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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Micky on April 7, 2001, at 18:06:45
I was wondering in anyone had any info on alternative med. approaches to depression? I have had depression to some degree for about 15 years, but it has gotten worse in the last 2 years or so.
Because of the side-effects people talk about on this board and others, I am hesitant to try presc. meds. Although I will have to if nothing else works.
I have already tried st johns wort, kava, 5-htp, and L-tyrosine. None of these have worked. I also eat a good diet and exercise regularly.
Any ideas?
Posted by mila on April 7, 2001, at 18:37:21
In reply to Alt med. for depression, posted by Micky on April 7, 2001, at 18:06:45
try orthomolecular psychiatry. some of us have a very idiosyncratic biochemical profile. the treatment for depression is usually larger than 'normal' amounts of certain vitamins, minerals, and essential oils that are involved in serotonin etc production, and exclusion or detox from metals that are in excess in your system. there might be an association of orthomolecular medicine or ort. psychiatry in your country. they will refer you to the specialist in your area.
good luck
mila
Posted by Sulpicia on April 7, 2001, at 19:57:34
In reply to Alt med. for depression, posted by Micky on April 7, 2001, at 18:06:45
> Hi --
I'm afraid I don't have any alternatives for you but I do want to
respond to your statement that you haven't tried prescription
meds because of all the side effects you read about on this board.
You said you've had depression for 15 yrs, and severely for
the last 2. That's a lot of your life so I want to make
the following observation: the hundreds of thousands of
people who use AD meds with no problem ARE UNLIKELY TO
POST ON A FORUM LIKE THIS. I wish they did.
Please keep this in mind, and I wish you the best of
luck.
S. :)
Posted by ShelliR on April 7, 2001, at 20:43:05
In reply to Alt med. for depression, posted by Micky on April 7, 2001, at 18:06:45
> I was wondering in anyone had any info on alternative med. approaches to depression? I have had depression to some degree for about 15 years, but it has gotten worse in the last 2 years or so.
>
> Because of the side-effects people talk about on this board and others, I am hesitant to try presc. meds. Although I will have to if nothing else works.
>
> I have already tried st johns wort, kava, 5-htp, and L-tyrosine. None of these have worked. I also eat a good diet and exercise regularly.
>
> Any ideas?Micky, lots of people have had success with sam-e.
There's a book at called Stop Depression Now by Richard Brown which I would read if I decided to try sam-e. He feels that 70% of depressed people respond to sam-e. You might want to try it. Also you might want to do a search on sam-e bulletin boards, there's a really good one, but I can't recall where it is.Shelli (who was one of the 30% who sam-e didn't help!--but I still think it is a great herb for many people.)
Posted by blackjack on April 8, 2001, at 16:26:09
In reply to Alt med. for depression, posted by Micky on April 7, 2001, at 18:06:45
There are various "alternative" treatments for depression out there, and some, like St. Johnsword and SAM-e have some strong scientific support behind them. However, do NOT attempt to treat depression (or any other serious illness) without some supervision from a medical professional. First of all, there are numerous nonpyschiatric ailments, some very serious, whose symptoms mimic those of depression. If you haven't seen a doctor, you cannot be sure you're treating the right thing. Second, any psychoactive drug, even "natural" drugs, can have unexpected effects, not the least of which is activation of mania or worsening of depresive symptoms. You need to have somebody watching your pharmacologic back, as it were.
There are psychiatrists out there who are open to non-traditional therapies. I'm sure most of them would rather have you taking a "natural" drug under there supervision than see you getting no treatent at all, or treating yourself.
Posted by Kathi on April 8, 2001, at 19:47:48
In reply to Re: Alt med. for depression, posted by blackjack on April 8, 2001, at 16:26:09
> There are various "alternative" treatments for depression out there, and some, like St. Johnsword and SAM-e have some strong scientific support behind them. However, do NOT attempt to treat depression (or any other serious illness) without some supervision from a medical professional. First of all, there are numerous nonpyschiatric ailments, some very serious, whose symptoms mimic those of depression. If you haven't seen a doctor, you cannot be sure you're treating the right thing. Second, any psychoactive drug, even "natural" drugs, can have unexpected effects, not the least of which is activation of mania or worsening of depresive symptoms. You need to have somebody watching your pharmacologic back, as it were.
>
> There are psychiatrists out there who are open to non-traditional therapies. I'm sure most of them would rather have you taking a "natural" drug under there supervision than see you getting no treatent at all, or treating yourself.
>
>Blackjack...I fully agree with you
Kathi(karen)
Posted by Finallyhappy? on April 9, 2001, at 15:06:47
In reply to Re: Alt med. for depression » Micky, posted by ShelliR on April 7, 2001, at 20:43:05
> > Shelli, I have tried St Johns and had no luck with it. I finally went to the doctor and was put on Effexor. They start you with 37.5mg and step up tp 75mg per day. The first couple of days were rough. Goofy feeling, light headed and unable to get words out of my mouth. Also restless nights for a few days. I have been on 75mg for almost 2 months and I feel fine. I had almost immediate results with my depression being reduced tremendously. I don't have all of the negative feelings and thoughts coursing through my brain at all waking hours. I am satisfied with my current results. Will it last?? Will I have withdrawal problems?? I won't know till I try.And you won't know till you try also. My doctor wants to keep me on this for 6 months and then will slowly reduce my dosage. Try it, the only thing you have to lose may be your life!
Posted by ShelliR on April 9, 2001, at 16:35:23
In reply to Re: Alt med. for depression, posted by Finallyhappy? on April 9, 2001, at 15:06:47
> > > Shelli, I have tried St Johns and had no luck with it. I finally went to the doctor and was put on Effexor. They start you with 37.5mg and step up tp 75mg per day. The first couple of days were rough. Goofy feeling, light headed and unable to get words out of my mouth. Also restless nights for a few days. I have been on 75mg for almost 2 months and I feel fine. I had almost immediate results with my depression being reduced tremendously. I don't have all of the negative feelings and thoughts coursing through my brain at all waking hours. I am satisfied with my current results. Will it last?? Will I have withdrawal problems?? I won't know till I try.And you won't know till you try also. My doctor wants to keep me on this for 6 months and then will slowly reduce my dosage. Try it, the only thing you have to lose may be your life!
I don't know who this message is meant for. I just suggested that Micky might want to look into sam-e, since it has worked for many people and has few side effects. I would always start any medication trial with the medication having the least side effects. Anyway, I'm not interested in trying effexor or any other ssri. But perhaps your message was not meant to be sent to me. shelli
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