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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Rhainy on August 14, 2000, at 16:56:17
Greetings!
I am new to PB and wanted to see if anyone had some ideas for me.
I was diagnosed with Advanced Osteoarthritis of the Spine last year and told within about 10 years I would most likely be in a wheelchair. I am only 39...so, I very quickly fell into a very deep bout of Depression which is still a major problem in my life at this time. I had to have people (and the doctor) tell me I needed help, because I am one of those *I can fix Anything* people.
I cannot do my usual work as a Dispatcher becuase of the depression. Add to that I am Morbidly Obese by medical standards and my father (59) is dying from cancer and will most likely not live to see this winter. Also, I cannot even afford to go to therapy which I Know would be helpful because we make enough to Barely survive but too much for any kind of assistance from State or Federal Agencies.
I have been on several SSRIs with *Fair* results in the realm of the depression, HOWEVER...I Refuse to deal with the most common side afffects that seems to be present with ALL of them. The sexual side affects, which are many and varied. I am aslo trying to find a doctor I can trust, which so far has been really difficult.
Has anyone got any ideas about how to cope with the depression *WITHOUT* Meds? I just wil NOT give up an active happy sex life for the fix on the depression...I know it may sound pretty crazy, but..I wont do it...
Thanks In Advance,
Rhainy
Posted by Kath on August 14, 2000, at 20:23:25
In reply to Newbie Here - Coping With No Meds, posted by Rhainy on August 14, 2000, at 16:56:17
Hi Rhainy,
If you look back through the posts, you'll find posts about SAMe & St. John's Wort. You might find some info about using more "natural" substances for help with depression. My daughter finds KavaKava helps calm her down. A friend uses St. John's Wort & finds it helps with her depression. I find a product called Calm Fortes (homeopathic) can calm me down if I'm upset, however if says "for occasional use" on the box it comes in so I decided not to use it ongoing. Good luck. Keep up 'posted'. Kath
> Greetings!
>
> I am new to PB and wanted to see if anyone had some ideas for me.
>
> I was diagnosed with Advanced Osteoarthritis of the Spine last year and told within about 10 years I would most likely be in a wheelchair. I am only 39...so, I very quickly fell into a very deep bout of Depression which is still a major problem in my life at this time. I had to have people (and the doctor) tell me I needed help, because I am one of those *I can fix Anything* people.
>
> I cannot do my usual work as a Dispatcher becuase of the depression. Add to that I am Morbidly Obese by medical standards and my father (59) is dying from cancer and will most likely not live to see this winter. Also, I cannot even afford to go to therapy which I Know would be helpful because we make enough to Barely survive but too much for any kind of assistance from State or Federal Agencies.
>
> I have been on several SSRIs with *Fair* results in the realm of the depression, HOWEVER...I Refuse to deal with the most common side afffects that seems to be present with ALL of them. The sexual side affects, which are many and varied. I am aslo trying to find a doctor I can trust, which so far has been really difficult.
>
> Has anyone got any ideas about how to cope with the depression *WITHOUT* Meds? I just wil NOT give up an active happy sex life for the fix on the depression...I know it may sound pretty crazy, but..I wont do it...
>
> Thanks In Advance,
> Rhainy
Posted by cakes on August 15, 2000, at 9:32:13
In reply to Newbie Here - Coping With No Meds, posted by Rhainy on August 14, 2000, at 16:56:17
Hi Rhainy,
I read your post, and I know you said "NO MEDS", but I'm just curious if you've tried Serzone? Some people do really well on this for depression. According to my doctor, it is supposed to be one med with little or no side effects relating to sex. I have no answers for you about handling depression on your own. Just be sure you have a good support system and surround yourself with people you love and who love you.
Keep us all posted on how you're doing. You can always find support here.
I truly hope you find something that helps you.
Take care,
Cakes
Posted by Rhainy on August 15, 2000, at 10:07:59
In reply to Re: Newbie Here - Coping With No Meds » Rhainy, posted by cakes on August 15, 2000, at 9:32:13
> Hi Rhainy,
>
> I read your post, and I know you said "NO MEDS", but I'm just curious if you've tried Serzone?I have been trying to find a new doctor because the one I had was too ambigious and non-agressive...she basically let me decide my own treatments and never followed up.
>Some people do really well on this for depression. According to my doctor, it is supposed to be one med with little or no side effects relating to sex. I have no answers for you about handling depression on your own. Just be sure you have a good support system and surround yourself with people you love and who love you.
>
I have a fairly strong support system in my Hubby, but he is also dealing with his own issues at the moment and that is why I chose to seek out this board, in hopes of having an uninvolved support system. (not directly involved is more correct I guess) lol> Keep us all posted on how you're doing. You can always find support here.
>
> I truly hope you find something that helps you.I will talk to the new doc, when I find them about Serezone and also will keep everyone posted on what is going on...
Blessings,
Rhainy
Posted by Rhainy on August 15, 2000, at 10:14:05
In reply to Welcome » Rhainy, posted by Kath on August 14, 2000, at 20:23:25
> Hi Rhainy,
>
> If you look back through the posts, you'll find posts about SAMe & St. John's Wort. You might find some info about using more "natural" substances for help with depression. My daughter finds KavaKava helps calm her down. A friend uses St. John's Wort & finds it helps with her depression. I find a product called Calm Fortes (homeopathic) can calm me down if I'm upset, however if says "for occasional use" on the box it comes in so I decided not to use it ongoing. Good luck. Keep up 'posted'. KathHmm, well I have tried St John's and KavaKava and cannot afford SAMe...as for the Calm's Forte...I will have to look into that. Maybe it can help.
My depression is the sleep all the time, cannot focus, no energy and just cannot do anything anymore type...I know there are alot of different symptoms for depression so I figured I had better clarify that point.
Thanks for the welcome.
Blessings,
Rhainy
Posted by Kath on August 16, 2000, at 10:03:34
In reply to Re: Welcome » Kath, posted by Rhainy on August 15, 2000, at 10:14:05
Hi Rhainy - Thx for clarifying. I do NOT think Calm Fortes would be at all good for that, however I wonder if ginseng might help? You might read up on it. Most natural food stores have a 'herbal encyclopedia' or herbal books that describe the effects of various herbs. Various members of my family have found that ginseng gives a boost in their energy level. We tend to use Siberian Ginseng; there a different types of ginseng.
Take care, Kath
> > Hi Rhainy,
> >
> > If you look back through the posts, you'll find posts about SAMe & St. John's Wort. You might find some info about using more "natural" substances for help with depression. My daughter finds KavaKava helps calm her down. A friend uses St. John's Wort & finds it helps with her depression. I find a product called Calm Fortes (homeopathic) can calm me down if I'm upset, however if says "for occasional use" on the box it comes in so I decided not to use it ongoing. Good luck. Keep up 'posted'. Kath
>
> Hmm, well I have tried St John's and KavaKava and cannot afford SAMe...as for the Calm's Forte...I will have to look into that. Maybe it can help.
>
> My depression is the sleep all the time, cannot focus, no energy and just cannot do anything anymore type...I know there are alot of different symptoms for depression so I figured I had better clarify that point.
>
> Thanks for the welcome.
>
> Blessings,
> Rhainy
Posted by Rhainy on August 16, 2000, at 10:16:35
In reply to Re: Welcome » Rhainy, posted by Kath on August 16, 2000, at 10:03:34
Kath,
I am Wiccan and use alot of Herbal rememdies due to my Spiritual Path. I have tried many of the Herbal and Natural remedies for Depression and Energies with no results. So I am still looking....SIGH
Oh and I do realize there are different species of many of the plants, like Ginseng, but so far, all of the herbal remedies I have tried have little or no effect even after trying varying doses over reasonable amounts of time (For StJohn's I gave it about 4 months) and since they are not working, I am trying to get on a AD which will.
Thanks for the suggestions!
Blessings,
Rhainy> Hi Rhainy - Thx for clarifying. I do NOT think Calm Fortes would be at all good for that, however I wonder if ginseng might help? You might read up on it. Most natural food stores have a 'herbal encyclopedia' or herbal books that describe the effects of various herbs. Various members of my family have found that ginseng gives a boost in their energy level. We tend to use Siberian Ginseng; there a different types of ginseng.
Posted by stjames on August 16, 2000, at 17:26:49
In reply to Newbie Here - Coping With No Meds, posted by Rhainy on August 14, 2000, at 16:56:17
I just wil NOT give up an active happy sex life for the fix on the depression...
James here....
How is your sex life when you are depressed ?
james
Posted by Rhainy on August 16, 2000, at 18:02:06
In reply to Re: Newbie Here - Coping With No Meds, posted by stjames on August 16, 2000, at 17:26:49
> I just wil NOT give up an active happy sex life for the fix on the depression...
>
> James here....
>
> How is your sex life when you are depressed ?James....
Surprisingly it is one of my most treasured Anti-stressers and keep me from bottoming outers....I have no difficulty with lack of drive, orgasm or libido...maybe I am weird, but my DH and I have such a good sex life that I would probably not survive if it wasnt fir that and his support.
Blessings,
Rhainy
This is the end of the thread.
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