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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by invisibleman15010 on August 14, 2006, at 18:04:58
As I try to make the final decision to dump my current cocktail and try ECT for the first time and possibly go back on Effexor ER, or maybe Cymbalta,, I can't help but to wonder if anyone has had any luck with St. Johns Wort or Sam-E. I know this question will probably get redirected but I saw little on the other site of alternatives about either. So, just curious, any thoughts, positive or negative or direction to more info.? I would love to be off of the AD as for me they don't seem to work. That is why I am considering ECT. My Psy Doc. has beening bringing it up for over a year. My therapist says she would only do it if she were suicidal. So where does that me, more meds. more reactions, more changes, more dissappointment, more frustration, more life wasted. I want to get on with my life and get off this nightmare rollercoaster. So any advice?
e
Posted by Phillipa on August 14, 2006, at 20:02:07
In reply to Anyone had luck switching from AD to alternatives?, posted by invisibleman15010 on August 14, 2006, at 18:04:58
Have you considered EMSAM? I'm preparing by weaning off luvox to give it a try. My pdoc also mentioned VNS but then I found out you still need meds and can never have an MRI. I know a poster who love St John's Wart. And she's tried even MAOI's. Google St John's wart. Maybe she will see this. Love Phillipa
Posted by blueberry on August 14, 2006, at 20:09:40
In reply to Anyone had luck switching from AD to alternatives?, posted by invisibleman15010 on August 14, 2006, at 18:04:58
Alternatives can work great. Top choices in my opinion would be st johns wort and/or rhodiola rosea, with add-on choices including SAMe and/or gingko biloba.
St Johns Wort worked absolutely marvelous for me, in both of two different trials. It was the very loud tinnitus that caused me to have to stop it. But boy when sjw works it really works. It takes a 2 to 12 weeks to work though. Rhodiola for me also worked good and fast (beginning the first day), but again the tinnitus thing which is a real problem for me.
The above mentioned herbs have fairly complicated mechanisms.
There is a lot of debate on ECT. I do not have experience with it, but I do trust the people that have talked to me personally about it, and I am in favor of it...especially when you've been suffering for a long time.
Posted by linkadge on August 14, 2006, at 20:44:03
In reply to Re: Anyone had luck switching from AD to alternatives?, posted by blueberry on August 14, 2006, at 20:09:40
Youl could try alternatives before you try the ECT. I knew of one case of failed ECT that responded to SJW (!) so go figure.
I would start with one or two things and try not to let it get too complicated. I think thats where you can run into problems is when you're trying 100 different alternatives at once.
I'd probably start with either SJW 300mg three times/day, and then perhaps try omega-3, in terms of mood disorders, I think these two have been the most studied.
Linkadge
Posted by Jimmyboy on August 14, 2006, at 20:48:23
In reply to Re: Anyone had luck switching from AD to alternatives?, posted by blueberry on August 14, 2006, at 20:09:40
I took Serzone for a very long and had to discontinue it b/c I could no longer get it in the local pharmacy b/c they pulled it off the market . Tried Wellbutrin.. no luck , entered a deep depression and started taking SAM-e ( GNC brand.. I think getting a quality brand is real important) And within a week and a half I felt like a new man and felt better than I had in years, so it worked well. Unfortunately though I am BP II and it sent me into a mild but very enjoyable hypomania , but eventually it stoppped working for me, but then again all AD's have.
But I would certainly consider SAM-e if you are going to go with an alternative treatment.
JB
Posted by Phillipa on August 14, 2006, at 21:18:30
In reply to Re: Anyone had luck switching from AD to alternatives?, posted by Jimmyboy on August 14, 2006, at 20:48:23
So are you saying that alternatives poop out too? I know I've taken vitamins for years multiple ones. Do you believe they poop out too. Just curious. Love Phillipa
Posted by Jimmyboy on August 14, 2006, at 21:40:24
In reply to Re: Anyone had luck switching from AD to alternatives? » Jimmyboy, posted by Phillipa on August 14, 2006, at 21:18:30
I know for me the SAM-e initially worked well and I continued to take it and ended up back in a serious depression after a few months .. so for me at least , yes it did poop out.
But from what I heard, SAM-e is actually a prescrition drug in Europe, so I don;t know if I would even really consider it an " alternative" type treatment.
Sincerely,
JB
Posted by linkadge on August 15, 2006, at 16:26:07
In reply to Re: Anyone had luck switching from AD to alternatives?, posted by Jimmyboy on August 14, 2006, at 21:40:24
There is a theory, (I don't know how substantiated) that antidepressants poop out more often for bipolar individuals.
Linkadge
Posted by Maxime on August 15, 2006, at 17:23:21
In reply to Anyone had luck switching from AD to alternatives?, posted by invisibleman15010 on August 14, 2006, at 18:04:58
Have you tried the Alternative board? :)
Maxime
> As I try to make the final decision to dump my current cocktail and try ECT for the first time and possibly go back on Effexor ER, or maybe Cymbalta,, I can't help but to wonder if anyone has had any luck with St. Johns Wort or Sam-E. I know this question will probably get redirected but I saw little on the other site of alternatives about either. So, just curious, any thoughts, positive or negative or direction to more info.? I would love to be off of the AD as for me they don't seem to work. That is why I am considering ECT. My Psy Doc. has beening bringing it up for over a year. My therapist says she would only do it if she were suicidal. So where does that me, more meds. more reactions, more changes, more dissappointment, more frustration, more life wasted. I want to get on with my life and get off this nightmare rollercoaster. So any advice?
> e
Posted by Phillipa on August 15, 2006, at 19:24:01
In reply to Re: Anyone had luck switching from AD to alternatives?, posted by linkadge on August 15, 2006, at 16:26:07
Link really? Is there a corrolation why some people don't respond to SSRI's SSNRI's? Love Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on August 16, 2006, at 21:26:06
In reply to Re: Anyone had luck switching from AD to alternatives? » linkadge, posted by Phillipa on August 15, 2006, at 19:24:01
That is one hypothesis, but I don't know how much solid evidence there is of that.
Linkadge
This is the end of the thread.
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