspicion and said that he has seen clients abuse this and other “natural” products to purposefully induce mania.
So, in short, he’s not against me trying it but doesn’t think it will work and is not in favour of me getting off my meds in favour of a supplement (duh). He’s fine with the half-dose I was taking but I’ll be pushing that, because, well, that’s just the kind of person I am. If I’m going to see if it works, I’m going to have to actually take a real dose of the stuff.
As always, I do not recommend you follow me on the EMPowerplus journey. Always consult a doctor before adding any supplement to your treatment plan.
Natasha Tracy is an award-winning writer, speaker, advocate, and consultant from the Pacific Northwest. She has been living with bipolar disorder for 26 years and has written more than 2000 articles on the subject.
Find more of Natasha’s work in her acclaimed book: "Lost Marbles: Insights into My Life with Depression & Bipolar" on Amazon.
Connect with Natasha at the social media links below.
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I actually had a psychiatrist recommend EMPowerplus. At the time I was insistent on being med free, after years of medication trials did nothing to improve my mood. The psychiatrist suggested I try the supplement to help stabilize my mood and suggested that the product had proven effective for other patients of his as well as through studies. Eventually I went off the EMPowerplus (because it did nothing for me) and went back on psych meds. I see a different psychiatrist now.
Good doctor. Patients a bit wonky but hey!
Sydney and london fireworks shows coming soon.
Natasha: kudos to you once again for your honesty in spite of the anxiety ( I’d feel similar)
Wow!
Very interning info re St Johns Wort.
Though,of course,not necessarily everyone could go manic it’s good to know these things for future reference.
So,sometimes what sounds healthy and natural,for us could be potentially highly risky even life threatening….
I am sorry you had to go thru the rough period ….but as as always the morale is,you know yourself well enough..
To check in with your Dr.before it got…potentially lethal.
Kudos!
By the way,Happy New Year! :-). From another lucky one who will wake up tommorrow in my own bed and remember everything prior…..:-)
very interesting information from your pdoc. I’m so glad that he knows about this and you don’t have to explain. I’m hoping for the best for you and waiting for further news.
I think that’s an entirely reasonable and responsible reaction. Good for him (and you).