does inositol really work???

[Citrusbee]

I've done a pretty good job so far about containing my urge to pick at my face but I still compulsively bite my nails and the skin and I clip the skin off my feet.
I've refused antidepressants in the past because I'm not into taking medications but if inositol is a vitamin it sounds OK.
Are the side effects really bad?
Is it worth it?

[¤prettyinside¤]

It worked for me for three weeks last month! Then I stopped taking it. How stupid I am. I'm trying to get into a routine with it again though. It made me feel sane and I was able to calm myself down and not pick or be compulsive with life in general.

The side effects are gas and diarrhea, which I actually did run into when I increased to the 2 tsp. 3x daily dosage. They say you should stick with that dosage until the side effects go away and then increase it. Unfortunately that's when I stopped taking it, so I can't tell you what happens after that.

I would DEFINITELY recommend inositol to anyone who is suffering with compulsive skin picking. At any rate, it can't hurt you, so you should give it a try. It's water soluble unlike other B vitamins, so it can't build up in your system. Your body takes what it needs and gets rid of the rest.

Here are two links where you can find more information:
www.trichotillomania.co.uk/Inositol.htm
www.healthrising.com/stories/trich.htm

Lots of luck, and let us know how you do!

[¤prettyinside¤]

Just a little more info for you:

Inositol can also be safely used to augment antidepressant medication. The only exception is that it cannot be taken together with Lithium.

You should use powdered form, and mix it into a glass of water or fruit juice. Solaray brand is best -- the others that I have tried tasted like chemicals and didn't dissolve well. I was told to mix it and let it set for about fifteen minutes before drinking it, just to make sure it's dissolved completely.

Here's the dosage schedule:
Week 1 - 1 tsp/2x per day
Week 2 - 1 tsp/3x per day
Week 3 - 1.5 tsp/3x per day
Week 4 - 2 tsp/3x per day
Week 5 - 2.5 tsp/3x per day
Week 6 - 3 tsp/3x per day

You can stop at whatever dosage works best for you. I was doing pretty well at 2 tsp. 3x per day, but I probably need the 2.5 or 3 tsp., because I was still struggling with the picking occasionally. Again, lots of luck!

[NYdaisy]

Since Inositol is one of the B vitamins, do you think taking a Bcomplex vitamin or a multi-v that has the B's in it is the same?

[lonelyone]

is it true you can't drink caffeine if you want inositol to work? I have all the stuff - but i can't give up my coffee...

[lauryn]

i just bought some at www.vitaminshoppe.com.