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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Janice on April 10, 2000, at 20:56:45
Hello everyone,
I've been posting here at psychobabble since last summer, and I have to say, I have learnt more here in the 9 months I've been here than I did for the 6 years I've been seeing psychiatrists. [This says more about being proactive than anything about psychiatrists.]
Since I am a rapid cycler, I feel I have no choice but to get better without ADs. And I'd like to share with everyone what my plans are...many of these things I learnt here at psychobabble.
•keep my sleep regular--and get up 1-2 hours early on the depressed part of my cycle
•get my thyroid tested (above thread)
•use lights and a dawn simulator
•start & follow (if it works) a hyperglycemic diet, which eliminates all sugar, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, & white flour.
•Run everyday for 25 minutes (I know depressed people right now probably want to bonk me over the head), but I am hyper and love running (when I can get out and remain out of bed--which is now)
_______________________________________
As I said previously, I have learnt so much at psychobabble and would like to thank everyone for their contributions to the improvement I have made this far in my life. I want to share these things with you in hopes of giving someelse an idea for themselves, and, of course, I am also sharing this with you so anyone who has any experience with any of these methods of getting better could share their experiences with me.
Thanks, Janice
Posted by Cam W. on April 10, 2000, at 22:30:03
In reply to How I plan to get better without Anti-depressants, posted by Janice on April 10, 2000, at 20:56:45
Janice - Keep us informed on your progress and good luck (also good plan). BTW I will be in Cowtown for the Stampede. I teach square dancing (13 yrs.) on the Stephen Ave. Mall with Downtown Attractions near Holt Renfrew (10am - noon except parade day and Sundays). I'm one of the guys in the funny shirts with a name tag. - Cam W.
Posted by Scott L. Schofield on April 10, 2000, at 23:00:41
In reply to Re: How I plan to get better sans Anti-depressants, posted by Cam W. on April 10, 2000, at 22:30:03
> Janice - Keep us informed on your progress and good luck (also good plan).
Ditto.
:-)
- Scott
Posted by KarenB on April 11, 2000, at 2:10:48
In reply to How I plan to get better without Anti-depressants, posted by Janice on April 10, 2000, at 20:56:45
Go Janice Go Janice Go Janice!!!!!!
Look forward to hearing of your progress.
You didn't mention anything about EFAs but I think it may be a really good time to give them a trial too. Couldn't hurt.
Question: Do you have a backup, like a fast acting whatever on hand in case you cycle into 'dangerous' territory? For example, I keep some Survector around when I am going drug-free, because I have been down in the pit too many times to think it couldn't happen again. Hope this doesn't sound discouraging - I don't mean it to be. It's kind of like the safety net they used under the steel workers who built the Golden Gate Bridge. They all knew what they were doing BUT...
Blessings and best of wishes!!
Karen
Posted by Phil on April 11, 2000, at 7:18:02
In reply to Re: How I plan to get better without Anti-depressants, posted by KarenB on April 11, 2000, at 2:10:48
> Go Janice Go Janice Go Janice!!!!!!
>
Sounds like an excellent plan!!!!!Phil
Posted by Noa on April 11, 2000, at 8:16:48
In reply to Re: How I plan to get better without Anti-depressants, posted by Phil on April 11, 2000, at 7:18:02
Janice, that is an ambitious plan, and I admire you for taking it on. Good luck and keep us posted.
Posted by Janice on April 11, 2000, at 15:45:14
In reply to Re: How I plan to get better without Anti-depressants, posted by Noa on April 11, 2000, at 8:16:48
Hi everyone, thanks for your responses.
Cam, if I am still in Calgary by then (August, I think), I’d love to come down to meet you. I don’t square dance though, and I’m way older than 13. Remind me if you remember as Stampede time approaches.
KarenB, I always forget to mention that I’m on 1200mg Lithium, which keeps the floor of my life in place.
What is an EFA?
Janice
Posted by KarenB on April 11, 2000, at 18:07:04
In reply to Re: How I plan to get better without Anti-depressa, posted by Janice on April 11, 2000, at 15:45:14
> What is an EFA?
>
> JaniceEssential Fatty Acids - deficiency of which is linked to Bipolar Disorder. A couple of weeks ago, ChrisA posted the therapeutic levels from a clinical trial - huge amounts. I am just taking 2 tablespoons a day of Flax Seed Oil. The other sources are fish oil and are slightly different in chemical compound. Taking both is supposedly necessary for the therapy. I will need to get the capsule form for the fish oil, though, as even the flax seed oil kind of makes me gag. One sign of deficiency is cracked heels and fingertips. Oh, and Bipolar Disorder, so they say. Go to mothernature.com and do a search on EFA and they'll have several articles you can read on it. They have good prices on products, too. That's where I get all my vitamins, etc.
barleans.com has very fresh, high quality flax seed oil.
Good luck on your new program. Please do keep us posted.Karen
Posted by Cam W. on April 11, 2000, at 18:27:00
In reply to Re: How I plan to get better without Anti-depressa, posted by Janice on April 11, 2000, at 15:45:14
Janice - You are never too old to learn to square dance. I think you misunderstood me. I have been teaching as a volunteer at the Stampede for 13 years. Don't worry, I'll remind you and you will learn to square dance ;-) (if you want to)EFA = Essential Fatty Acids - As Karen has said.
Hang in there - Cam W.
Posted by eve on April 11, 2000, at 19:21:04
In reply to Re: How I plan to get better without Anti-depressa, posted by KarenB on April 11, 2000, at 18:07:04
Hello Janice and all the others on this thread. I have been looking for something like this place for a while now. This thread specifically as I have been one week and 2 days completely off of effexor. I can be verbose so I'll try to keep my story short here. I am glad for Janice's drive to get better through a purely natural resource; self. I have been in and out of therapy for almost my whole life (I'm 37 now). In the beginning of 1996 when I was NOT in therapy I had somewhat of a breakdown. The stresses of life career, love and the pursuit of happiness got to me. I couldn't get out of bed for 5 days and didn't leave my apartment for 2 weeks straight. I kept a good lie when I spoke to my parents though. I didn't want to get them involved....but the camel's back broke and my folks helped me get up and take the first step to getting back into therapy. My cognitive therapist sent me to a psychopharmacologist who started me on Zoloft. YUK! Gave me so much gas I told her to switch me immediately because my social life was in jeopardy!!!! I began effexor. I was on it until last week. Yes, about four years. I have a very sensitive constitution and she had a hard time with my dosage because I really only needed a very small amount except the few periods when things were unbearable. My average daily dosage was 150mg. I did really well on it for the first 2 years. NO side effects at all!!! I had no sexual dysfunction and I can even remember having a legitimate reason to cry my eyes out when a very special young man told me he didn’t want to be in a relationship with me any longer. (needless to say we’re good friends now and it’s me who has no interest in him). BUT as it is being on medication the honeymoon began to end AT the end of the 2nd year and I began to have the side effects. I didn’t even realize that’s what it was….side effects. I am actually into holistic healing and resisted the anti depressants for so long . I took up going to acupuncture on a regular basis to help resist the side effects. It worked, but keeping THAT up isn’t always so easy. ANYHOW, during that time (about 2 years ago now) The dimwit of a psychiatrist left town without any forwarding number and when I called her to get more Effexor because I was just about out….I lost it!!! I was 2 days without it and to have stopped so abruptly I was a mess physically and mentally. I was not only in physical pain but I thought I might KILL someone.. The rage was 10 fold of what I had experienced pre-medicated. My therapist was a bit peeved when I called her to rant and rage at. Anyhow my local pharmacist gave me enough after all to survive until the knucklehead came back. She then always had a backup person and a good outgoing message after that if she went away. The important thing is I SURVIVED. But , I thought, I would never be able to get off of it because the rage, sadness and mental disorientation were unbearable. SO! About one year ago I decided I’ d begin a very slow process to wean off of the effexor. Through acupuncture and taking St. John’s Wort. Unfortunately St. John’s Wort made me nauseous. BUT the acupuncture does do wonders, I must admit. In the mean time guys. Even though I’d been taking a miniscule amount of effexor now for about 6 months I am having HORRIBLE withdrawal symptoms. Bouts of tears and sadness, which come and go irrationally, muscle cramps in my neck and back and most of all these electric tingles throughout my body. Most around my mouth, fingers, hands and head. I have tingly headaches that are not migraines. I know what that feels like. I’ve had them since I’ve been on anti depressants….never before in my life though!!! Didn’t know what a migraine was. The bottom-line my friends. Although I would say Effexor it was a wonder that a medication could have taken that angry edge off and helped me to feel like a rational intelligent whole person….what is the cost???? I am not having a good time here off the meds but I look forward to starting a therapy with a NLP therapist tomorrow. I don’t know if you guys can relate to it but, I am OVER therapists!!! I’m over being unstable. Of feeling nauseous, tired, fuddled, spacey, scattered, angry, sad, mad, and even ecstatic. I like feeling even tempered and I am happiest when I have ALL my wits about me. I enjoy multitasking my thoughts. Can’t do that when you’re sick and can’t do that when you’re on the medication cocktail. Apparently NLP therapy takes a bit of all the therapies, cognitive, Jungian, Freudian + and mush’s ‘em all up + uses other techniques to create a therapy which deals with the NOW (no more moaning about my parents and my childhood and my X breaking my heart) it deals with the consistent PATTERNS we’ve created which form our personalities and thus deals with reprogramming our brains.
Well, I tried to make a long story short….but I warned you all. Sorry. Anyhow, I’m off to flush meds from my body and get onto the PINK brick road to mental and physical health. Good luck to you all and I am very interested in knowing others physical reactions to stopping effexor. OH, 1 more thing I tried welbutrin last week to help wean off of effexor. YIKES!!! I had a record-breaking reaction to a record breaking small amout, 37.5mg a day. It was like being on a speed laced ex pill. I do NOT like recreational drugs (anymore). Talk about an emotional meltdown!!! I was crying and laughing at the same time. I was afraid I’d never bounce back. Hot and cold flashes nausea and more. Stay away from that stuff, it’s poison!
Be well all!!
:)
eve
Posted by Janice on April 11, 2000, at 21:03:48
In reply to Re: get better - Janice , posted by Cam W. on April 11, 2000, at 18:27:00
I did misunderstand you Cam. and yes, I'd love to come down to meet you when you're in town. So you're like a cowboy pharmacist! I've never met anyone like this before.
I'm hanging in, but it's tough, Janice
>
Hi KarenB,Yes, I do a bit of these oils. The problem is that I can't stand swallowing so many pills. I'm assuming you take the flaxseed oil straight up. Maybe I will try this, Janice
Posted by Janice on April 11, 2000, at 21:09:38
In reply to Re: get better - Janice , posted by Cam W. on April 11, 2000, at 18:27:00
I keep running into a pack of coyotes on my jog. Luckily my dog (who weighs about 10 kg) stays pretty close to me. My brother seems to think they run off with little city dogs?
I love my dog very much. Do you know if this happens? thanks, Janice
Posted by Cam W. on April 11, 2000, at 23:30:10
In reply to (A little off topic) CamW…do Coyotes eat dogs?, posted by Janice on April 11, 2000, at 21:09:38
Janice - It has happened, but coyotes won't approach when a human is present. They usually eat mice and roadkill. Occationally a little "foo-foo" city dog runs away and is never seen again. my uncle had a male St.Bernard years ago (on a farm) and to this day (well actually I haven't seen one out there for a good 5 years), every now and then you see a coyote with St.Bernard traits (no kidding). Keep your dog on a leash, even a long one, so that he/she/it will not run off after the varmits. Then there will be no problem. - Cam W.
Posted by KarenB on April 12, 2000, at 0:58:56
In reply to (A little off topic) CamW…do Coyotes eat dogs?, posted by Janice on April 11, 2000, at 21:09:38
Janice,
Nice subject line, eh? I made myself laugh with that one...but sometimes that doesn't take much.
Yes, Janice, coyotes do eat dogs. My friends in San Diego lost theirs that way.
And yes, I take the flax oil straight up, like a real woman:) I have heard that if you mix it in yogurt, though, it is barely discernable. I wouldn't try that with the fish oil though...
Karen
Posted by dove on April 12, 2000, at 9:18:29
In reply to Re: Dog eating varmits flax oil, posted by KarenB on April 12, 2000, at 0:58:56
Dear Janice,
I send my best wishes to you, in addition to high hopes for your journey to prove successful. I've enjoyed our talks and have appreciated all the wisdom you have freely shared. Please keep us updated, as your voice is a welcome sight, and I would miss it terribly much. I am also interested in your results, as they hold many possibilities for others, myself included.
Stay well, keep us updated, and more power to ya! You are in my thoughts and prayers.
dove
Posted by Janice on April 12, 2000, at 22:11:37
In reply to Re: Janice and her journey, posted by dove on April 12, 2000, at 9:18:29
hi,
so my doggy, who never wore a leash in a city of 5.5 million will be wearing one in a park in Alberta. Thanks for the advice. Those coyotes come so close to us (like 20 feet). I believe they would 'mingling' with a Saint Bernard.I am going to try the flaxseed oil in my yoghurt. Thanks for the idea Karen.
Dove, that was so flattering, and yes I will keep you up to date on the symptoms. So far I have quit the caffeine, and feel very different (hesitant to call it better yet). Also, the sleep has flipped my cycle to it's opposite side. For the first time since I was 21, it's not regular.
The diet is what will be the toughest. I'm planning to start it in about 2 weeks, and am told it can take 3 months to feel it's effects.
It always seems like these disorders require you to do the opposite of what you want to. I'll definately keep you updated. Janice
Posted by JanetR on April 13, 2000, at 11:20:45
In reply to thanks…Cam, Karen and Dove, posted by Janice on April 12, 2000, at 22:11:37
> hi,
> so my doggy, who never wore a leash in a city of 5.5 million will be wearing one in a park in Alberta. Thanks for the advice. Those coyotes come so close to us (like 20 feet). I believe they would 'mingling' with a Saint Bernard.
>
> I am going to try the flaxseed oil in my yoghurt. Thanks for the idea Karen.
>
> Dove, that was so flattering, and yes I will keep you up to date on the symptoms. So far I have quit the caffeine, and feel very different (hesitant to call it better yet). Also, the sleep has flipped my cycle to it's opposite side. For the first time since I was 21, it's not regular.
>
> The diet is what will be the toughest. I'm planning to start it in about 2 weeks, and am told it can take 3 months to feel it's effects.
>
> It always seems like these disorders require you to do the opposite of what you want to. I'll definately keep you updated. JaniceDear Janice, my warmest best wishes for your success.
If you ever get time to look up the title of the book on ADD and women, I would appreciate it. I might be able to buy it in the UK when I go in the summer. love Jan
Posted by Janice on April 13, 2000, at 21:32:36
In reply to Re: thanks…Cam, Karen and Dove, posted by JanetR on April 13, 2000, at 11:20:45
Hello Jan,
The name of the book is Women with Attention Deficit Disorder--Embracing Disorganization at Home. By Sari Solden.
You can buy it at Amazon.com (I don't know about the exchange rate for people in Brazil).
Jan, I remember you saying you were sensitive to noise. What I do for this is buy soft wax-cotton ear plugs, cut each one into 3 peices and stuff, very gently, a little peice of wax in my ears to take the edge off those noises.
Good luck Jan, and let us know how you're doing. Janice
This is the end of the thread.
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