Choline has to do with nerve impulses from the brain through the central nervous system. Without choline brain function and memory are impaired. The greatest function of choline is with memory. I don't think there is any connection between depression and choline. Although choline does aid in hormone production, this can add to a problem with bipolar or depression. I don't think that choline alone would help. Choline is very important though, it is an essential component of all cell membranes which is about thirty trillion cells in your body....so it is an important nutrient! Hope this helps! For product information on ourCDP Choline Caps click here.

It's dangerous for you to go off of Lithium, since you've been on it for 15 years. You can start taking nutritional things to help with your depression. But you must not go off of the Lithium without your doctors help. Here's the protocol for depression using nutritional supplements:

Full Spectrum Nutrition

• Stress B-Complex.....double the label dosage
  
• Vitamin B12 (sublingual).....500 mcg 3-4 times per day
  
• Magnesium............................600 mg per day extra
  
• Vitamin B1...............100-200 mg per day
  
• Vitamin B6................50-100 mg per day
  
• Iron............................50 mg per day for 1 week
  
• Betaine Hydrochloride...300 mg with each meal
  
• 5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan (5-HTP)...500 mg per day
  
• St. John's Wort..............100-200 mg per day
  
• Acetyl L-Carnitine.........500-1000 mg per day
  
• Phosphatidylserine.........300-600 mg per day
  
• Phenylalanine*...............1000 mg at bed time
  
  

*Note: do not take if you suffer from uncontrolled high blood pressure.

Here's some products that we highly recommend:

Hope this info is helpful.

The best thing you can do for your body is to get on a Full Spectrum vitamin supplement. There are a lot of things that can cause depression and fatigue. If you don't give your body EVERYTHING it needs, it can't help itself heal. The only way to have optimal performance from your body is to give it all the nutrients that it requires. Did you know that our body needs over 54 nutrients? There is no way that we can get all of those nutrients in the foods we eat....unless you live on a farm, grow it yourself and are putting those nutrients in the soil. It's almost impossible to do. We recommend Ultra Body Toddy, a Full Spectrum liquid vitamin supplement.

Then after you've supplemented your body with all the vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants that it needs, you may find that the SAMe will work a lot better when you've balanced your body nutritionally. You might even find that you don't need the SAMe, or not as much. Once a body has been depleted for a long time, it could take up to 3 months to re-balance.

I nursed my first two children while taking low doses of Depakote (500 mg/day). (I am taking it to control manic episodes.) I am pregnant with my third and currently off the medication, but as I experienced a manic episode 3 months after my last pregnancy, I will have to take at least 1000 mg/day after the baby is born. I would appreciate any information you could send my way. Thank you!

I really don't have any additional information on Valporic Acid and nursing babies. I know that many things go into mother's milk. I wouldn't be surprised if the Valporic Acid also carried over into your milk. I know that nutritionists don't approve of women taking Grape Seed Extract while nursing because they're not sure of the effect on the small infant. Grape Seed Extract is totally natural, but has the capability of passing the blood/brain barrier...which might be too strong for a small child.

I would check with your doctor and ask him what the pharmaceutical company says about their drug. They probably have the most information. Find out all the little details, as much as you can.

I would highly recommend getting on a Full Spectrum Nutritional Supplement. After having babies, our bodies are pretty leached of nutrients, which can cause hormonal fluctuations and cause depression. I'm sure everyone experiences some "blues" but there are some nutritional things you can do, that don't have "side effects", that can help tremendously.

I know that some people are more prone to the "blues" than others, and it's important to take care of yourself so you can take care of your family. We should have our web site up soon that talks about depression and nutritional things to help.

You'll know what's best for you, but still I'd try nutrition first and then fall back on the drugs if you need them.

P.S. Congratulations on your pregnancy! Here's to good health!