Posted by Larry Hoover on August 18, 2003, at 18:53:45
In reply to Re: For Katia and Larry » Larry Hoover, posted by katia on August 18, 2003, at 18:20:34
> Hi larry,
> Were you the one (between you and Bob) to say
> "I don't tolerate meds, and I've tried a lot of them over the years. Many were worse than the symptoms for which I sought treatment. So, on to alternatives...." ?Ya, that was me.
> I'm wondering if I tolerate meds too. Have you tried the gamut of them?
Well, off the top of my head, there was the tricyclic Elavil, Prozac, Paxil, Luvox, lithium, trazodone (three trials), Serzone, Effexor, Remeron, Manerix, numerous benzos, Ultram, perhaps others.
Because of meds, I've gone completely manic, had a psychotic break, become totally obsessed with suicide (I couldn't look at the world without seeing each object as a means to my end), and more....those were the psych side-effects. I don't even want to think about the physical ones.
>And you're finding to better off without?
At the present time. There is no way to know if I am in remission because of anything I have done or not done, unfortunately, as depression is characterized as a remitting disorder. Still, I'd like to think that my present remission is due to my self-care.
> that's interesting.
> I'd love to hear more about that if you want.Sure.
>And what alternatives are you using?
By and large, megavitamin therapy. Over the past few years, I've gone from believing that a "One-A-Day" tablet would meet all my needs, to recognizing that I was probably failing to absorb nutrients effectively (genetic, or possibly something like undiagnosed celiac), to learning about nutrients and RDAs and Upper Limits and all that, to symptom management via nutrients. Either it's a huge coincidence, or my symptoms have remitted because my nutrient intake has increased.
I'm not "totally well" better, but I'm better than I've been in years. Mood stable, cognitive function decent (or better), memory acceptable and still improving, relatively stress resistant, physically resilient. A lot of the "old me", a guy I thought I'd lost forever, is back.
>(I've tried St. John's Wort and 5HTP on my own before giving in to ADs which didn't work for me and now onto mood stabilizers).
> thanks.
> KatiaSt. John's wort is the only antidepressant to ever really work for me, and it did so without any tangible side effects. Unfortunately, I stopped using it when I thought I was better (and before I started the nutrients). I have not had a similar response to it in later trials, but that may be due to the batch-to-batch inconsistency of herbal products.
Feel free to toss some questions my way.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:250389
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030818/msgs/251948.html