Psycho-Babble Alternative Thread 455565

Shown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

for agitated depression??

Posted by Spriggy on February 9, 2005, at 17:04:03

What is a good natural med for agitated depression?

I am extremely (EXTREMELY!!!) depressed, suicidal in fact, but at the same time am a bit "restless" and almost agitated in my mind and body.

I can't explain it. It's like I can't feel comfortable in my own skin/mind anymore. It's so weird.

I am desperate here. Lexapro is what kicked me into this state so I am terrified for another pharmaceutical drug but I need something to help me soon or I'm honestly afraid I won't survive this.

I have two young son's, one is severely autistic, and I can NOT afford to be this way. I am having a tough time functioning as a human, let alone a wife or mother.

** Also meant to say that I have tried St. John's wort in the past and didn't see much noticeable difference but I wasn't exactly "depressed" at the time, more like just a little discontent.

AND I've had such a weird reaction to SSRI's, would taking SJW work okay since it also messes with Seratonin (melatonin flipped me out once too).

Thanks for any help.

 

Re: for agitated depression??

Posted by Jakeman on February 11, 2005, at 22:42:43

In reply to for agitated depression??, posted by Spriggy on February 9, 2005, at 17:04:03

> What is a good natural med for agitated depression?
>
> I am extremely (EXTREMELY!!!) depressed, suicidal in fact, but at the same time am a bit "restless" and almost agitated in my mind and body.
>
> I can't explain it. It's like I can't feel comfortable in my own skin/mind anymore. It's so weird.
>
> I am desperate here. Lexapro is what kicked me into this state so I am terrified for another pharmaceutical drug but I need something to help me soon or I'm honestly afraid I won't survive this.
>
> I have two young son's, one is severely autistic, and I can NOT afford to be this way. I am having a tough time functioning as a human, let alone a wife or mother.
>
> ** Also meant to say that I have tried St. John's wort in the past and didn't see much noticeable difference but I wasn't exactly "depressed" at the time, more like just a little discontent.
>
> AND I've had such a weird reaction to SSRI's, would taking SJW work okay since it also messes with Seratonin (melatonin flipped me out once too).
>
> Thanks for any help.

Spriggy,
I know how you feel, as do many of us on this board. Some supplements (among others) that may be helpful are Tryptophan, Taurine, Magnesium, Picamlon. There are herbs too. Do a search here and read about people's experiences. Most are slow acting and dont afford the immediate relief as might a drug like xanex or valium.
Jake

 

Re: for agitated depression?? » Spriggy

Posted by Jakeman on February 11, 2005, at 22:53:49

In reply to for agitated depression??, posted by Spriggy on February 9, 2005, at 17:04:03

> What is a good natural med for agitated depression?
>
I forgot to add, maybe you should not give up on SJW. There are many discussions about that you can look up. Many people have augmented their SSRI's with SJW.

 

Re: for agitated depression?? » Spriggy

Posted by Larry Hoover on February 14, 2005, at 9:05:45

In reply to for agitated depression??, posted by Spriggy on February 9, 2005, at 17:04:03

> What is a good natural med for agitated depression?
>
> I am extremely (EXTREMELY!!!) depressed, suicidal in fact, but at the same time am a bit "restless" and almost agitated in my mind and body.
>
> I can't explain it. It's like I can't feel comfortable in my own skin/mind anymore. It's so weird.
>
> I am desperate here. Lexapro is what kicked me into this state so I am terrified for another pharmaceutical drug but I need something to help me soon or I'm honestly afraid I won't survive this.
>
> I have two young son's, one is severely autistic, and I can NOT afford to be this way. I am having a tough time functioning as a human, let alone a wife or mother.
>
> ** Also meant to say that I have tried St. John's wort in the past and didn't see much noticeable difference but I wasn't exactly "depressed" at the time, more like just a little discontent.
>
> AND I've had such a weird reaction to SSRI's, would taking SJW work okay since it also messes with Seratonin (melatonin flipped me out once too).
>
> Thanks for any help.

Jakeman gave you a good list. Niacinamide, magnesium and taurine might have an immediate effect. They certainly do in me. Tryptophan can as well. Fish oil has shown efficacy in reduction of suicidal ideation and agitation, but it often takes a number of days to kick in (some people feel an immediate effect, though).

The thing about SSRIs (and other meds) is that they can further stress an already stressed individual. Make sure you take a good daily multivitamin, and add in the recommended supps.

Niacinamide at up to 500 mg/dose, up to four doses per day. Taurine up to 2 grams, twice a day. Magnesium, 300-700 mg (as tolerated) per day. Tryptophan doses vary considerably, in different individuals. 1-5 grams possible dose, but I'd keep to low doses with an SSRI in the mix. Fish oil, 2-15 grams/day, as tolerated. Only take with meals, unless you like upset stomach.

I also concur that St. John's wort might be useful with these symptoms. Take only a low dose (300-450 mg/day) if you're going to try it as a supplement to the SSRI. Start at 150.

Let us know how you make out.

Best, Lar

 

Re: for agitated depression??

Posted by LOOPS on February 14, 2005, at 13:20:01

In reply to Re: for agitated depression?? » Spriggy, posted by Larry Hoover on February 14, 2005, at 9:05:45

Hi -

I must also give a shout for 5-htp, which can work very well for agitation, despite the numerous talk on this board that tryptophan works better.

I have taken both, and I finally came back to 5htp. I usually take it at night for sleep, and can't tolerate a constant dose during the day; but if your problem is low serotonin with agitation, a few doses of 5htp might produce immediate relief. For me the problem has not been that it doesn't work, but that if I take too much too often it sends me back into depression, albeit NOT with anxiety. So I would say it works better for anxiety than depression, if the anxiety is due to low serotonin.

And the fish oil with evening primrose oil works quite well as well for depression, but I have had to fiddle with different brands to get a good result with the fish oil. I also have to keep a good eye on my omega-6 intake as well, as the benefits of the omega-3 diminish if my omega-6 consumption rises.

Taurine is excellent for short-term - I again couldn't tolerate it long-term. P5P (coenzymated B6) with zinc can also help with the agitation.

I totally sympathize - depression with agitation is totally horrible and something I have battled with a lot, as has just about everyone else here I think!

Loops

 

Re: for agitated depression?? » Larry Hoover

Posted by Sarah T. on February 22, 2005, at 23:33:54

In reply to Re: for agitated depression?? » Spriggy, posted by Larry Hoover on February 14, 2005, at 9:05:45

Larry, you said that ssri's can further stress an already stressed individual. Can you elaborate a bit on that? Do you mean that taking ssri's might actually increase hypercortisolism? I do remember hearing that Remeron is just about the only antidepressant that is known to lower cortisol. From that, I understand that ssri's will not help lower cortisol, but do you think they might actually exacerbate it?

 

Re: for agitated depression?? » Sarah T.

Posted by Larry Hoover on March 2, 2005, at 16:21:04

In reply to Re: for agitated depression?? » Larry Hoover, posted by Sarah T. on February 22, 2005, at 23:33:54

> Larry, you said that ssri's can further stress an already stressed individual. Can you elaborate a bit on that? Do you mean that taking ssri's might actually increase hypercortisolism? I do remember hearing that Remeron is just about the only antidepressant that is known to lower cortisol. From that, I understand that ssri's will not help lower cortisol, but do you think they might actually exacerbate it?

Stress more generally than that. I think that the adverse effects, and long-term effects, of e.g. SSRIs can be due to nutritional stress imposed by alterations in biochemical rates induced by the drug. For example, non-responders to SSRIs can be turned into responders by the simple addition of the vitamin folic acid. That indicates a direct biochemical dependency, and thereby, a nutritional stress, imposed by the intake of the drug.

I think that failing to address nutrition along with medical treatment of depression is short-sighted and foolhardy.

Lar

 

Re: for agitated depression?? » Larry Hoover

Posted by Sarah T. on March 5, 2005, at 20:29:59

In reply to Re: for agitated depression?? » Sarah T., posted by Larry Hoover on March 2, 2005, at 16:21:04

> >> I think that the adverse effects, and long-term effects, of e.g. SSRIs can be due to nutritional stress imposed by alterations in biochemical rates induced by the drug. For example, non-responders to SSRIs can be turned into responders by the simple addition of the vitamin folic acid. That indicates a direct biochemical dependency, and thereby, a nutritional stress, imposed by the intake of the drug.>
> I think that failing to address nutrition along with medical treatment of depression is short-sighted and foolhardy.> Lar
>

Unfortunately, I haven't yet found any ssri's that turn me into a responder, and I do take folic acid.


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