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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 Hildi on June 9, 2002, at 17:20:30
I have just weaned myself off of zoloft after being on it for 8+ years and I have been trying alternative methods of dealing with this . .
First I tried 5-HTP, but it made me feel wierd- very shaky, very tired, also felt 'stoned' - not good since I am 9 years clean and sober and want to stay that way. I have now been on SAMe for 3 days and don't know WHAT to think of it . .I cannot sleep, I am anxious/nervious/itchy- feel like I'm going to jump out of my skin! Is this normal to feel when first starting SAMe? Is SAMe helpful for those who have depression with (MAJOR) anxiety? Also, what is this 'neurontin' that I saw mentioned on an earlier post- is this similar in any way to Buspar?? AHH! I'm miserable here! Don't know if I should start with the zoloft again or what- and if I do, will I have a reaction with the SAMe? Does anyone have any advice here? I'd sure appreciate it. (The whole reason I went off zoloft was I was starting to feel too many side effects-much too often and could feel wierd sensations in my brain!! Also, the zoloft increased my stress and the amount of panic/anxiety attacks I was experiencing. It's wierd- I'm more anxious now, but having less panic attacks.)
Posted by bobbyy on June 9, 2002, at 18:29:02
In reply to alternative treatments for anxiety/depression??, posted by Hildi on June 9, 2002, at 17:20:30
If you are bipolar, SamE which is also great for the liver can really make you manic...you can try omega 3's ...fish oil or flaxseed oil...
Bobby bipolar II> I have just weaned myself off of zoloft after being on it for 8+ years and I have been trying alternative methods of dealing with this . .
> First I tried 5-HTP, but it made me feel wierd- very shaky, very tired, also felt 'stoned' - not good since I am 9 years clean and sober and want to stay that way. I have now been on SAMe for 3 days and don't know WHAT to think of it . .I cannot sleep, I am anxious/nervious/itchy- feel like I'm going to jump out of my skin! Is this normal to feel when first starting SAMe? Is SAMe helpful for those who have depression with (MAJOR) anxiety? Also, what is this 'neurontin' that I saw mentioned on an earlier post- is this similar in any way to Buspar?? AHH! I'm miserable here! Don't know if I should start with the zoloft again or what- and if I do, will I have a reaction with the SAMe? Does anyone have any advice here? I'd sure appreciate it. (The whole reason I went off zoloft was I was starting to feel too many side effects-much too often and could feel wierd sensations in my brain!! Also, the zoloft increased my stress and the amount of panic/anxiety attacks I was experiencing. It's wierd- I'm more anxious now, but having less panic attacks.)
Posted by JohnX2 on June 10, 2002, at 2:56:27
In reply to alternative treatments for anxiety/depression??, posted by Hildi on June 9, 2002, at 17:20:30
> I have just weaned myself off of zoloft after being on it for 8+ years and I have been trying alternative methods of dealing with this . .
> First I tried 5-HTP, but it made me feel wierd- very shaky, very tired, also felt 'stoned' - not good since I am 9 years clean and sober and want to stay that way. I have now been on SAMe for 3 days and don't know WHAT to think of it . .I cannot sleep, I am anxious/nervious/itchy- feel like I'm going to jump out of my skin! Is this normal to feel when first starting SAMe? Is SAMe helpful for those who have depression with (MAJOR) anxiety? Also, what is this 'neurontin' that I saw mentioned on an earlier post- is this similar in any way to Buspar?? AHH! I'm miserable here! Don't know if I should start with the zoloft again or what- and if I do, will I have a reaction with the SAMe? Does anyone have any advice here? I'd sure appreciate it. (The whole reason I went off zoloft was I was starting to feel too many side effects-much too often and could feel wierd sensations in my brain!! Also, the zoloft increased my stress and the amount of panic/anxiety attacks I was experiencing. It's wierd- I'm more anxious now, but having less panic attacks.)
SAM-E is generally a very energizing AD. I'm no
expert here, but I don't think it is too good for
people with major anxiety.Neurontin is an AED (antiepileptic drug). It is
non habit forming. Although it was designed for epilepsy,
Neurontin, like many of the AEDs, can also treat mood
disorders. Usually mood swings. Neurontin just happens
to have a very nice antianxiety effect for many. It usually
is much easier to tolerate side effect wise than an AD.
Usually you will feel an effect with the 1st few dosings.
Your mileage my vary.Buspar is indicated to treat anxiety disorders, but
at very high doses (~60 mg), it may also help with depression.
It generally doesn't have quite the bang of the main
stream SSRIs (but for some people it is great). Its advantage
is that it has one of the lowest side effect profiles of all
the medicines. It takes 2+ weeks to feel an effect.Regards,
John
Posted by Schuyler on June 10, 2002, at 7:22:14
In reply to alternative treatments for anxiety/depression??, posted by Hildi on June 9, 2002, at 17:20:30
Have you tried St. John's Wort (hypericum) for depression? Here's a link to start with:
http://www.hypericum.comSchuyler
Posted by johnj on June 10, 2002, at 9:45:43
In reply to alternative treatments for anxiety/depression??, posted by Hildi on June 9, 2002, at 17:20:30
Hi,
I have tried two small doses of sam-e(I am unipolar with lots of anxiety) and although I cannot pinpoint it directly to sam-e I appear to get very activated on it. Granted, this is only two times, but last week when I tried it (maybe 100 mg) I became very activated and my mind raced. I had a bad few days because I couldn't sleep, but I added some benzo and it has sort of resolved itself. I am so med sensitive that activation caused more anxiety. It is very perplexing to me right now so I am not sure what I will do regarding my meds right now. I like the benzo's but I need something that doesn't make me more depressed. Have you tried any benzo's? If life was more managable with zoloft it may be the way to go. good luck.
johnj
Posted by Hildi on June 10, 2002, at 20:57:33
In reply to Re: alternatives for anxiety/depression(Hildi), posted by johnj on June 10, 2002, at 9:45:43
To all who responded to me- THANK YOU!! I really mean it!! I have only recently come across this website, but after reading some of the posts I thought this seems like a safe place to talk and find out more information from/with others who can understand what I'm going through and are going through something similar. This is so scary and it is very scary not knowing who to talk to, whom you can trust, and who will understand how frightening this is. I don't know which is worse, the anxiety or the depression- I think they go hand-in-hand for me. I have been suffering from major anxiety and depression all my life and I have never before known who to talk to- my DR. means well, I guess, but he is clueless, even patronizing at times. I have been trying to go this alone for so many years . . .I cannot share my concerns, ideas or questions with my Dr., because he only wants to UP my meds- he has no regard for any other types of therapy other than the conventional meds. I SO appreciate your input, to those who responded. . . I started taking 25 mg. zoloft last night (yesterday morning was my last dose of SAMe) and I was actually able to sleep. I had body tremors last night and a little bit of anxiety this morning, but I feel O.K. I definately think the zoloft helps me with my anxiety, and if I can get by on only 25 mg., I am going to try to do it. Maybe I will not get the side effects I previously did. (I was on 50 mg. before). I cannot go on benzo's because I have such an addictive personality it will be just as bad for me as drinking again. I did go on Buspar many years ago- right before the SSRI's and I stopped taking it because I was having a reaction to the combo of Prozac and Buspar. However, if it does not work for me at 25 mg. of zoloft- if I start getting a reaction again- I may try Buspar again. St. John's wort did nothing for me, it actually made me feel worse. As for the SAMe, I believe that SAMe is NOT for people like me who are super sensitive and super anxious-
Posted by Ed O`Flaherty on June 14, 2002, at 7:31:19
In reply to alternative treatments for anxiety/depression??, posted by Hildi on June 9, 2002, at 17:20:30
I think it is worthwhile trying omega-3 fish oil.Depression is much more common in countries where very little fish is consumed and 20% of the human brain is fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids.A dose of 5-10g daily for a few weeks trial is worthwhile in many cases.Unsuitable for those with clotting disorders.Have a look at my site www.omega3.20megsfree.com
Posted by Hildi on June 14, 2002, at 17:51:05
In reply to Re: alternative treatments for anxiety/depression??, posted by Ed O`Flaherty on June 14, 2002, at 7:31:19
> I think it is worthwhile trying omega-3 fish oil.Depression is much more common in countries where very little fish is consumed and 20% of the human brain is fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids.A dose of 5-10g daily for a few weeks trial is worthwhile in many cases.Unsuitable for those with clotting disorders.Have a look at my site www.omega3.20megsfree.com
Thanks. I did start taking omega-3's a couple days ago, but a smaller amount. There are different omega-3's aren't there? I mean, aren't some supplements flax oil, not fish oil? (Maybe I am thinking of something else?) Is omega-3 in the form of fish oil the best?
This is the end of the thread.
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