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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by daisyduke on January 1, 2003, at 23:10:00
Just wondering if anyone can give me any suggestions for alternatives to antidepressants. I'm currently trying to get off effexor and want to live drug free. I would like to just start working on myself. Work out, eat better and progress. I'm just really worried about having my anxiety and depression come back.Thanks to anyone that has any advice..
Posted by JohnL on January 2, 2003, at 8:18:31
In reply to Alternatives To Antidepressants, posted by daisyduke on January 1, 2003, at 23:10:00
Alternatives to antidepressants?
SAMe is one. Lots of anecdotal and scientific evidence.
St Johnswort is another. In Europe it is prescribed more than Prozac.
Rhodiola Rosea is another. Type the name into a search and you should find a lot of good information. This is an old treatment from Russia, but some say it is superior to SAMe or SJW.
Precursor supplements like 5HTP, tyrosine, and phenylalanine are sometimes helpful.
But like antidepressants, any of them will take a little time.
Some people are able to ween off their meds and do OK, while others are not.
Posted by BlackSheep on January 2, 2003, at 8:23:33
In reply to Alternatives To Antidepressants, posted by daisyduke on January 1, 2003, at 23:10:00
I would search this board on supplements such as fish oil (DHA/EPA), Inositol, 5-HTP, SAM-E (expensive), St. Johns Wart, B-1, B Complex, DL-Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Glutamine, GABA, Magesium, and Ginko Biloba. Pay particular attention by posts submitted by Larry Hoover.
I would not recommend doing a search on these supplements on the web, as you will be inundated with hits from manufacuters, sale companies, and therefore, will not recieve objective advice.
Good luck. I'm trying this route as well.
Posted by Bill L on January 2, 2003, at 14:45:50
In reply to Alternatives To Antidepressants, posted by daisyduke on January 1, 2003, at 23:10:00
Working out and eating better should make you feel better. But they have definitely not been demonstrated to replace medication and cure depression. SAM-e helps some people but not others. It is much more expensive than prescription drugs, especially since insurance does not cover it.
Are you doing well on Effexor? For the vast majority of users, Effexor is very well tolerated even with long term use. If you are currently doing ok, keep taking the Effexor.
Posted by oracle on January 2, 2003, at 14:51:38
In reply to Alternatives To Antidepressants, posted by daisyduke on January 1, 2003, at 23:10:00
Alternatives such as herbs and nutrients
are drugs, too.
Posted by daizy on January 3, 2003, at 9:09:12
In reply to Alternatives To Antidepressants, posted by daisyduke on January 1, 2003, at 23:10:00
Posted by Nala on January 3, 2003, at 16:03:09
In reply to Alternatives: Anyone tried Homeopathy? (nm), posted by daizy on January 3, 2003, at 9:09:12
My pdoc is a certified homeopathic practitioner as well as a psychiatrist. She had me taking Sepia. I'm not sure if it helped or not. I took it for months, but from what I've read your supposed to take it indefinately.
This is the end of the thread.
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