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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 TommyIsland on October 8, 2004, at 18:34:48
I've been taking Effexor XR at 150 MG a day and Depakote 1000 MG a day for about 5 years. At first the combo was a lifesaver but I must admit that over the last 2 years or so it has seemed to lose it's juice. What I mean by this is that the side effects that at first I just lived with, have now stock piled up to a point where I can't take it anymore. The low libido, anorgasm, severe somnolence (wanting to sleep ridiculously long hours), carb cravings so severe I eat triple what other people can eat in one sitting, memory problems so bad I can't recall anything short term and memories from a year ago are so faint I can barely recall, low energy levels.............and I can go on and on and on. The bottom line is that I'm fed up living life like this........I'm 28 and want to experience life in a whole new way. I've since quit the Depakote as of a month ago with no side effects (actually I feel absolutely no difference that it has lead me to believe I never should have taken it in the first place because I've always suffered from Unipolar Depression and not classic Bipolar with Mania.) The bottom line for taking a mood stabilizer is to keep somebody from bouncing into a manic state of which I've never entered.
Anyways, I started taking a daily Multivitamin with Minerals, A Multi Oil Softgel pill - 3 pills at once in the morning - containing Omega 3,6,and 9 Fatty acids, one pill of Biotin 1000 MG, and I just picked up some Green Tea Extract today - each pill contains 325 MG. I am hoping the Green Tea will give me a boost in energy. I'm starting to go to the gym again (I've had a gym membership all along and got lazy a few months back) --------------
Question: Has anybody had success or know of any great Herbal Supplements out there that give much needed energy boosts to make me wanna get my [*]ss moving in the morning ---- excuse my French. Also, has anybody had success with taking only Herbs in lieu of Meds and actually had success? I would love to be med drug free!
I want to get off of Effexor XR all together because it really seems to lack. If I can get some herbal supplements to do the trick I would be much happier.
All responses would be greatly appreciated by me!
Thanks,
Tommy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by alesta on October 8, 2004, at 18:36:37
In reply to Any Success with Herbs over Meds, posted by TommyIsland on October 7, 2004, at 1:52:27
> I've been taking Effexor XR at 150 MG a day and Depakote 1000 MG a day for about 5 years. At first the combo was a lifesaver but I must admit that over the last 2 years or so it has seemed to lose it's juice. What I mean by this is that the side effects that at first I just lived with, have now stock piled up to a point where I can't take it anymore. The low libido, anorgasm, severe somnolence (wanting to sleep ridiculously long hours), carb cravings so severe I eat triple what other people can eat in one sitting, memory problems so bad I can't recall anything short term and memories from a year ago are so faint I can barely recall, low energy levels.............and I can go on and on and on. The bottom line is that I'm fed up living life like this........I'm 28 and want to experience life in a whole new way. I've since quit the Depakote as of a month ago with no side effects (actually I feel absolutely no difference that it has lead me to believe I never should have taken it in the first place because I've always suffered from Unipolar Depression and not classic Bipolar with Mania.) The bottom line for taking a mood stabilizer is to keep somebody from bouncing into a manic state of which I've never entered.
>
> Anyways, I started taking a daily Multivitamin with Minerals, A Multi Oil Softgel pill - 3 pills at once in the morning - containing Omega 3,6,and 9 Fatty acids, one pill of Biotin 1000 MG, and I just picked up some Green Tea Extract today - each pill contains 325 MG. I am hoping the Green Tea will give me a boost in energy. I'm starting to go to the gym again (I've had a gym membership all along and got lazy a few months back) --------------
>
> Question: Has anybody had success or know of any great Herbal Supplements out there that give much needed energy boosts to make me wanna get my [*]ss moving in the morning ---- excuse my French. Also, has anybody had success with taking only Herbs in lieu of Meds and actually had success? I would love to be med drug free!
>
> I want to get off of Effexor XR all together because it really seems to lack. If I can get some herbal supplements to do the trick I would be much happier.
>
> All responses would be greatly appreciated by me!
>
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
>
> Tommy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hi tommy!well, i'd be glad to help you! :)
getting off effexor sounds like the right thing for you.
i am taking rhodiola. it is very effective for depression for me and just as good or better than many meds. no side effects at all. if you aren't treatment-resistant, i think this would be a great thing to try. of course, YMMV. the brand i take is nature's plus. it is one of the best out there; quality is important.
you have to take breaks with it, b/c a tolerance builds up quickly. i would recommend 3 weeks on, 1 week off. I came up with a great idea for dealing with the week off..during your week off i would suggest taking TMG. both TMG and rhodiola take about the same amount of time to work (about 3 or 4 days). so your depression would be covered nonstop. look up info on psychobabble for a good brand of tmg. also, you need to take it with sublingual b12, etc. (i'd recommend a brand, but i'm not taking it yet, for financial reasons.)
i plan to go the med route for my anxiety, however. i don't think the natural treatments for anxiety work as well as meds, in my opinion (and i've done a lot of research).
good luck, tommy! let me know if you have any further questions.
take care,:)
amy
Posted by jujube on October 8, 2004, at 18:36:38
In reply to Re: Any Success with Herbs over Meds » TommyIsland, posted by alesta on October 8, 2004, at 8:44:01
> > I've been taking Effexor XR at 150 MG a day and Depakote 1000 MG a day for about 5 years. At first the combo was a lifesaver but I must admit that over the last 2 years or so it has seemed to lose it's juice. What I mean by this is that the side effects that at first I just lived with, have now stock piled up to a point where I can't take it anymore. The low libido, anorgasm, severe somnolence (wanting to sleep ridiculously long hours), carb cravings so severe I eat triple what other people can eat in one sitting, memory problems so bad I can't recall anything short term and memories from a year ago are so faint I can barely recall, low energy levels.............and I can go on and on and on. The bottom line is that I'm fed up living life like this........I'm 28 and want to experience life in a whole new way. I've since quit the Depakote as of a month ago with no side effects (actually I feel absolutely no difference that it has lead me to believe I never should have taken it in the first place because I've always suffered from Unipolar Depression and not classic Bipolar with Mania.) The bottom line for taking a mood stabilizer is to keep somebody from bouncing into a manic state of which I've never entered.
> >
> > Anyways, I started taking a daily Multivitamin with Minerals, A Multi Oil Softgel pill - 3 pills at once in the morning - containing Omega 3,6,and 9 Fatty acids, one pill of Biotin 1000 MG, and I just picked up some Green Tea Extract today - each pill contains 325 MG. I am hoping the Green Tea will give me a boost in energy. I'm starting to go to the gym again (I've had a gym membership all along and got lazy a few months back) --------------
> >
> > Question: Has anybody had success or know of any great Herbal Supplements out there that give much needed energy boosts to make me wanna get my [*]ss moving in the morning ---- excuse my French. Also, has anybody had success with taking only Herbs in lieu of Meds and actually had success? I would love to be med drug free!
> >
> > I want to get off of Effexor XR all together because it really seems to lack. If I can get some herbal supplements to do the trick I would be much happier.
> >
> > All responses would be greatly appreciated by me!
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Tommy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
>
> hi tommy!
>
> well, i'd be glad to help you! :)
>
> getting off effexor sounds like the right thing for you.
>
> i am taking rhodiola. it is very effective for depression for me and just as good or better than many meds. no side effects at all. if you aren't treatment-resistant, i think this would be a great thing to try. of course, YMMV. the brand i take is nature's plus. it is one of the best out there; quality is important.
>
> you have to take breaks with it, b/c a tolerance builds up quickly. i would recommend 3 weeks on, 1 week off. I came up with a great idea for dealing with the week off..during your week off i would suggest taking TMG. both TMG and rhodiola take about the same amount of time to work (about 3 or 4 days). so your depression would be covered nonstop. look up info on psychobabble for a good brand of tmg. also, you need to take it with sublingual b12, etc. (i'd recommend a brand, but i'm not taking it yet, for financial reasons.)
>
> i plan to go the med route for my anxiety, however. i don't think the natural treatments for anxiety work as well as meds, in my opinion (and i've done a lot of research).
>
> good luck, tommy! let me know if you have any further questions.
>
> take care,:)
> amy
>
>
Amy,I've heard that Rhodiola can be safely combined with an AD. I am thinking of trying it with the Celexa I am using (checked with my doctor and he didn't have a problem, but he isn't really familiar with Rhodiola). How long have you used the Rhodiola? Did you notice a difference between the effectiveness of Rhodiola and an AD?
I am also going to try GABA-Plus for anxiety. It is a combination of GABA, niacinimid and inistol. I should receive my order in about a week, and am hoping it will be effective. I am trying to go the natural route, but you never know with these things.
Tamara
Posted by Optimist on October 8, 2004, at 18:36:39
In reply to Any Success with Herbs over Meds, posted by TommyIsland on October 7, 2004, at 1:52:27
I'm taking St. John's Wort at 2700mg per day, which is about 3 times the recommended dose. At this dose I find it works quite robustly for depression. I don't have any real side effects either which is a major bonus. Perhaps some slight dry mouth but mild. I also take wellbutrin SR 300mg per day, and Adderall XR 5mg x2 per day for more energy and motivation. My side effects are pretty much non-existant.
I can't say this combo will work well for you but it has worked quite well for me. I suffer more from an energic depression (lack of energy, motivation), and a little bit of social anxiety.
Posted by alesta on October 8, 2004, at 18:36:39
In reply to Re: Any Success with Herbs over Meds » alesta, posted by jujube on October 8, 2004, at 16:06:57
hi, tamara,many doctors aren't really familiar with natural remedies. i don't know that combining rhodiola with celexa is such a good idea. you do risk serotonin syndrome, as rhodiola increases all the neurotransmitters, including serotonin. i personally would not combine the two. you may be fine with the combination, and it's up to you, but you're taking a risk. i personally would quit the celexa first.
<How long have you used the Rhodiola?
i have used it for a month now. and i have taken it for many months in the past.
<Did you notice a difference between the effectiveness of Rhodiola and an AD?
yes, rhodiola is *much* more effective than prozac, which is the antidepressant i was taking. i hated being on prozac. it numbed my emotions. i was miserable. (i was trying it for social anxiety.)
> I am also going to try GABA-Plus for anxiety. It is a combination of GABA, niacinimid and inistol. I should receive my order in about a week, and am hoping it will be effective. I am trying to go the natural route, but you never know with these things.
absolutely..go for it. depending on how severe your anxiety is, a natural solution may work great for you. i am going to try l-theanine to tide me over until i get a prescription for klonopin (i have severe anxiety in work situations). (jarrow and vitamin world are both good brands. jarrow might be cheaper, not sure. i wouldn't combine l-theanine and rhodiola, though.)
if you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to ask. :)
take care,
amy :)
Posted by jujube on October 8, 2004, at 18:36:39
In reply to Re: Any Success with Herbs over Meds » jujube, posted by alesta on October 8, 2004, at 16:45:46
Amy,
Thanks so much for the response. With respect to the Rhodiola, I am erring on the side of caution (in spite of the fact that I have read that some doctors do combine Rhodiola with a SSRI and I have read some threads here about people combining the two). I will wait and give my vitamin regime a chance before I decide whether to try the Rhodiola.
My anxiety is, at times, relatively severe (usually after I have been sick like I was recently with iron deficiency that left me totally drained and having to take a lot of time of work while the situation was being resolved). Xanax does work for me, but the pdoc that I have been seeing about medication doesn't want to prescribe it because I am a recovering alcholic (8 1/2 years of sobriety). My own family doctor will prescribe a very small amount, but is cautious. I have never abused it, and am very cognizant of the fact that dependency can develop. For years I refused to take anything like Xanax. But now I realize that as long as one has a healthy respect for the possibility of addiction, one will use it with caution and only when needed.
I continue my search for natural remedies, and will follow the discussions on the Alternative board for helpful tips. Have you tried L-Taurine? I have heard it is good for anxiety. Good luck with the L-Theanine. If you think of it, let me know how it goes.
Take good care.
Tamara
> hi, tamara,
>
> many doctors aren't really familiar with natural remedies. i don't know that combining rhodiola with celexa is such a good idea. you do risk serotonin syndrome, as rhodiola increases all the neurotransmitters, including serotonin. i personally would not combine the two. you may be fine with the combination, and it's up to you, but you're taking a risk. i personally would quit the celexa first.
>
> <How long have you used the Rhodiola?
>
> i have used it for a month now. and i have taken it for many months in the past.
>
> <Did you notice a difference between the effectiveness of Rhodiola and an AD?
>
> yes, rhodiola is *much* more effective than prozac, which is the antidepressant i was taking. i hated being on prozac. it numbed my emotions. i was miserable. (i was trying it for social anxiety.)
>
> > I am also going to try GABA-Plus for anxiety. It is a combination of GABA, niacinimid and inistol. I should receive my order in about a week, and am hoping it will be effective. I am trying to go the natural route, but you never know with these things.
>
> absolutely..go for it. depending on how severe your anxiety is, a natural solution may work great for you. i am going to try l-theanine to tide me over until i get a prescription for klonopin (i have severe anxiety in work situations). (jarrow and vitamin world are both good brands. jarrow might be cheaper, not sure. i wouldn't combine l-theanine and rhodiola, though.)
>
> if you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to ask. :)
>
> take care,
> amy :)
Posted by alesta on October 8, 2004, at 18:36:39
In reply to Any Success with Herbs over Meds, posted by TommyIsland on October 7, 2004, at 1:52:27
i just wanted to add that i agree with Optimist ..i loved being on st. john's wort. the only reason i went off it is because it can render some meds and maybe supplements ineffective, e.g. birth control pills. it can also cause photosensitivity.
amy :)
Posted by alesta on October 8, 2004, at 18:36:40
In reply to Re: Any Success with Herbs over Meds » alesta, posted by jujube on October 8, 2004, at 17:06:32
> Thanks so much for the response.
you're so welcome, tamara!
<Good luck with the L-Theanine. If you think of it, let me know how it goes.
i will do that. :-) thanks for wishing me luck!amy :)
Posted by TommyIsland on October 8, 2004, at 22:35:30
In reply to Re: Any Success with Herbs over Meds » jujube, posted by alesta on October 8, 2004, at 17:32:24
I did lots of research online and came up with a bunch of supplement/herbs/vitamins to take. I went to GNC and bought them all. Like I said I've been taking a multivitamin, biotin, and Multi Fish Oils (3,6 &9) for about 1 Month. As of today, I'm also taking 1 pill of the following: Vitamin B-12, Vitamin B-6, Folic Acid, Magnesium, Ginkgo Biloba, Green Tea Extract, Gotu Kola, and for a Multi Vitamin pill I've switched over to the GNC brand Mega Man and take two pills a day. I take all the meds at once with a meal in the morning. After the first day of using it I must say I'm astonished at the energy level I have been experiencing. I also went to the gym and got in a good workout but the energy level is amazing. Hopefully this will last and is a sign of great things to come in the future. Has anybody else out there tried out any or all of these combos? I'm also trying to taper off the Effexor completely. Currently I'm taking it everyother day and sometimes every two days. I'm taking a 75 MG pill and taking out the Milligrams to about half way. I'm praying that I will get off of it completely and have success with the all natural pills...........
Sincerely,
Tommy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by jujube on October 9, 2004, at 10:43:38
In reply to Re: Any Success with Herbs over Meds, posted by TommyIsland on October 8, 2004, at 22:35:30
Tommy,
I had read that with B vitamins, a person should take all the B's at a 1:1 ratio (i.e., 50 mg or 100mg of all B vitamins in a complex). This is because not only do the B vitamins work together, but also because B's compete for absorption in the intestines. Taking supplements of one or two B's could result in deficiencies in other B vitamins or a B vitamin imbalance. Perhaps you should include a B-Complex (50mg or 100mg) and then you can add additional amounts of the specific B's you feel are necessary.
Tamara
> I did lots of research online and came up with a bunch of supplement/herbs/vitamins to take. I went to GNC and bought them all. Like I said I've been taking a multivitamin, biotin, and Multi Fish Oils (3,6 &9) for about 1 Month. As of today, I'm also taking 1 pill of the following: Vitamin B-12, Vitamin B-6, Folic Acid, Magnesium, Ginkgo Biloba, Green Tea Extract, Gotu Kola, and for a Multi Vitamin pill I've switched over to the GNC brand Mega Man and take two pills a day. I take all the meds at once with a meal in the morning. After the first day of using it I must say I'm astonished at the energy level I have been experiencing. I also went to the gym and got in a good workout but the energy level is amazing. Hopefully this will last and is a sign of great things to come in the future. Has anybody else out there tried out any or all of these combos? I'm also trying to taper off the Effexor completely. Currently I'm taking it everyother day and sometimes every two days. I'm taking a 75 MG pill and taking out the Milligrams to about half way. I'm praying that I will get off of it completely and have success with the all natural pills...........
>
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
>
> Tommy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by karaS on October 9, 2004, at 18:13:14
In reply to Re: Any Success with Herbs over Meds » TommyIsland, posted by jujube on October 9, 2004, at 10:43:38
Tommy,
It sounds like you picked a lot of good supplements.
I've also read that you should take a B complex in addition to taking specific B vitamins so that you don't have develop any B deficiencies. However, I've read that the B 50 or 100s contain arbitrary amounts and that there are better more balanced B complexes that are based more on the appropriate relative balances. Who knows. Different articles say different things.
Can you tell at all what individual substances are doing for you? I wonder what effect you're getting from the Gotu Kola. I haven't tried that one yet.
Kara
> Tommy,
>
> I had read that with B vitamins, a person should take all the B's at a 1:1 ratio (i.e., 50 mg or 100mg of all B vitamins in a complex). This is because not only do the B vitamins work together, but also because B's compete for absorption in the intestines. Taking supplements of one or two B's could result in deficiencies in other B vitamins or a B vitamin imbalance. Perhaps you should include a B-Complex (50mg or 100mg) and then you can add additional amounts of the specific B's you feel are necessary.
>
> Tamara
>
>
> > I did lots of research online and came up with a bunch of supplement/herbs/vitamins to take. I went to GNC and bought them all. Like I said I've been taking a multivitamin, biotin, and Multi Fish Oils (3,6 &9) for about 1 Month. As of today, I'm also taking 1 pill of the following: Vitamin B-12, Vitamin B-6, Folic Acid, Magnesium, Ginkgo Biloba, Green Tea Extract, Gotu Kola, and for a Multi Vitamin pill I've switched over to the GNC brand Mega Man and take two pills a day. I take all the meds at once with a meal in the morning. After the first day of using it I must say I'm astonished at the energy level I have been experiencing. I also went to the gym and got in a good workout but the energy level is amazing. Hopefully this will last and is a sign of great things to come in the future. Has anybody else out there tried out any or all of these combos? I'm also trying to taper off the Effexor completely. Currently I'm taking it everyother day and sometimes every two days. I'm taking a 75 MG pill and taking out the Milligrams to about half way. I'm praying that I will get off of it completely and have success with the all natural pills...........
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Tommy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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